Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-08-18
The Waitsneld WrangIe.

II Il probably safe TO assert that the races held
on the Waitshed track, last week, were not en-
tirely harmonious. They were under tho general
management Of Mt. 4. A. Earle, the editor Of the
Morrisvile Cdizcn, and they partook somewhat
too much Of the lively character Of that sheet
The first day, all went OF happily enough, until
the thrce-minuto race came on. For the reason
undoubtedly that tho drivers were fearful Of
getting record, they had hard work in pulling
their horses down to sufficiently slow gait This
aroused the ire Of Brother Earle, who promptly
declared that he would not pay the purses for this
race. Aud this was the commencement Of troubles
II appears that the track at Waiisfeld was
built by the joint contributions Of large number
Of the citizens Of that vicinity and that each con-
trbutor to certain amount has free family
ticket This fact Mr.. Earle claims, was unknown
TO him at the time Of leasing the track aud worked
greatly to his prejudice, 40 far a. making the ai
fair financial success
The second day opened with DRILLING rain
and the prospect for a full attendance seemed de
cidedly poor. At this time, Mr. Earlc says that
finding that | was liable to lose more money
than WAS prepared 10 pay, began To hedge
lie asked Mr. Utton one Of the drivers, To 20
among the horemen, and see Il they would con-
sent 20 reduction OF the purses. This, appar-
emily, did not work, and one Of the drivers AYERS
that when he drove up to the stand for a start he
heard Earle declare that he proposed ~ save ont
a certain amount for expenses for himself and his
assistant, Mr. Loveioy, aud let the rest CO." How
this may be, we do not know, but II stirred mp the
drivers to that extent that they refused 10 trot
Then wasn't there a buzzlng about Earle's ear-
An elderly gentleman, named Billings, mounting
the seat Of his wagon commenced ~ follows
" Boys hear me- Keep still, every man Of you,
and go with me, like Ethan Allen Of old" lie
then cahorted them 10 organize . squad, and
stand at the gate, like Horatius Of Old, and sec
that not a horseman, nor troiting horse left the
ground before trotting. This squad was promptly
organized and posted About this time, loud calls
were made for Earle, but after strict search, he
could nowhere be found There arc great many
stories, TO the effect that Earle ran away TO the
woods pursued by yelling rabble who caught
and returned him, under guard, to the ground
This is untrue. Earle discovering that the crowd
would not hear any explanation from him, left the
ground In good order, and proceeded, in his usual
dignihed manner, along the turnpike n Morctowu
where 1t is supposed he had pressing business
engagement about that hour.
Meanwhile, better counsels began 10 prevail
among the crowd, and finally team was dis
patched to discover Earle lie was duly hunted
up induced to return to the ground, and made his
little speech. This convinced the audience that
he was better and squarcr man than they had
supposed, one Of his frmest adherents being Mr.
Billings, whose appeal had been largely instru-
mental in kicking up the entire rumpus After
that the races proceeded quietly enough and this
is the end Of the Great Earle Race at Waitsfeld