1 86 MR. PARKER. 



horses, and at the same difference of weight over the 

 same course, with a professional up, and won easily 

 — which justified his conduct in the action he had 

 taken. 



I never remember his having but one dispute about 

 a bet; and this was at Shrewsbury, under the follow- 

 ing circumstances : Mr. Parker offered to take five 

 j^onies to one about a horse he was running, and some 

 one said, ' Done, Mr. Parker!' and gave the name of 

 ' Jones,' and made his exit from the ring as quickly 

 as possible for fear of recognition. The horse was 

 beat; and the next morning the money was claimed. 



' Why,' said Parker, ' you are not Jones. I never 

 laid the bet with you !' 



' Oh yes, you did, Mr. Parker,' says the fellow ; 

 ' and here it is in my book,' pointing to the entry. 



It then flashed across Mr. Parker's mind that he 

 had been ' done,' a tiling which of all thinsrs he ob- 

 jected to. Thus irate, he expressed himself in most 

 emphatic terms, and catching poor little ' Jones ' by 

 the throat, said : 



' I'll kick you all round the ring, you vagabond!' 

 a threat which so terrified the fellow, that he cried out 

 aloud for mercy, and promised he would tell him all, 

 if only he would let him go. 



' It was Quince that laid you the bet,' explained the 

 culprit when allowed to speak; 'and he said if I could 

 get it, he would give me £5, for he felt sure you 

 would know him if he came for it himself.' 



