Now if you should drive in here some day and discover me dead, reclining against yonder noble elm, or stark at its base, surrounded by my various pets, don't allude to it in the most indirect way.

I prefer the funeral to be strictly private.

Moreover, if I notice another 'item' about me, I'll buy of your rival." And the trouble ceased.
But the horses! Still they came and went.

I used to pay my friend the rubicund surgeon to test some of these highly recommended animals in a short drive with me.
One pronounced absolutely unrivaled was discovered by my wise mentor to be "watch-eyed," "rat-tailed," with a swollen gland on the neck, would shy at a stone, stand on hind legs for a train, with various other minor defects.

I grew fainthearted, discouraged, cynical, bitter.