The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-08-14
A SHARP Trausaction.
An Old Farmer at he Kansas City Raee
FalleIn With . Gang o(Sharpcrs-ss ID

A sharp Transaction.
An OLD Farmer as de Kansas City Races
Eanc!n Wlsn . GengofsharPcrs-'SThe ID.
From the Kansas City Bulletin. July ST.
The topic Of conversation to-day, in sporting
circles, il the race Of yesterday, over the Guin.
cite t.ack. It il. story too good 70 keep. bnt
OF dosen gentlemen who thought they knew .
thing or two about horses, but were badly picked
mp By greeny Yesterday, we won't give the
names OF the sufferers.
Tho race last Wednesday afternoon was at-
tended BY quito number from this city and
elsewhere. Among those present was an old and
seedy-looking farmer from near Richmond, Ray
county. Along the fence he had three lank, raw
boned horses tied. After the advertised races
were concluded, the aged agriculturist was ban
tered TO put up some money on one of his "plugs,"
and 60 help to get up ''ssrub race" He replied
that he believed that animal, pointing to an old
mare, who stood with her head down and half
asleep, could run pretty tolerably well if she was
strained" But" said he, 'she's been hard at
work all spring and summer, and amt fit to run
now" .....-..... ''....., 81 -
While several sports were trying to caiole the
old fellow into wager, another party slipped
around to the rear Of the stable, where stosd
"Punch," very feet goer, for race of 800 yards
Punch is, in fact, one of the fastest racers for
short distance that is to be found in the state.
The blanket was stripped from the nag, and AN
old rope halter, torn bride, and hslf-worn sad.
die placed on him, and he was quietly led short
distance and tied to fence.
After considerable talk, the veteran son Of the
soil bsrst out with proposition to bet $25 that
his mare could beat any other ordinary horse on
the grounds. He was then taken to where Punch
was tied, saw that the animal looked to be any.
thing but horse kept for racing, and expressed
himself satisfied to run his mare against s'that
air horse"
Then dozen offers to put up greenbacks
against his old nag were offered. The farmer,
who appeared to lose all his wits, took up the
bets one after another till he had staked $3.50
against an equal amount put up by several par.
ties, in sums of from $40 to $50.
1t was thcn agreed to postpone the race till
yesterday afternoon. The Sports" of this town
rode back to the city in high glee. They had Q
sure thing on that confiding old rustic, thcy
thought, and INDUCED among themselves in all
sorts of witticisms over his simplicity.
When the time for the race occurred the fool.
ish farmer was promptly on hand. Again he was
tempted to stake more money, and he recklessly
plunged down into the depths of his pocket after
greenbacks, until he had wagered 81 800. Sums
of $500 and less amounts had been staked by the
knowing ones" of this town. who chuckled over
the ''soft thing" they had secured, until the en-
tire pile of the "old greenhorn" had all been COW
cred.
The word Ego" was given amid the wild shouts
and loud laughter Of the hackers Of "Punch."
"Go it old sorrel!" Hurry up that mare !" and
other jeering expressions passed from mouth to
mouth.
The "old sorrew did just more than hurry up.
She shot ahead of the racer punch" kept the
lead easily, and came in the leader by 40 feet.
Well, wasn't that sick crowd of sporting men
as the "greehorn" received the 81 1900 he had
won? Shouldn't wonder. And when they rode
away from the track yesterday afternoon did
they "cackle" to any pre,eptible degree Scarce.
ly. The nice trap they had fixed for the old
man didn't catch him, but he worked out his own
little game most beautifully.