128 The American Thoroughbred 



horses, having read and heard of the celebrated 

 horse Lath, went to the North with a view to 

 get him ; either by purchase, or to stand him 

 as a stalHon. Whilst in that country he was 

 taken extremely ill, at a Mr. Hunt's, who had 

 previously intermarried with a widow, Mrs. Van- 

 lue, in Jersey. Mr. Goode was sick for many 

 weeks, during which time it was fairly under- 

 stood he was not to have Lath. Great exer- 

 tions were then made to obtain this very mare. 

 Miss Slamerkin ; but in this he was also dis- 

 appointed. 



" The time arrived when he was to return to 

 Virginia. I have frequently heard him speak 

 of the tender and constant attention of this kind 

 and hospitable family — of the reluctance with 

 which they gave him up — and above all (it 

 would be strange to tell nowadays), not a cent 

 would they receive for their trouble, but seemed 

 to be glad to have had it in their power to con- 

 fer the obligation. Yes, sir, and if ever an obli- 

 gation so great has been fully repaid in gratitude 

 to the bestower, I think this might be referred 

 to as the case. Oft have I heard him speak in 

 raptures of this family — their kindness — their 

 incessant attention to him never wavering — their 



