Rowing and Track Athletics (extract)

Track Athletics runs a quarter in 49-t seconds. This quarter was one of the races in which Meyers was beaten, third being the best he could get, and it illustrates the gaminess of the man that he would never refuse a challenge so long as he could stand up and have at least a chance of winning. He was not one of those athletes who treat their legs and lungs as grand-opera singers do their voices. Meyers's last appearance in England was on August I 9, r 885, at Rockdale. Here he won the half mile in I minute 5 7 seconds, and ran a dead heat of 46-g- seconds in the quarter. Mason, the runner with whom the dead heat was run, started from the twenty-four-yard mark. He was too much fatigued to run another heat, although Meyers was ready to accommodate him, and the race went to the American by default. Meyers's Eng– lish tour marks the top and the practical finish of his running career. On his return to this country a delegation went down the harbor to meet and greet him, and a lavish collation was served at the Astor House in his honor. He presently an– nounced his retirement from athletics, and on the evening of October I 7, I 885, a big testimonial benefit and athletic meet was given for him at the Madison Square Garden. Meyers was heaped with glory and flowers, and some $4000 was pre– sented to him as the profits of the entertainment. The famous runner then gradually dropped out