CHAPTER VII. 

 Bevans' Story. 



" One science only will one genius fit, 

 So vast is art, so narrow human wit." 



I WAS born at Limber, near Brocklesby, in Lincolnshire, 

 on December 10th, 1844, and would probably be a year 

 or two older than Mr. J. M. Richardson,! whose father was 

 a large gentleman farmer residing there. A rare game sport- 

 ing youth was Mr. Richardson, and one for whom I always 

 had great admiration. My father managed the dairy farm 

 and my mother the poultry farm at Brocklesby, to which 

 place they removed from Limber when they got fairly settled 



t Mr. J. Maunsell Richardson, the celebrated steeplechase rider, who won the Grand 

 National in 1873 on "Disturbance," and the following year on " Reugny." He went 

 to Harrow School in 1861, entering old "Ben" Drury's house, and had not been 

 long there before he displayed extraordinary skill and activity (whence his nickname 

 of " Cat ") at all games. In 1864-5 he became a member of both the cricket and football 

 elevens, and also won the challenge racquet. The first time I ever saw him on horseback, 

 though well nigh forty years ago, is imprinted so deeply on my memory that it seems 

 but yesterday. His riding costume was white flannels, for a Sixth Form game was being 

 played on the school cricket ground and Richardson was, I fancy, fielding at long-leg ; 

 at any rate during the progress of the game the old brown horse, whose daily occupation 

 was to draw the ground roller, happened to be grazing in the vicinity, and attracting 

 his attention up he jumped on to the old fellow's back, and round the field they galloped, 

 reinless and saddleless, the future Grand National winner urging on his laggard mount 

 with legs and arms until they threatened to demolish the pitch that had been carefully 

 prepared under the auspices of "Fred" Ponsonby and "Bob" Grimston. Amusing as 

 it was to the boys, these grand old tutors of Harrow cricket failed to appreciate the 

 sporting by-play ! 



