Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-06-26
MEXICO AUDRAIN MISSOURI THURSDAY, lB79

One year before the young Ten
nessean was on that same race-course,
when he witnessed contest between {
Neptune and another horse owned l
by Judge May.
He was introduced to Agnes May
that day; he noticed her deep chagrin
at beholding the defeat of her
fathers favorite, and he also noticed
young Mallory's exultation at his
victory.
Frank Ferris met Agnes May again
at mutual friends house in New
Orleans, during the winter season, and
he then learned that Arthur Mallory
was one her most devoted admirers.
! Young Ferris became infatuated +
with the glorious creature; but he /
did not dare to seek her love openly, /
as Judge May was considered one of
.ee wealthiest planters on the Miss /,
!ssippi' and the Tennessean would i
inherit modest farm at his fathers !
death, and one little negro hoy.
Inc young man was engaged in
tfaulnS between Memphis and New
Orleans, and he had succecaea in saw
ing over five thousand dollars by his
eXertions.
When he witnessed Neptune's
second victory, and heard the judges
} impassioned expressions, 4 sudden
impulse prompted him to address the
chagrined man ana offer his services
Franks father owned a chestnut
| mare that no one could approach
? save the little negro boy, Jake, who
was their only slave.
q, Jake was q diminutive daredevil
, of eighteen, who had ridden the mare
since she was colt, and he had in
fused so much of his own dcviltry
@ into the animal that one else could
If manage her.
s Frank Ferris had often watched the
/, mare and its daring rider sweeping
/ across the country on errandS to
Memphis, and he noticed thai the
O wicked animal was very fast, and
d that she never Jagged in her headlone
II sweep.
l. Feeling assured that the old mare
could out-run the all-cOnquering Nep'
ID tune, if the rascally Jake could be IN
at duced to play an honest part, the
h. young man did not hesitate to risl
p his savings in the encounter; and i
as may be readily supposed that h'
lg hoped to gain something more pres
he cious than gold by the struggle.
Frank Ferris dined with Judg
Nav and his fair daughter that after
noon. and he explained to the forme
his prospects of defeating the exu
he tant young Mallory.
We w. The Judge was not favorably in
."' -. pressed with the proposition, as |
~ did not think it possible that an III
: tried animal, at an advanced ag
'N M could cope with the powerful your
IN horse that nnvar nn""r ntn"@@ 90
- but he had given his word, ana
nn would not retreat.
On that same evening, young Fe
Tho ris was favored by Agnes with
Nv private interview; and her last wor
not at parting, as she smiled up at L
II. earnest face. were never forgotten.
HWin the race, Frank" =" she sal
rol- land father will grant you any
ON. quest YOU ask. Lose it, and l
afraid that / will have to marry A
the thur Mallory
can One month passed away, anu
our was life ana excitement on the N
tarie race course again, as the fal
dcd of the novel contest had spre
rs abroad. and crowds from New Orlea
and the neighboring plantations h
mpt assembled to witness the "walk owe
1 al bv the Napoleon of the turf.
Judge MAY and the charming A
the nes were on the grand stand, s.
ney rounded by friends and admirers,
s?'' Guiding the jubilant Arthur Mallo
but who more than once generously of
can cd the Judge chance to wlthdr
one his heavy wager.
h" The black Neptune, in all his pr
II" and glory, was prancing around
laps the paddock; hut the ''old MAJ
own was not visible up the hour app DIN
for the start.
l'cr- At lengh the bell rang out, to ST
siie mon the animals to the starting-poi
ones and Neptuue's rider, who was C
con- ning-looking little white jockey, m
cular and mischievous, sprang on
thur hack and cantered along, amid
i'e"- cheers of their thousands of admir-
1fsc' "Where's the old mare?" rang
ii,'"- on all sides.
>, In the shade of neighboring grC
!'' at that moment, the diminutlve ne
10 " w.s mounted on Blue Bell, and
Tnv" Inr men we're holding the prancing
NAL by the bride.
A., .sRemember, you rascal, was
pIno i n arting injunction from the old
,,n'', ra" ..Ull cut you in bits, when we
onn ' home, if you don't win this race.
:, eo ~ have to sell you afterwards, Tor '
II 'h;n1 " have no place to keep you"
1nnn ,n'nn "Jake, my good boy" said Fl
Iu"s Ferr;s- ssvou win the race, and
} o"i make father set you free at once.
), II wins it. or dies, Massa Frar
~ replied the little negro. "Let
re in 60"
And one minute after, the
Mall chestnut mare was prancing arc
nass- the track. her rider waiting for
.ugh- final signal
mans The signal was given; and {
re- flew the powerful black horse,
rood the chesnut a,t his heels.
= TO- A shout of derision burst from
.Nep- grand stand ass the animals da
,hou- by, and Judge May turned to his
and daughter, whispering:
1--WE are ruined, Agnes.
,cept- ugly-looking mule will not make
faith miles to Neptune's four
the appearances are sometimes
allory ceitful, father ouI ,, ~ w
toaoe s"The devil is bolting!' crled
% this iudoe. "Halloo! he's got her {
lose to work again. Confouud the
will Neptune has gained thirty yard
first ready"
, the Around the course the gentle,
IN he ertul black dashed, gaining Oh
ar nv vicious mare. at every stride
when Neptune passed the