New Ulm review., 1894-10-03
A STORY OFTHE TURF

A STORY OF THE TURF
DOES 1T SOLVE A MYSTERY OF LONG
, : : .-- ...szs STANDING? <
Why Did kIr. Dryers fremont Suddenly
End His Racing Career?-The, Question
of Age-Something That Will Pc Par
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 balmy air, the sight of magnificent
equipages, handsome, well dressed men
and beautiful women all conspired to
drive away care, no matter what ones
trouble might be.
So I thought as, comfortably seated
in a huge rocking chair, looked about
me from the piazza of the Grand Union
hotel one glorious morning in July,
18e-. All the people near me seemed
intent on discussing only one subject
viz, racing. 1 remember distinctly to
have caught several times the express
sion: Hes sure winner: Nothing can
beat him." Then again some one would
say: 'The Black Whirlwind is Won
der: He will win in walk and va
rious other like opinions. Not being IA
miliar with race horses and racing
slang, was unable to make heads or
tails out Of all had heard, and realiz-
ing that was out Of my element con-
cluded to take a 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 a very serious man.
ner. The walk being narrow, I made
no effort to pass them and lazily follow
ed behind. enjoying my beloved pipe.
Very soon I again heard the word
"Whirlwind," and confess that my
curiosity was greatly excited. Just at
this moment a 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 sure 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., Il have prop
osition to make, or rather, should say,
bet to propose.
LETS hear it, said Mr.. D.
In very cold and measured tones Mr..
81. then said, "Mr. D., will bet you
S., 900 that if your colt crosses the wire
first today the race will not be given to
! him and SIS, 900 additional that if you
do start him he will never again run in
| another race
By this time was trembling with
excitement, but something beyond my
control forced me to continue being an
unwilling eavesdropper.
Mr.. D. quickly replied: "Why, what
is the matter with you? Has anything
unusual happened that has caused your
good sense to forsake you? Your propo-
sition is too foolish to be thought Of for
a moment -
''Well,'' replied Mr.. H., "a little
bird brought me some extremely inter-
esting news about your colt, and I do
not believe that my mental faculties
have forsaken me. repeat that I am
willing to make the wager, and know
full we'll that I thoroughly understand
what ! am saying and doing. Do you
accept the wager or not, Mr. Dr.
All this time I 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 O'Clock.
j. Somehow did not feel az if I had
committed very great offense in listen
ing, but at any rate thought that I
had heard enough. so turned and re-
traced my footsteps, thinking there was
something very peculiar in what I had
overheard. worried over it so much
that I concluded to go out to tho race
course I called cab and was soon
there In the betting pavilion I ap-
preached man who seemed to the
manner born" and politely asked If he
knew anything about a horse called
'tthe 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 q
8-year-o old who could outrun him. ''s7.,s-
After thanking him for his informa-
tion went up to the grand stand and,
there purchased q programme Sure
enough, fremont was entered in the
fourth raca Very impatiently I 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. stood ON the outshrts
of the crowd, quite interested in what I
saw and heard, though I could not un-