The Leavenworth weekly times., 1879-05-29
valry has a decided tendency to bring to
perfection the form and action OF the Amer
ican trottipg horse.

ican tottipg horse.
Mr.. Bonner's stable in the rear of his
house is q solid brick building, two stories
in height, furnished with ten commodious
box stalls and ample accommodations for
his vehicles, sleighs, harness and robes. In
the first stall stood the incompatible Dex-
ter, who. in the words of the .4merieas
Trot ng Register, d" beat all the world on the
turf, and was cold to Robert Bonner, of New
York, for $4,000" Dexter is 3 brown
g-lding. with two white hind pssterns, fosl-
Hambletonian, out of daughter of Ameri-
can Star. This is royal breeding in turf
linesge, for this cross has produced Dexter
with record OF 2:l74, and Nettie with
record of 2:lS, aud Jay Gould with a record
Of 2:2ll, and Harvest Queen with record
of 2:29i. and Lady Maud with record of
23O! When Mr.. Bonner bought Dexter he
was lame in front, and the general copclu-
sion OF horsemen was that his lameness
was permanent, but by means Of the skilful
treatment OF his present owner he has b,en
completely restored, and to-day, in his
twenty. second year, which is the aversge
duration of life in horses, he stands as
sound and supple as the unbroken colt in
his pasture. While on the course Dexter
was very cross and vicious. II was dan
gerous to walk into his paddock. None but
his faithful groom and a pet skye terrier
could venture within reach OF his savage
teeth or swift heels, but Mr.. Bonner has
broken him Of these evil habits. Taking a
whip in his hand he stepped quickly into
the stall, and with firm voice he exclaim-
ed. Back, Dexter, back" The horse
backed quietly all around the stall, but his
eyes standing out full and prominent fash
ed defiance to the commands OF any one
except those of his resolute master. When
led out to be harnessed he carried two men
clipging to the halter on either side from
his stall to the vehicle, and when We were
ready for the start, one man stood ready to
swing open the stable door. while two others
held on TO the bride bits that We might
leap into the buggy. At the word We step.
ped into the wagon, the doors were instantly
swung wide open, the proud-spirited horse
reared up and walked out on his hind legs
snorting and plunging for block after he
had reached the pavement, az il he would
certainly break away from the restraints OF
the harness. But few firm commands of
the driver showed he was master of the sit
uation. The stately horse, conscious of his
powers, logged grandly through Central
Park, passing the frowning statue OF Web.
ster and the pleasure-feekers in the delicate
boats on the miniature lake, till we reached
the driving road beyond. Then, as If ami
mated by an impulse 10 annihilate distance,
he sped along with the speed of the wind.
Although he was pulling over five hundred
pounds, there was no struggling, no hitch
ing, no violent exertion, only a perceptible
sinking of his frame nearer toward the
ground, as he whirled us along in at least a
30 gait. The posts and fences on the road
side flew by us in rapid confusion, and the
sensation affected me like draughts of ex-
hilaratIng wine. Once the horse, stepping
upon uneven ground, lost his footing and
broke into wild. startling gallop, but the
steady hard of his master upon the reins
soon restored his equilibrium, 40 that he
quickly caught his stride, and dashed of
| again at greater rate of speed than ever,
| If such momentum were possible. When
| We returned to the stables the other cele-
brated horses were led out for inspection.
There was the beautiful Pocahontas, the
daughter of the royal old Ethan Allen and
the superb crested Pocahontss the mighty
| Grafton, who has shown a mile in 2:l5I (;
the powerful Molsey, with a record in 2:2l /;
the famous Music, whose trial this year wss
made in 2:lS3; and the famous Kentucky
colt Erie, with the fastest four-year-old
record up to that date to his credit.