Running Recollections and How to Train

26 was what 1 liked. A certain gentleman (this was in my professional days, however,) was once requested to try and get meover for some sports in a certain town, and to spaie no expense. I had previously, however, signed an agree­ ment with another clubbinding myself not to compete in that town prior to the latterclub's sports. Thus I was com­ pelled to decline, andto sacrifice a retaining fee that would have kept a small but happy family for a month ofSundays. I was running at some sports at Manningham once, just after I had scored my first victory over Bradley, andthe secretary ofa Yorkshire cricket or football club approached me, and held out various inducements for me to turnout at their sports. I was not very keen about it, as doing so would have necessitated my throwing up a situationwhich I then held in the Metropolis. After a great dealof talk, we arranged that I was to wire my decision in two days, stating what fee I should require. On the following Monday, therefore, I wired up, "10, Downer." The telegram came back, " 6, F—,' I then wired, " 8 at least,Downer." The reply came—" All right, 8." I went and competed, but won nothing, Bradley beating me for third placein a handicap. The following year, '96, I had an interview with Mr. « F—and he beat me down to £5 5s. However, Igot a second prize, valued at £4, so I did fairlywell. By the way,there was an awful row about my running at Halifax thatyear. The 100 Yards N.C.A.A. Championship was decided at Southport the same day, and a lot of clever people could only find one reason for my running at the former place. "Oh, the Southport people would give him nothing," they would say, "and he's getting paid to run at