Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1843-08-26
Vol. A..
A QUARTER RACE IN KENTUCKY.

| Mare; and after more formal preparation
IN making weight and posting Judges, than
is customary, when there is a contest, "ihe
s0tefM old krittur" went off Gripping as if
she was not fit to run for sour cider, and
anything could take the shine out Of her
that had the audaciiy to try it. The mus.
ter at the stand was slim, it having been
understood up town, that as to sport to-day
the races would prove a Udter.haul. ]
missed all that class Of old and young gen.
Ilemen who annoy owners, trainers, and
riders, particularly if they observe they
are much engaged. with questions that
should not he asked, and either can't or
should not be answered. The business
folks and men Of gumplion were generally
on the grit, and much Of the chaff certainly
had been blown Off
A walk or gaIlop over is q slow affair; and
without being in any way able TO account
for il, it seemed To be an extremely dry
affair; for while the four miles was being
done las the prigS hare it, l noticed many
a centaur Of fellow force his skeary nag
up to the opening in the little clap board
shanty, and shout out impatently, Colonel,
let US have some of our your byled corn
pour me out a buck oad-there-never
mind about the water, drank heap of
| it yesterday" and then wheel off to the
crowd as if intent on something.
The race, like all things, had an end;
and had some idea in Imitation Of Sar-
danapulus, "all ii. me day to see the race
then go home, eat drink, and be merry, for
all the rest was not worth flip" when
l met Dan. He knows a little, finds out
little, and guesses the rest, and of course
is prime authority. inquired if the hunt
was up. ooh, no, Just hold on a while.
and there will be as bursting a quarter
race as ever was read of, and | will give
il 'em so you can make expenses" al
ways make hand when about, and thinking
might get wrinkle by prying into the
mystery of quarter-racing, accordingly
rode to the thickest of the crowd. A
rough-hewn fellow, who either was, or pre-
trended TO be, drunk, was bantering to run
his mare against any horse that had
ploughed as much that season, his mare
having, as he assured US, tended twenty-five
acres in corn. Another chap sided up to
him, and offered to plough against him for
as much liquor as the company could drink
or for who should have both nags-his
horse had never run, as he did not follow.
it. Sorrel got mad, and offered to beat
him in the cart, Wagon, or plough, or he
could beat him running one hundred miles,
his weight on each. for $500. Bay still dis
claimed racing, but would run the quarter
stretch, TO amuse the company, for 800.
Sorrel took him up provided Bay carried
his present rider, and he would get SOME
body; Bay agreed, provided he would not
get a lighter rider. 1t was closed at that
and two of Senator Benton's abominations
500 United States Bank bills, were
planked up. Bay inquired if they could
stand another $50;-agreed to by Sorrel,
who, observing Bay shell out 500 note.
said there was no use of making change, as
his note was the same amount. and they
might as well go the 500. This was
promptly agreed TO, and another 500 Of
iered and Immediately covercd-lhcre be-
ing now $500 side Now came pro.
posal to increase it $500 more; Bay said
"you OVERSIZE my pile but if can borrow
the money, Ill accommodate YOU" and
Immediately slipped IF TO consult Iii
banker. Dan now whispered. "Sprend
yourself on the buy" Thinking should
run in while was hot. | observed aloud
should admire to bet some gentleman
$40 on the Bay. A Mr.. Wash, or as he
was familiar called, Big Wash. snapped
me up like a Duck does June-bug by
taking the bill out Of my hand, and oh.
serving that either Of US could hold the
stakes. put it in his pocket. Finding this
so easily done, | pushed off tn consult my
friend CrumP, the most knowing man about
short races i ever knew, and one who can
sec as far into a milestone as the man that
pecks il. | met him with the man that
made the race On the Bay. coming TO get
IA peep at the Sorrel. As soon as he laid
eyes on her he exclaimed
why, Dave, you made pretty pick up
Of ii; I'm afraid our cake is all dough-
that's old Grapevine, and told you point
blank to walk round her, but you're like a
member of the Kentucky Legislature, who
admitted that if hehad failing it was be-
ing leetle too brave"
How could know Grapevine" replied
Dave, doggedly; land you told me you
could beat her, anyhow"
YES" said Crump, Il think can; but
f didn't come a hundred and fifv miles to
run them kind of races-OId Tompkins
has brought her here, and like him for a
sucker"
"Well," says Dave, "may be ] can get
off with the race if you think you'll be
licked"
"No," said Crump, "when go n eating
t go eating; it's nightly mixed up. and
there is no telling who's constable until the
, election is over; it will be like the old
bitch and the rabbit, nip and tack every
, jump, and sometimes the bitch leetle
, ahead "