132 THE GOLDSMITHS. 



From 1862 to 187 1 Volunteer was ignored by the 

 public. He was overshadowed by Hambletonian, 

 while as the few colts that he did sire did not come to 

 their speed early, no one could point to a trotter by 

 Volunteer after Hamlet was retired. In addition to 

 this the majority of his get were spoiled in breaking, 

 the trainers of that period not understanding their 

 dispositions and it was not until his owner, encouraged 

 by his success with Goldsmith Maid, one of the wildest 

 hawks ever put in harness, decided to develop his own 

 stock, that the smiles of fortune turned towards the 

 .premier of Walnut Grove Farm. 



GOLDSMITH MAID. 



It's admitted that Lou Dillon, 



Alix, Maud S., and Nancy Hanks, 



With Goldsmith Maid's two fourteen 



Played many kinds of pranks. 



Sunol and scores of others, 



Make you think her star will fade, - 



But for all their speed they missed the fame, 



That came to Goldsmith Maid; 



As turf lovers all remember 



That from January to December 



The mare that won the money was the Maid. 



Goldsmith Maid was the foundation of Alden 

 Goldsmith's reputation as a practical turfman. She 

 was foaled on the farm of John B. Decker, of Wantage 

 Township, Sussex County, New Jersey, in the spring 

 of 1857. Her sire was Edsall's Hambletonian, after- 



