The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-10-01

poetry Of notion"
Half way round Strideaway led four
lengths, and the pace was great. "It's all
his own, my boy" said DR.. Ryder TO Tom:
"they can never catch him. Jim makes
all the play, and keeps him together too:
he rides him beautifully"
Tom lhornton's heart beat to every stride
OF his gallant horse, and lie had no eyes.
no ears, no tongue for anything, until the
race was ended, and Strideaway had run
IN an easy winner by three lengths.
After mighty shout, AS he passed the
Judges stand, there was great rush to.
wards the horse, as he was led back TO the
weighing house. The ladies rose in body
IN the grand stand, 10 &c; another look at
the winner; aud the smiles and congratula.
tory mods of many a fair, from chariot and
baroucEe, saluted Tom Thornton, AS he
walked by his side. Mrs. Hampton made
marked demonstrations of delight, and the
Squire elbowed his way 10 Tom Thornton's
side. Mr.. Jolly, who was leading the horse
10y the bride, passed with an air Of magis.
terial superiority. "You done the trick.
JIM said he, when he first saluted the
jockey. after which he seemed to consider
1t beneath him to notice anything. His
answer to various expression, Of admiration
and noisy coDgratulation which surrounded
him, was an air which seemed to say, .this
is all very well, you know, but It's no part
of the races, gentlemen. We merely ,oler.
ate this sort Of thing, because we can't have
races without it. Ii lad my way, nobody y
but the trainers and riders should be allow.
Cd to come within forty yards Of the run
n ng horses"
1t was night, and all went "me,ry rs a
marriage bell' at the race ball at the Wood
bourne Arms. Dobson was not there,
having been taken suddenly unwell on the
race course. The ball went bravely on
without him, and in his absence his moth
er and sister made a very good figure, and
well represented the family. The belle was
there, more beautiful than ever before. Her
cheek WAS flushed, her eye brilliant, and
hir leps were firmly closed--her manner
was somewhat hurried and excited.
The Squire opened the ball with Lady
Martingale, and Tom Thornton danced with
Mrs. Hampton. lie bowed formally to Miss
Henley, who returned his salute with appa.
rent composure. She danced in every set,
and never had appeared more wrapt in the
enjoyment OF the hour. So it was till sup
per, when, glass in hand, and with an AMI.
mated preface, Mr.. Hampton proposed ''lhe
health OF Tom Thornton, and success TO the
high melted racer. Before the tumultuous
applause had ceased, Miss Henley had left
the room. Hurrying 10 her aun,'s parlor,
she threw herself upon the sofa, and began
TO weep. il was so her uncle found her,
when he sought her, with a particular re,
ques, from old Sir Jasper Jottrel and Colo.
nel Harkaway, that she would favor them Nv
joining Tom Thornton in singing "The
Death Of Tom Moody
"Charlotte," sand he, whats the matter.
my dear2 Is it because the Ensign ain't
herei'
She shook her head and sobbed,
Uncle" said she. pray don't mention
,hls. ! am so unhappy, all because mis-
led Tom Thornton"
He says you did, but he bears you no
malice. Says he TO me, IF il had been, as
| once thought, and Miss Henley had loved
me, should have been this night the hap
piest man in all England"
"Uncle, dear uncle, did love him. and
did not know H." she cried.
We'll, then, I'll just 60 and tell him so,
ana weIl settle everything in two minutes" !"
She caught his arm, and ex,or,ed a
promise that he would say nothing to him
about it. However, he Immediately sought
MIS- Hampton, and told her all about the
matter, like a sensible man.
"Mr. Thornton" said Mrs. Hampton, as
she led the way 10 the paIior, "you have
won wi'e, as well rs race, to. o.day-Char-
loue Henley has always loved you"
Don't joke with me on that subject,
ma'am; | cannot stand it," said Tom.
'See" said she, gently opening the par.
lor door.
Charlotte! dear Charlotte! forgive me!n
said he, rushing TO her side.
Oh, lon! YOU. 1t was my fault,
believe. ain sure it was"
ut was mine, all mine"
Mrs. Hampton returned to the ballroom.
considering how old Henley's consent was
TO be obtained 10 this match OF her re.ina.
king, and wondering how the match with
Ensign Dobson was to be broken OF. Just
rs she entered the ball room, she discovered
The burly miller stalking suddenly along by
the dancers, as if seeking some one. Our
worthy friend, the plain spoken man, had
been heavy loser upon the race; be had
been drinking deeply, and ne was as saw
age as baited bull-in short, very delight
iuI company for a ball room or small tea
party. The miller was looking for Mr..
Dobson. He had reposed implicit conf
dence in that gentleman's predictions about
StTIdeaway's race, and having lost all his
bets in consequence, his feelings towards the
prophet were not wholly amiable. He
would have ground his bones TO the finest
Hour with great deal of pleasure. As the
miller passed along he heard Mrs. Dobson
IN conversation with another lady, and with
thunder on his brow, he paused before them
unseen, for they were wholly occupied.
Il am surprised at Mr.. Hampton propo.
sing the health ofa-a-young Thornton" !"
said Mrs. Dobson. Indeed, the horse ought
not TO have won; he did not win fairly: INV