RECOLLECTIONS OF MEN AND HORSES 



" No, I shall make no request of the kind. I simply 

 tell you that Mr. Bonner will try to buy her." 



The next day, when Halcyon was brought before 

 the auctioneer, Mr. Bonner started her at what he 

 thought she was worth, $1000, wishing to make short 

 work of it. To the general surprise the bid was 

 instantly advanced to $1500. Quick as a flash Mr. 

 Bonner called out $2000. The return bid was equally 

 as prompt, $2500, and by steps of $500 the amount 

 climbed to $4000, at which Mr. Bonner became the 

 purchaser. We marveled at this strange proceed- 

 ing, because we had figured that Halcyon would be 

 dear at $1500. Mr. Bonner, however, was put on 

 his mettle and would not stop. Later, we found 

 out that Mr. Hamlin was the opposing bidder, and 

 his explanation was that he wanted to see If Mr. 

 Bonner was really game — If he could be made to 

 turn tail. Halcyon was a nervous piece of horse- 

 flesh, and Mr. Bonner made a brood mare of her 

 after experimenting with her on the trotting track. 



I recall another occasion when the Bonner and 

 Hamlin minds were in opposition. It was at the 

 Hamlin residence on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo, 

 and I was the only witness. After dinner Mr. 

 Hamlin brought up the subject of shoeing, and an- 

 tagonized the opinions of Mr. Bonner. The conver- 

 sation became intense, and voices rose to such a 

 pitch that I was apprehensive the policeman on the 

 block would give us a call. After it was all over 

 Mr. Hamlin apologized and explained that he had 



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