Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1879-06-19

only increases her gait and holds
out"
Courage, father, courage. Frank
Ferris would not encourage you, were
it not that he
"By Heavens!" Interrupted the
excited judge, "the old mare is flying
now! See! she's gaining on Nep-
tune at every stride! She'll lap him
soon at that rate. Did you ever see
anything like it.''
AT that moment Neptune flew by
on the third mile; and a glorious
burst of applause greeted both sides,
for Jake and the mare were not ten
yards behind, and they were lessen
ing the lead at every stride, the black
horse being urged at his best pace.
On and on they rushed for the first
half mile of the last round; and the
astonished spectators could scarcely
believe their eyes, when they beheld
the old mare closing up the gap, and
then galloping along side by side with
the invincible Neptune.
Al tnat moment shout OF anger
burst from the assembled multitude,
as the black horse was swerved
against the old mare, and the white
rider, by sudden dastardly move
ment, lifted Jake from the sad die, and
attempted to fling him to the ground.
The negro boy, with convulsiye
grasp, seized the mares name, and
held Oh; while the startled creature,
feeling her mouth free, plunged and
reared, as the black horse dashed
on.
"What wretch!" cried Agnes
May, Indignantly. "The black boy
cannot mount again. The mare is
dragging him along"
Twas an accident, Miss Agnes"
cried Arthur Mallory.
The mare is away again. cried
the old Judge. ''See how the brave
little fellow struggles to get on her
back. Arthur Mallory, your rider
should be shot on the spot"
"Hurrah-hurrah! He's up again
and after him!'' cried an excited
spectator. Heavens, if they had
half mile more to go, the mare
would win yet"
1.-The bonnie mare will win!" cried
Agnes. "Oh, that dear little fellow!
l could almost kiss him!''
Little Jake had succeeded in re-
gaining the saddle and grasring the
bride, as the mare rushed along, ten
yards behind Neptune.
One quarter of a mile to the judges
stand, and Neptune was laundering
along ten yards ahead, with the Blue
Bell speeding along after him at a
fearful rate, her little black rider Yell
ing like fiend, as lie shook his
clenched fist at his treacherous rival.
The excited spectators did not ut
ter cry-not even a word-when
the black horse was within hundred
yards of the winning-post, with the
gallant chestnut mare close behind
him.
Fifty yards more, and one would
imagine that Bedlam was let loose,
for Jake and the mare were side by
side with the black horse and its
rider.
Then one wild yell of rage and ex-
ultation burst from the negro boy. as
he raised his whip and cut the white
rider across the face, and the next
moment the bonnie Blue Bell dashed
by the judges stand one full length
ahead of the conquered Neptune.
And then such yells, and cries, and
shouts of joy, mingled with execra-
tons against the white rider, were
never heard on race-course before.
While Jake was receiving the hear
ty congratulations of his jubilant mas
tiers, the white rider was dashing
across the course of Neptune, persu-
ed by an angry mob.
On the very next day, little Jake
received document which proclaim
ed him free man forever; and he
also presented with a thousand dol
lars.
Six month after, Frank Ferris led
Agnes May to the altar, and Arthur
Mallory was not an invited guest.
And thus ended one Of the romances
of the Southern turf in the days gone
by.