St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-06
THE HILTON HANDICAP.
London TRUTH

the talk of the town by his eccentric freaks
and reckless extravaganza.
1t is needless to say John was no fool. In
deed, he was very much the reverse, aud as
his London street training has developed
naturally shrewed intelligence, and had Civ
en- him perfect insight into human nature,
he proceeded-once installed as buttons. or
page, to his grace-to profit by his exper-
fence and to make money. Even at the
early age of fifteen he had learned to select
winner with some accuracy, and to bet his
half-crowns as gaily as his master Gid his
thousands. He also learned to keep hks eyes
open and his tongue silent.
The Duke, after few years of wasteful
dissipation, got into difficulties, gave up
racing and married an heiress. Two years
later John married the Duchess maid and
bloomed suddenly into the snug owner of
"The Jolly Turfmen," public house and
sporting club. How John got the money to
setup his establishmenthe never told any one.
Some said the Duke bought his secrecy;
others said the Duchess bought her maids.
However, let the uncharitable tongues wag
as they willed, John Browns fortune was
made, and, before another five years had
passed over his head, he had developed into
one of the heaviest and best known book
makers in London.
Life had but one great trouble for him.
namely, the existence of a certain Bill
Smile, who was also bookmaker and who
seemed to perpetually cross his path. The
fact of the matter was, John Brown was of a
spiteful, jealous, enyious disposition. and Bill
Smile was his bette nore. Smile was, per-
haps, more clever and shrewd bookmaker
than Brown, and he was, if possible, great
er rogue. He hated John as cordially as
John hated him, and he would give the best
book he ever made to ''leg him up" as he
expressed it in some way.
Major Frank Luude had been very I'M
lucky of late, and had lost lot of money
backing mare that only ran second, SO he
was not in the best Of humors as he sat down
to breakfast in the -Plunger club. The two
letters the servants handed him with his
morning papers did not tend to soothe his
temper. He looked at them suspiciously,
and placed them, address downward, by the
side of his plate He felt instinctively that
their contents would not be agreeable; but
he screwed up his courage at last, opened
them nervousy. and after reading them
arose from the table, leaving his breakfast
untasted.
The first letter was short and to the point:
Dear Frank-The bill will be due on the
21st. For heavens sake, meet it. Moses
swears he will not renew. Yours, as ever,
G. GRANVILLE.
The second ran:
Dearest Frank am SO furried and fret
ted can scarcely Lod my pen to write
to you. Fancy, that nasty Madame Dubosk
saws that if | do not pay her Immediately, she
+oI~ # n
some horrible thing like that. she charges,
too such frightful prices for everything. 1
never imagined l owed her so much-neariy
9300. Is it not shocking? Would you believe
she would be so wicked and nasty! Do, like
dear, good brother lend me goo. am re
ally frightened. Imagine the scandal-and
now I am almost sure Jones viii propose.
Your affectionate sister, LILLE.
''What on earth shall I do!' muttered
Frank Lundie in disgust; and Lille too, the
little fool to get into mess like this, just
when the rich ''cad' is coming up to time!"
The Major turned the situation over in his
mind as he walked up and down the room,
but from any point of view it was not
pleasant one. After good quarter of an
hour had elapsed, he sat down again to his
breakfast, with a set hard look on his face.
~ will do itn' he nuttered, savagely
breaking an egg-shell. 1t is dirty work, but
I'll do it all the same.n
Faultlessly got up, two hours after, he
strolled up Regent street in the direction of
John Browns office. John was in, and was
of course very glad to see him, for they had
had many betting transactions in the past,
and Major Lundie had always paid up honor
ably.
81 was q telling my wife, Major, as you
walked in what a grand race we had yester
day." said John Brown.
'It was doubtless good thing for you,
though it was not for all of u.s. muttered the
Major, gloomily. II have lost more than l
can afford to lose, and have come to speak
to you about money!
At the word money Brown was all atten-
ton, and his little gray eyes were fixed cum
ningly on the Major, who continued: ''Iwant
thousand tomorrow, and l am going to ask
you to give it to me-"
''Tis pile of money, Major. There is
great counting in ten centuries"
Il know that, but don't wish you to give
it to me for nothing, ''replied the Major,
snappishly.
''Well, Major, talk out plain like; I'm a
straight man, | am"
'Can any one hear u.s." said the Major, 60
ing across to the door, which he opened sud
denly. Then, having closed it, he returned
to his seat, and looking John Brown steadily
in the face said: eff you will let me have
the money 1 will run Maraqulta in the Hill
ton hndicap exactly as you like. She is sure
to be hot favorte."
Did she run her true form in the Silkshire
asked John Brown Brown eagerly"
''She was not half trained, nor was she then
meant to win. She did not run within ten
pounds of her form"
'EAnd the Fold handicap?'
''Johnnie Dodd stayed too long; he did not
call on her soon enough, said Major Lun
die, looking knowingly at Brown. II wanted
to get her into the Hilton ut fair weight.
So you see,'' he continued, tits safe
thing either way. She can win in a canter
and the public know it. You can't get ten
to one against her to-day go. ......
''What do you propose, Maior!N asked
John Brown.
s'That YOU lend me a thousand to, morrow.
train and run the mare as you wish, and
you arrange the jockey. We go halves in
the winnings, and YOU get back your money
before we divide profits.
''What will her ladyship say!" asked
Brown.
Leave that to me; she must do as 1 de-
sire, >" replied the Major, calmly.
Wen, Major, III trust you. Honor amongst
pals, say l. You come round tomorrow
morning and I'll let you have the money"
The interview over, Frank Lundie strolled
down Regent street, and as he did so he felt
very much like a man who had had a tooth
drawn-rather astonished at finding that it
was not such painful operation to undergo,
vet highly pleased that it was all over. He
had, however, yet another interview before
him, for Lady Doro thea Nerdant was part
owner of the mare, and though he bad spo-
ken so boastfully to Brown of what