The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-09-05
The Breaking Of Old John Dar.
Rer'S Heart--A Funeral and q
Wedding.

Correspondence of the Commercial Advertiserl
sat with John Harper at the left of
the grand stand, and watched every mo.
ton of the old mans face. Longfellow
ha0 run around the track twice immedi-
ately preceding the race, proceeding
unaeeointable to many here to day.
"Why did you do it?' / asked Mr.
Harper.
because l thought old Long was a
leetle tight, and I,wanted to see if be
would sweat we'll"
As the horses started, I asked John
Harper how LongfelloW was prepared
for the race T.
"very well," he replied, "oniy 4 l,eetle
too high"
now give you faithful photograph
of the scene:
The horses are now we'll on the Sec
ond mile I sit by John Harper. allow
| is he going?'' asked old John, who
sits with his cold gray eyes sternly fixed
on the race.
ale is doing very well--only the boy
10 iiuiuS uitu @ iCCliO eoo iool-ldotCi
than / ordered him-but he's a good
boy, and re ,kon
he KNOWS WHAT he is ABOUT
The horses now passed the grand
stand tile second time.
"How is lie going now?" / asked
"The boy is making him go a little
furder out than l ordered him, but /
recon Longfellow has got the race
The old man looks Oh coolly, 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
81 guess the boy is too weak for
him., says Old John, Quietly, his eyes
still fixed on the race in dreadful silence.
The horses now pass the grand stand
third time, almost neck and neck.
John Harper looked happy and Sc
cure.
"You are very quiet for one who has
$4,000 depending on the race" ] re-
marked.
The old man makes no reply. He
NEVER SPOKE AFTER THIS.
Longfellow seemed to let down his
head as if exhausted, caught the bit,and
it was all up in moment.
"What is the matter, Uncle John ?"
Not word in reply f.; but the old mars
eyes seemed to be wandering, and his
mind had gone away from the grand
stand-to his horse.
Helmbold now made a Sudden squirt,
took the lead,and held it like grim death
John Harper looked like one at the
deathbed of a friend-hope, ,sickly hope,
beamed in his countenance, and that
was all. Not word escaped his lips.
He saw his love, his pride, his idol, break
down before his eyes, while ten thous-
and demonisc voices shouted and made
bedlam of the grand stand.
"Longfellow has been drugged,
growled Col Bridgeland to old John Il
John Harper made no reply. His heart
seemed broken, and "He's gone,," were
the only words he Uttered
4
AFTER THE THIRD MILE.
As he muttered these words / felt d
feeliig-a pscyologic feeling of pity
for the good old man. Demoniac shouts
went up from ten thousand hoarse
throats, hut old John heard them not.
He heard, saw nothing but his pshtihg
horse, heard hothing 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. The last mile was
too much for him. Enquirer jim ran
into the weigh house, dotfed his suit,
and went mournfully back to the stable
with his horse and his gray haired own
er.
To me the race was funeral and a
wedding. While the old mans heart
was breaking, ten thousand people were
wild with joy. I could not rejoice. /
only saw. and hoped, and suffered with
the white haired old man by my side.