The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-04-13

(From J. W. shaw's New Novel, 'Solomon's
,.. Story."j
"My pet, Kitty Wells, was in daily
training, and the jockeys told nae conf
IDENTIFY that she was sure to win money.
. 81 visited her at her stable every day,
and she was always glad to see me-
would greet me from the stall VIXEN she
heard my voice outside. Gentlemen,
you can hardly CONCEIVE how great ap
affection had for her. TO love and be
loved will soften, measurably, the hard
est nature, though the object OF thatlove
be only horse"
"Hear! hear!" cried the President,
"hearl bear!"
II believe you are correct-I believe
you are," groaned Squizzle.
"The race day arrived. She was en-
tered against the best running stock of
Kentucky, and stood a new candidate
for honors, without a record. With her
light, muscular jockey, Jack in blue
and white, upon her back, / thought she
looked grand while, with keen eye, she
watched the preparations. She knew
very we'll that it was her great day Of
trial, and when 1 approached her she
whinnied. She always greeted me 30,
and placing her nose on my shoulder
seemed to whisper in my ear: Don't be
uneasy, Jim; I'll win this race or die try
ing
..Do you know the horses entered ?"
enquired of Jack. 4
"Yes," he replied. .She's got the
best field against her have seen on this
yer course, but reckon she'll win" ~
"Apd what makes you think SO ?"
asked.
'sWell, first, I know how to ride her.
he remarked with pardonable vanity, for
be did ride well. "Then she's got good
bottom, and last, which is the biggest
card, she'll keep cool. Why, she's
kno wed this thing was comm for some
time; but after you'd come and see ber
every evenin' she'd rest jist as easy
only dreamin' little, and sleep as sound
as IL she was winterin' over. Do you
see that horse yonder! That's Light
ning-one of the fastest. He'll be the
favorite, but he's nerve ns. IT. you &c
up and examine, you'll find the veins eul
full, the muscles twitching and the ears
jumping backward and forward all tbs
time. He didn't sleep wink last night
Kitty isn't troublin' herself-wish you'd
just stand by her most OF the time before
the bell rings to rank in the field. Be
your bottom dollar on the field"
"The pools opened / didn't have
much money but for every five witt
which backed the field there were forty
for Lightning and Flyaway, first ani
second choice. .as
"My friends told me to 60 in heavy
and they would see me through. Wei
the pools closed for the first heat, the
bell rang and the horses gathered. They
were wonderfully excited-some stooi
quivering with eyes full of fiery impa
tience. Six of them gathered for tht
start. I could see Jack patting Kitty or
the neck and talking soothiHgly to her
Now, quiet, Kitty; stand STILL One cal
was bent back to catch his tones and tb,
other forward on the track.
The flag dropped and they gallope6
forward to the send-off. Quiet, Kitty,
heard Jack say as he reined her up
There were several tagging, while one o
the favorites, anxious for the lead. dash
ed away for hundred yards before b,
could be checked and returned much .ex
cited. Jack rode Kitty up to me and
rubbed her nose, and she vert back t
the stand as cool as at 6rst. There wer,
two false starts,to which felt sure Jacl
contributed but when the send-off CAM
the horses passed the line in bunch,ant
the race began.
"When they reached the second quar-
ter there was a wide gap between thre,
in front and three behind, aud saw
through nv glass that Kitty was leading
Lightning by head, and Flyaway wa
about a neck behind the latter. Jacl
was leaning forward il the saddle; b,
didn't touch the seat; be used neithe
whip nor spur, but just patted ] 4 ol
the neck now apd then, and knew b.
was urging her only with the words
Nov, KittyP
Gentlemen, perhaps none Of you hav'