404 ASHGILL; OR, THE LIFE 



be of note and begin betimes. Already the "golden 

 wires " are being " ticked " off in the telegraph office. 

 Old Jack Dickinson, a most conscientious man and hard 

 worker, is to the fore as of old. A few of the old hands 

 are gone one misses "Old Abe," "Paul Walmsley," 

 and "Locket" from the group. But there again, old 

 son, you are going back to old times. Steady yourself, 

 and take your canter with the present. Hither comes 

 young "Judex," son of old "Judex," who has been 

 a-racing now for upwards of fifty years. Methinks the 

 young 'un, whom we first remember joining the prophets, 

 is putting on the old man a bit, with the cares and 

 worries and anxieties of life, not the least worrying 

 amongst them being the often thankless task of trying 

 to find winners when the " selection " is not " on the 

 job." A wonderful game this tipping winners, sur- 

 rounded by many shoals and quicksands ! On one 

 occasion Billy Nichol, the famous Nottingham book- 

 maker, expressed himself wisely, in his homely way> 

 about betting. A young fellow, son of a dear friend 

 of Billy's, had been going "rocky" at Doncaster one 

 year. It was a case of an " odds on " chance to get him 

 out of a " bad week." " I'll lay 700 to 400 on," said the 

 young plunger. Knowing that the lad was getting out 

 of his depth, and having a respect for his father, Billy 

 declined the " deal," remarking at the same time, " Naa, 

 lad, never thee lay 700 to 400 on a horse unless thee 

 knaas five things: First of all, thaa mun knaa if the 

 owner's on the job, next the trainer, next the jockey, 

 next the bookmaker, and, above awl, thaa mun knaa if 

 the horse is good enough to win. Get ta knaa these 

 five things, maw lad, and aal tak thee 700 to 400." 

 Such are the difficulties which cross the path of the 

 prophets, gentle reader. A lot of practical wisdom in 



