Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1879-06-19
ROMANCE ON THE RACE.
COURSE.
The Old Mare and the Young
Napoleon of the Turf-AIl
Exciting Contest for Love
and Liberty,

Judge Mays bay horse is no
where!'
"Hurrah, for the black horse-th
best fonr miller in the world!"
The Napoleon of the American
turi There he goes, winning at
canter!''
And a ringing cheer burst out OF
the Metarie race-course, as the pow
ertul black horse, with his little whit,
rider, swept by the winning-pos
some fifty feet ahead of his, neares
competitor.
There were jubilant hearts tha
day on the old southern race-course
and there were many sad ones also
Fortunes had been staked and los
on that great four-mile contest, an,
mole than one planter cursed tn
hour in which he was led to bet OF
Judge Mays bay horse.
"Better fortune next time, father,
said Il beautiful young girl, who coulC
scarcely force smile to her gloriou
black eyes.
O'IoiiS VIII ICNCI lafOF us
Agnes" replied Judge May, a tall
distinguished looking parsonage
whose raven locks were slightly ting
ed with gray. Il have mortgaget
half my plantation on Julius, and h,
has failed me. By Heavens, l would
risk the other half to find horse t.
beat Neptune. See the airs of young
Mallory, Agnes!"
! ''lle Is proud of his victory, father
Dear me, suppose I'll have to bt
ci.il to him, after he has won hal
my fortune. Father, that man has
resolved to ruin you. Beware Of him
and don't let him entice you into an
other contest like this
Father and daughter were standing
at the corner of the grand stand, ant
right behind them was Young mar
who could overhear their conversa
ton.
| This young gentleman was dressct
in an humble costume, somewha
after the style of an itinerant preach
er; and his manner was not in keep
ing with his dress; yet there wa
something in his tones and bearin.
that told of gentle breeding, as 1t
approached the judge, saying:
Excuse me, judge. | can find ;
houre to beat Neptune"
! "F,nd horse to beat Neptune, =
cried a snecring voice, behind tn,
ijudgc. Miss Agnes, I'm sorry W
were compelled to conquer, as defea
has GlOuded your face. Judge May
you sec n plume is invincible ~
The speaker was an elegant-look
Ing young gentleman of the Southern
typc--tall ard straight as n lance
with keen, piercing gray eyes, anc
long brown hair flowing down owe
his shoulders.
The judge salute3 the owner of tn,
victorious horse in dignitied way
while his daughter, as Le- eyes me
those of the humble stranger, remark
ed:
You are very fortunate, Mr.. Nal
lory. Perhaps Neptune will be con
CURED ere long
Il repeat, Judge May" said th,
humbe-loobing stranger, "that caI
find horse to beat Neptune in four
mile race"
Your name. sir demanded
Frank Mallory, in naughty tones, as
he turned to the young stranger.
Prank Ferris. SIR was the prompt
reply. Il presume you are Mr.. Nal,
lory?"
THAT is my name, and / am the
owner Of Neptune. How much money
can you afford to lose, Mr.. Ferris p
Not one hundred dollars, sir; but
/ will stake five thousand that l can
name a horse to beat Neptune one
month from this day, on this track. "
Cant you say ten thousand, sir p
snccred Arthur Mallory; ''or perhaps
Judge May will back your unknown
as heavily as he did his bay"
Agnes Mays eyes had encounter
ed the strangers once more, and she
addressed her father in very low tones
while the young men were thus con-
versing.
"By Heavens, but [ will, Arthur
MaiIory:" cried the Judge, excited
ly. "Mr. Ferris, name your horse,
and I'll back hlm for thirty thou
sand"
81 name Blue Bell of Memphis, ="
said the young stranger "She is a
chestnut mare, nine years old, owned
by my father, Captain Thomas Fer
ris"
"Ha-ha-ha!" laughed ysung NAL
lory,a he turned to the judge. g Blue
Bell, of Memphis, AN old chestnut
mare, to beat 'Neptune'-the con-
luering 'Neptune'-the Napoleon of
the turf! Judge May, l will not think
Of holding you to your offer. Young
man, go home and look after your
niggers."
I'VE have but one nigger boy"
replied the young stranger in quiet
ones, land he will ride the mare in
he race"
~ stand to my bargain, Mr.. NAL
ed so1Said the: judge, who had pass
ter. II knre words with his daugh-
father in the Mis- young gentleman's
membered tb al he can war, and L re-
horses there. One MD some good
uay thls old mre will meeeSSn irom 10
'une' and l lll stake thirt22nr Nep'
,ahd on her. Will you come thou
'ine with us, Mr.. Ferris ?" nd
u I'm, ne young stranger gladly accent
~ 'he hbsptable invitation. and fail.
+ and daughter withdrew from tha
tano r'ih him; while Arthur MalIorv
'afed alter them, muttering:
Tic old fool will have to mortoo
le rest of his plantation to raise sIGe tb;e
ohey' and the young fool will IoSo }
) 1--WE thousand. Judge May will ;
ruined man, for hold the fret r
DDrgages' and L will secure the
her. The proud Agnes. will m he -
'rt spt9nei yes; An Ahon, old mare to beat my V V
ana Arthur Mallory fastened +o '.
n, n his IS sporting companions, to tell IL 81 81
IN OF the fresh contest and 9 =
on of tho ;''31,- ---s s,IutjIe Vo. W "
anger. loi,s-~-i=ss- =
Judge Nav was So,,ovh..