There was one subject upon which the Colonel displayed great weakness (fortunately for us) and that was the horse.

Whenever a business discussion became too warm, and the Colonel showed signs of temper, which was not seldom, it was a sure cure to introduce that subject.
Everything else would pass from his mind; he became absorbed in the fascinating topic of horseflesh.

If he had overworked himself, and we wished to get him to take a holiday, we sent him to Kentucky to look after a horse or two that one or the other of us was desirous of obtaining, and for the selection of which we would trust no one but himself.

But his craze for horses sometimes brought him into serious difficulties.

He made his appearance at the office one day with one half of his face as black as mud could make it, his clothes torn, and his hat missing, but still holding the whip in one hand.