Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-06-27


afternoon, we drove into the Harper farm.
The quiet, dwarfed old dwelling of the Har-
pers nestles near a grove of large trees about a
mile from the road. The farm contains $40
acres of excellent land, part pasture and part
woodland. There are only about forty head
of blooded stock on the place. I. b. Harper,
the present owner, grew up in cold home.
One Harper was killed here by guerrillas, and
two were murdered in their beds few years
ago. The murderer used an axe which had
been worn down blunt as a hammer. No one
has even been openly charged with the muir
der and the mysterious tragedy is still talked
about by Kentuckans in whispers. F. b.
Harper is a rather kindly-faced farmer of GO.
He wears spectacles and talks slowly in
friendly tone. Young Frank Harper, a neph-
ew, assists in running the farm. Frank was
absent in Louisville, with string of horses,
getting ready for the spring races We had
been informed that the old gentleman was
very reticent and were therefore agreoably
surprised when we found him willing to talk
about his famous horses
Leading the way to the weather beaten and
dilapidated stable a few rods in front of the
house. Mr.. Harper directed Harry Hurley,
frizzled, sun-dried old negro, with face like
a sphinx, to bring out the horses. The negro
walked under narrow shed that extended
along in front of the barn doors without say
ing word, disappearing through a stable
door. He soon reappeared, leading Long
fellow" by the halter. While the handsome
stallion was prancing around, MIR. Harper
looked on with beam of satisfaction lighting
his face. "There," he said is one of the on
ly two horses in America that ever ran a mile
in l 40 The other one is in there. He ran
it in 1.39 81" "Longfellow" is in splendid
physical condition, but he will never run
again on the turf. All of Mr.. Harper's colts
and fllies are by 'Longfellow." Longfel-
low was old uncle Johns pet, said Mr.. Har-
per, "but Ten Brock was always mine"
After admiring the horse few minutes long
err, Mr.. Harper said ''Ihcy want Iongfel-
low to 60 to Tennessee next year to Gen.
Harding's but if he goes lie won't be mine
they'll have to buy him" This was said in a
manner to indicate princely price. He then
returned to the African sphinx, saying
That'll do, Harry take him back and bring
out the horse" Harry whirled around silent
ly as an automaton, and led ''Longfollow'
back to his box. Entering an adjoining stall,
he soon returned leading Ten Brock"
The king Of race horses is now seven years
old As he came bounding into the sunlight
his bright bay coat shone like satin. His eyes
were full of fire. He raised the sphinx from
his feet every time he threw his arched neck
in the air. Mr.. Harper looked at the horse
Win DINlt luCu sltDIluk " llt MIlAtl E hlht
he said
"There's a horse that has made the fastest
six races ever run in this country After al
lowing time to admire the horse, Mr.. Harper
continued: MY uncle wanted to ruin Ten
Brock when he was youngster, but I saw
points about him that convinced me he would
turn out great horse. So l fairly begged
him not to spoil him, and he finally consent
ed
WAS he a large colt?"
mo. Any one that saw him then wouldn't
have given So for him. He was a little runt,
| and used to feed with the sucking calves.
Even as a wo-years-old lie was so small that
was ashamed of him."
You take good care of him now l sup
| pose?"
Nothing extra The boys often ride linn
after the cows and 60 to the post-otiice on
his back Ny neighbors cuss me for allow
ing it, but the boys do as they have mind to
with him" Here Wesley James, a good ma
tured young darkey, the trainer of Ten Brock,
who stood back of Mr.. Harper, grinned from
ear to ear. 'When Ten Brock was a two
years-old," continued Mr.. Harper, 'he was
beaten in his first race by Bill Bruce at Lex
ington in 1874. After that race l still assert
| ed that he was the best horse l ever laid my
| hand ON better than Longfellow.'"
After gazing at the horse intently again,
Mr.. Harper said He began to spread Out
and improve after that race. His joints de
veloped. There is something peculiar about
| his formation. You see he stands over six
teen hands one inch high. Well, he is exact
ly the same in length from his hips to hi
breast. A painter of race horses says he il
| the only horse he ever saw whose shoulder
are longer than his head. They are usual,
of the same length"
''What condition is the horse in now p
He is just as good as ever he was, ant
could run fast as ever this fall. His lungs ar
as sound and his legs stronger. He can rul
now without any training. The horse ha
never yet shown what he can do. believe
1 had run him one mile further the day u
beat 'Ad three miles, he would have mad
the four miles in 40 or 7.l2. The boy ha
to hold him so that his fingers were crampe
TO such an extent that he could not ungirt
the saddle after the race He can change hi
feet, move his head, and swing from side I
side quicker than any horse ! ever saw, thu
relieving the strain on his muscles withou
losing time. And so says Ben Bruce. Nj
Bruce declares that there is no other hors
in the world like him"
Would you sell the horse, Mr.. Harper =
We'll some English duke may come alon
some day and get him."
A recent visitor is said TO have asked Nj
Harper, "Will you sell Ten Brock ?"
YES" he answered, 'for my price"
''What is your price 7"
lone hundred thousand dollars"
Rather high
Il may as well own a good horse as an,
| hOdv was Mr. Harner's reOlv lin N