SIXTY YEARS ON THE TURF 



all going up, and if something isn't done this will be 

 left in the lurch." 



" Certainly. But where are you going to get the 

 extra five hundred from ? " 



" Why, we'll get it out of the Ring. Go round 

 for it. Will you ask Mr. Ford [the father of the 

 present Mr. W. J. Ford] whether he will accept it ? " 



Mr. Ford, a dear good old gentleman, was 

 delighted. He said he felt the race should be one 

 of a thousand added, but that the estate could not 

 then bear the burden. " It would make our meet- 

 ing," he remarked. 



" Well, it shall be made." 



The raising of the " monkey " from the Ring was 

 an easy matter, Steel, Billy Nichol, and myself 

 being the collectors. After the race Mr. Ford came 

 and thanked Steel and myself. 



" It's the best meeting, by a long, long way, we 

 have ever had. In future, a thousand shall always 

 be added to the Lincolnshire Handicap. And we 

 can now afford the money ourselves." 



2S7 



