CHAPTEE XXII. 



DELIGHTS OF TOBACCO FOUNDATION OF THE AMERICAN TROTTER 

 ON THE BLOOD HOUSE. 



PRECEPTOR. We will walk leisurely to the stable while 

 smoking, so that the cigars will be finished by the time 

 we get there. Your caution in not permitting any one to 

 smoke in the stable is proper, and whoever would take 

 offence at being requested to observe this rule would have 

 very little sense. The dried and powdered excrements of 

 horses is a material almost as tenacious in holding fire, 

 and as quick to ignite, as tinder. A stump of a cigar is 

 thrown aside; it falls through a crack in the floor which 

 has been the receptacle of the sweepings, where it gives no 

 warning till it breaks out fierce and overpowering. Such 

 a disaster as that which occured at the Eiverside Park 

 ought to admonish all when approaching stables, never to 

 smoke even in their vicinity. 



As soon as the horses have eaten their feed, we will send 

 May to the blacksmith, to whom I have given the ne- 

 cessary instructions for shoeing, so that we need not ac- 

 company her. Never Mind can be brushed, the bandages 

 removed, his legs hand-rubbed lightly for a quarter of an 

 hour, his bed put to rights, &c. The advantage a loose 

 box possesses over a stall would be of service in this case, 

 as I would much prefer that he should not be disturbed, 

 'excepting to take a short walk of a mile or so when the 

 others go out. But as Jane has to be walked two hours 



