LORD ROSEBERY AND THE BAGMAN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 987, 18 March 1881, Page 3

LORD ROSEBERY AND THE BAGMAN.

; la a sketch of the racing career of the Lord of Dalraenv a sporting contemporary tells the following anecdote; HJs Lord-thtp . was journeying to a rao-s meeting at Ayr, and' for his companion’' in the railway carriage had a remarkably pushing species of crramercial traveller,-who attempted to force a speaking - acquaintance. Seeing his lordship pernsing the Racing Calendar he * liroke earth ’ with the remark—‘ Racing is a great institution. Suppose your going to Ayr .Meeting I’ ‘I am going as far as Ayr,’ replied his lordship. ‘ Pity young swells get fleeced by blacklegs. Some noblemen, I hear drop fortunes on thp-Tiirf’ ‘lndeed I’' "I do la bit myself sometimes—a tenner or a pony’s about my cut. Know anyhing good fir to-day worth my while touching ' ‘ Dam not a tipster.’ ‘ Beg pardon? saw you reading the Racing Calendar; thought you might know.’ ... t Well;’ replied his lordship,- with a quiet smile, ‘if I give you the “ stiuight tip,” will it be of service to youl ‘ Depends it I fancy it.’ ‘ Put your ■ tenner or pony on Lord Roseliery’s Che»rooel for the Welter Cup.’ ‘ Not for Joseph ! I never back Lord Rosebery’s horses. The say he’s a regular chumpkin.’ ‘lndeed!’ Perhaps' theyr’e right: However, you asked me. 1 can only add that I heard ord Rosebery himself tell what you terra a chumpkin to back his horse.’ ‘ Depend upon it, if it was all right, he wou d not let you overhear his Conversation. Mum would then be his game. Why, there's a lot in that race! I’ll bet you a pony Lord Rosebery don’t winit.’ ‘ Really, lam not accustomed to bet in railway carriages - with strangers,’ ‘There’s my card—Mr Robert P ishaboot. representative of Messrs Fleecy, Wool, and i-hoddy, Wood Street, Cheapside. Fact is, you ain’t game to Bet.’ ‘ I think you’ll lose your money;,.but, as you challenge me let it he a "lie';. You’ll see me m the ehelosure at the c mrse I’have no cards with me.’ ‘.Agreed; it’s a bet. " I bet you a pony against Cheviojiel for the Welter Cup. Hut what’s your name, young fellow !’„ ‘ Primrose. .Some times 1 am otherwise addressed.’ ‘ All right, young Primrose; pay and receive after the race’ The companions, separated at the station. Chevronel won i i a earner, and he commercial received the following a shore note by a messenger from the stewards stand :—‘ Mr Primrose (Lord Rosebery) wou'd fee! obliged by Mr Pushabout, handing to h"is servant L 25, which his lordship will have ranch pleasure in forwarding as a donation to the Commercial Travellers’ Orphan Asylum.' The ‘’bagman ’ paid, his money, looking very ciestfallen, and was heard to ejaculate, - Done ; who on earth would have dreamt that the good-looking affable young fellow, whom I imagined was a chumpkin, was in fact none other than the Earl of Rosebery, giving me a d g. od honest tip about his own horse. by which 1 was fo 1 enough to lose L2sl’ Anyway he’s a regular trump and he’s light— I’m the churapkim after all.