Wilmington argus. (Wilmington, Del.) 1880-18??, 1880-01-14

was tne Dquuef from Inc moment tic,
HartbroOk, Captain Dykely, and William
HeclIler, the starter (who was on this oc-
casion to act as judge,) had arranged the
n1odus operGndi, he had been missing.
1t wanted but twenty minutes Of the
midnight by Hecklers watch, and still the
Squire came not. Standing about in ami
mated groups in the paddock on Windy
holm, the Thornford race-course, were many
of what might be termed the upper circles
of sporting society, eagerly discussing the
chances of the coming encounter; and as
the moments sped, bringing the zone hour
after moonrise" excitingly near, wondering
whether the match would come of after
all. Fluefaker, ready for action, was being
led about, while Applicant, in his clothing,
was Kept gently moving at the opposite
corner; Grove, Of course, in jealous at
tendance. Second in order Of interest TO
the two flyers was Captain Dykely. He
was fully equipped for the fray, and had
been on view for some time.
"Ah, there goes the quarter !"
The sound of the chimes, as 1t floated on
the gentle night breeze, was heard and
noted by the crowd, now wrought up to
a nervous state of expectancy by the contin-
ued absence of the Squire. Hartbrook, I'M
shaken until this moment in his trust in the
abscntees turning up in time, began to
waver
A sound of wheels. 'Hurrah ~
The cheer was not thrown away. II was
up by the paddock-rails, and, leaping out,
turned TO assist his companion to aliight,
saying as he did so:
"HartbroolS, where are you2 Take
care of these. Now, Redgy, come with
me-"
"Why, its his son Reginald"
In the hubub caused by the arrival Of
Mr.. Whinridge and his youngest son, a
pale thin boy of about twelve years of age
it was by no means easy for the principals
in the drama to make the preparations
necessary for raising the curtain.
Hartbrook, proud OF his office, carried a
light acing-saddle and its necessary ''ac-
compartments, and, walking by the side
of the youth, followed the Squire into the
paddock.
The Squirrels arrival was greeted quite as
fervently as if more quietly than, it had
been by the crowd outside. He shook
hands VIZ Lord Gules, one of the stewards
expresses his delight at not knowing that
his lordship had consented to act as starter,
and then faced the Captain.
Now Captain Dykely, shall we get
readyln
"Your jockey, Mr.. Whinridge2"
'Is my son Reginald. Have you any
objection TO hlmln
''Every objection, Mr.. Whinridge When
made this-I don't mind admitting it,
stupid match, it was not with tho idea that
was going to have for an opponent mere
child"
''Child or not, he rides"
81 am no more child than he is, papar
exclaimed the boy. elf can ride, what
more does he want 2"
off you can ridel" said Captain Dykely,
with a sneer.
"Dykely," intcrposed Lord Gules 81
must say that, according to the terms of the
match, you rebound to accept Whinridge's
Jockey, or forfeit"
''Very well, A" rejoined Dykcly suddenly,
''very well. If the child breaks his neck
am not to blame, mind. Let us get il
over.'
The boy, giving up his ovcrcoat and hat
to Hartbrook, and putting on a silk cap
which he produced from his pocket, pres
emily appeared, like his opponent, fully
equipped for action. In default 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 a6eadB Wait.
ing with she flag.
Completely out Of the view and rearing
of the people, who by this time tlronged
the stand, the Squire impaired his final or
dcrs:
''Keep with him, but not too close foi
the first rule, and then come away as hard
as you can pelt. 1t is splendid moon
most as light as day-and YOU ought to do
the journey without the least mistake.
Now, Redgy, my own dear boy, show them
what kind Of metal you arc made Of"
Without another word he left his son and
Captain Dykely to amble their way to the
starting-post, and the whole thong go
across to bit of rising ground near the
brook, where they can obtain an excellant
view of at least three parts of ''the coun-
try" There they stood waiting for the
shout that is to signal the start. 1t comes
at last.
"Here they comet" shouted the Squire.
in strangled voice. ''IIere they come,
and my boy is leadingl Let him haye it,
Redgyl Lose him, my dear child lose
him Good lad He is coming away
like steam enginel"
AS Applicant approached brock that
crossed the course the excitement Of the
Squire intensified, especially when he saw
that Captain Dyllely was rapidly lcssenine.
the gap between him and the Squirrels
horse. There was only about length and
n half of moonlight between Applicant and
Fluefaler as the former rose like bird
over the brook and landed in safety.
"Thank God, that's overl" murmurred
Whinrldge; but lie spoke too soon, for the
horse terrified by the cheering Of the crowd
tore along in manner that betokened an
carly dissolution of partnership between
him and the jockey.
In a voice that was neither shout nor q
yell, but frantic blending of both, Mr.
Whinridge exclaimed:
''rhe horse has boltedi Out of the way
with you Redgy, keep him straight, my
boy Good la-ad, go-n
'IIow much did l win by2" asked the
boy family, as he opened his eyes in a
hushed apartment in the Whinridge Arms.
He had not spoken since they picked him
up and found that an arm was broken.
GLOW much ~
His father, whose eyes were moist and
dim, and whose voice was quite like wo-
mans, said:
Twenty lengths was the judges verdict,
Redgy-twenty lengths. And the Cup is
for you, my boy. And whenever you
think your father is getting out of bounds,
as you may think hereafter, shotO him