The Northern Pacific farmer., 1883-09-20
Moquis, D. T., July 30, 1883.
TRICKS OF HOUSEKEEPING,

Easy" I said, Il have not finished
Just when the conversation between
the TWO came to the point at which ]
stopped, the elder man turned round
and saw me: He started, and then hi
companion turned round and stared a
me. The younger man, after studying
me all over, said. in tone certainly no
meant for my ears, "pshaw! It is all
Greek to him. LOOK at his rig. He
doesn't know the difference between s
monkey and pony" They both laughed
and seeing that they did rot regard my
presence fayorably, I moved away.
"You heard all you tell me, and from
these two men?" queried Brown, q
slight tone of incredulity in his voice
s!n! then hastily correcting himself, he
added, "do not blame me. You do not
understand the importance of this
Why, it is worth 9l 900 Of any mans
money. Have you any cash about you?''
he added.
eyes," said. II have nearly all that
was saved from the wreck of my busi-
ness-about 913O."
under the circumstances" said my
friend, "the los7 of every penny of that
would not make much difference to you
now. Willyou take my advice?" "
"What is il?" asked.
"Put century on the mare, Queen
Bess, for the steeplechase."
"A what?"
"Oh, excuse me-" he said 81 forgot
that you do not we'll understand these
terms. What intend to do myself, and
what would certainly do in your cir
cumstances, after what you have told
me, is to back Queen Bess to win the
steeplechase. If can invest it, I shall
put sslOo on her, and hope you will do
the ssame."
"But what about this steeplechase?"
I asked. "You speak of it as something
out of common"
80 yes" he exclaimed. "It is the
favorite race down here. The horses
are all superior animals, far above the
average, and the prize is valuable. 1t
is, in fact, the race Of the day."
"Well," I said, ''you know more about
it than do" and, taking elOO from my
purse, continued, if this goes with tbs
rest it won't grieve me. DO what you
like with it."
''Mind!" said he, ':you may never
see single farthing OF this again. 1t
may be all swept into another mans
pocket in the flash of an eye. But, at
the same time, during your life, you
will never have such chance ofconvert-
ing every sovereign of that sum into
fifty"
Brown looked anxiousIy around.
"Where is this scapegrace of a son Of
miner" he asked himself. eft did not
want him he wold be sticking to me like
bird-line. There he is, by jove. Jack!
Jackw
Jack heard him and joined us. He
was fine flashing young fellow, about 20
years OF age.
jack" said his father, "mum's the
word"
eyes, sir" said Jack.
There never was such q chance,
jack" said his father, and he drew the
young man to him and whispered few
words.
at cannot be, sir" said Jack. "They
are putting all the money they have on
Blueskin."
Not word more now, Jack, until all
is over, and then We III see. Pm going
to put Il century on the mare. L have
advised my friend here to back her for
the same money. Now, Jack, here is
my fir lends money, and you must put it
on quietly after the next race. Put it
explained to me-"with Cowes and
Malin and sprat and Pointer; they are
al good for any money. When you
mind-dead silence! I am putting q
hundred On for myself and a fiver for
you."
"All right, sir" said Jack, and be left
The horses for the second race came
out; the usual excitement followed; tho
race was run, the winner declared, and
all so far concluded. A hush came over
the occupants Of the stand and ring.
There was great deal of excitement
but it was all suppressed. Mems faces
were flushed, and there we're groups
talking in whispers all abouy, and cards
OF the races were constantly referred to
for the purpose of settling some disput-
ed point or to give additional informa-
tion. The betting men, in their out
landish and ridiculous garments, were
tor the most part cOntemplatively sur
veying the scene. The bell rang, and
the whole crowd started as if it had re-
ceived an electric shock. The numbers
and names were just now run up the
board, and the horses and their Jockeys
were publicly proclaimed. "Blueskin
runs away with it," said man in q
group near me. "Who rides him?"
asked another. "Cluney." was the an
swer. lob, then he should not be lost
sight off,, said sharp-looking little fel-
. j5ow,, with card of the races in one
band and pencil in the other. "But is
Cluney's name up as his rider2" ''By
Jove, no" was the reply. "Galgey
rides Blueskin; and let me see-yes.
Quincy has the leg up on Queen Bess.
best steeplechase rider in the kingdom.
and should be on Blueskin against the
mare" "The thing is over" remarked
another. IF any of you want to win
money 20 and put it on now. Captain
Bl ck, the stable commissioner, konw
is pilins on every farthing he can act on
Blueskin." "You known INQUIRED q
keen-looking individual in the group.
SLOW do you knowT, "Well, I was
present when he put on a pony with
Watts at two to one; and he said that it
was the last farthinx ne could invest for
the stable" The keen individual turned
aside. "That is good enough for me-"
he NUT cred. II know Black, and if
Blueskin was to win, he would not be
going round the ring taking buffers into
his confidence. Whatever wins, Blue.
skin won't win." And then after delib.
Grating seriously, he audibly continued:
II put q fiver on the m ire, Queen Bess.
Clupey rides her. and I am not able to
Teau large PRINT II she Is not meant to
land heap of coin for the captain and
his cronies." I saw him go to man. in
q suit of farming red, hand him a. e5
note, and get card in return, and then
he lit cigar ana appeared satisfied. 5~~
The horses were ndw being stripped
and saddled and the jockeys weighed.
My brother Harry ca he and asked me
to have q Look at the horses. There
were twelve starters, he said, but there
was only one horse with a chance -Blue-
skin. Blackleg, his owner, had told
h.m go. He had mare, Queen Bess.
in it; but she was merely on trial, to see
what could be made out of her for few
hundred pound plates. And 50 we
found ourselves in the paddock. Horses
l. and grooms pred There was
\ Blueskin, splendid animal, Sliver-col-
red, with, an eye all light, and q shining
i 1.-THE admired of,the ring. Queen
Il zsa grand ooking steel-gray mare,
Il I'd to the hour, with the clean-cut
\ 44-nd delicate ncstrils which show
/ 9, had her circle Of admirers. a.
4 sc called Rupert was much:
i and many believed thatnoth.
4 eat him There we're fhrse
/ oachancse d great ds6lo3