FOOLING AN AMATEUR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2320, 18 August 1898, Page 31

FOOLING AN AMATEUR.

I daresay, writes a contributor to CountrySport, a great many readers will remember Tom Oliver, the celebrated steeplechase rider of his day, and the many good-humoured tricks he used to play upon his opponents in tho pigskin. Tom was once riding in a race at Carmarthen ; the favourite was to be ridden by an amateur who had not been over the course, and Tom overheard the orders given io the rider, " Stick to Tom Oliver; watch him." Now Oliver had backed another horsa himself, so on crossing a lane swerved to the right and took the novice with him. They went down it some distance till they came to a, public house, where Oliver pulled up and called for a glass of beer. " Oh ! we're all right," he told the astonished amateur, "the others have gone the wrong way,so we san taka our time." They then jumped into the mife, and in the finish the gentleman rider was allowed to win. easily. He was of course dolighted, but when he found that the winner had massed the scales some 10 minutes before, he realised what he had gained by sticking to Tom Oliver.