Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23
AT A COUNTRY HORSE RACE.

The last horse race attended was nine
years ago. I have forgotten whether it
opened with prayer or not, but know that
we had almost everything else. A glee club
sang, "Shall We Gather at the River?" We
had creased pig exercises, and tall man
with short breath and coat tail spoke of
the blessings of agriculture. Then Bill
Jackman's black-and-tan filly Early Rose
ran Tint Houstin's roam gelding Noses 1t
was exciting. 1t was to be the best two out
of three from the iron bridge up to the
schoolhouse and back. I was one of the
judges. had to either be one of the judges
Of the horse race or sing "Larboard Watch
Ahoy," so said l would act as judge.
The first heat Early Rose did not seem to
get down to her work very well, but Moses
felt first rate, and barring light squeaking
sound caused by the chafng of his second
and third stomachs, carried himself beauti-
fully. His large red nostrils were open as
far back as the eye could reach, and his
tongue was thrown back over his shoulder,
regardless Of expense. 1t was beautiful
sight. 1 gave the first heat to Moses and
the second to Early Rose. 1t was very ex-
citing. Betting ran high. One man bet a
bushel of early Dent corn against honey
comb bedquilt on Moses, and another man
bet coop full of prize hens against a
Queen Victoria corn shelter on Early Rose.
At the third heat it was like the chariot
race in Ben bur almost. On the home
stretch about half way from the school
house, Early Rose stepped in gopher hole
and threw her rider some distance. He rose,
however, and pressing his hand to his brow
for moment, as If in deep thought, led
Early Rose to the fence and got on again.
Moses was, at the moment of the accident,
about half length behind, but this gave
him at least 20 lengths the start. When.
within 100 yards of the judges stand, how
ever. Moses corked himself, and throwing
his shoe at the same time, succeeded in
corking an. old gentleman who was sitting
on the fence at the time. Moses fell heav-
lily, with his hind feet pressing gently
against the sky. and while in, that position,
Early Rose loped past while the air was
thick with huzzas.
GOING TO THE RACES.
Since that time I have not been an at
tendant upon the means of horse racing un-
til recently, when I went up to Jerome
Park in response to the kind invit .tion of
q we'll known gentleman of this city who
did not 60. He prides himself on his
promptness, and has frequently lectured
me in scathing terms for failure to be on
hand and on time. So this is rebuke
which will meet his eye, hope, and do
him great good. We were to meet at the
Grand Central Depot and those who have
tried to meet friend and pick him out at
that justly celebrated trysting place, or se-
lect him from train of 13 crowded cars
while passing through the tunnel, will re-
call the pleasing sensation. The gentle
mans brother was on hand, however,
and as he knew a little more about
racing than I did, we had good time.
Jerome Park is situated somewhat north of
New York City and is connected with that
place by rail. For the first five or six miles
the eye is gladdened by stretch of brick
lined tunnel, with justlight enough now and
then to enable the conductor to collect
tickets and the pickpocket to tell a fy-back
or split second watch from Waterbury
without too much strain on his eyes. Jerome
Park is beautiful sheet of ground with
large and imposing grand stand on one side
and tall massive structure in the center,
used for summer residence and the abode
of wealth. The track Is SO arranged that
the horses do not have to run to the end Of
it and then back again, but many go on con-
tinuously until they get through.
As the hour approached, people focked to
the grand stand, where they ate cold crabs
and drank large goblets OF froth at 10 cents
COB. Everyone was rife with expectancy
and bright sparkle was in every eye.
Several plicemen were present. lending
comfort and assurance by their presence and
general interest in the race. Jockeys came
up and practiced with their horses, and while
they did so I figured out on the back OF my
programme what the result would be if a
hen and half in day and half, lay an
egg and a half in nest and a half, provided
she be given week and halfwith chance
and a half Jut then the crowd yelled and
someone said that Blue Rock had won in
1:1SZ. It reminded me of the old-timer