DUMBFOUNDED OWNERS. 363 



careless indirect comment, and not a face-to-face 

 accusation, we may take it that the jockeys are in the 

 right ; and that owners are really fond of seeing their 

 horses favourites, and tacitly admit their pleasure at 

 the fact that it should benefit everyone else and not 

 themselves. 



In this matter of silent complaint, I am reminded 

 of a story to the effect that whilst two incorrigible 

 desperadoes were awaiting their trial in prison for a 

 petty larceny, they agreed to assist each other with 

 mutual information. The first man, Jones, on his 

 trial, abused with the most filthy epithets the judge 

 and jury, and the members of the bar, and was 

 honourably acquitted, and hastened to give Brown 

 (his companion) the benefit of his experience. But 

 Brown, notwithstanding his eloquence in the same 

 direction, was not successful; for he was put back for 

 three months for contempt of court. At first this to 

 Jones was unaccountable, though it was afterwards 

 explained on his saying : 



' Do you think they heard you ?' 



' Yes,' was the answer. 



4 Ah,' was the prompt rejoinder, ' that made all the 

 difference, for they never heard me.' 



Or owners may think with Juliet, in her reply to 

 County Paris, for an assurance of her love : 



1 It will be of more price 

 Being spoken behind your back than to your face.' 



In no particular is the marked improvement of 



