Morris tribune., 1883-02-17

! which afterward broke up in a row and
| adjourned to meet in Baltimore. Welt.
they both.resigned and repaired to Louis
| vile, where 10 had been arranged that
| the race should come of. Singleton de-
clared 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 a 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 par
ties in st. Louis to send him what money
he wanted, and he telegraphed for $l0,-
600. He failed to get any response.
1t was afterward 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. Sim
gleton then went to some friends in st.
Louis and succeeded in raising about
5000. He had about $1,000 besides
this with him. Of his two colts he had
selected Sallie Lee for the race. He
went to his trainer, Abrams, and in
ouired in what condition she was. Alb
rams replied that she was "brlght as a
lark and steady as an 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 a d I'D lie, asserting that no Mann
brine coltever had or ever would do any
such thing
On the morning of the race Clay en-
tertained party of fifty at breakfast.
During the meal he said to Singleton.
''See here, Singleton, you and | are
friends, and l don't want to see you
lose your money. ! know the ten thou
sand you have up with me will not
affect you, but don't get rash and make
other bets, for have a SIRE thing"
"Well," replied the general, don't let
your friends aggravate me-"
One of the party spoke up: "Gener-
al, / would like to aggravate you to the
extent of Il basket of wine."
The wager was accepted, with another
of the same kink' and it ran around the
table, resulting i'll a general bet of fifty
baskets of wine.
When Singleton got out to the track
his trainer sent for him and advised him
and who had the reputation of being
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 OF
welitogether. The race was a 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
framed here, paid no attention, but Sal
lie Lees head went into the air. Forth
nately 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 like frightened deer.
She had widened a terrible gap between
herself and Clay's colt and as she
turned into the homestretch her pace
seemed to increase. She came to the
wire like hurricane. Abrams forgot
his instructions about heats, and let her
have her head. She not only won the
heat, but distanced her competitor and
Won with ease.
The excitement and enthusiasm were
fifty baskets of wine, and enough addi-
tional to give champagne to every lady
on the grand stand He gave.free whisky to
the entire crowd on the track. His lib
crafty that day cost him heavily, but he
went away from Louisvi!e$lS, 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
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 you
will probably find select party discuss.
ing canvas backs and terrapin, washed
down with Pomery Yellow Label.