THE COSSACK SWINDLER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1027, 26 March 1884, Page 6

THE COSSACK SWINDLER.

A Cossack rode up to the door of a little inn at Braile, dismounted, drank a succession of glasses of brandy, and then made a show of remounting- his horse. The landlord reminded him that he had not paid for his driuk. The Cossack, with a heavy sigh, drew out his huge dirty purse, and began fumbling for a coin, when his horse gave a sudden snort and fell to the ground. The Cossack was in despair ; he did everything he could to rise the beast upon its legs, but all was in vain. "He is dead ! he is dead !" cried out in chorus a number of bystanders, who had been attracted to the spot by the accident. The poor Cossack would not believe it. The crowd, knowing that a Cossack's horse ia his own property, and that the loss of the animal would be a terrible blow to the owner, began to make a collection in order to mitigate his sufferings as far as possible. Even the landlord was touched, forgot his bill, and presented the bereaved man with another glass of brandy, refusing any pay. The Cossack lifted up his saddle, slung his lance over his shoulder, dropped a farewell tear over the faithful beast, and walked sorrowfully away. When he was about a thousand paces distant, he suddenly stopped, turned round and gave a long shrill whistle. At the sound of a well-known signal the horse sprang up, neighed a friendly answer, and darted off with lightning speed to his grinning owner. The Cossack was soon on his back, making significant symbols of thanks to the assembled crowd for their generosity and sympathy. In a few minutes he was out of sight, and the landlord of the krotschma "was loudly registering his vow that he would never again trust a Cossack.