The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1883-02-07

years old, and neither has been trained.
[ will take one OF these two colts, give
you the whole Mambrino breed to select
FROM and [ Will trot you, on day to be
fixed next summer, for $1,000 side
Clay laughed and told him it was
sheer folly to make such bet, as he was
certain to be beaten. The General re-
fused to receive such an answer 10 his
challenge and they finally settled the
matter by repairing to one OF the banks
and depositing five thousand apiece, the
balance to be put up week before the
race.
The race came OH in the following
summer. 1t SO happened that Clay and
Singleton were both elected delegates to
the national democratic convention
which was to meet at Charleston, and
which atterward broke up in a row and
adjourned to meet in Baltimore. Well,
they both resigned and repaired to
Louisville, where it had been arranged
that the race should come on. Singleton
declared that he would beat Clay on his
own ground. When the General reached
Louisville he found that the race was
an all absorbing topic, and that Clay's
horse was great favorite. Odds of two
and three to one were freely offered.
The general opinion seemed to be that
Clay would have "walk over"
Singleton had arranged with some
parties in ST. Louis to send him what
money he wanted, and he telegraphed
for $40, 600. He failed to get any response.
1t was atterward learned that his friend
in ST. Louis, learning of the apparently
sure thing which Clay had, purposely
disappointed Singleton, in order, as he
thought, to save him. Singleton then
went to some friends in Louisville and
succeeded in raising about $4,000. He
had about 81, 600 besides this with him.
OF his two colts he had selected Sallie
Lee for the race. He went to his trainer
Abrams, and inquired in what condition
she was Abrams replied that she was
| bright as lark and steady as the old
| brown Setter" but if Clay's colt could
do what they said, she stood no chance.
He inquired what they said, and when
told declared it ID lie, asserting
that no Mambrino colt ever had or ever
would do any such thing.
On the morning of the race Clay enter
tanned party of fifty at breakfast. Dur
ing the meal he said to Singleton, ''See
here, Singleton, you and L are friends,
and | don't want to see you lose your
money. [ know the ten thousand you
have up with me will not affect you, but
don't get rash and make other bets, tor |
have a sure thing"
We'll, replied the General, don't let
your friends aggravate me-.
One of the party spoke up: General,
| would like to aggravate you to the ex-
tent of a basket OF wine"
The wager was accepted, with another
of the same kind, and it ran around the
table, resulting in a general bet OF fifty
baskets Of wine.
When Singleton got out to the track,
his trainer sent for him and advised him
to employ man who was on the ground
and who had the reputation OF being a
very expert driver. This he positively
refused to do, telling Abrams that he
could trust him, and that he would rely
on none other. He then instructed him
if he found he could beat Clay's colt, to
give CLAY the first heat and win the two
following.
The track on which they trotted lies
by the side of the railroad, and the point
where the trains stop is just at the half
!, mile pole. They got off well together.
The race was q very pretty one the first
half mile Just as they reached the pole
an engine on the track outside began to
blow off steam and its bell rang. Clay's
horse, having been trained here, paid no
attention, but Sallie Lees head went in
to the air. Fortunately she did not lose
her feet. Abrams brought down the
whip three times. Still she kept her
feet, and came to the three-quarter pole
J like frightened deer. She had widen
ed terrible gap between her and Clay's
, colt, and as she turned into the home
stretch her pace seemed to increase. She
came to the wire like hurricane. Her
driver forgot his instructions about heats
} and let her have her head She not on
| ly won the heat, but distanced her COM
petitor and won with ease.
The excitement and enthusiasm were
indescribable. Singleton ordered the
fifty baskets of wine, and enough addi-
tional to give champagne to every lady
on the grand stand. He gave free Whis-
XIV to the entire crowd on the track. His
T liberality on that day cost him heavily
! but he went away from Louisville SlS,.
: 900 ahead, after paying all expenses, and
he hasn't bet a dollar on horse race
: since that time.
) IF you should happen to drop into the
5 house of representatives at Washington
and the General is not in his place, look
} around and you will find some OF the
other members absent. Then drop Over
| to the Congressional restaurant, and yot
> will probably find a select party discuss
ing canvass backs and terrapin, washed
, down with Pomery Or Yellow Label.