The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-02-10
A QUEER RACE.

IL tell you III back my bay mare Yer
dant any distance under mile ana n hail
for 81, 900 against any living quadruped
In the state Now, then, money talksP
The speaker was typical American
sport, " tail and well knit, OF ruddy com.
plexion with gray hair and musiache, and
probably 10 years Of age
lie Yves a guest al the same house rs my
self Lass fall, in n pleasant little country
town in Iowa. whittier he, like the rest of
us, had gone 10 recuperate for the winter
campaign Our host was genial, gen
erous hearted American passionately fond
OF horses and all appertaining TO them,
attending most meetings during the sea
son, and breeding q little in an amateur
way at his country house, where we were
then located.
He Ind one fault which constantly drove
his wife and pretty daughter 10 the verge
OF distraction; that was, he could not be
an hour in any mans company who
CHANGED to interest him on any subject
whatever, without giving that Individual
n cordial invitation to his house for the
annual house party in the fall. This uatu-
rally brought Il discordant element into
The circle at times, regretted by no one
more than himself; but no matter how
discordant the element might be, 50 long
as the general behavior kept within the
bounds OF conventional society, nothing
was permitted 10 even hint that absence
vas desirable Hospitality was sacred,
and IL mild curtain lecture onsued, and
perpetual black mark was in future
placed against the delinquent's name, the
other guest. knew nothing whatever OF
The matter
Last fall the disturbing atom was Col.
Ford, not bad sort of fellow in himself,
perhaps, but one decidedly out Of place in
the society that surrounded him just then.
No matter what the subject under dis
cusson was, he always had an opinion
upon it--a very decided, egOtistical opin-
ion, delivered in u blatant tone with a
domineering air that plainly said, "Apres
celia la deluge"
II can easily be imagined that this type,
e. many people, would BE- particularly ir-
IIAtino. for to calmly stand being con
Gradicted and out lied, upon every phase
and yarn OF shooting, fishing or racing
without annoyance would rank man
very near the angels am, personally,
very far removed from celestial temper
L's annoyance, appeared to seize every
01ening gave to direct his conversation
10 me or at me This continued tor some
time, III course OF which | discovered
mad firm friend and kindred spirit in
lay dislike to the colonel in my hosts
pretty daughter Miss Jennie. Il thorough
American girl, full OF fun and mischief,
ana quite capable Of carrying out any
al. tpl HqT
.iytle head
When Col Ford made his appearance at
Valley house. lie was surprised 10 find a
well fitted training stable, grounds laid
cut into straight running tracks, round
trotting track aud all the paraphern0lia
pertaining t. an expensive hobby carried
ont to the fur by wealthy man. Most
of us Ind our own horses alou. with US,
and the days were passed in hunting,
shooting, lahiug riding TO points Of inter
est in the vicinity, studying the m.nutiH
II The stable, or getting up running OF
tr2ttiuE faces among ourselves just for
fun and Clocy The very first night he
arrived the colonel hsd telegraphed for
his groom 10 bring along Verdant, and
rom that tiEoe he never ceased boring US
Il death about his mare, what she had
were weary OF The subject. The mare was
certainly q fine piece OF horsehesh, and
mad performed very ereditably in public.
winning several events al Monmouth,
Saratoga and st. Louis I'm the preceding
season but surely that was no excuse for
her owner forever badgering every one to
make match with him We had all
come to rest and enjoy ourselves, not 70
work ourselves 70 death ia pursuit OF
pleasure.
One day at dinner, to which | had the
good fortune to escort Miss Jennie, the
conversation turned upon very fast colt
belonging 10 p friend OF mine living a few
hundred miles north Of Valley house; had
Just concluded my remarks, when Col.
Ford burst out
II tell yon III back my bay mare Yer
dant any distance under mile and half,
for 81 900, against any living quadruped
III this state
looked across ar him rather indignant
ly, not desiring any wager upon the mat
ter, when Mss Jennie chirruped is that
~ colonel What about weights
My dear young lady, catch weights, OF
course, have you match TO propose II
60 would be dehghtedr'
Miss Jennie laughed saucily, looked al
ne, and giving me slight tap with her
foot under the table, said
Il leave my case in your hands |
TO match my pig Peek-a-boo against
toe colonel's Verdant, distance 800 yards,
20 be run two weeks today on our left
track
or course the table roared with merri
ment, the colonel turned first crimson and
then white with rage; tried 10 laugh, but
could not and linaGy said;
Very funny, Miss Jennie, very funny,
indeed
During the merrmeni Miss Jennie
whispered few words 10 me, and | said:
Il do not see anything funny. colonel.
YOU offered repeatedly 10 back Nerdant
against anything in the state; Miss Jennie
takes yon up, and lam empowered by her
IL draw mp articles VI agreement and de-
post the 81 900 In any ones hands you
I.ay suggest.
The colonel was staggered for moment,
but recovered himself and said
We'll, If il is serious, let her go APP
~ -. lid n,,1