A SCEPTIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 46, 23 February 1901, Page 5 (Supplement)

A SCEPTIC.

The famous Ormonde was a horse of such equable toinpernment that it was'sgravely suggested that the late Duke of Westminster—who, by the way, wns a horseman of no mean ability—should ride him in the procession in honour of the celebration of her late Majesty's "Jubilee." Other counsels, however, prevailed, and by way of compensation to his numerous admirers the great horse was made the central figure at a garden party held in honour of the occasion at the Duke's town mansion, GrosvenOV House. John Porter's son George was charged with the conveyance of the illustrious visitor, and the morning of the reception day he and Ormonde left Kingsclere for Waterloo. The horse was quietly unboxed at the railway station, walked deliberately across Westminster Bridge, and. (the requisite permission having been pre-viously-.obtained from the authorities.street aud other traffic being stopped) passed through the parks to his destination almost without an adventure. One, however,there was. A cabman of an inquiring turn of mind, and with an eye. for a grand horse, discerning something uncommon under the clothing, put the not unnatural question:

"Hullo, guvnor, what have you got there?" The matter-of-fact reply. ••Ormonde." was I too much for cabby. He was nonplussed for want of a (•rushing objurgation. All he ] coulrt Kay was, "Uiiru! Who are you— j

Archer?"