Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-09-27
NO. 233.
Gales ano Skettbes.
BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON.
Continued from yesterday.)

rate which IN officer of the county cOnsta-
bulary would have pronounced dangerous
had anybobody but the Squire held the
ribbons. lie pulled up by the paddock
rails. and. leapng out, turned to assist
his companion to alight, saying, as he did
| so:
.IIartbrook, where are you Take care
of these. Now, Redgv, come with me-"
"Why, it's his son Reginald"
In the hubbub caused by the arrival Of
Mr.. Whinridge and his youngest son, q
pale, thin boy of about twelve years OF
y re. it was by no means easy for the prin-
Gil ais in the little drama to make the pre-
paratons necessay for raising the curtain.
llartbrook. proud Of his Office, carried
light racng-saddle and its necessary ''ac-
compartments, and. walking by the side
of the youth, followed the Squire into the
paddock.
~ guessed it would be you. Master
Redgy." said I1artbrook, in a gleefnl whls.
per, ''and I've backed you. It's a splendid
moon, and YOU know the track"
IL should think did. Mark. And you,
too, chi RecOllcct when ! would insist
on your taking me the whole line. you old
Goliath. and on my pony Lilliputp And
how frightened mamma was and how the
guv. tipped me a soy, eh, Mark p
TIarbrook'S memory was fully retentive
of these forbidden adventures as the boys,
but he did not consider this an appropriate
occasion for refreshing it,
'.Yes. yes, Of course I remember, Mas
ters Redgv. Fine times they were. Now
tell me. what does the Squire really say
about the match P"
''IIe has no doubts of Applicants ability.
but
''lIe has of yours ?"
"Not exactly that. He thinks the ex-
plot is rather too much tor my years. and
(whispering) THAT the Captain would
have no objection to taking mean advan-
tage of this infant If he saw the OppOrtuni-
ty. Oh. must til you-such lark
was out at a dinner-party with mamma and
Gretty when the Guy, got to the Hall to-
night. So what does he do but gets into
tail-coat himself and comes to fetch US
home. he said. We were hurried on,
can tell vou and sent to bed at once.
Mamma thinks he is going round with the
keepers. and that I'm in bed!'
BY this time they had reached the pad
dock. The Sqnire's arrival was greeted
quite as fervently as, if more quietly than.
it hal been by the crowd outside. lie
shook hands with Lord Gules, expressed
his delight at knowing that his lordship
had consented to act as starter, and then
faced the Captain.
"Now, Captain Dykely, shall we get
readvP"
"Yom jockey. Mr.. Whinridge ?''
''Is my son. Reginald. Have you any
objection to him?''
every objection. Mr.. Whinridge.
l.. al a Ns,,A n
it-stupid match, it was not with the idea
that | was going to have tor an opponent
Il mere child"
"Child or not he rides"
IL am no more child than he is. papa"'
exclaimed the boy. IF l can ride, what
more does he want p''
..Hear, hear !" cried the crowd.
elf you can ride - said Capt. Dykely.
with II sneer.
"Dykely," interposed Lord Gules. II
must saw that according to the terms of
the match. you are bound to accept Whin.
ridges jockey, or forfeit"
VERY we'll" reioined Dykely. sullen-
ly, very well. II the baby breaks his
neck am not to blame, mind. Let us
get it over"
There was stampede on the part OF
the auditors at these words in the direction
of the two most formidable obstacles in
the track-a made fence, at the beginning
of the straight run-in, and brook on the
far side. The boy, giving up his overcoat
and hat to Hartbrook, and putting on
silk cap which he produced from his
pocket, presently appeared like his OPP
ponent, fully equipped for action. In de-
fault of silk he wore thin jersey. but
otherwise it would have been impossible
to find fault with his appearance. His
father gave him leg-up, and then walked
by his side to the starting post. where
Lord Gules was already waiting with the
flag.
"Redgv, my DEAR" said the old fellow.
in a voice that was strangely husky. ''you
heard what that brute said about your
breaking your neck ?"
Yes, pa"
"Well. Redgy, it made me feel that
possibly was wrong in subjecting you to
such IL risk. should never forgive my
self if anything happened to you, and
am sure your mother would never forgive
me. Now, Redge, although you have but
the years of u child, you are not without a
man $ sense-don't mind me at all. If
you have any doubt. jump off, and III
throw up the match"
Papa, YOU must let me ride Affer
what that fellow said it would be too bad
to be prevented from showing him up.
Never fear, III stick on ~
"Redge, your hand.
| The boy placed his hand in that OF his
father, who grasped the warm little palm
with fervor. and gently drawing down the
lads head, kissed him. 1t was seldom
Gustavus Whinrdge was betrayed into
such AN exhibition of what he would have
termed feminine weakness. but the boy
knew what this demonstration meant far
better than if it had been expressed in the
tenderest words.
Completely out OF the view and bearing
of the people, who by this time thronged
the stand. the Squire impaired his final
orders.
keep with him. but not too close, for
the first mile, and then come away As hard
as you can pelt. 1t is u splendid moon
almost rs light as day-and you ought TO
do the Journey without the least mistake.
Now. kedge, my own dear boy. show
them what sort Of metal you are made Of"
I