RASCALITIES OF THE TTJEF. 241 



in driving, without taking the chance of being fastened to 

 a runaway horse. With such a winter's drive as you speak 

 of, and good summer roads, there will likely be always a 

 market in Chicago for trotters. 



PUPIL. There is not much doubt of that. At times I 

 have been fearful that the sharp practice of some who 

 ought to be below the turf instead of on it would disgust 

 the men who uphold and give countenance to the sport, and 

 that trotters would depreciate in value, until the price would 

 no longer pay for breeding and training. Should these 

 villainies finally drive the public from patronizing the trot- 

 ting parks, the inquiry there will be, by those living in the 

 larger towns and cities, for superior roadsters, will tend to 

 keep prices up ; but the large prices that are paid at the 

 present day for the fastest trotters, in that case, could not 

 be looked for. 



PRECEPTOR. As long as our wealthy men take the pleas- 

 ure they now do in fast driving, there will always be a 

 remunerating market. As to the rascalities that are some- 

 times practiced on the turf, it is a very unpleasant subject 

 even to talk about. I hope there will be a joint action of 

 the clubs over the country to eradicate them. A confed- 

 eration of the different clubs and driving-park associations 

 would be the most effective cure. If ruling off one course 

 included banishment from all, there would be few bold 

 enough to take the chances of detection. 



It is now approaching the time for our noontide meal. 

 After discussing that, we will see if we cannot "know of 

 something for the good" of our horses, and such as will 

 be pleasanter to think of than the knaveries of mankind. 



