The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-09-13
LOngfelloW's Exit.
OLD JOHN HARPER's RETURN HOME.

OLD JOHN HARPER's RETURN HoMl
SARATOGA, Aug. "a.
Last night an old man wendell hi
, way to the depot. He wore a heav
frock coat of llnsey-woosey and pa
of ill-fitting pantaloons with ragge
[ bottoms. He carried heavy walkin
, stick and bore on it heavily as he tot
tered along. He was followed by
little negro boy carrying ugevalice
On arriving at the depot he purchase
a ticket for Cincinnati. This man wa
old John Harper. When the train cam
along he got into a car. Turning t,
the little negro he said:
"Tell Marshall to be careful with th
horse, and to look out for Express a
well. I'm little afraid of the leg; an,
Tom, reckon you'd better tell him t,
give Lonfellow a car by himself. Blu
never mind; reckon Frank'll atten,
to that"
WHERE JOHN HARPER SLEPT.
The old man couldn't stay in Sara
toga, his disappointment was too great
and for the first time in year he las
night slept apart from his idol. Evel
since-he has been here he has occupied
at night place beside his horse. The
adjoining stall was fitted up with bed
and made comfortable for his use
Here the old man slept, and perchance
dreamed of the wealth to be increased
by the efforts of his peerless one. But
now, alas, these visions are dispelled,
and with a heavy heart old John Har-
per departed for bis Kentucky home.
This morning, Mr.. Frank Harper, the
old mans nephew, accompanied by the
trainer, the stable boys and the disap-
pointed Joe Colston, got three horses,
Longfellow, Express and Littleton, all
of them losers at this meeting, together
and enveloped them in woolens. They
started on walk for the depot.
SLEEPING OUT OF SIGHT.
LongfellOw walked a little lame.
They went through the back streets
and reached the two freight cars
switched on one side for their use.
Express and Littleton were put into
one car. Longfellow placed in the 9TH
er. The stablemen got into the cars,
and the latticed doors were closed.
The two cars were then, hooked to the
train, and at nine o'clock started for
Schenectady, and thence to Buffalo.
Not a soul was present, save those
who had the horses in charge.
Helmbold this morning was fine as
satin. He still occupies his stable at
the track. His eye is bright and his
appetite good. Mr.. Babcock said he
could go out and run the four miles to-
day just as we'll as lie did yesterday.
Young Mcclellan; the rider of Helm
bold, was yesterday given presents to
the value of five thousand dollars by
Morrissey and Babcock, and to-day
Babcock took him out and bought him
an elegant watch and chain.
THE BREAKING OF HARPER's HEART.
Correspondent Commercial Advertiser.
l sat with John Harper at the left of
the grand stand, watching every mo-
ton of the old mans face. Longfellow
had run around the track twice imme-
diately preceding the race, proceed
ing unaccountable to many here to-day.
"Why did you do it," asked Mr..
Harper. "Because l thought old Long
was leetle tight, and l wanted to see
if he would sweat WELL"
AS the horses started, asked John
Harper how LoDgfellow was prepared
for the race.
every we'll" he replied, "only a lee
tie too high"
l now give youa faithful photograph
of the scene. The horses are now we'll
on the second mile. sit by old John
Harper. Chow is he going Z" 1 ask
old John, who sits with his cold gray
eyes sternly fixed on the race.
"He is doing very well-only the
boy is riding him a leetle too fast-fast.
er than I ordered him, but he is a
good boy and l reckon he knows what
he is about"
The horses now passed the grand
stand the second time.
Chow is he going now n I asked. Il
"The boy is making him go leetle
fnrder out than l ordered him, but I
reckon Longfellow has got the race"
The old man looks on cooIly, but with
a dreadful interest which seems to
take 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 ST.
|ence.
The horses now pass the grand
stand third time, almost neck and
neck.
John Harper looked happy and se-
cure.
':You are very quiet for one who