How to Get a Seat by the Fire — 261
A traveller came into a country hotel in Wisconsin upon a very cold day, and could get no room near the fire, whereupon he called to the ostler to fetch a peck of oysters, and give them to his horse. “Will your horse eat oysters?” replied the ostler. “Try him,” said the gentleman. The loafing guests running immediately to see this wonder, the fireside was cleared, and the gentleman had his choice of seats. The ostler brought back the oysters, and said the horse would not touch them. “Won’t he?” said the stranger. “Why, then, bring them here; I shall be forced to eat them myself.”