The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-03-25
THE RACE.
An Event That Oeeurred I'm Canada Few
Years Ago.

An Event That Occurred I'm Canada n Few
Yesrs Ago.
tFrom J. W. shaw'- New Novel, ''soIomon's Story
"My ret, Kitty Wells, was in daily
training, and the jockeys told me conf
IDENTIFY, that she was sure to win money.
visited her at her stable every day,
and she was always glad to see me-
would greet me from the stall, when she
heard my voice outside. Gentleman,
you can hardly conceive how great an
affection had for her. To love and be
loved, will soften, measurably, the
hardest nature, though the object of that
love be only hose"
"Hearl hearp cried the President,
"hearl hearT'
81 believe you are correct-I believe
you are," groaned Mr.. Squizzle.
The race day arrived. She was en-
tered against the best running stock of
Kentucky, and stood q new candidate
for honors, without record. With her
light, muscular jockey Jack in blue
and white, upon her back, 1 thought
she looked grand, while, with keen eye,
she watched the preparations. She knew
very well that 1t was her great day of
trial, and when approached her she
whinnied. She always greeted me SO,
and placioR her nose on my shoulder,
seemed to whisper in my ear: Don't be
uneasy, Jim, Pu win this race or die
trying
Do you know the horses entered p
/ enquired OF Jack.
Yes;' he replied, 'She's got the
best field against her l have seen on
this yer course, but reckon she'll
win.'
"And what makes you think so@
asked.
go Well, first, / know how to ride her. ,
he remarked with pardonable vanity,
for he did ride well. Then she's got
good bottom, aud last, which is the
biggest card, she'll keep cool. Why,
she's knowd this thing was comm for
some time; but after you'd come an6
see her every evenin', she'd rest list as
easy-only dreamin' little, and sleep
as sound as If she was winteriu' over
Do you see that horse yonder? That's
Lightning-one Of the fastest. He'll be
the favorite, but he's nervous. If you
go up and examine, you'll find the veins
out full, the muscles twitching, and the
ears Jumping back and forward all the
time. He didn't sleep a wink last
night. Kitty isn't troublin' herself
wish you'd just stand by her most of
the time, before the bell rings rank in
the field. Bet your bottom dollar on
the field
"The pools opened. didn't have
much money; but for every five with
which l backed the field, there were
forty for Lightning and Flyaway, first
and second choice.
My friends told me to 20 in heavy,
and they would see me through. Well
the polls closed for the first heat, the
bell rang, and the horses gathered.
They were wonderfully excited some
stood quivering, with eyes full of fiery
impatience. Six Of them gathered for
the start. ] could see Jack patting
Kitty on the neck and talking sooth-
ingly to her. Now, quiet, Kitty,
stand STILL One ear was bent back to
catch his tones, and tho other forward on
the track. ...'....
The flag dropped, and they galloped
forward to the send-of. sQuiet, Kitty, >
/ heard Jack say, as he reined her up.
There were several tagging, while one
of the favorites anxious for the lead
dashed away for hundred yards be-
fore he could be checked, and returned
much excited. Jack rode Kitty ND to
me, aud l rubbed her nose, and she
went back TO the stand as cool as at
first. There were two false starts, to
which / felt sure Jack contributed
but when the send-of came, the horses
passed the line in bunch, and the race
began.
when they reached the second
quarter, there was wide gap between
three IN front an ! three behind, and |
saw through my glass that Kitty was
leading Lightning by head, and Flya-
way was about neck behind the latter.
Jack was leaning forward in the saddle
he didn't touch the seat he used neither
whip nor spur, but Just patted her on
the neck now and then, and knew he
was urging her only with the words,
New, kittyP
"Gentlemen, perhaps none of you
have ever known what it is to be in love
with a horse, and can hardly appreciate
my feelings when saw her on the lead
at the third quarter, untouched by whip
or spur. Ifelt that she knew who was
waiting to caress and feel proud of her
when she came in. was compelled to
gulp down my emotion and shade NV
eyes as hastened from the stand and
went beyond il 10 greet her. l heard
the people talking and caught the ex.
pressions, Good marel' Best rider on
the coursey Who owns herr Whats
her nameP Then knowing fellow said.
'Ah, Lightning and Flyaway are lust
knocking the bottom out of her, while
uf hnr L. - r
greens to lose on Then / saw them
straining on the homestretch. The ex.
cited crowds were hushed into silence
the race was so close.
saw Kitty with a yard the advan
tage, her neck stretched out and her
nostrils afame-twenty yards to 60
and heard Jack say louder and stronger
than common. Now, Kittyp 1 saw
Llghtnings rider strike him with the
whip. But Kitty sprang forward at his
word with new energy, and passed the
line by a half length ahead amid
deafening cheers of the assembled thous
ands. Quiet, Kitty said Jack, as she
passed where stood with water and
blanket. She came to me with her necl
stretched out. her painting sides and
swollen veins. sponged her face and
mouth and put on her blankets, and al
she walked about with me she put hel
nose on my shoulder again. She nigh
as well have said, How does that sui
you, Jimr 80 understood her.
:" Jack, said /, were they only press
ing her for betsP
" He asked the time, and when hat
informed him he said 'Flyaway wa
up to his best time and was running tc
win.'
"' Pressing herr said Jack contempt
uously. She's the best bottom on tn,
feld.' -
"The first heat had the effect of send
ing up the field to par with the favorite
and second choice found few takers
Kitty bad astonished them, and they
hardly knew how to bet. On the second