The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-02-25
ON TIE HOME-sTRETCa

Seth Walkers rancho stood on the
banks of Rattler's Creek, narrow hui
rapid, stream of limpid, icy water whose
origin lay high up among the rocky
hills. ,.,-a, ..,.-
! inside were two compartments, term
ed respectfully ''the, bank" and "the
bar" The bar proper was long cir
cular shelf or desk, behind which stood
tall bottles labelled Bourbon. Old Rye,
Sherry, Gin and Bitters, ranged in or
derly rows; above on cedar pedestal,
reposed large wildcat, killed and
stuffed by Seth himself. -.
OF the dozen or more scante, Ia
blers. trar.aAps- e,d suffers gathered
there were Colonel Ringeur and Antoine
Vezan. The colonel was horsc-dealeT
and the keeper of notorious farobank
be was over six feet in height, burly and
muscular, perfectly and savagely reok-
less when angered, and a terror to his
enemies. Antoine, also gambling
jockey was scarcely five feet seven in
ches in hight, round-shouldered and
weak in the arms, but, as all admitted
''some with the rife"
$50. mon colonel" said Vezap, 'You
have entered two horses for re race,
eh ?' ~ s
Acknowledgement 10 the Grand Yearly
Valley Race that was to take place in
three days, where thousands of dollars
annually changed hands and rows innu-
merable happened. 4
"Wall, yes, I've two on hand, There's
Jack-you know him well-by Ripraps
ont of Siren; then I've new bit l don't
mind laying few bags on-Bessie, she's
called. Her stock is neither prime nor
fancy, but I'm laying that she'll give
your Etoile two lengths and beat her."
"Done, mon colonel You give Etoile
two lengths and beat her with Bessie
Done! How much?
"Wall, Tony, be patient; don't get
riled Now, gentlemen, are there any
more of ye that want to take odds on
my mare p
No answer being given to this ques-
ton, Ringeur resumed:
care you afraid of Eve thousand,
Tony ?"
mo, no. Five thousand it is, mon
colonel. You give Etoile j two full
lengths and beat her p And he enter
ed the wager in his book at once.
whats the reason. you don't back
the old favorite, Jack, kernel ?" querried
one of the trappers, and all drew closer
to hear Ringeur's reply, for in all pre-
vious races Jack had won every stake,
and was thought to be the fastest ami
NAL on the Pacific slope, 80.
"Wal, have my reasons, and mean
to keep them; but give you my word
of honor that Jack will, bar accidents,
make as good, if not better, time this
year than he did last
| Redlips rides Jack, as usual" asked
Vezan, anxiously.
"She doesn't do anything Of the sort
Tony. Redlips is for Bessie this year
The colonel referred to a Digger-In
dian girl whom he had bred up to use
as jockey, and who was considered
the best and most expert rider for 8
hundred miles around. s
Charlie Tauter, by profession mon
te-thrower and card sharper, and alse
the lover of Redlips, at this moment
entered but soon went out again,
Awaiting him outside was the French
man, who looked about him suspicious
ly, and asked: ss.Charles, have you laid
much on the race 2" ao
"Wall, Tony, I don't mind telling
you; I've backed Etoile, and hedgeG
some hundreds on Jack. | jedge that's
about the thing ~
"You are going to gee Redlips, is il
not so, Charles p
Yes, Ireekon SO; she'll be down a
the stables, Iguess,". l s.,s
Antoine was silent for few minutes
and they parted, Antoine shaking Char
lie heartily by the hand, and whisper
ing "If la belle Savage will do this
thousand shall find its way into you
pockets you understand
Hidden from view among the dens,
brush by the creek side, about thre,
hours after Tauter and Vezan had par
ted. stood two persons, conversing il
low but rapid tones. One was an In
dian girl about seventeen or eighteel
years of age, supurbly proportioned
from her well-poised head down to th
slender feet encased in the dainties
braided moecasins. The other wa
Charlie Tauter, who seemed to be an
grily expostdlating with his companion
his argument and entreaties, however
were too thickly interspersed with oath
to bear repetition.
Thrusting her from him with fierc
imprecation, Tauter exclaimed, "Red
| lips. understand this now, if you don
do what I've tol6 you, you need neve
speak to me again; if you do, I'll shoo
j you"
Fawneye staggered against cottol
tree and sobbed convulsively as sh
murmured, "Oh, Charlie, Redlips woul
die for you gladly, but she cannot tur
traitor to-"
| And then he spoke tenderly and loy
Il ingly, and ere long she whispered, i
faint, tremulous tones, "Redlips is
3 snake-she will obey"
The racing ground was a scene Of ir
descyibable confusion and uproariou
excitement; thousands of iptereste
!, spectators crowded and surged togethe
on every side, for to the Grand Vale
race came always all those in any wa
interested in betting, Jockey ship or free
fights and the race never failed t
l give ample satisfaction to those desirin
f to indulge in any way or all of til
D three.
Suddenly terrific and far reachin
i roar heralded the advent of the horse
= and the noise became deafening 6
b Etoile appeared in sight--a dun mar
e bestrode by diminutive jockey dresse
5 in buff and black. Following Etoil
came six other racers, prarcipg, capr
: coling and champing playfully at the
bits; last of all appeared Bessie, wit
Redips in the tiny saddle Her dres
S consisted of tight but flexible Logging
:, and a short jacket of blue silk, slashe
e with crimson; her braided hair lq
gathered in lustrous knot behind, ii,
e ears, and was securely fastened by ns
e Tow crimson ribbons.
Lean over, my beauty" said the co
5 onel, and she bent her head on Bessie