OWNERS AND OWNING 73 



for 2,200 guineas, and so had something to look 

 at when I went down to the stable. 



My bay colt, who had won the trial, was in 

 a ;(^i,ooo race at a meeting near London, and I 

 hesitated whether to run him or not ; but looking 

 through the Calendar saw two or three that were 

 certain to beat him, and, besides, there were several 

 others about which I knew nothing. It seemed 

 no good to run, therefore, and I wrote out a 

 telegram to tell my trainer not to send him. That 

 evening at the Club a man came up to me in the 

 smoking-room and asked if mine had any chance 

 next day. 



" I am not running," I replied. " He is a very 

 moderate animal, and would have no chance 

 against two or three that are likely to be sent." 



" I see from the evening paper that yours has 

 arrived," the inquirer observed ; but I told him 

 it must be a mistake, as I had wired that morning 

 to say that the colt was not to be sent. But it 

 suddenly occurred to me, had I wired t I had 

 written out a telegram but couldn't remember 

 sending it ; and putting my hand in my pocket 

 found the message among my papers. 



I went to the meeting next day, and in the 

 paddock came across my trainer, to whom I 

 explained what had happened. 



