Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1854-08-26

the next evening, and the road was lined with
pedestrians and carriages. The challenging
party lived 10 Char'estOwn, and the horse the Y
had named was the crack of the time; 30 they
cared nothing about what was to trot dgainst
him, and asked no questions.
The day was clear and cool, and the black
smith had been upon the ground full two
hours. His gray mare stood at the roadside
~ wretched harness and worse gig, Qhough
the latter was light and strong,) and several
times, as the company gathered she had been
moved and butfeted for being in the way Q,
gentlemen She bore her persecution meekIy
however, and the blacksmith in his shirt sleerss
said nothing.
"Where's your horsc?" asked the confident
jockey who was to drive his competitor.
"She II be here in time, now. Don't 20 TO
| givin' yerself any extra trouble about her now
cause you'll hev your hands full, I'm thinkin'
by and-by. Wot'd yer give for that ere sklit
you've got on your heads"
"1'hat's my riding cap, Sawney."
Edsackly. And them silk fixins-arnt
them rather costly?"
"Where's your hose! Times up"
"Out Of the way with that old crow.bait,"
shouted one of the fast boys, hauling up at
this moment, and seeking to get the place oc
cupied by the backsmith's team.
But there stood the mare, with her head
droosing almost to her feet, seemingly iaded
aud woc.begOne, when the blacksmith hopped
into the gig, looked at his watch and said:
"'Ere we are, then, mister"
"But where's the hose that you arc going 10
trot,"'
Here she is"
"We, don't trot with no snch skeleton
as that, mind you" said his opponent, mot BY
along chalk"
And furious roar of merriment went up
from the crowd, who were in extacies.
The blacksmith insisted, however He'd
trot his mare, or claim the money. Ard the
animals were called to the start-me heats,
from the crossings, best two in three
At the word, away they went: the horse
fairly leading the way. The mare kept behind
up TO the half mile post, fell off on the third
quarter, and the horse'came in to the post
spendd winner, in 242-the mare barely cav
ing her distance, coming home at half gaIlop
and half trot annie the yells of the crod.
The blacksmith had afriend" in the con.
who had "pile of the ready" To
be sure, no one knew this, and he was evil
dently rich man. He took oil the side bets
he could muster, at Dig odds against the mare.
She blowed badly ut the stand, and the black
smith looked haggard and earnest. The crowd
roared again, At the second start, but the rouv
was brief this time.
"Now, 20, Thirty. .nine!, screamed tho black
smith, as they went away on this heat. And
,he did 60. Instantly taking the pole, stretched
light along, passed the half mile mark, finished
he third quarter without mis.step, and cauv
rome five lengths ahead in 24O
Money began to change hands again! But
he horse came up for the third heat, and at the
words 'now, go, Thirty mine" /" the mare made
N awful gap between herself aud her cou-
'etitor. The mare led the way-aye, every
oot Of it-from the start and distancing her
ival, passed the winning post, we'll in hand.
lear down to the thirties. She was . "epod
H." added our narrator.
sand what became Of the beast?" We asked.
Oh, he sold her for thousand dollars before
. left Boston. She went South, but did
Don afterwards. She cost him, with her new
et of shoes, valued at one dolar,) forty dollars.
10 called her "Thirty-nine. - Yankee Notion