The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1874-10-28

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COURSE-HOW THE NAGS CAME
IN WITH THE EBB AND WENT
OUT WITH THE TIDE.
KNOXVILLE, Oct. II, 1874.
To the Editor of the Norristown GAZETTE:
'Tis gloomy, chilly, autumnal morn
ing, with just enough of rain falling to
keep one fretted and indoors. But, as I
am of a cheerful disposition, I propose
to employ the spare time, from my out
door labors, in telling you something
about wonderful race that l have re-
Gently witnessed.
Our regular Vanity Fair" came off
a week or ten days ago. If it was not
a success financially, it will long be re-
membered for the half-tragical, half-far-
cical exhibition of the most extraOrdin
ary racing stock the world ever saw. -
AS have just remarked, Ipropose now
to tell you something about their trial of
speed You know that am unacquaint-
ed with the language of the turf, and if
my descriptions are awkward, remember
this is my first and only effort at turf re-
porting.
There were five entries for the race,
and each one of them had been distin-
guished for some particular act, at other
times, and upon other fields. The ex-
citement was great-the managers were
confdent-the betting free
The young Kingston, stallion, groom
ed by Roderick s. Random, was first
trotted out upon the track, and was re-
ceived with a shout of applause. He
looked fresh and gay, reared and vault
ed about, and could scarcely be held in
side of the ring. He was, however, soon
toned down by the frantic appearance of
the wild Don CagJos of Clinton, who,
without moments notice, came spring
ing with a kick and bound into the mid
die of the track, and uttered squeaI SO
fierce and terrible that it sent a momen-
tary thrill of disrnay into the hearts of
his competitors He was, nevertheless,
far from being in good trim or condition.
He was low in flesh, and, although his
eye CLEANED with strange, wild glow
and wan, and his whole physical appear
ance indicated exhaustion, suffering and
disease, and appealed strongly to the
sympathies of the spectator. But the
old, old groom had laid his hands upon
his name, and the gallant steed was fired
with the spirit of other days, and seem
ed determined to win or to die. i
Next comes the noble looking and gal
liant LOtbarao, prancing up to the stand,
in splendid condition, and appearing ev-
cry inch horse. His countenance beam
ed with life and animation, and he seem
ed to laugh to scorn all rival pretensions.
A close observer would not, however,
fail to detect an occasional furtive and |
uneasy glance of the eye, backward and
as if conscious of some Sc
eret infrmity, which might prove fatal
to his present success. Nevertheless he
had many strong hackers, and was the
general favorite of the young and mex
perienced sportsmen.
Another call, and here comes the Red
For, tripping up lyth and trim and seem
ing to say, now boys, just look at me p
He had evidently been handled with care
and proposed to hold out-like his name
sake-as long as a hound or hunter could
follow. I instantly planted my money
on bspa!
All was now ready, the drum was tap
ped, and the positions were taken, when
wild and uneartllly yen rung
out upon the still air, which startled the
hearers like the crack of doom. All were
confused and confounded. The Judges
were paralyzed, but the people contina-
ed to send up shout upon shout, until the
welkins rang again. It wasat last made
known that Old Rozinante eyery-
body supposed was dead and buried with
Cervantes something less than three hun
lred years ago-had come to life again
and was cantering into the field to take
/ part in the contest The effect was
beyond description. All was confusion,
wonder and perplexity. But
'ure enough, here he wass the Yeritable
0ld Rozsnaatef The old fellow looked
ike he had been driven, out of time,
rom the other side of the world, and was
lalt and lame. His nataral force was
evidently much abated, but his eye was
lot dim and he seemed to be animated
With all the fierce and fiery spirit of 9TH
r and long gone years. All remember
d him of old, and the tide was Instant
y turned in his favor. But his rider was
Unknown. He appeared dressed in black
md closely masked. Some shrewd old
portsman shook their heads and looked
lpon the whole thing with suspicion,
md would not 't go in" Others, remem-
,ering only the past triumphs of the old