Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1881-06-17
PORT TOBACCO, MARYLAND, II,

preached and told him that tn ere Was
to be a real good scrub race between
the black horse belonging to Mr..
SmuE, Of Benedict, and il sorrel horse,
owned by Mr.. Gaddis, of Baltimore.
Lester introduced Loudoun to his two
friends and the four young men saun-
tered to towards the track.
AS they approached they judges
stand, a number of persons waited
upon Lester and asked him to be one
of the three judges of the coming race.
Lester, in the goodness Of his heart,
Immediately consented, not having
ever realized the delicacy of the posi-
tion, with its onerous and thankless
duties bat Loudoun, who was famil-
lar with such scenes, and whose
knowledge of the disagreeable posi-
ton u Judge occupies in scrub race,
had been obtained by bitter expert
ence; gently, but earnestly remon-
strated with his friend, and endeay
ored to dissuade him from accepting
the proffered honor.
Lester thanked his friend, but per-
sisted in his determination to act as
Judge, not knowing, as he said, how
he could refuse to accommodate his
friends, who always stood by him, and
had ALWAYS manifested a Willingness
to serve him.
Finding his efforts fruitless, Lou
doun resolved to keep close to his
friend, and not liking the looks of the
Baltimore crowd, that had gathered
around the judges stand, he deter
mined to anticipate all difficulties and
be prepared to for any emergency.
lie whispered few words to Neale
and Gardiner, who Immediately y disap-
peared through the crowd towards
the hotel. Calling his black boy
George, the son Of his hostler Joe, he
dispatched him TO his room, to get his
pistols from his saddle bags. George
had scarcely returned with his weap-
ons, when Neals aud Gardiner re-
turned with dozen athletic young
gentlemen each sporting a stout cane,
and talking laughing in careless
manner.
The race was mile dash, conse-
auently the course was to be gone over
twice by the horses. At the word
"go" they started in fine style. The
sorrel which had the inside track,
leading slightly. They came by the
Judges stand on the first round side
by side, and the betting was lively and
interesting, ten to one being offered
by the Baltimore crowd, who were
backing the sorrel, and freely taken
by the county men, who were conf
dent of the success OF the black. On
entering the home-siretch, the black
was full two lengths ahead, with vic
tory in his hand, when long stick
with white rag attached to ii, was
thrown from the crowd with so dex-
srsaSz srss Iinrsvthta M l..n that i struck in the
black horse. He swerved from his
course, stumbled and threw his rider
ever his head into the crowd, that
lined the track. The sorrel, Of course,
passed under the wire first.
Cries OF .shame," from the throats
of ell honest lovers of fair play, were
mingled With the shouts of applause
from the rhroxg of Baltimore roughs.
There was perfect babel of voices,
aud pandemonium seemed to be let
loose upon the grounds. Lester, with
the judge from st. Mary's county de-
cided in favor of the black, and
awarded him the race, while the judge
from Baltimore loudly, insolently
detiantly proclaimed that the sorrel
horse was the winner, and that all
money wagered on the black was lost.
This last expression was the straw
that broke the camel's back. Hoots,
jeers and Kisses greeted this announce
ment. aud cries for Lester were heard
on all sides.
To De- eoatinaei J