XLVI. 



Dexter sold to George Trussel. — Dexter, Gen. Butler, and CommodoTe 

 Vanderbilt. — Dexter goes to Budd Doble. — Dexter and George M. 

 Patchen at Philadelphia. 



THE last race in which I drove Dexter was for the purse 

 of $2,000, mile heats, three lq five, in harness ; the 

 second to have $500 out of the purse if three started, and 

 the third $300 if four started. It was originally fixed to 

 come off on the 28th of June; hut the wretched display- 

 made hy the California stallion in his match with Dextei 

 (alluded to in the preceding chapter) had disgusted so 

 many people, and so disheartened Mr. Crocheron, that he 

 resolved to postpone it until the 2d of July. Before the 

 race, Dexter had heen disposed of hy Mr. Alley to a gentle- 

 man from Chicago. It was not, however, to Mr. Anderson, 

 but to Mr. George Trussell, with whom Mr. Fawsett had an 

 interest, either at that time or very soon afterwards. The 

 price they paid was $14,000. It was not large, considering 

 the powers and achievements of the horse, taking into 

 account what his winnings had amounted to the preceding 

 year, and keeping in view the large prizes and brilliant 

 prospects held out all over the country for the best trotter 

 on the turf. The idea that he was not the best trotter had 

 long ceased to trouble me : but many still held that Lady 

 Thorn was his equal in some points ; and there were people 

 who believed and maintained that the California stallion 

 was sure to beat- him as soon as it suited Eoff's book to let 

 liim do so. 



This infatuation remained for months, when events had 



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