The Portland daily press., 1896-09-08
"Telegram for You, sir. !"


I had previously decided that would
give as my final selections the first and
second favorites and good outsider for
third place. But this telegram upset all
my calculations, and yet 1 felt that I
could not altogether ignore it.
! sat down at my desk and wrote out
my copy. 1t ran as follows:
"There is no denying the fact that
the favorite is in excellent condition,
but I think that he will be beaten by
horse whose qualifications have hitherto
been completely overlooked. have no
hesitation in placing the first three
horses in this order. (D Don Pero, (2)
Windemere. (5) Nervine -
was just thinking about starting
when the chief sent for me.
what does this mean, Mr.. Good
mani" he said, as I entered the room.
''This'' evidently referred to my MS,
which he held in his hand.
Are you referring to my Derby tip,
sir?" asked.
"But it's 80 to chance!''
81 can't help that" replied, rather
haughtily perhaps, "but I am assured
that he is bound to win"
Assured By whom, pray?"
pardon me-" I answered, tbut my
information is obtained from strictly
private source. I'll alter the wording Of
the paragraph. if you like, but I should
prefer that 1t goes in as it is.
II have no wish to interfere in your
department, !" replied the chief. ''Let it
stand. if you are sweet upon it. If it
comes off, it will be all right. IF not,
well, we shall be the laughing stock Of
everybody, from the Jockey club down
to the youngest Newmarket tout"
did not think that it was worth
while having an argument about the
matter, 80 took an opportunity Of clos
ing the interview and took cab to
Waterloo. When I reached the course,
/ made the best Of my way to the pad
dock In the hope Of seeing Dixey and
having talk with him before racing
began, but he was nowhere to be seen.
I soon found that some Of my col
leagues wanted to have chat with me,
for The Sporting Courier, with my final
in, had created quite sensation.
Jimmy Berners Of The Starter was
very foroible in his language and said
some nasty things about my inability to
provide the racing world with informa-
ton that was of any value.
In my anxiety endeavored again to
find Rxey, for felt that he must know
something that was not common knowl-
edge.
Though locked everywhere for him,
could not see him. He was evidently
keeping himself out Of the way.
Then the horrible thought rushed
through my mind that the telegram was
hoax, and felt cold perspiration
break out all over me. As matter of
fact did not care brass farthing
which horse won, for make a rule
never to bet but knew that my repu-
tation as tipster was at stake.
twas in no particularly happy frame
of mind THAI I made my way to the
press box.
=. Ny entrance gave the cus for burst
of hilarity, and my reception was ex-
ceedihgly warm. They chaffed me I'M
mercifully about my unfortunate tip,
but took it all in good part, while in
wardly vowing that I would fire off
some of ny suppressed anger upon
Dixey if his precooious outsider finished
where everybody expected him to finish
last
There is no need for me to enter into
any lengthy description Of the event.
but it is just necessary to mention one
Or two facts about the most sensational
Derby on record, and one that will
never be forgotten by those who had
the COED fortune to witness 1t.
nervously looked around for Don
Pero. Yes. he was there all right, but
what an i'll favored looking animal COM
pared with the others! His jockey, too,
was merely stable Lad, but thought
that detected a gseam Of confidence in
his eye and look Of fixed determine
ton upon his boyish face.
"Now they 're Off, " is the cry. No, it
is false start. The favorite has broken
away. His supporters standing around
me are quivering with excitement, and
many of them give vent to audible
groans.
The horses face the starter once more,
and in another minute we see the white
flag fall and know that they have been
dispatched on their fateful journey.
In the first part Of the race they seem
to be all together, but as they near Tat
tenham corner the favorite begins to
steel ahead. look for Don Pero-he is
nearly last. The corner Is turned with
Windermere we'll in front
1.-The favorite winsP' "The favorite
romps homel' is the cry on all hands,
But what is that steadily creeping ur
| on the outsider As live ii is Don Perp'