rom a MOTHER. I saw it coming
up before I had read two lines; and a very good moral it is, too, with
which I agree heartily. But, of course, you know it is not a new idea
to me. Anything as good and true as that moral cannot be new at this
late date. I went to the Brooklyn Handicap race yesterday. It is one
of the three biggest races of the year, and a man stood in front of me
in the paddock in a white hat. Another man asked him what he was
"playing."

"Well," he said, "I fancy Fides myself."

"Fides!" said his friend, "why, she ain't in it. She won't see home.
Raceland's the horse for your money; she's favorite, and there isn't
any second choice. But Fides! Why, she's simply impossible. Raceland
beat HER last Suburban."

"Yes, I remember," said the man in the white hat, "but I fancy Fides."

Then another chap said to him, "Fides is all good enough on a dust
track on a sunny, pleasant day, but she can't ran in the mud. She
hasn't got the staying powers. She's a pretty one to look at, but
she's just a 'grandstand' ladies' choice. She ain't in it with
Raceland or Erica. The horse YOU want is not a pretty, dainty flyer,
but a stayer, that is sure and that brings in good money, not big odds,
but good money. Why, I can name you a dozen better'n Fides."

"Still, somehow, I like Fides best," said the obstinate man in the
white hat.

"But Fides will take the bit in her mouth and run away, or throw the
jock or break into the fence. She isn't steady. She's all right to
have a little bet on, just enough for a flyer, but she's not the horse
to plunge on. If you're a millionaire with money to throw away, why,
you might put some of it up on her, but, as it is, you want to put your
money where it will be sure of a 'place,' anyway. Now, let me mark
your card for you?"

"No," said the man, "what you all say is reasonable, I see that; but,
somehow, I rather fancy Fides best."

I've forgotten now whether Fides won or not, and whether she landed the
man who just fancied her without knowing why a winner or sent him home
broke. But, in any event, that is quite immaterial, the story simply
shows how obstinate some men are as regards horses and--other uncertain
critters. I have no doubt but that the Methodist minister's daughter
would have made Hiram happy if he had loved her, but he didn't. No
doubt Anne ----, Nan ----, Katy ---- and Maude ---- would have made me
happy if they would have consented to have me an