Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1890-04-09
THE JOCKEYS STORY.
How He Was Revenged on His In
human Employer.

Twas a jockey, and they used to tell
me, a tolerably good one, but no longer
claim the turf as my profession, or what.
ever you are amind 10 call il, and on my
leaving the track this story hangs.
II was a good many years ago that
quit-a mere boy at the time--though
my experience among men had made
me seemingly older than I really was.
was pretty well acquainted with tho
ways Of the world 80 far as comes within
the opportunity Of one mostly associated
with horsemen and horses, with their at
tendant surroundings.
Though but jockey--in general, a
creature to be kicked and cursed--I was
not unlike many others OF the human
kind. cherished the feeling Of re-
venge, and for months, yes years, had
lived to crafty IT, The person upon
whom longed to wreak my vengeance
was the man for whom | had ridden ever
since know how. bad waited for the
opportunity for-I can scarcely remem.
Der how long-ever since one day when
/ had brother, brother that loved
possibly as we'll as others who aspired
the moral, scale.
Willie, little Willie, that's what l al
ways called him, though the others said
little Bill" ! used 10 think ] was
moro like father TO him than brother.
He was SO small and used to think he
oughtn't TO have been Jockey like me.
taught him to ride, how 20 handle his
horses on the track just as we'll as any
Of us--yes, better, for when he was in
the saddle thcy would, IL seemed like.
strain every nerve just 10 please him.
You see, even tho horses loved him. He
was such a quiet little fellow, and SO
sort o affectionate, they couldn't hclp
IT, And ] reckon that's ono reason why
] was kinder TO him than would have
been had he been a rough fellow-like
me. When ] think about Willie. as We
were in those days, ] always feel sad
how proud We used TO feel OF each other
when either had won great race, and
how every month we'd get together in
our little loft and fix up our money 10
send homo to mother and little sister
that's one reason We we're Jockeys.
Then the promises and resolutions we'd
make about keeping away from bad
company till we got home; how we'd re-
solve TO be honest always TO our en-
ployer, and not let any body or any
body's money come between US and our
duty to him; how We used 70 pet the
horses together, till they all knew US
and understood our voices almost as we'll
as we did ourselves.
But that was all changed--changed in
Q moment of passion by the man wa had
served so faithfully; the man for whom
we had won laurels and fortune. and
whose confidence had never been broken
or betrayed, or whose commands had
never been disregarded.
Ono day Willie lost race-one that
Mr.. Wharton, our employer, had set his
heart on winning. lie had almost won
II when his horse stumbled and went
down. Mr.. Wharton was furious. All
in passion he ran to where the two lay
in heap, and as Willie was getting up
struck him terrible blow with his
heavy whip. The blow and the shock
of the fall was too much for him and IL
wasn't many hours before he passed
away to find his home among the white
stceds Of Heaven. He never recognized
any Of US, and passed away just like he
was going TO sleep.
Twas to be avenged.
At last the time had come. Ever
since that awful day had remained
with an old employe, awaiting the day
when | should be able to avenge the
cruel staying OF my little jockey broth
er.
The opportunity had arrived, and for
my long waiting was none the less de-
termined.
1t was the last day of the great racing
season at -, and the closing day was
TO be the greatest OF all, the interest of
the whole season being centered upon II.
II was TO be the climax Of the sporting
season, and between its suns fortunes
would be won and lost.
Randall, the horse that was TO eide,
knew was the favorite, and on his vic
tory heavy odds were offered. On every
tongue were praises Of his beauty and
swiftncss, and on every hand he was her
aided the victor. ] knew all this and
was satisfied. for ] knew that we would
do our bcst--Randall and l.
Bob" said Mr.. Wharton, calling me
aside on the morning Of the race, Ran
dali must not win. ] have played my
fortune against him. II he wins am
ruined completely. Even the horse
himself is on his own defeat Now re-
member"
"All right, sir; I'll remember" 1said,
With a strange feeling Of excitement
passing through me.
This was tho opportunity had waited
and longed for. ] would win-I would
repay him for his cruelty. Eagerly
ran to the box where Randall who was
20 carry me 10 victory and vengeance,
was locked. lie was truly noble ami
NAL, almost human intelligence beam
ing from his flashing eye. Often had
! ridden him, aud often bad he responded