Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-02
A Race Extraordinary.

d.
Hague, in Holland, which for its novelty
excited more than ordinary interest Ii
was between fast trotting horse in har-
ness, and full grown hog; single heat
distance six English miles-for a wager OF
one thousand guilders.
The circumstances which led to this
unique trial of speed were as follows: AT
sporting club at the Hague a young mem
Der of the club eXpatiated upon the beauty,
symmetry and extraordinary speed of a
trotting horse he had that day purchased,
expressing an eager desire to get up a
match to prove the superior qualities OF
his horse. A gentleman, engaged in a
hand at cards, but whose attention had
been attracted by the ardent and impassion-
ed remarks of the speaker, quietly remark
ed: ''Come, sir, don't be Dragging SO
much about the swiftness of your horse,
for have hog which. for trifiing wager.
/ would not hesitate to run against him.
Peels of laughter greeted this strange pro-
posal, to which-when partially subsided-
the owner of "Grunty" quietly interposed
"Well, now challenge to run my hog
in harness, one straight heat, six English
miles, for one thousand guilders side.
'Done!" '"Done!'' was the eager re-
sponse from many voices. provided" the
challenger resumed, "that the horse carry
two persons, and that fourteen days. time
be allowed me for training my ANIMAL
agreed r' ''Agreed!' resounded all
round; for the joke was deemed too good
and too novel to give it the go-by.
Preliminaries being satisfactorily ar
ranged, and the stakes deposited, it was
agreed that the match should come off that
day fortnight at IL o'clock A. NJ. precisely
and the beautiful avenue leading from the
Hague to the sea shore aJ Sheveningen was
selected as the course. The news of this eX-
froo ofnh for 80 81 . h.
| tween fast trottiDg horse and a full
grown porker spread like wild-fre, and
caused the most intense excitement, not
alone in sporting circles, but among the
people generally-all eager to see the fun
The day was anxiously looked for, and the
training of Nero began.
On the first day poor Nero was starved
strict orders having been given by his
owner that no one should feed him, himself
alone attending to that matter. On the
second day Nero was pretty sharp set
when, punctually at IL o'clock, his master
made his appearance. A rope was secure
ly fastened to one of his hind trotters, and
his master drove him, with many a kick
and fOrcible persuasion, all the way over
the course to Scheveuingen, where he fed
him upon scantY meal of two her
rings, which Nero ravenously devoured
after which he had to trOt it back to the
Hague. 1t may be proper here to remark
that the hog prefers fish to any other kind
of food.
On the third day Nero felt .rfec.ly ra-
venous, but he had to bide mis- time, and
his master had to resort to the strictest
hOg-discipline to start him off when, at II
o'clock, he presented himself to drive him
over the course. After liberal AID ener-
getic application of the booted foot, and a
little loud and angry discussion between
the respective parties. they arrived at theii
journeys end, where Nero was regaled with
three herrings, being one extra, and which
he dispatched voraciously in double
quick time, looking for more, but in vain
He was then, with much coaxing and kick
ing, persuaded to resume the return triI
homeward, and which was safely accom-
plished, although not without considerable
opposition, accompanied by vigorous
squealing and determined grunting ON the
part of Nero.
On the fourth day, punctually at eleven
o'clock, when his master presented himself
Nero seemed to understand somewhat the
object of his calling; he walked off moi
only without compulsion, but with consid-
cradle alacrity, at a good round pace, tC
get to his journeys end, where his master
regaled him not alone with his covet-
ed dinner of three herrings, but, as a re-
ward tor his tractability and good conduct
with one herring extra, and which Nero
devoured with incredible velocity as sOor
as they came within reach of his grinders
On the fifth day Nero was fully up to the
game, and his master experienced consider.
able difficulty to keep up with him. Al
Scheveningen the usual allowance, now, o.
| four herrings was placed at his disposal
and disposed of by him in short time.
| On the days following, and up to the
time of the race. his master had no further
difficulty with Nero but to keep up with
bin; Nero invariably taking the lead. al.
| though on the return trips the same diff
cultieS always required. A vigorous ap.
| plication of boots was in such case the only
convincing argument with Nero, who new.
er could see the point nor comprehend the
necessity of this back-track movement
and ever obstreperously squeeled anG
grunted his objections, deeming this
extra exercise probably supert1uous to his
health, as he had never shown any signs
OF either dyspepsia or indigestion. But
be that as it may, Nero had to submit Il
strict discipline, his master intending tt
thus train him up to fame and renown.
On the ninth day Nero had become per
tectly trained, and having grown extremely
thin upon his scanty meals. he now ran lik,
race e-horse, veritable Eclipse, invaria
| bly, distancing his master, who followed
with fas trotting horse in harness. Boil
exercise and spare diet were, however
strictly adhered to up to the day preceding
the one on which the race was to come off
On that, the thirteenth day, as on the frs
day, poor Nero was again starved. AT thu
usual hour of eleven his master appeared
but Nero was doomed to disappointment
no trOt, no herrings on that day. Will
| eager eye and impatient grunt, he signifiet
his desire to be released from his pen. bu
alas, it was not so to 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 hos
appeared at the starting post, eager for the
race. 1t was beautiful day, and the roat
was lined the entire distance, ON both sides
with anxious and delighted spectators
eager to see the sport. Punctually a
eleven O'Clock, at tap of drum, off they
started, amidst shouts and hurrahs of tn,
multitude. The first two miles were close
ly contested-it was emphatically necl
and neck race; but Nero, light as feather
(and having in his minds eye, probably
| his delectable meaD, now fairly flew ovel
the course, gradually leaving the horse be-
hind, keeping the lead the entire distance
Amidst shouts and hurrahs, the waving o.
handkerchiefs, and the widest excitement
he reached the ending-post, beating thu
| horse by half a mile and winning the race
triumphantly.
| For this extraordinary performance Nero
was rewarded with paiiful of herrings
which, having feasted upon to his hearts
content, he waddled back to the Hague, in
the care of his master, " the admired of al
admirers" His master, pocketing the
purse OF one thousand guilders, generously
spent one hundred guilders for Nero's por.
trait, and which is now preserved at the
,,t, lnh Of