Bredin on Running & Training

IO..J. RUNNING AND TRAINING. the right card. Sitting almost opposite him was his confederate whom I had noticed on the course, but who now naturally appeared to be an utter stranger. This worthy hesitatingly remarked that he would have one try, was successful, bet double or quits on the next trial, won that also, and pocketed five shillings. Still the remainder of the company sat tight, and even the device of slightly bending up a corner of the "Jack " proved insufficient to arouse the cupidity of the other occupants of the carriage. Suddenly our hero-as the novelists say-vehemently spat on the floor, stood up, and proceeded to put his overcoat on somewhat savagely, and to the evident discomfiture of those on either side of him-we were packed like herrings in a barrel-thrusting the cards into his pocket, here-seated himself and remarked to his vis-a-vis, "Bli'me, Bill, this is like a furnished house with nothing in it, and a front view in a back street." But I am wandering from my subject, and I fear with unseemly levity, considering the heading of this chapter. Such an anecdote in such a place is almost as serious an offence as laughing in church. However, I will crave the reader's pardon, and endeavour not to so offend again. The difficulty of compelling all runners to try to win the races they start in appears at present insurmount– able, with such a great number of different meetings held in or near the metropolis, and, indeed, throughout the country, on each Saturday afternoon during the summer, the secretaries of which with a few exceptions all endeavour to obtain a long list of entrants, and employ those officials to form their handicaps who are popular