NAHANT BEACH RESIDENCE.
I may be allowed, at this point, to give a letter addressed to me by a well-known gentleman, a citizen of that pleasant town.
Lynn, July 12, 1872.
Prof. O. S. Pratt.
Dear Sir: I regret your departure from our city. I have received a great benefit by joining your school. Your system of educating horses is far ahead of any now in use. I belong to Rockwell’s class. In nothing has there been greater improvement. Its advantage is its simplicity. In no exhibition during your short stay have I failed to find some new point. There is no deception, no trickery, no unfairness. What you say I’ve found you willing to back up with your money; your goods are no humbug. Why will people be so skeptical. People ask me every day, “Can you do it?” My answer is, “Yes.” Why sir, I would not take five hundred dollars for what I’ve learned of your system.
If people would be more willing to join your class and get the system, we should have less accidents by that noblest of animals, the horse. When you were educating Lannan’s horse the other evening, a skeptic stood by my side. I said, “Pratt will drive that horse to-morrow.” Says he, “I’ll bet a hundred dollars he won’t.” He put his hand in his pocket, attempting to draw his wallet. I caught his hand, saying to him, “If you’ve friends enough here to raise $5,000, it shall be covered, that he will drive him to-night.” I am not a betting man, though. The gentleman went into his boots. You have not a pupil, I know of, but is willing to back you, as far as able, in anything you say you will do with any horse.
God speed you in the right.