Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1867-11-15

! they arrived at their journey. end where
Nero was RECALLED with three herrings, being
one extra and which he dispatched voracious-
iy in donbc-quick time, looking for more, but
in vain. He was then with much coaxing and
kicking, Persuaded 10 resume the return trip
homeward, and which was safely accomplish
ed by vigorous squealiug and determined
grunting on the part Of Nero.
On the fourth day. punctually at IL o'clock
when the master presented himself, Nero
seemed to understand somewhat the object of
his calling, he walked Of, rot only without
compulsion, but with considerable alacrity. al
good round pace, to get to his journeys end
where his master regaled him no; alone with
his coveted dinner of three herrings, but, as
reward for his tractability and good conduct,
with one herring extra, and which Nero de-
voured with incredible velocity as soon as
they came within reach of his grinders.
On the fifth day Nero vas fully up to the
game and his master experienced consider
able difficulty to keep up with him. At Sche>
veningen the usual allowance, now of four
herrings was placed at his disposal and dis,
posed Of by him in short metre
On the days following, and up to the time
q the race, his master had difficulty with
Nero but to keep up with him, Nero invariably
taking the lead-althougil on the return trips
the same difficulty alays recurred A vigor-
Gus application Of boots was in such cases the
only convincing argument with Nero. who
could never see the point, nor comprehend the
necessity Of this back track movement, and
ever ob.treperously squealed and grunted his
objections, deeming this extra exercise proba-
bly, superiuons to Liz health, as he had never
shown any signs Of either dyspepsia or indi-
gest'on. Bat be that as it nay, Nero had to
submit to strict discipline, his master intend
ing 70 thus train him up to fame and renown.
On the ninth day Nero had become perfect
ly trained, and had become extremely thin
upon his scanty meals, he now ran like race
horse-a veritable Eclpse-inyariably dis,
tancing his master, who followed on a fast
trotting horse. Both exercise and spare diet
were, however, strictly adhered to the day
proceeding the one on which the race was TO
come of. On that, the thirteenth dav. as on
the first day, Nero was almost starved. At
the usual hour. of IL. his master appeared but
Nero vas doomed to ppointncnt-no trot
no herrinss en- that day. With eager eye and
impatient grunt he signifed his desire to be
released from his pen; but alas il was not 10
be; he had to submit to day of fasting and
prayer-or, at least prepare for the race
on the fourteenth day both horse and hog
appeared at the starting post. eager for the
race. 1t was beautiful day. and tile road
was lined the entire distance on both sides
with anxious and delighted spectators, eager
to see the sport. Panctually at Ii o'clock. at
'ap OF drum, off they started, amids, the shouts
ana hurrahs Of the multitude. The first two
mics was closely contested-it was emphatic
ly neck and neck race bu; Nero light az a
lea,neF, anu having in his mi"d's eve proba>
bly,, his delecatable meal now fairly few OYER
the course, gradually leaving the horse be.
hlna, keeping the lead the entire distance
Amidst shouts and hurrahs the waving Of
handkerchief, and the widest excitement. he
reached the ending post, beating the horse by
half a mile and winning the race triumphant
".
for tins extraordinary performance Nero.
was rewarded with a pailful of hcrrines
which having fsasted upon to his hearts con.
tent he waddled back to the Hague.