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A SENSATIONAL DERBY EPISODE. Yes, the romance of the Derby Is a strange chronicle, a world of thrills, and a world of tragedies and dramas. The Derby of IS44 furnished some sensational episodes. It was Running Reins year. Ratan was the favorite. That horse was the property of Mr. Crockford. He began life as a fishmonger, and died proprietor of Crockfords Club, in St. Jamess street, lie used to drive to the races in a chariot, with powdered tlunkeys behind. Although the turf was the foundation of "Crocky s fortunes, It was also . the cause of his death. Ills horse, Ratan, was "got at." iu spite of all arrangements to guard agaliist danger or injury, and was last in the race. The news was brought to "Crocky" as he lay ill in his mansion 10 Carlton House terrace, -and the shock killed hltu. Now for the curious part of the story. When a death occurs, all bets are cancelled. Some fellows were in an awkward fix. about "Crocks" death, and resolved to have it kept dark, for twenty-four hours at any rate. So they clad ,the corpse in its usual costume, even to putting on the well-known white hat upon the head, and placed the body down in a chair at the open window, so that the racing people returning from Epsom would see it. The next morning the-news went out that "Crocky had died during the night. Of course, the secret leaked out afterwards. Everyone knows that the winner, Rnnning Rein, was the subject of a Jockey Club inquiry, and was disqualified, and the race awarded to the second horse, Orlando. Now for an anecdote which shows that oecasionally a man mav meet the reward of a kindly action in an unexpected manner. A certain captain, having backed Running Rein for all he possessed, found himself after the Derby ji ruined man if the objection to the winner was upheld. As he was walking down Regent street a boy thmst a letter into his hand and disappeared. The captain read as follows: "Honored Sur You did me and my missus a good turn and I want to do you the same; Run-nin Rein is an hlmposter, . and he wont got the race. I noes all. Buv all the bets you can on Orlando and voull make a fourtin. but no more at present from your humble servant. A. Simmons, formerly vour keeper at " , , , , , The captain recollected that he once had a helpei of that name in his stable. Thinking there might be something in the tip. he started for Tattersall s and there bought up all the Orlando bets he could et hold of. Well, the upshot was that the captain ; pocketed 0,000 and no. doubt did not forget his faithful old servant. Dublin Sport. ;
