Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-01-25

were repeaueu several times, and fully an
hour was consumed before they all start
ed fairly together. 1t was thrilling
sight to see them fly along, neck and
neck, for few moments. then begin to
scatter. The greatest interest was CEN
tered in Jack, Etoile and Bessie, and to
these we shall pay undivided attention,
promising that, at the outset, Colonel Rim
geur had clambered up on the stand be-
side the judges; whence he could take i'm
the whole course at a glance.
Jack led the van from the start, Etoile
was noses length behind him, and Bes-
sic full length behind Etoile. For the
nrst mile these relative positions remain
ed unchanged; at the first half OF the Sc.
cond, EtOile was neck and neck with
Jack, while Bessie had fallen behind
neariy another length the last half of the
second mile saw Etoile a half length In
advance of Jack, and Bessie's nose almost
touching Etoile's hind quarters. At this
momentous instant Ringeur sprany from
the stand into the course, and rested his
right hand on the butt of his long navy
revolver. Al eyes, however, were riveted
on the racers, and his action excited no
comment except, indeed, that Charlie
Tauter. who stood close by turned rather
pale and edged nearer to the wa'chful
colonel.
In the first hall of the third mile, Etoile
still led, with Bessie's nose at her saddle
girth, and Jack full length behind.
Suddenly, Bessie shook her head viciously,
sprang sideways, and nearly stumbled. A
frightful imprecation barst from Ringeur's
pale lips, and he exclaimed, in husky,
grating tones;
''Jedges, look there! That gal has
baked my mare! Don't We see her saw
ing on the off rein? Curse her! Curse
her ~
Drawing his r,vo!ver, Ringeur crooked
his left arm as a rest, and leveled it at
Redlips' heart. By this time the horses
were on the home-stretch-EtOile and
Jack neck and neck, Bessie a length and
a half i'm the rear.
"Whang ]" and cry Of horror rang
ont on the air as Redlips threw up her
arms, screamed family, and tumbled out
of the saddle to the ground. All this
took place in far less time than can re-
count it.
Freed from her rider, Bessie sprang for
ward like lightning, passed Jack and
EtOile, under the wires three lengths in
advance of them all, and whinnied as she
rubbed her pink nose on the colonel'e
shirt.
The scene of confusion that Immediately
ensued was appalling. Hurting aside
Chinaman standing in front of him. Tau
ter, blind with rage, fired twice at RIM
geur, and missed both times, whereupon
the colonel cried, Snow, Tauter, you've
had your shots; hold on while, and I'll
give you a square fight tomorrow. Il
want this other affair settled first" No
sooner had Ringeur fired than he was sur
rounded by his friends, who, in accord
ance with Western custom, were bound
to prevent him being arrested or lyuched.
Turning to the judges, who had remained
calmly stoical and apparently needless of
all that passed. the colonel exclaimed:
snow, jedges, hand over my stakes.
Ye saw the gal trying to break nv mares
pace, and We heard me tell her fore she
started to ride to orders and pile i'm on the
She's been bribed, and I
can prove it. But l want the stakes,
then I'll back Bessie with my whole pile
eighty thousand Mexican dollars
against anv horse in the country, and give
any horse or mare full three lengths.S
Comparative silence reigned for few
minutes after this speech, and the ju'lges
held hurried and whispered conversa-
ton, after which the spokesman rose and
said:
''Wall, kernel, after some scrimmagin
we're decided this hyar race to be draw.
We intend to consider the point ne to
the race shall go on again to
morrow. There's no doubt the Iniun
played foul hand, and deserved what she
cot, and we kinder think your mare
would have easily won, but until we've
had time to talk all the points, we'll re-
tain the stakes. Is that satisfactory"
'Yes, yes" cried some. mo, no" 9TH
ers protested; and innumerable clics-click-
lngs sounded ominously threatening.
Pushing aside his friends, Ringeur drew
and cocs ed both Of his revolvers and said,
coolly:
6 Now, lock here. gentlemen, there's
been shooting enough done for one day.
The next who coc's a shooter near me- is
A dead man, unless he's quicker on the
pull than Colonel Ringeur. And If there's
my one mere disputes my words and con-
'iders himself good shot, let him step
put, and I'll shoot with him right here on
The course at one pace or hundred.
can't do anv more"
Here Ringear was tapped on the shoul-
Ter by the county sheriff, who said In
1cIoudsiSc JOues, " heTncl, LII sorry, Dut
you air my prisoner"
am, am Ir'
"Wall, kernel, you know / can't force
you to come along, but If you'll step
iown to the courthouse, we can have this
hing squared up in no time, and to-mor-
'ow you'll be all right"
Good enough, Sam I'll come down
n an hour or so." And motioning to mis-
riends, Ringeur proceeded toward Seth's
'anche to end the day In drunken de-
,auchery.
After firing at Ringeur, Tauter had
eaped over the railings and run toward
aedlips, whose pale lips parted in sad
mile. Pressing one hand on her side
where the hot scarlet blood leaped forth
It every breath, she had thrown the other
Iround her lovers neck and murmured,
Charlie, Redlips has loved too well.
She goes to Manitou. Kiss her, Charlie;
Kiss her until she dies
Little more is necessary to complete
'ur tale. Colonel Ringeur was "honora-
,ly discharged by jury composed of
his friends, and afterward received the
takes of the Grand Yearly Valley race.
Antoine Vezan and Charlie Tauter de-
'amped in company the day after the race
the one to avoid paying his "debts of
-