The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 1, August, 1851Various
History
The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 1, August, 1851
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
As they stroll about, Benson points out several celebrated fliers that
have gained admission inside of the stand, but prefer remaining
outside the track; some pretty well worn-out and _emeriti_ like
Ripton, an old rival of Lady Suffolk (the mare has outlasted most of
her early contemporaries), some in their prime, like the trotting
stallion, Black Hawk, beautifully formed as any blood-horse, but
singularly marked, being white-stockinged all round to the knee.
"There," says Harry, "is a fellow that belies the old horse-dealer's
rhyme:
'Four white legs and a white nose,
Take him away, and throw him to the crows.'"
Time is up, and they return to the stand. Edwards is bantering
Losing, and asks him if he will repeat his bet on this heat. He will
fast enough, and double it on the final result. Edwards wants nothing
better.
This time, for a wonder, the horses got off at the first start, and a
tremendous pace they make, altogether too much for Trustee, who is
carried off his feet in the first half-quarter, and the Lady goes
ahead three, four, five lengths, and has taken the pole before he can
recover. Bryan continues to crowd the pace. The mare comes round to
the score in 2´ 33´´, leading by four lengths, and her driver
threshing her already. "She can't stand it," say the knowing ones;
"she must drop out soon." But she doesn't drop out in the second mile
at least, for at the end of that, she is still three lengths in
advance, and Trustee does not appear so fresh as he did last heat. The
Long-Islanders are exultant, and the sporting men look shy. When they
come home in the last quarter, the chestnut has only taken one length
out of the gap; nevertheless, he goes for the outside, and makes the
best rush he can. It's no use. He can't get near her; breaks up again,
and crosses the score a long way behind. Much manifestation of
boisterous joy among the farmers. Edwards looks sold, and something
like a smile passes over Losing's unimpassioned countenance. It is
plain sailing for the judges this time. "Lady Suffolk has the heat in
7' 49´´," and there is no mistake or dispute about it.
Another long pause. Eight minutes' sport and three quarters of an hour
intermission among such a company begins to be rather dull work. All
the topics of interest afforded by the place have been exhausted.
Harrison and Benson begin to talk stocks and investments; the
juveniles are comparing their watering place experiences during the
summer. Ashburner says nothing, and smokes an indefinite number of
cigars; Losing says rather less, and smokes more. Edwards has
disappeared; gone, possibly, to talk to the doubtful carriages. It is
growing dark before they are ready for the third and decisive heat.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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