RECOLLECTIONS OF MEN AND HORSES 



horse." The silence which followed was almost 

 painful. Mr. Bonner cheerfully would have given 

 the price of Dexter to avoid replying, but he liked 

 the horse too well to part with him. Finally he said : 

 " I do not think that I can spare him just yet," and 

 turned the conversation into other channels. Ehnin- 

 ger's crayon, " Taking the Reins," of General Grant 

 driving Dexter to a road wagon with Robert Bonner 

 by his side, was received with much approbation by 

 the people of the nation, and it was suggestive of 

 events to come. In the White House President 

 Grant firmly held the reins. In Washington Presi- 

 dent Grant watched carefully over his stables, and 

 even sought lessons in shoeing from Alexander Dun- 

 bar. He took his summer vacations at Long Branch, 

 and he drove a spirited pair on the roads of that 

 watering place. In talking horse he found relaxa- 

 tion, because it took his mind from the perplexing 

 questions of State. He established a trotting horse 

 breeding farm in Missouri, but, as he was unable 

 to give it personal supervision, it was not a pro- 

 nounced success. He delighted in visiting Stony 

 Ford, and discussing breeding questions with Charles 

 Backman. He was charmed by the hospitality of 

 Stony Ford, and was assured that within its gates 

 he was safe from the importunities of politicians. 

 The stallions, brood mares, and colts greatly inter- 

 ested him, and, in driving through the fields where 

 the carpet of green was buttoned down by the gold 

 of dandelions, he studied with critical eye the out- 



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