HORSE SALE SWINDLE.
A CUTE COUPLE
There is a man in Melbourne, Mr. William Westbury, chemist, and racing enthusiast, who is eagerly and anxiously searching for two fat men whom he met at the races on Saturday last. He says that if he finds them he will not be responsible for his actions.
Mr. Westbury had watched a horse named Petalst-er win the first race in great style. A little later he strolled round to Petalster's stallj and had another look at him. ' He liked the appearance of the animal still more, and he said so to a stout man who was standing beside Petalster stroking his mane. He said, in fact, that if he could get Petalster at a reasonable figure he would buy him. The stout man did not seem very interested. " You are not the owner of the horse?" said Mr. Westbury. ,:
" No," said the stout man, nodding towards a stouter man outside- " that's his owner there —Mr. Singleton."
Mr. Singleton was talking to another nian, and making play with a cigar. Mr. Westbury approached him , and offered to buy Petalster. Mr.' Singleton displayed 'no enthusiasm, but said h e might consider £100. Mr. Westbury shook his head and offered £80.
Mr. Singleton declined the offer firmly. Mr. Welstbury offered to split the difference and suggested £90. The fat man grew impatient. " The price," he said, " is £100. You can take it or leave it. I can win some big races yet with that horse."
Mr. Westbury went off and consulted a veterinary surgeon. The latter said ; Petalster was absolutely sound. "I'll take him," decided Mr. Westbury, and forthwith paid the f man ten £10 notes.. While he stood waiting for the fat. man to come back with , the receipt, the trainer came in to prepare the horse for his next race. • Mr. Westbury told him of the purchase. ? The. trainer insisted that: the ihorse had not been sold by the owper...,. There wer e hurried explanations;, a^'fratitic appeal to the police, much bad .the two really cl^v<erYf; 'imagsmen" had got clear away with the unfortunate Mr. Westbury's £100. \
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NA19201025.2.35
Bibliographic details
Northern Advocate, 25 October 1920, Page 3
Word Count
352HORSE SALE SWINDLE. Northern Advocate, 25 October 1920, Page 3
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