The herald., 1894-10-18
A STORY Oh THE TURF
DOES II SOLVE A MYSTERY OF LONG
STANDING?

VI hbV-SCHltNHiuts IhdO WIZ re PNr-
ticulariy Interesting to Horsemen.
The racing season had begun, and in
consequence Saratoga was thronged with
visitors. The hotels were crowded, and
the cottages had long since been taken.
The balKny air, <he sight Of magnificent
squipagss, handsome, well dressed men
Ind beautiful women all conspired to
Hrive away care, no matter what ones
trouble might be.
So l thought as, comfortably seated
In hugo rocking chair, looked about
me from the piazza of the Grand Union
hotel one glorious morning in July
lSe--. All the people near me seemed
intent on discussing only one subject
viz, racing. l remember distinctly to
have caught several times the express
sion: "Ho's sure winner. Nothing can
beat him. Than again some one would
say: ''Tho Black Whirlwind is a won
der. He will win in walk, and va.
rious other like opinions. Not being fa-
miliar with race horses and racing
slang, / was unable to mako heads or
tails out of all had heard, and realiz-
ing that l was out Of my element con-
cluded to take stroll and indulge in a
quiet smoke. After having traversed
two or three blocks found myself just
behind two gentlemen walking leisure
ly along, who seemed to be talking
about something in very serious man.
ner. The walk being narrow, ! made
no effort to pass them and lazily follow
ed behind. enjoying my beloved pipe.
Very soon I again heard the word
"Whirlwind, and L confess that my
curiosity was greatly excited. Just at
this moment rather stiff summer
breeze came up, and bearing directly
toward US waited distinctly to me their
conversation. The larger Of the two
whom will designate as Mr. A. } said
TO the other, $50 you are surely going
to start him in the - stakes today,
are you?"
The smaller man (whom will desig-
nate as Mr. d. } replied: "Why, certain
ly. I'm stro to win. There Is nothing
eligible to start that can make my colt
even extend himself. OF course he will
start and win too"
"Well, said Mr.. H, 81 have prop
L
bet to propose.
Let's hear it, said Mr. D.
In very cold and measured tones Mr..
II. then said, "Mr. D., l will bet you
SIS, 900 that II your colt crosses the wire
first today tho race will not be given to
him and 80, 900 additional that if you
do start him he will never again run in
another race"
BY this time I was trembling with
excitement, but something beyond my
control forced me to continue being an
unwilling eeyesdropper
Mr.. D. quickly replied: "Why, what
is the matter with you? Has anything
unusual happened that has caused your
good sense to forsake you? Youz propo-
sition is too foolish to bo thought Of for
moment.
''Well," replied Mr.. II. ga little
bird brought me some extremely inter-
esting news about your colt, aud I do
not believe that my mental faculties
have forsaken me- [ repeat that am
willing to mako the wager, and know
full well that l thoroughly understand
what I am saying and doing Do you
All this time was only few feet
behind them, regulating my pace by
theirs and trying to appear very preoc-
oupied.
After some hesitation Mr.. D. replied
that he would consider the matter and
would give an answer before 1 o'clock.
Somehow did not feel as if 1 had
committed very great offense in listen
ing, but at any rate / thought that |
had heard enough, SO l turned and re-
traced my footsteps, thinking there was
something very peculiar in what 1 had
overheard. I worried over it SO much
that I concluded to go cut to the race
course. I called cab and was soon
there. In the betting pavilion I ap-
preached a man who seemed ''to the
manner born and politely asked if he
knew anything about a horse called
''the Black Whirlwind' - He under
stood at once and told me the proper
name was fremont, and went on to say
"that in all America there was not a
3-year old whp could outrun him.
After thanking him for his informa-
tion went up to the grand stand and
butl0 PiOt5idliiut kONES
enough, fremont was entered in the
fourth race. Very impatiently 1 sat
there and waited. Finally the first race
was run, which watched with little
or no interest, and after the jockeys had
dismounted again made my way to the
betting ring. I stood en tho outskirts
Of the crowd, quite interested in what /
saw and heard, though could not I'M
derstand the modus operandi of the
bookmakers. Suddenly heard loud
shout from the end of the ring. tried
to ascertain what WAS tho matter, but
was pushed and jostled about by the
crowd so savagely that I could not get
an answer to my inquiries Soon, how
ever, 1 heard voice cry out, Scratch
Tremont!'
This was repeated by many on all
sides. Every one appeared surprised,
and no one seemed able to give any rea-
son for the colts withdrawal.
After the excitement had somewhat
subsided l returned to the grand stand
and sat there, thinking deeply. re-
rnembered the conversation of few
hours previous, and tried very hard to
form some opinion as to the ins and
outs of what considered II very strange
case indeed. The only conclusion that
could reach was thnt Mr. Fl. understood