HISTORY OF HEREFORD CATTLE 



205 



indicate it. I must say that I was much 

 surprised at such a proposition from one who 

 professes so much to be a pure breeder. 1 as- 

 sure you that no such cross as that can enter my 

 herd." 



Mr. Price was indignant, and well he might 

 be. Although Mr. Price might think that such 

 a cross on the other side might have been made 

 w T ith impunity in addition to Bates' other outs, 

 he had more sense than to advise it, and eti- 

 quette forbade him taking that liberty. When 

 the news came to America, there was much con- 

 sternation. The Bates organs modified it to the 

 best of their ability. The advocates of the 

 Bates mania, supposed to be moral men, thought 

 the plea of gambling sufficient, notwithstand- 

 ing more than half of them would buy pools 

 or bet on a horse race. The trio of Bates 

 flunkies Allen, Stevens, and Page were silent 

 for a time, but the other part of the clan, like 

 Bates, made manv excuses, and as the mania 



their nods as if they were familiar acquaint- 

 ances. Although John had on his best clothes, 

 there was something more wanting. It is very 

 difficult for a plebeian in England to know 

 how to act among aristocracy. No matter what 

 clothes he wears, he is easily detected under any 

 display of "independence"; however, the duke, 

 lord or baronet in this "independent country" 

 has no privilege, where all men are equal. Here 

 John had the advantage over them "in "inde- 

 pendence" ; but dukes and duchess titles in 

 cattle were highly honored here, their money 

 value far exceeding those whose titles were in- 

 herited under the law of primogeniture, as they 

 knew not the value of it. 



Reckless in their "independence," the English 

 squandered it; consequently John had an ex- 

 cellent opportunity to show himself, and his 

 tongue had no curb to check it from having its 

 full scope. John, fully aware the transactions 

 in England amongst Bates men would justify 



AN AMERICAN SHOW-RING. UNDER THE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR TENT. 



was previously up to fever heat, and the advo- 

 cates in their glory, it was a difficult matter 

 for them to form combined action, as the indis- 

 cretion of Bates was so glaringly ridiculous. 

 John R. Page, as he made himself very con- 

 spicuous at the Shorthorn sales, when praising 

 a Bates pedigree so highly, looked slyly and 

 cautiously over his shoulder to see if Mr. Price 

 or any Hereford breeder was behind him. In 

 this connection I must give you more experience 

 of this "herd book in breeches" as an auctioneer. 

 All who knew John knew the frivolous airs he 

 put on to assume consequence, his call to the 

 "New York Mills sale" was supposed to be of 

 such an exalted nature, and as he had to meet 

 some of the nobility and aristocracy of England, 

 he was compelled to put on as much polish as 

 consistent with his high calling, and to. receive 



his case in action and attitude, felt independ- 

 ent, his tongue moved as rapidly as was con- 

 sidered discreet for him to make it. 



After being introduced to the foreigners, 

 some of whom we knew, John mounted the 

 rostrum, and when so elevated, the loftiness was 

 of a very exciting nature. He stood erect in 

 silence; not one of the nobility ventured to 

 say, "Is that a dagger I see before me ?" "His 

 stature will not compare with our old veteran 

 Stafford in England," said one. His attitude 

 was one foot forward, the other its rear guard, 

 but he was evidently confused ; he pointed his 

 forefinger tow r ards heaven, and the canopy- above 

 was clear. He stammered a little and then said 

 that he was exceedingly glad to see so many 

 wealthy and influential gentlemen around him 

 from both countries, "and you are aware that I 



