The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-01-09
EBENsBURG, Pa, THURSDAY JANUARY 9. 1868.

ooIe II oe oaoK 10 ye again lmma]etly; an
if it's the thought of the whisky that's both.
erin ye, make yer mind aisy on that; for
not drop will | taste while I'ln away. by
these i've fingers Pm holdin' up to vel"
For the sake of good luck holly threw her
shoe after him as he left the door. He bur-
red off, with a stout staff for company, as
lully resolved in his own mind to earn mon
/ ey and let whisky alone as any consistent
man that ever made resolution.
Who has not heard of the Curragh of Kill
dare that place SO famous for its military
reviews, and more famous still for the horse
races that have taken place over its noble
course When Thady left the big road that
led from his place, and began his tramp up
on the highway, he was surprised to find the
latter well covered by a great concourse of
vehicles OF every character. They were all
going the same way, and that puzzled Thady
until ne remembered that the great fall meet
ing was to come off at the Curragh race
course that day.
''Tare an ages!" exclaimed our hero,
why did make up my mind to go to Dab
lin to-dayT I'll miss all the fun at the coorse,
ana thatIi be big miss for me, who has
never been away from race at Curragh for
twenty years Never mind, the coorse is on
me way, an I'll drop in to take look at
the horses anyhow"
Ihady had his draft cashed by shop
Keeper OF his town, who kept an account at
Duoiln so be entered the race-course with
nVe gotd pieces in his pocket, each one worth
twenty shIlllngs. As it was early in the day,
ana as he was well acquainted with some of
.ne horse.traIRers, he had no trouble in get
ting admission to the stables where the ami
mails that were to run were kept for the tins.
Inc slSht OF these beautiful thorough eh-breds
only hred his blood, and when one of them
was taken out by the groom, and put to
gallop to show his condition to his owner
Ihady yielded to his hearts longings. nut
MS visit to Dublin off for day, and, what
was more, determined to stake half his mon
ey at least on the grand race of the afternoon.
AN why shouldn't invest me money
that way !'' be said; '.sure Pm only takin'
risk. an wouldn't 1 be takin' risk if
wint to Dublin? Trotb, might as well
lose nae money one way as another! Arrah,
good morrow t'ye, cousin Barney!"
"Good morrow to yerself, ThaGy! Is it
for Dublin ye are? or will ye stay for the
races.?'
',Troth, then. Barney, think 1 may as
well thry to arm an honest penny here as
anywhere"
'tFaix, you're ight there, Thady: Iwudn't
make an ould baste of pedlar of meself so
long as | could double me money Eere in ten
minutes, or less. Now, Thady, let me tell
you how yen make fortune on this very
spot 1here'n be five horses in the grand
race to-day for the kildare Cup. That bay.
mare ye saw go by minute ago is Gipsy.
and she's the favorite. Now, mind what
IN tellin' ye, Gypsy is bound to soinI l had
that from me own brother, and he's her
trainer. 30 now ye know where 10 lay yer
money A wink is as good as nod for we
any day."
''Faith, Barney, I don't care snap for
any trainers story-not that name bad to
your brother-but, at any rate, I've made
up me mind how to put me money. I heard
at the stables that Waterford would be here,
ard just said to meself that whatever horse
he backed at the grand race would be the
one fer me money"
',Weh, do as ye like, Thady, and good
luck to We any how"
When the racing began Thady mingled
with the small fry who gathered about the
gates leading to the grand stand. The per-
sons composing this gathering were small
publicans, petty shop keepers farmers sons,
and others, who risked smail bets, and con-
sldered the crown entrance fee to the stand
as money thrown away. With these Thady
felt perfectly at ease. He had teen in such
crowds on other rainy days, and had wagered
II
Now he was to stake pounds where before
he had ventured shillings
The minor races were over and now was
to come the great struggle for the Kildare
Cup. For this race five splendid horses were
ready to try the turf. They were Faugh-a-
ballagh, Barbarian, Shamrock, Blue Bonnet
and Gypsy. The latter-a beautiful bav
mare-was the favorite. She had done good
running on several occasions, and had MANY
hackers. Barbarian belonged to Mr. Brad
shaw, and had many hackers, and was from
Maze. In the north of Ireland. He was not
well known, but a rumor spread over the
course that he had bsen put to a most severe
test in the morning. and had done wonders.
This was point in his favor, and what
gained him more friends was the fact that
Denny Winn, the best jockey that ever rode
on the Curragh, was to ride him. The three
remaining horses were crack steeds, and each
had a prestige.
The bell sounds, and the FIVE horses come
out for the usual short canter before starting
in the race. Thady becomes very nervous
now, and is raised, to full flutter of excite
ment when word comes to his party that the
Marquis of Waterford has laid one hundred
guineas on Barbarian. Thady's time had
come, and his wager is
1.-TWO pounds on Barbarian against the
field 20
"l'll take you," says a voice near him,
and in moment even money is placed in
the hands of stakeholder.
The horses are now in line for the start
the flag drops-they are off Faugh-a-bal-
lagh is away with the lead, Gipsy is close
upon him, and Barbarian brings up the rear.
Thady wishes he had not made the wager.
The animals disappear now, as they round
the turn, from the sight of our party at the
gates; but those who are on the grand stand
have the whole course in view, and with their
glasses can distinguish the colors of the riders.
From these reports come down every few
seconds to the gate party. Thady's friend
Barney hears and Immediately reports that /.
''Faugh-a- ballagh has fallen back, Gipsy
has the whole field behind her, Shamrock Is
third and Bar harlan liz fourth .