Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-11-12
The Safe Of johnson.
iBreeder's Gazette.

Some mon are untitled by nature to be
the owner of a fast horse, and Mr.. Mather,
who recently sold the PAGER johnson to
Commodore Kittson, is one of them. Mr..
Mgther is a banker at Berlin, Wis, and
discovered the now famous PAGER in that
sylvan nook some thee years ago. at that
time Mr.. Mather was the owner of pair
of gray driving horses, whose speed he
rated at about mile in three minutes. It
was while driving these moderately rapid
steeds up the road one day that he first saw
johnson. The owner of the PAGER, man
of moderate means, conveyed to Mr.. Math-
or the Information that the bay geIding
could 90 along pretty well, and suggested
that the ownership of half interest in him
would DO good thing, even for banker.
Mr.. Mather, Judging everything in the
way Of horse flesh from the standard
of the gray team, told his
neighbor to start up the road with the
PAGES while he (Mather) kept alongside
with the greys, and noted how the horse
went. 1t is hardly necessary to say that
Mr.. Mather viewed the performance from
n considerable distance in the rear, but
this fact so impressed him that he became
half owner of the PAGER, paying less
than $500 for his share of the animal.
Later he secured the other half, and in the
summer of 1882 found himself the owner
of horse that could go mile in 2:15.
Last spring the animal was placed in Pc
ter Johnston'5 hands for training, and soon
after that Mr.. L. II. Smith secured a CON
trolling half interest in the horse for S.
600. When the trotters and pacors began
operations in Michigan, Mr.. Mather CON
cluded to go across the lake and see how
his horse would perform. He reached De-
troit IN time TO see Johnston win his race
with ease, and also in time to lose
his watch, of which he was relieved while
proceeding to the track IN IN uno5tenta-
tious street car. The time piece was sub
sequently recovered upon payment of $50
to detective. At the Chicago races Mr..
Mather again had the pleasure of behold
ing Johnston win, and at theseud of the
second heat the entire field that started
against him had been distanced Then
came cioud on the hitherto rose tinted
horizon OF Mr.. MatheI's turf experience.
AT Pittsburg the horse was taken sick.
Mr.. Smith, the other partner, wanted to
buy or sell. Mr.. Mather rehected--and
bought out Smith. At Chicago this fall
Johnston paced a mile in 2:1O. In the
meantime Mr.. Smith had secured an agree
ment with MIR. Mather, which was to the
effect that in case Smith could sell the
horse for over $4,000 the surplus was to
be his commission on tho transaction.
Negotiations with Commodore Kittson
were opened, the price of Johnston being
placed at $4,000. These figures were
satisfactory provided the horse could show
three good heats. He did that; and then
nothing remained but pay the money.
Dan Woodmansee was the paymaster.
MIR. Mathe- suggested that the entire 500
600 be handed over to him, and he would
settle with Smith. Mr.. Smith objected
gently bat firmly. He would take $4,000
and Mr.. Mataer could have $4,000 At
this juncture Mr.. Mather sought advice
end consolation from John Splan, who
was one of the party.
ut seems to me-" he said, shat am
paying an awful commission"
docs its" replied Splan. 81 think you
are getting of remarkably cheap. AS a
rule, when the boys sell horse for man
they just split the amount in two with the
ownery'
What Is that really the custom!"
Certainly. When Rarus was sold for
SS6,0o0 got 1880 for my part.
MT. Mather waited TO hear no more, but
went across to the Palmer house rotunda
at 2:2o gait in order TO sign the bill of
sale. After this sale had been concluded
and the draft for the money handed over
and vouched fer by bsnk,the party sgaln
fell to chatting.
Don't you Think said Mr. Smith to
Mr.. Msther, shat now that you have got
ali that money, you could afford to buy US
a nice cigsr?"
Il should like to-" was the reply, 'but
have only just time to catch my train
and a grab was inside for his satchel.
You'd better look out, said John Splan,
every sand-bagger in Chicago has been
waiting for you to get thar money, and
they are lining the road from here to the
depot now
''Oh, haven't got the money" replied
Mr.. Mather, earnestly, II put it ell in the
bank except SIS. Good day. gentlemen
"Good day replied Mr.. Smith, "and