Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-01-25
ALEXANDRIA, PARISH OF RAPIDES, La C1u2 X jQ4s

geur was sitting astride of the corn-chop
per, with his keen eyes fixed searchingiy
on the face of his girl-jockey.
wall, Redlips, tomorrow is the race. y
she bent her head and rubbed more en-.
ergetieally on the glittering rowels.
NOW, you know the mares tricks as
well as you know your own YOU know
what she can do, and what she can't. She
can beat any horse or mare in the stable,
and she can't stand being fretted on the
mouth. Be careful on this point; never
mind how she throws her head. don't
tauten on the bit. II you do, she'll break
her pace and lose the race. You must
come In at least two lengths and halt
ahead, and III give you One-fourth of my
winnings"
Redlips bent low her face, az though to
breathe on grease stain, but at the same
time her lips quivered piteously, and the
dusky pink on her full cheeks gave place
to sickly paleness.
Biting off fresh quid, and plasterinp
the old one on rafter overhead. Rinpcur
resumed in an abrupt, peremptory man.
ner,
"Gal. look me in the eyes; no finch.
ing"
Redlips slowly lifted her face and
obeyed.
"What pile has your boss, Charlie Tau
ter, laid a1together?"
"Redlips does not know"
You lie. Has he laid on Bessie? Have
you been blabbiog of what she can do ?''
and his voice grew hard and stern.
He has not laid picayune on Bessie.
Redlips' tongue has been silent. He has
laid on Jack and Etoile."
'Oh, ah! good!" Rising, he was about
to leave, when, turning quickly, he said.
in suspicious tones, "Gal. I've heard that
the Frencher and Charlie had long con-
fab together the other day. Do you know
what they were talking about?'
'sNo."
"Humph! You are such a liar when
that boy Is concerned, that never know
what to believe or disbelieve. Fore 90,
III run over the orders again, so that Won
won't forget. First and foremost, Bessie
must come in by at least two lengths and
a half. Don't let that leave your head for
an instant. Now, ,as to the ways and means.
VI course, you know it's three-mile
heat: hold in on the first mile and half of
the second; give her half her head on
the last of the second; then, in spurs
and whip, give her her own way, and,
if you have to kill her, land her home
number one. Now, mind you, gal, she
can do it if you help her. II you lose this
hyar, I'll shoot you on the stand!"
Redlins shook in every limb. and grasped
the post to steady herself. Noticing her
agitation, the colonel added in kindlier
"Don't be scared, gal! Bessie will do
the thing il you obey orders"
Manitou, help your slaver' moaned
the distracted girl, as her master strobe
Down the yard, and throwing her arms
around Bessie's arching neck, she sobbed
Historically.
The racing ground was a scene of indie
scribable confusion and uproarious excite
ment; thousands of interested spectators
crowded aud surged together on every
always all those in any way interested in
betting, jockeyship, or "free fights :" and
the race never failed to give ample salts.
faction to those desiring to indulge in any,
or all of the three. White men, China
men, Indians, half-breeds, trappers, bro.
kers. scouts, gamblers e every one was
on hand for either one purpose or
another. The judges stand was occupied
by three bronZed and bearded trappers,
whose regulations for jockeyship, bravery
ana fairness were proverbial. Gathered
In groups near the stand were the several
owners of the horses and the more favored
OF their friends. OF course, the colonel
was there, encompassed by his friends,
some OF whom were vainly seeking to
penetrate his reasons for preferring the
strange mare to the old and tried favorite.
Jack. Antoine VeZsn was standing few
yards away, earnestly advising his Jockey
10 guard against "Le coloneI's Bes sie, !" and
every few minutes consulting his betting
book.
The track was oval in shape, and every
foot around its circling length of three
miles was crowded with anxious srecta-
tors, impatiently awaiting the opening of
the race. Suddenly terrific and far
reaching roar heralded the advent of the
horses, and the noise became dea ening as
Etoile appeared in sight-a dun mare be-
strode by diminutive jockey dressed i'm
buff and black. Following Etoile came
'ix other racers prancing, capricoling, and
champing playfully at their bits; last of
all appeared Bessie, with Redlips in the
iiny saddle. Her dress consisted of tight
out inflexible leggings, and short Jacket
)f blue silk, slashed with crimson her
oralueu nalr lay gathered in a lustrous
Knot behind her ears, and was securely
astened by narrow crimson ribbons.
"Tiger ior Redlipsr' was yelled up and
iown the long lines of admiring lockers
IN, and the girl rose in her stirrups and
zissedher hand, which trembled like
eaf, while her sparkling eyes were filed
With strange fiery light.
Stepping to Bessie's side, Ringeur
handed Redlips flask of brandy, which
The eagerly drank from, and then re-
,urned with short Thanks"
Lean over, my beauty" and she bent
ler head on Bessie's neck.
Be careful, Redlips! Ride to orders
to orders! First mile, hold i'm; let slip
'ome on the last half of the second, then
pile home like shot! That's ALL" And
Ringeur patted the mares neck and fianks,
who whinnied, paved the ground and
,layfully kicked in recognition of the ca
'esses.
For the next hour nothing was accom-
)lished but the laying of wagers, great
md small. Ringeur and Vezan mutually
lgreed to increase the previous bet o. five
thousand dollars to eight thousand, and
he colonel accepted" various other chal-
engers desirous of betting against Bes-