SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



He raced under the name of " Mr. Mellish," and at 

 times had quite a large number of horses in training. 

 When out and about he drove a very fast pony in a 

 smart trap, and there were few that could pass him 

 on the road. One day he had some shooting with a 

 friend of his, a Mr. James Gray, a very respectable, 

 if anything starchy, old gentleman. Smith was 

 never wanting in impudence, and as they drove 

 home he said, " Next time you come to Newmarket 

 I'll give you a little shooting at my place." 



Mr. Gray expressed his thanks, and in due course 

 the day of the " shoot " dawned, Smith driving his 

 friend to the coverts, leaving the pony and trap in 

 charge of the boy. 



" Now, Jim," he said, " we must get to work 

 quickly, as I have to attend the races." The place 

 swarmed with game, and in less than an hour they 

 had shot sufficient almost to fill the trap. Smith 

 then looked at his watch. " By Jove ! " he exclaimed, 

 " we must be off. I've some writing to do, and 

 mustn't be late for the course. I've some even better 

 shooting than this for to-morrow. Come along, 

 Jim, give a hand with the game. I can't afford 

 another five minutes." Very hurriedly did Smith 

 hasten along the road, putting the pony to its 

 best pace. The sudden departure, the hastening 

 home, the careful manner in which the game was 



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