Morris tribune., 1883-09-22

hundred pound plates. And so we
found ourselves in the paddock. Horses
and grooms predominated. There was
Blueskin, splendid animal, liver-col-
bred, with an eye all light, and shining
coat-the admired of the ring. Queen
Bess, grand looking steel-eray mare,
trained to the hour, with the clean-cut
ears and delicate nGstrils which show
breeding, had her circle of admirers. A
gray horse called Rupert was much
spoken of, and many believed that moth,
ing could beat him. There were three
others on whose chances great deal OF
mony understood, was rlsKed. There
was magnificent four-year old, a bay
colt, named Stream; a great, powerful,
slashing mare, called Calypso; and to
my eyes mean. looking animal, whose
name was Steelribs. This was the
horse at which the two gentle men. Cap
tam Black and his friend Colonel Black
leg, were looking when l met John
Brown. His coat was uneven; his bones
appeared to be sticking in an awkward
fashion against his skin, and he had q
shabby trick of hanging his head. did
not like his appea rance, but he was
backed to win ali enormous stake. 1t
was strange that, though at little dis
lance he looked rough and unkempt,
when you examined him closely his skin
was smooth and glossy. The uneven
ness was under the skin. The jockeys
were now going out for the preliminary
canter.
There goes your money, "said Brown.
"I on can't mistake him-white Jacket
and scarlet cap. No other white jacket
intte race. When the white jacket dis
appears your money is gone"
| &c oo3o 81, wv sniSI USipo1.
the day was born | never had one bit
of luck. will not be whit the worse
without it."
at has not gone yet" said Brown,
| Ar d taking my hand he continued: at
would be one of the sweetest DAYS of my
| life if could say that was Instrument
| al in restoring the friend of boyhood to
| the position of which he was robbed"
! The first animal to leave the paddock
| was Steelribs. He went out like cart
| horse-no excitement, no praucing. but
with his head raised somewhat-not as
he stood in the paddock, with a quiet
look all round and firm foot under
him. When his rider called on him it
was a picture to see his movement. He
went like piece of machinery. Tho
ground seemed to disappear before him,
and he did not look as if it cost him any
SAerLlOn 10 move.
''He would win," whispered Brown up
to me, "but there is a country boy up.
If Quincy were on Steelribs, from what
have just heard, he would run away
from the lot"
The starter now took them in hand,
and they went to the starting post. Some
of the steeds were fractions and wanted
to start before the flag fell, but the good
and we'll trained animals waited without
much Impotence. The length of the
race was three miles, and the course
was almost circular. The horses started
from the elevated ground opposite, but
about quarter of a mile distant from
the stand house. This structure was just
on the edge of the circle. A long straight
led up to it from the right. and the race
was to be won on the third round, the
winning-post being opposite the grand
stand. The twelve runners were now
marshalled, and, in their bright colors,
we're moving about uneasily in front of
the starter, when, suddenly down went
the flag, and away they all rushed. The
first to shOw'in front was a horse called
Flipper. He went away from the crow d,
and then another unknown animal fol-
lowed him, and, passing the stand for
the first time, Steelribs was we'll up.
Steam and Calypso behind him. Very
far back was Blueskin, and last of all
came Queen Bess.
LOOK at thatw cried a voice behind
me. He wants the mare to make the
running for Blueskin, and she is not able
She is loosing ground already"
They were now approaching nasty
jump-a big fence at one side, water on
the other. Blueskin and Queen Bess
were eased Three horses and their
riders went crashing into the water, and
with rush the two animals took the
safe parts of the fence and went over.
The pace now was hot and the ground
rising, and soon three more OF the |
twelve colors dropped back from ex-
haustion; and, facing the big double on |
the top of the hill, any tyro. could see |
that there We're only six in it even for !
the next round. Stream was leading, |
going at a tremendous rate, pulling his !
jockey out of the saddle and getting |
quite unmanageable. With wild rush |
he made at the great double and cleared |
the whole obstacle safely; but the effort |
spoiled him forever and soon his bolt |
was shot. Then following Rupert and |
Calypso, Steelribs came next and went |
over it like goat, and then came Bne-
skin and Queen Bess, leaving the diff
ticulty behind them as if the jump. were /
only so much ordinary amusement. And |
so they went down hill to the water Jump
pool, Stream showing that he had hurt |
himself, and his rider easing him off. Over
the Water-jump they went, and turned |
again for the bend Of the circle leading
to the stand. There were few small /
obstacles before them, of no account,
however. Rupert and Calypso led,
bounding along as fresh as when they
started; Steelribs was third, and then
came Blueskin and Queen Bess, and so
they cleared the hurdle into the straight.
My friend suddenly gripped my
arm.
Watch" he said. "Now it comes"
Blueskin and Queen Bess seemed
locked together, SO close did they run
for an instant The riders were talking.
round would finish the race.
the horses were now nearing the stand
for the second time,s and Steelrlbs drew
out for the lead, and was taking it from
Rupert, when, like shot, Blueskln's
nose showed at his quarter, then at his
shoulder and then ahead of him. In
his way they passed the stand. Galgey
raising his whip in answer tn
the cheers which greeted him. It
seemed like a whirlwind. They all
now seemed mad-Galgey ana BlueSkln
The maddest of them all-Queen Bess
still last. Up the hill Steelribs and Blue
skin went as if the race rested between f.
hem. There was low fence for Queen
Bess to get over, which [ did not mind
n my excitement, and suddenly, with
q pale face, Brown turned to me.
It is all over" he said: Queen Bess
can't win. Quincy lost his iron at that
beggarly little obstacle. Look at him
now going up the hill and fishing with
his toe for it. and unless he has his foot
n the strip he cannot get over th
Lwful double"
1t was the first time I felt any real in
crest in the race. my money. notwith-
for 1 neueved that was gone
With the rest. l looked, and there was
he stirrup leather and iron Tapping
about, and evidently telling
N the temper of the mare. Quincy was
working with his foot to catch it every
ime it descended, but the pace he was
,oing at was so terrific that It would be
unless by, a chance appgoach- l.
~ N al a e{ox hi ~ To hall III