The Black Swans 



little old half-mile track and was 

 beaten under the wire by at least two 

 lengths in the deciding heat. After 

 listening to his comment upon that 

 performance, and the unprintable re- 

 marks of the trainer who at the critical 

 moment had driven the poor little bay 

 mare off her feet, I began to realize 

 that I was not the only one with a 

 grievance against the world, going 

 home that night a sadder but perhaps 

 wiser youngster. 



This incident recalled from boyhood 

 days may serve as well as any other 

 to suggest, even if faintly, the good 

 actually accomplished everywhere by 

 these competitions. Experience is the 

 only school whose lessons are taken 

 home and long remembered. This one 

 taught me several things worth know- 

 ing. 



There is an old saying to the effect 



that each crow fondly thinks its own 



young white; that is, better and more 



beautiful and more wonderful than 



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