A "GREEK HOUSE." 331 



scrape me and rub out my poll. The hissing of the per- 

 spiration, as it flowed from the red-hot scrapers, and the 

 scorching of the skin, was actually pleasant, when compared 

 with the first touch of the gory scalp-locks. Human 

 nature could not bear it, and with a shriek of anguish I 

 awoke. I lay tossing about the remainder of the night, 

 neither being able or having the inclination to sleep 

 further. 



PRECEPTOR. No wonder you look haggard; want of sleep 

 and such a dream are enough to make the complexion 

 wan and the eye dim. 



In all my remembrance I cannot recall a finer season 

 than this has been for the training of horses. The weather 

 has more to do with the conditioning process than many, 

 particularly those who are not engaged in the business, 

 are aware of. A man has a horse he is using on the road, 

 and finding that he possesses a good deal of speed, is 

 struck with the idea that he must have him trained, so he 

 loses no time in making his way to the track, goes to the 

 trainer he has selected to superintend the education, and 

 signifies his wishes. The trainer is, of course, anxious to 

 get another student, the price of whose tuition will assist 

 to pay the heavy bills that are presented at the end of 

 every month, and is unwittingly led to increase the owner's 

 sanguine expectations, by extolling the good form and 

 promising gait of the pupil. 



The country dealer who brought him to town had given 

 his full history, his ancestry, near and remote, the little 

 or no work he had to bring out his trotting gait. "He 

 was raised by Farmer such a one, and never had a single 

 harness on unless to plow corn, till so many days ago, 

 when he was purchased out of the wagon that brought a 

 load of grain to the market town." The dealer will add 

 that he was induced to purchase him from knowing his 

 stock, which was first-rate, and which he is likely to repre- 



