THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



To attempt to detail the events of a race meeting, so far back 

 as the one to which I am now alluding, would be considered a 

 trespass on the reader ; suffice it to say, that all went oft' with 

 eclat, as far as the sport on the course was concerned ; and as 

 the champagne of the week was paid for by the warm old 

 gentleman inside, all went on well with the drag. The party 

 arrived each night at Stevens's Hotel as the clock struck eleven, 

 so exactly did the Baronet keep his time ; and both men and 

 horses appeared the better for their four days of inhaling clear 

 country air. 



But what impression did the events of the week make 

 upon the youngsters of this party — Frank Raby and Har- 

 o-rave ? Upon the latter, not much. His heart and soul were 

 wrapped up in fox-hunting, and 'closely stopped,' as fox- 

 hunters say, against the intrusion of meaner pursuits, amongst 

 which he reckoned racing. Not so, however, with our hero. 

 He appeared to enter into the spirit of each individual race 

 with an interest that attracted notice ; and, on the third day, 

 was seen taking some bets in the ring, although only to a 

 trifling amount; and most of these, as might be expected, he 

 lost. But his speculations did not end with the turf. The 

 introduction of the thimble-rig tables had just then commenced, 

 and Hargrave and himself were amongst the earliest victims to 

 their unfairness. 



' What ! ' said one to the other, ' can that simple-looking 

 country bumpkin, in a smock-frock, find out the pea, and 

 neither you nor I be able to do the same ? Why, he has won 

 seven guineas already from the rascals, and how I should like 

 to break them, for they look very much like thieves.' 



' There will be no difficulty in it,' observed the other ; ' I see 

 the pea every time, and I am quite sure I can always tell the 

 thimble it is under. We will risk five guineas apiece, and I'll 

 warrant it we'll soon double our stakes." 



But they were interrupted in their course by a by-stander, 

 who overheard them, and who, apparently in compassion to 

 their simplicity, thus ventured to address them : — 



' Excuse me, young gentlemen,' said he, ' but you have 

 formed a wrong judgment as to the proceedings you have just 

 been witness of. That simple-looking country bumpkin, in the 

 smock-frock, is one of the partners in tlie table, as well as one 

 of the greatest thieves in London. He is acting the part of a 



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