The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-09-01

| ne Qlun't STOP 10 near nlm out. Away
he went down to Mr.. Horley's store,
whar thar was lot of the boys looking
at his racer, what Saul was leading
about in its blanket.
"Do you call that race horse en ses
Bob Moreland.
"a genuine Eclipse" ses Cousin
Pete-"jest a leetle bit ahead of any
thing in these parts"
We'll, can tell you what, doctor;
think you is most bominably tuck in
with that critter, if you bought him for
racer" ses one.
I" 1t looks to me like it haint had a
good feed of corn in month";" ses an
other.
81 wouldn't give my mule Blaze not
for two sich," ses Billy Wilder.
"I;ll bet old Ball can run it out of a
ten acre lot," ses Bob Moreland. 1t
amt no racer"
"Maybe you'd like to bet something"
ses Cousin Pete, lookin as wise as if he
was feeling somebody's pulse.
"I don't care bout be,tin much, but
TIL go you few bits that can beat it
with ary critter standin at the rack
yonder," ses Bob.
By this time Cousin Pete begun to
git monstrous hot.
"Fll bet you $780," ses he, "that
there amt no piece of horse-fesh in
the country that can beat my horse,
and if any of you want to try it, tha's
a chance for you," ses he.
"Why, DOCTOR" ses Tom Stallins, "I
can beat that thing of yours myself"
cha! ha! hap ses Pete. tryin his
best 10 laf, mad as he was. "Well,
that's the best YETI
WE'LL" ses Tom, you were BAN
term for a race for your old mule in the
blanket thar, and Fve offered YOU
chance. If you is mind to back out.
you kin do so"
"Oh, yes" ses all of 'em, ats a
clear back out"
Take home your horse, Saul, and
save his feelins," ses Bob MoreIand.
"Well now, gentlemen" ses Pete, "if
you want 10 make a race, Fm your man,
and Pll bet you what you please, from
five dollars up, agin anything You can
bring, any distance, any time, any way,
and any whar. Now let's see who'll
back out"
"Nuff sed," ses Tom Stallin; "I
take that banter myself. Now, just
skin your critter and prance him up
here, if you want to see him beat to all
creation"
But" ses Pete, takin out his pocket
book, "you must remember, gentle
men, don't run my horse for nothing.
How much is the stakes then 2"
"Oh, jest something to make it inter-
estin," ses Tom.
Well" ses Pete, "the larger the
amount the more interesting TO men
"S,and up TO him, Tom,' ses Bob
Moreland, "l'll back you"
"Yes," ses all of 'em, "we'll back
you again the doctors pocket book, if
thatll make it interestin to him.
Pete was so riled to think that the
fellers would dare 10 question his judg-
ment bout horses. that he was jest in a
humor to bet everything he had upon
the face of the yearth. He covered all
the money the party could raise. and
wanted to bet them two to one for their
notes TO any amount.
"Now,n ses Pete, after the purse was
all fixed, "the understandin is play or
pay"
To be sure," ses all of 'em.
"Well. now. when is the race to
come off a'i ses Pete.
Rite now" ses Tom.
Where gn
"Here, rite on this very dirt!'
"What distance :"
"Five hundred yards--two hundred |
and fifty yards. and back to the place
whar we start"
"Very WE'LL" ses Pete. "Now, |
whar's you critterw
Here m ses Tom. pullin off his coat. |
Pete was completely tuck back.
Why, Tom Stallins," ses he, 6" is
you foolin, or is you lost to your senses |
You don't think of tryin 10 beat my hoss
five hundred yards yerselfw
Well don't mean to do nothin else, |
hoss,n ses Tom.
What! yon run agin-"
Yes, me !" seS Tom land II you
want to make it little more interestin,
I'll go you pair Of boots, that ] beat
your crack nag fifty yards in the five
hundred.n
"But Fm not jokin bout this race"
les Pete.
g Nor me neither" ses Tom; "and if
7ou are gwine to back out agin, you'll
nave to fork up the forfeit"
Pete was satisfied Tom had no better
iense, and seein there was no way 10
convince him but 10 run, he told Saul
o take off the blanket, and bring the
lorse to him, while the boys was mea-
urin off the distance, and Tom was
ixin for the race.
A stake was drove down in the mid
lie of the road, two hundredand fifty
Tards from the place whar they was to
tart, and in few minutes Pete was
mounted on his horse, and Billy Wilder
,rong Tom Stallins-who was whick-
,rin and rearin and pitchin and cavortin
bout, with red handkerchief tied
L =. 1