The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-11-27
EXTRAORDINARY RACE.


1 some years ago d race WIS run Rb Gue
Hague, in Holland, which, for it's novel
ty, eXoIted more than ordinary interest.
| 1t was between a fast .trottIDg horse and
la iull-grown hogi distance, Six English
miles.
The circums tances which led to this
| unique trial Of speed were as follows:
Alta club at the Hague young member
expatiated upon the beauty, symmetry,
and extraordinary speed of trotting-
horse he had that day purchased, eX-
pressing an eager desire to get up a
match, to prove the superior qualities OF
| his horse. A gentleman remarked:
81 nave hog which | would not hesi-
tate to run against him."
Peals of laughter greeted this strange
proposal, to which, when partially sub
sided, the owner of "grunty" quietly in
terposed:
"Well, gentlemen, now challenge to
run my hog Nero against that gentle
mans fast trotter, in harness, six En-
glish miles, provided that the horse
carry two persons, and that fourteen
days time be allowed me for training
my animal"
"Agreedw "Agreedp' resounded all
round; for The joke was deemed TOO good
aud too novel 10 give 1t the go-by.
1t was agreed that the match should
come off that day fortnight, at IL O'Clock
A. Nj. precisely; and the beautiful ave-
nue. leading from the Hague to the sea-
shore at ScheVeningen was selected as
the course.
The news of this extraordinary match
for trial Of speed between a fast trot--
ting horse and a luIl grown pOrker,
spread like wildfre, ana caused the
most intense excitement among the
people, all eager TO see the fun. The
day was anxlOusly looked for, and the
training of Nero began.
On the first day poor Nero was starved,
strlct orders having been gwen by his
owner that no one should feed him, him
self alone attending to that matter. Ga
the second day Nero was pretty sharp
set, when punctually at IL O'clock, his
master made his appearance.
A rope was securely fastened to one
of his trotters, and his master drove him
with many a Kick and forcibIe persua-
sion all the way over the course to
Scheveningen, where he led him upon
a scanty meal of two herrings, Which
Nero raYenously deYoured, alter which
he had to troJ back to the Hague.
1t may be proper here to remark that
the hog prefers fish to any otner kind OF
food.
On the third day Nero felt perfectly
rayenOus; but he had to bIde his time,
and his master had to resort to The
strictest hog discipline to start him of
when, at IL O'Clock, he presented nim-
self to drive him over the course,
Alter u liberal and energetic applica-
ton of the booted foot and little loud
and angry discussion between the re.
spective parties, they arrived at their
journeys end, where Nero was regaled
with three herrings, being one extla,
and which he dispatched Voraoiously IN
double quick time, looking lor more, but
in vain.
He was then, with much coaxing and
kicking, persuaded TO resume the return
trip homeward, which was safely accom-
panied by vigorous squealIng and deter
mined grunting on the part OF Nero.
On the fourth day, punctually at II
O'Clock, when his master presented him
self, Nero seemed to understand some
what the object OF his calling; he
walked off not only without compulsion,
but at a good round pace, to get to his
journeys end, where his master regaled
nim not alone with his coveted dinner of
three red herrings, but, as a reward for
mis- tractability and conduct, with one
herring extra, which Nero deV0ured
with Incredible velocity as soon as they
came within reach of his grinders.
On the fifth day, Nero was Iully Up to
the game, and his master experienced
cons. derable d tficulty to keep up win
him. At ScheVening the usual allow
ance, now four herrings, was gwen him.
and disposed Of in short metre.
On the day following, and up to the
Time of his race, his mas Ter had no fur.
Cner difficulty with Nero but to keep up
with HIM, Nero invariably taking the
oI 10
same difficulties always REQUIRED, A
vigorous application OF boots was, in |
such case, the only convincing afgu-
ment with Nero, who never could see
the point nor comprehend the necessity
of this back-track movement. and
squealed and grunted bis objections,
On the ninth day Nero had become |
perfectly trained, and having grown ex. |
tremely thin upon his scanty meals, he |
now ran like a race-horse, yeritable |
Eclipse, invariably distancIng his mas
ter, who followed with a fast trotting
horse in harness.
Both exercise and spare diet were,
however, strictly adhered TO up to the
day preceding the one on which the race
was to come off. On that, the thirteenth
day, as on the first day, poor Nero was
again starved. At the usual hour OF II
us master appeared, but Nero was
doomed to isappoiutment-no trot no
herring on that day.
With eager eye and impatient grunt
le siguified his desire 10 be released from
lis pen, Dut alas! it was not SO to be;
le had 10 submit to a day Vt lasting to
prepare Ior The race.
On The fourteenth day both horse and
log appeared at the starting-post, eager
or the race. 1t was a beautiful day,
md the road was lined the entire dis
ance on both sides with spectators
,agsr to see The sport. Punctullly at II
o'clock, at tap OF drum, oH Lney started,
land shouts Of t. e multitude. Tne first
wo miles were closely con ested; it was
alphabetically neck-anu-neck Zee; but
Nero, llgnL as feather, and having
II mis- M nus eye his uelu ctaD,e
neal, now 'airlv d,w over the