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THE ORIGINAL DARK HORSE." 1*1 1 political term "dark horse" is believed to have had us origin in these circumstances: In the last century there lived in Tennessee a •character" named Flynn, an elderly person who • b-alt in horses. Flynn generally contrived to own a speedy nag or two for racing purposes if in- could arrange for "a good thing" during his peregrinations throughout the state. The best of I-1 vim-, fliers was a coal black stallion m il Dusky Peie. almost a thoroughbred and aide to go iii the best of company. One day Flynn visited a town where a race meeting was in progress He entered Pete. The people knowing note lag "f the borsea antecedents, and not being over-impressed by lp- appearance, backed the local favorite heavily against the stranger. Jii-t as the horaes were being saddled for tie race, a certain Judge McMiaamee, who was the •oracle" of thai part of th" state, arrived on the coarse and was made on,, of the race judges. As he t.« k his pi.- .a the -land he was told of the folly of the owner of the strange entry. Running bis eye over the race track, the Judge instantly recognized Pete. "Gentleman," s:1;,i McMinamee, "theres m dark Inn -e iii thi- race, a- youll soon and oat." He wa- right. Pete, "the dark horse." lav leek until the three ,|u ,, ici post .va- reached, when he went t- the front Willi a rush and won the race. — Springfield Republican,
