276 HOESE POKTBAITUEE. 



glossy coats showing that the grooms' duties had been 

 faithfully performed. Your remarks about the absence 

 of good looks in the drivers of trotters would only parti- 

 ally apply here, as the rider of the favorite was a very 

 pleasant looking young man, of clear complexion and 

 tranquil blue eye. There was a tuft of sandy hair on his 

 chin that did not add much to his appearance, yet he was 

 rather above the average in good looks. The other rider 

 would have been fairly entitled to the jacknife from Pren- 

 tiss or Jonce Hooper ; still there was much to be pleased 

 with in his peculiar physiognomy. Notwithstanding a 

 palpable squint, there was a flash in his black and restless 

 eye that surely denoted genius of some kind, and though 

 his seat on the horse was not so graceful as his competi- 

 tor, he showed a knowledge of the business, and handled 

 his horse, the most difficult of the two to manage, with 

 the greatest skill. While the other might get as much out 

 of a horse in a trial, or, perhaps ride in a race as well, 

 where the competitors were limited, let it come to a close 

 struggle in a large field, and the little round-shouldered, 

 cross-eyed, keen, resolute-looking one should carry my 

 money. 



There was not a great deal of scoring to try the patience 

 of spectators or judges, and at the second attempt the bell 

 tapped, and away they went for the first heat. The favor- 

 ite justified the expectations of his admirers, by gradually 

 drawing away from the other, and at the quarter pole was 

 three or four lengths in advance. He increased his pace 

 on the back-stretch and when the half-mile was done, 

 eight or ten lengths would have scarcely measured the dis- 

 tance between them. By the time the three-quarters of a 

 mile was reached he evidently slackened his speed, for the 

 other, it was supposed, to overtake him, and make the 

 semblance of a race down the home side. The rear horse 

 was gaining fast, and at the distance post his head was at 



