Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-11-28
Only $4,000 Commission for q Horse,
Sale.


From the Denver Tribune.
Some men are untitled By nature TO be the
owner of a fast horse. and Nh Mather, who re-
Gently sold the PAGER, Johnson. to Commodore
kttson. is one OF them. Mr.. Mather is q banker
at Berlin. Wis. and discovered the now lannon's
PAGER III that sylvan nook some three wears ano
NJ tnat time Nr. Nathcr was the owner Of q
par OF gray driving horses whose speed he
rated at about mile in three minutes. IT was
While driving these moderately Tapid stecas nm
the road one day that he first saw johnson
me owner OF the PAGER, man of
moderate means, conyeyed to DR.. I,tber
the information that the bay gelding cou]d
90 along pretty well, and suggested that the
ownership OF half interest in him would be q
good thing, even for banker. Mr. Mathcr,
Judging everything in the way of horse flesh
from the standard Of the gray team.
tod his nci@hbor to start up the road
with the PAGER while he (Mather kept
alongside with the grays. and noted how
tie horse went. 1t is hardly necessary to say
that Ar Mather viewed the performance from
considerable distance in the rear, but this fact
so Impressed him that he became half owner
In the PAGER. paying less than $500 for his share
OF the animal. Later he secured the other half
ana IN the summer Of 1882 found himself the
owner OF horse that could go mile in alb ont
2l5.
Last spring the animal was placed in Peter
J0hnson's hands fOI training. and soon after
that Mr. f. III. Smith secured CONTROLLING half
interest in the horse for $1,000 When thu,
.lo,t ,, ana PAGERS began operations in Michi-
gan MI. Mather concluded TO 30 across the lake
and see how his horse would perform. he
reached Detroit in time to see Johnson win his
race with ease. At the Chicago races Mr.
Mafher again had the pleasure of beholding
Johnson win, and at the end of the second heat
the entire field that started AGAINST him had
been distanccd. Then came cloud on
Inc hitherto rose-tinted horizon of MIR
Manners turf experience. At Pittsburr the
horse was taken sick. Mr. Smith, the other
partner wanted to buy or sell. Mr. Matfer re-
nected, and bought out Smith. At Cbjca po this
fall johnson paced a mile in 2:iO In the mean
time Mr.: Smith had secured an agreement from
Mr. 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 the trans
action. Negotiations with Commodore Kittson
We're opened. the price of Johnson being placed
at 900. These figures were satisfactory, pro-
Ylded the horse could show three good heats.
lie dld that, and then nothing remained but to
pay the money. Dan Woodmansee was the
paymastcr. Mr.. Mather suggested that the en-
tire so, 900 be handed over to him and he would
settle with Smith. Mr.. Smith objected gently
but firmly. He would take 81 900, and Mr.
Mather could have $4,000. At this iuncture
4r. Mather sought consolation and advice from
john Splan who was one of the party
at seems to me" he said, THAT am paving
an awful commission
Does it, replied splan. 81 think you are
getting OIL remarkably cheap. AS a rule, when
the boys sell horse for a man, they just split
the amount In two with the owner
What: Is that really the custom:"
certainly. When Raruswas sold for $40, 900,
1 got 217,5 for my part"
MI Mather wanted 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 the sale
had been concluded and the draft for the money
handed over and vouched for by bank. the
party again fell to chatting
Don't you think" said Mr. Smith to Mr..
Mather. 'that now that you have got all that
money yon could afford to buy us nice clgar?"
only just time to catch my train" and grab
was made for his satchel
You'd better look out" said John Sp,an.
Every sandbagger in Chicago has been wait
Ing for you to get that money, and they are
inning the road from here to the depot now"
, ION. haven't got the money" replied Mr..
Mather, earnestly. ~ put it all in the bank
except Sl5. Good day, gentlemen"
=, Good day." replied Mr.. Smith, and "God