New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-08-17
BOB'S LAST RACE.
BIZ RICHARD FESNi.E.

On bright autumn day two good people,
fair to look upon and fairly mated, and who
were no Others than Mr.. Robert L. and
Miss Edith NJ, who, in moment of
ecstacy, had promised eternal fidelity eac h
unto the other, were walking a smooth
country read at an hour in the middle of
the cool afternoon.
There was a deep subject between them,
for they talked earnestly and volubly. She
seemed to be pleading and begging. and he
explaining and arguing. They walked on
and on. mile after mile, and the light began
to fail aud the shadows to lengthen.
She had MS arm and they were both
deeply Interested, therefore they did not
notice their surroundings. They came to a
huge white fence, ten feet high, and ex.
tending either way for long distance. OPP
poslte to them was a grated gate which
could be pushed up or pulled down as was
required Within the gate was to be seen a
vast eliptical space and series o. high
seats The two walkers suddenly stopped
Here we are at the terrible race COURSE
said Miss Edith.
Yes. here we are" responded. the other
with touch Of suspense in his tone. Il
did not mean to come mere. am sure. 1t
was pure accident: that :s unless you
meant to bring me here He looked at his
cOmpaEion with a smile.
no. no, Bob replied she, sadly: Il am
dong my very best 20 bring you away from
1t, ami could not consistently wish you 70
even look at it again.
"D9 you really hate and fear /: so much!"
asked he
Fear il, Boo Q if yon could only feel how
l dread it and its influence on our happi-
ness. When you are my husband can not
Influence You as do now, and there will
be always hanging over my head and over
yours. too, this terrible risk which you love
70 take so much. l implore you TO give it
up, to free your hands of ali business IN it,
to reaounce the company o! ak the evil
men Who gather about it,"
She clasped her hands upon his arm and
RAISED her face to his. He looked at her.
In the dim light he beheld her paleness, her
tears and her trembling lips.
He reflected. He considered. He could
not give it up as he would have given up
any Ell; habit, for there were other inter
ests than his bound up in the act. Still he
loved the girl toe deeply not to promise
something. He rapidly run over ;u his
mind what he might sacrifice.
Il cannot leave i: OFT all at once. Edith"
90 Sob
mo listen There are six horses entered
for tn. race tonight, and my Eclipse is one
OF them. She is the favorite and all the
betting men in all the cities in the country
have made bets upon her or against her,
and II should withdraw her my life would
be IN danger. and my reputation would
suffer even with the most upright OF men.
l love my horses devotedly, but l would
quit item all if you only breathed . wish
that l should. True. you do nor. You
wish ne to give up raising them for money.
Edith. III do it. But must run my horse
tomorrow; and if l win I'll quit the turf
after the race. and sell every horse but
those We shall. want tor ourselves and for
OFF own USE"
If you VIM Suppose you Go not
The young fellow waited q moment: it
was an awkward question. and the spec
tacle Of the dreadful consequences ap.
peared to him IN a very vivid light. He
turned u tritie pale and thrust his cane deep
into the sand.
Tel me. Bob-suppose you don: win.
suppose Eclipse comes in third or last"
IL cannot bear to dream OF such a thing
responded he. in such a hollow voice. that
she started little. IL fear i: would ruin
me-
Bob" said she earnestly and distinctly,
" have you ,Isked your fortune upon this
one race, upon this venture, in which the
accident may destroy your chances
and you!'
YES said Bob. and he hung his head.
a'Ao soiA NV AACI SItNfleI inquire
with agitation, but she wheeled
about and walked her dangerou. lover
straight toward home again. Never a word
crossed her lips about horses and racing
until they were about 10 part. She spoke
of othe- things and talked even pleasantly
and cheertUlly. But when they came to
her door she put her arms about his neck.
Bob sald she. You say it you win to-
YOU viii leave horse-racing forever
and ever, and you also say if you do not
win you will be ruined man. Is that il :"
YES, said Bob, Il fear tina: IS the case
'Nery WELL replied she. now | under
stand. Good night, Bob
They said good night as lovers have said |
it from time in,Memorial. and were Ion. |
time about i: as all lovers are.
But 10 sooner had the young man disap- !
peared from sigh. than the Young lady de- |
velope., from an elegant girl into a creature
D: great energy and decision. She aston
'shed her maid. pretty mink, By asking |
hex very suddenly if the groom Of The race
course stables was not lover Of hers.
yves. Miss Edith
''Wtl, now, ii he would obii.e NE weld |
you feel greatly gratiIed -
"Ot course. miss
land if he should dlsoblige me-
"Wh-, if he dared to do that. miss said |
the per: beauty, I'd give him such wig
ying that he'd never get over it. Disob.!ge |
my missus. I'd like to see him.
She shI. Uu both her fists and looked |
dreadful.
Miss Edith laughed.
'Now Polly. l want you 70 put 81 your
hood, e directly to him and tell him l want |
TO see him instantly, and when you are on
your way oach You may tell Tim what you !
ust told me-
Polly disappeared, while the resolute Miss
Edith vent TO her supper (for even the |
most sIirtuelle and delightful! o: her sex !
must eat)
When she returned 20 her rooms she |
found the pretty maid already there. She |
was directed TO bring her lover into a small !
sewing rooM adjoining. She stared. but |
,beyed.
Inc groom. not al ill-iooking fellow. !
came in. He bowed. and turned scarlet.
Miss Edith proceeded 20 business ciev- !
erly. Sac put series of sharp questions. !
such as YOU notice women ALWAYS do when |
they take matters into their own hands.
is NJ Robert Is horss Is the club |
stables II the race coUcse. |
'Yes. mem.
is ere-y one admitted t. the stable. as
they please 10 go
"Lor' bless you. 10 MAIN. If they was
hal. the horses would be manned by the |
r0ughs II the course, SO as to make EN-
lame Oh the day Of the cace-thar wouldn't
do
"Bu, HE grooms sleep a little, especially
in the night time, don't they:"
"Why-why-I dunno. We have 20 work |
precious hard, miss. We have 30 exercise |
the horses, and speed EN-. and groom 'em |
ike babies. faint surprising If We should |
drop of now and then"
so nc; would II l were you. Te: me |
whose horse is favogte for to morrow
"Mr. Robert Is Eclipse, ma am
'.Wh0e is second 1avorite,"
"Mr. Lowell BIS Telegraph
Lowell B. Miss Edith knew the |
name we'll enough. He was an oldish man |
Of good family, great required wealth, but |
also a man OF violent nassinna and evil |