Every Man His Own Trainer. 



CHAPTER I. 



The reasons why I decided to write this book, in addi- 

 tion to what I have said in the introductory why I publish 

 this work, I will say that I could spend nearly all my time 

 answering questions in regard to this subject. A very inti- 

 mate friend will call at my house, and, after a heartfelt greet- 

 ing and hand grasp, will say Jack, (remember this gentleman 

 is an intimate friend), he has passed the formality of Mr. 

 Peek; Jack, what shall I do to get my trotter going? And, 

 as I love to spend my time with my friends, I give him hours, 

 in inquiring into the characteristics and peculiarities of his 

 horse, and endeavoring to give him advice which will bring his 

 probably recent purchase to the front, and thereby benefit 

 him financially, but does not buy oats for my horses. 



After my friend has bowed himself out, I start for my 

 stable, and, as I pass around the first street corner I meet a 

 gentleman who cordially grasps my hand and says, "How do 

 you do, Mr. Peek? I have been waiting to see you for several 

 days." It may be Judge R. or Bank President D., who I am 

 bound to treat with courtesy. He goes on to say the man 

 he has employed in his stables says his horses want such and 

 such work, and asks me what I think of it. I of course am 

 obliging, and another half hour is gone without profit. 



Well I manage to get to the street on which my stable is 

 situated, and I meet an amateur trainer driving out of the 

 park, who has been working a horse, and he appears lame. I 

 am stopped by my would-be brother trainer and asked to 

 look his horse over to locate the trouble. I do so because 

 this man may turn out well and I may meet him on the bat- 

 tle-field of the ring, where a friend is sometimes needed to 

 help the slowest horse around the upper turn, in order that 

 my colors may come first to the wire. 



When I get to the stable I find a farmer or his son wait- 



