Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-08-30
Ian. De,scribes the Great Race.

Ian" Describes the Great Race.
The horses started about even. Long
fellow had run around the track twice
Immediately preceding the race, pro-
ceeding unaccountable to many here to-
day. -
Harper. ra 700 ats s
/" Because thought old Long was a
leetle tight, and wanted to see If he
would sweat well.
AS the horses started | asked John
Harper how Longfellow was prepared
for the race.
VERY well" he replied, "only lee
tie too high" ."1kaf4Hat AF
now give you faithful photograph
The horses are now we'll on the second
mile. / sit by. johns Harper. How is
he goingY | ask old John, who sits with
bis cold, gray eyes sternly fixed on the
race.
He is doing very well--only the boy
is riding him a leetle too fast-faster
than j ordered him-but he's a good
boy, and reckon he knows what he is
about.
The horses now passed the grand
stand the second time.
=" How is he going nowY | asked. 2
"The boy is making him 20 a leetle
furder out than ordered him, but |
reckon Longfellow has got the race.
The old man looks on cody, but with
dreadful interest, which seems To take
away his breath.
The horses now enter upon the third
mile. Longfellow begins to throw out
his tail. 2
q" / guess the boy is tooweak for him p
says old John quietly, his eyes still fixed
on the race in dreadful silence.
The horses now pass the grand stand
a third time, almost neck and neck.
John Harper looked happy and secure.
H "You are very quiet for one who has
$4,000 depending on the race2" !
remarked. aH faa
? The old man made no reply. He
never spoke after this
'l- Longfellow seemed to let down his
head as if exhausted, caught the bit, and
il was all up in a moment. 50
What is the matter, Uncle John? "
Not word in reply, butthe old mans
eyes seemed to be wandering, and his
mind had gone away from the grand
stand-to his horse.
Helmbold now made a sudden spurt
took the lead, and held it like grim death.
John Harper looked like one at the
death-bed Of friend; hope, sickly hope,
beamed in his countenance, and that
was all. Not a word escaped his lips.
He saw his love, his pride, his idol, br eak
down before his eyes, while ten thousand
demoniac voices shouted and made bed
lam of the grand stand. .5
Longfeliow., has been drugged, :"
growled Colonel Bridgeland to old John.
John Harper made no reply His heart
seemed broken, and He's gone" were
the only words he uttered after the third
mile. A-'tltP De
As he muttered these words l felt
feeling-a sychologic feeling Of pity for
the good old mani Demoniac shouts
went up from ten thousand hoarse
throats, but old John heard them not.
He heard, saw nothing but his painting
horse, heard nothing but his hard breath
ing. | got up and walked down to the
track with him. He walked up by Long
fellow, his defeated pride, his dead hope,
but was silent as the grave The grand
old horse stood trembling, with his head
down, exhausted. D The last mile was too
much for him. Enquirer. Jim ran into
the weigh-house, dotted his suit, and went
mournfully back to the. stable with his
horse and his gray7haired owner.
To me the race was funeral and a
wedding. While the old mans heart was
breaking, ten thousand people were wild
with Joy. / could not rejoice. | only
saw, and hoped, and suffered with the
white-haired old man by my side.