The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1883-09-01
HQw Lightning won.

AN old racer Ill Tex as tells the fol-
lowing tale in relation to Il race was
r'ln in. that State. The sun was past
meridian and the crowd, thanks to the
lubricating influences Of the mescal
and aguadiente, was in fine condition
for fun of the toughest sort. There
were wrestling matches, sparring mat
ches, foot races around the plaza, much
betting OH favcrites, wild cheers for
the victors, derisive yells for the de-
teated, songs, curses, laughter, shout
ing, drinking, smoking--a carnival of
semi-barbaric pleasure. The event of
the day and the last act OH the pro-
gramme before the baile was the horse
races. There were two or three of mi
nor Importance and free-for-all, in
which the entries were so numerous
that the horses dashed down the course
wedged tightly together and the judges
were at a loss whether to decide that all
won or all lost. The great race was
last Of all. There were two entries.
The ranger Terriente entered his black
gelding Niggor and Neueces Nick,
another ranger brought forward his bay
gelding Lightning. These two horses
were about equally matched, but it was
believed by the knowing ones that
Lightning was the better horse. There
was considerable money staked on the
result and Mustang Joe was a heavy
bacller of Lightning. lie learned be-
fore the race was called that Lightning 8
owner was giving odds on the other
horse, and he made up his mind that
the boys were doing Il little ''jockeying, "
which would b. sure to result to his
pecuniary disadvantage. ''Nigger''
was ridden by q diminutive muchacho,
who answered to the name of Pedro,
and "Lightuing" was mounted by Il
little black boy who lived across the
river, Just before the drivers mounted
their StccdS >'NeueceS Nick" pushed
his way to the side of the little darkey
and whispered something in his ear.
The juvenile Fifteenth Amendment
nodded and grlnned. Mustang j oe saw
this little by-play and walked down the
track, taking up his position about
midway between the start and finish.
The distance to be un waSa quarter Of
a mile, and after all preliminaries had
been arranged tue judges took up their
positions, the horses were got ready
and at the word they both sprang for
ward and dashed down the track side
by side. 1t was plain to be seen from
the first that "Nigger" was being
''forced' TO his best pace and that
Lightning" was being "pulied' by
the Tiny descendant of liam perched on
his back.
"Nigger'll win by half neck!" cried
one OF the crowd, and just then the
orses passed Mustang Joe.
lightning" was next to him and he
yelled 10 the driver as the horses dashed
past. The little negro turned his mead
and Mustang Joe covered him with his
siy-shooter.
LET out that hossp' he cried, cor
l'll blow yo full er holes''
The eyes Of the Ethiopian rolled in
their sockets until nothing could be
seen but the whites, his teeth chattcreu
and he relaxed his grip on the bride
rciis. Like a rocket Lightning snot
forward past the other horse and dashed
across the finish about two lengths
ahead. The hackers of the bay horse
cheered wildly; those who had Il "sure
thing" and lost ON the black were cor.
respondingly glum, and as "MusIang
JOe' p0cketeu his winnings he wlnkcu
slyly and said:
boys, when ye put up er job ter
Jockey NE ergln, why-don't do hit ~