LIFE WITH THE TKOTTERS. 261 



to not only see his name coupled with some of the best 

 horses of the country but also to have the world acknowl- 

 edge that his theories in regard to them were right. 



The Goldsmith boys had advantages that seldom fall to 

 the lot of a horse driver. They had the benefit of their 

 father's experience, also an ojiportunity to acquire a good 

 business education, which I think goes a long way toward 

 making a man successful in any line, —not that I think it is 

 necessary in order to be a good driver, for a man to have 

 gone to college, but to manage a valuable stable of horses and 

 to get the best results financially, I think it very essential 

 that he should have a fair education. This will also exj^and 

 his mind and teach him to think, which is absolutely 

 necessary. As the Goldsmith boys and their horses have 

 been important figures on the trotting turf I will give a 

 sketch of them as they appeared to me, which facts I have 

 been able to glean from close observation, as some of the 

 greatest efforts that I have been able to p)ut forth have been 

 made in a struggle to keep John and Jim from getting my 

 money in many closely contested races. 



The first time I saw John Goldsmith he was a lad of 

 twelve or thirteen years, and was even then just as willing 

 to bet you he could name the winner as he is now. If he 

 made a mistake and lost his money he stood it like a veteran. 

 As an all-round driver and a shrewd manager under any 

 and all circumstances, John is entitled to a seat in the front 

 pew. He is a man of medium size, weighing about 150 pounds. 

 "Jimmy," as the boys call him, differs somewhat in his 

 appearance and methods from John, greatly resembling his 

 father. By general consent I believe he is considered the 

 handsomest and best dressed man connected with the trot- 

 ting turf. If Berry Wall had Jimmy' s personal appearance 

 and good taste in dress he would still be the " King of the 

 Dudes." This part of Jim's character extends also to his 

 business, as his horses are well harnessed, well booted, have 

 the best of sulkies, and the general appearance of his stable 

 would make glad the heart of an artist. Whether he has 



