RECOLLECTIONS OF MEN AND HORSES 



breeding venture in California ? Electioneer was the 

 keynote to his remarkable success. 



It was in November, 1888, that I ran up to Stony 

 Ford with William Russell Allen. The day was 

 stormy, but we braved the rain and mud and our 

 clothing was somewhat soiled when we returned to 

 the smoking-room. Lancelot, the last of the produce 

 of Green Mountain Maid, was then a handsome 

 yearling, and he filled the critical eye as we chased 

 him around the big paddock. After cigars had been 

 lighted Mr. Allen marked certain animals in the 

 catalogue and asked me to see if I could buy them. 

 He stepped outside while I conversed with Mr. 

 Backman. The latter looked startled, and finally 

 took his pencil and wrote the prices on the margin 

 of the catalogue. I made an addition and found that 

 the amount was over $40,000. With a shrug of the 

 shoulders I handed the list to Mr. Allen, who, after 

 dissecting it, quietly said : 



" You may buy at the prices named." 



Mr. Backman gasped and said: "While you are 

 about it why not break the record? The Stanford 

 sale is still the best." 



" All right," was the reply. " Let Mr. Busbey 

 select two mares to swell the amount." 



Mr. Backman said " Agreed," and the two ani- 

 mals thus selected brought the amount up to $44,100 

 for ten head. The price paid for Lancelot was 

 $12,500, the same that Governor Stanford had paid 

 for Electioneer; and Elista, the sister of Elaine, 



