The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-05-01

country for pleasure. Half mile back
on the road his horse had stepped on a
rolling stone and strained tendon. He
asked permission to stable the animal
for few days until the lameness had
subsidized. If he could leave the horse he
would go on to the Center and find ac-
commodations for himself until such
time as he could continue his journey.
AS Capt. jackson never turned tramp
away, he was not likely to refuse hospi-
tality to well dressed and evidently re-
fined stranger. He led the way to the
stable and gave orders to the hostler to
battle the strained leg and banqage it.
He then turned to the stranger and said:
You will be my guest until your horse
has recovered"
The stranger protested, but Captain
jackson insisted, and so he remained.
Providing his guest with gun, the cap
tain led the way to the wood, and CAPT
tai days sport was enjoyed.
1t was week before the horse was
cured of his lameness. During that time
the captain had grown to like Mr.. Lei
cester exceedingly, and the feeling of
warm regard seemed to be seconded by
his guest. The two became quite con
fidential over their evening cigars.
The evening before Mr.. Leicester was
to resume his journey Captain Jackson
confided in him the one burning desire
of his heart
" tell you, Leicester, have been done
up by the boys so many times that l am
just aching to get even with them. If l
could get the better of them once, in a
good shape, l would be satisfied 1t
would pay for all 1 have stood from
well, then, why in blazes don't you?
You ought to be able to cope with
them"
II would if there were not so MANY.
Why, I can't do thing but what they
are posted. If 1 go off to hunt up
horse that can beat them all, what do
you suppose they dop Telegraph to
every blamed horse sharp and / get
fooled myself. have boughtm ore than
dozen horses and had the pleasure of
seeing them walked away from in races;
can't do it. I'd be happy if 1 could
down them just once, but I'm powerless
in their hands,"
Nonsense. I'll help you. know of
a horse that can be bought cheap. He is
a sorry looking animal, but, Stars and
Stripes, If he isn't creased lightning in
racel To look at him you wouldn't i'm
agine that he could run mile inside of
week, but he's living deception"
him."
"Of course you can get him. His
owner is friend of mine, and I'll write
to him to ship the animal to you, and
he'll do it. You needn't put up the pur-
chase oh ss,d money until he has proved
Good. If you'll do this I'll be your
lifelong friend"
"Well, I'll do it. ''Now you want to
bet all you can on the race when YOU
have the articles signed for a match.
You can get all the odds you want when
they see the horse. You don't want to
make more then one match either"
"Why not?''
"Oh, nothing; only the horse might be
beaten in second race. And another
thing, you don't want to give him any
training before the race, and you want to
make it mile and half, for the animal
might not get down to business much be-
fore the half mile is reached
MIR. Leicester gave further minute di-
rections regarding the care of the animal
prior to the race, and then retired to
the captain study to write the letter.
Two weeks later the horse arrived.
Capt. Jackson had quietly announced
that he was expecting racer that would
distance the best in the section. Accord
ingly large crowd gathered to see the
wonder. As the horse was led from the
car shout went up from the crowd.
The animal was the worst specimen of
hOrseflesh seen in that town for many a
day. His bones seemed about ready to
push their way through the skin, and as
he walked he stumbled with his fore
feet, and showed unmistakable lameness
behind.
Another joke on the captain" was
the though which occurred to the specta-
tors. The captains feelings would be
hard to express. He began to believe
that he was destined to be sold continu-
ally. However, he determined to prove
game, and if any one offered to race
against the bag Of bones he would make
a match and stand the loss heroically.
He wouldn't give up until the wager was
lost.
Naturally he had not long to wait for a
challange to race. The news of the new
horse spread rapidly, and before night
six owners of runners of local celebrity
had called to make matches. Capt.
jackson received them as if he was con
fident of winning. He stipulated that
his horse should run against all corners
in one race.
The owners agreed to this plan. Each
was eager to place 500 on his own horse,
the captain to cover each sum with $50.
The articles were drawn up and signed,
the date for the race settled upon, and
the money placed in the hands of stake
holder. No sooner had the announce
ment of the race been given the public |
than the acquaintance of the captain be-
gan Hooking around, bantering him |
about it. They all wanted to bet, and |
freely gave odds. AS each bet was made |
the captain gave an inward groan. But |
he determined to keep up his reputation
for pluck, and so all who offered to bet |
odds were accommodated
AT last, when the final bet was made |
the captain found that he had placed $500
on the race. The odds which he had re-
ceived in the wagers were such that he
found SO, 700 would be won by the horse
If it was winner of the race. The fig
ures made him sigh, but there was no
help for it. He had boosted on his horse
and must take the consequences of his
over confidence.
AT last the day for the race arrived. |
Capt Jackson arose early and went to
the stable. The boy who had come with |
the horse was up, and hard at work rub
bling off the old animal.
We'll" said the captain, ~ suppose
you will ride the skate to-dayp"
YES" replied the boy, without stop
ping in his work. ~
of course you'll win," continued the
captain with smile, which broadened
into laugh as the absurdity of such a |
suggestion forced itself upon him.
The boy only grinned in turn, but
made no reply.
What do you call the old fellow"
asked the captain after pause.
BOSS said you'd want to pick out q
high toned name for him fore the race.'l
"Oh, he did, did he? Well, we'll call
him the Duke Of Flatville; that ought to
suit your boss.'
BETTER make it King, cap'n," said the
boy pausing for a moment.
Capt. Jackson laughed. The whole
thing was assuming the aspect of huge
joke. True it was at his expense and he
was coming to enjoy it.
The day was bright, and it brought
every one out. Business was practically
in the town as everybody
to see this browning folly of the
good natured captain. Men, women and
ohildred were at the race course long be-
fore the judges took their places and
rang up the horses.
The bell had hardly sounded when up
came the champion runner of the county.
He was a big, well built bay, and as he
passed the stand with a smart looking
boy on his back the spectators cheered
Justify. Then, one by one, the other
were sent minting by the
stand, the young jockeys dressed In gay
,olors. All the animals received ova-
lions as they came up to the stand.
Last of all came the Duke of Flatyille.