42 STABLE SECRETS. 



only one tear, but many. The representatives of the Press 

 gave different versions of "the unexpected result," and ex- 

 patiated upon " the proverbial uncertainty of the turf." Re- 

 ports were circulated through that marvellously gifted and 

 eloquent agent, " Rumour," that, " owing to a change of water, 

 change of stable, change of weather, or change of something 

 (not clearly denned), Sunshine coughed, and had to be 

 4 scratched ' at the last moment, and when about to be stripped 

 for the post." The Great Stable of the North, however, was 

 not doomed to disappointment. Failing with the best tried 

 two-year-old out, Catch-me-who-can came to the rescue, and, 

 jumping off with a strong lead, cut the field down in a common 

 canter, winning hard held by ten clear lengths. 



ouch was the unexpected result for the Two Thousand 

 Guineas in Sunshine's year, whatever might have been the 

 accounts of the finish either before or subsequently. 



A few days afterwards, under the head of " Tattersall's," 

 might have been seen a record of the promotion of Catch-me- 

 who-can to the proud place of first favourite for the Derby, at 

 five to three, taken freely, while the son of Glitter and Comet 

 receded to fifty to one, offered. The former, it is almost un- 

 -.oecssary to add, met with the support of a host of sanguine 

 friends, desirous of evincing their confidence in his merits, 

 while the latter experienced that chilling and even frigid 

 return for coughing that occasionally is termed "getting the 

 cold shoulder." In short, if the " Representatives of the Press " 

 were faithful to their trust, Sunshine's chance of the Derby 

 might be looked upon as gone. Different opinions, however, 

 will both be conceived and expressed upon most subjects, 

 whether social, political, theological, turfical, or otherwise ; and 

 it might have been remarked by an unusually acute observer, 

 t friendless as Sunshine appeared to be, he was not, at least, 

 without jhat rar3, choice, and valuable prop, "a friend in 

 need." 



The antecedents of Bill Smoothy were, fortunately for the 



