San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-11-21


came up the road to the great house,
that it could hardly walk. Capt.
Jackson was at the gate, just ready to
start with his dogs for the woods.
The stranger introduced himself as
John Leicester, of New York. He said
that he was making trip through the
country for pleasure Half a mile
back on the road his horse had stepped
on rolling stone and strained ten
don. He asked permission to stable
the animal for a few days until the
lameness had subsidized. If he could
leave the horse he would go on to the
center and find accommodations for
himself until such time as he could
continue his journey.
As Capt. jackson never turned
tramp away, he was not likely to re-
fuse hospitality to well dressed and
evidently refined stranger. He led
the way to the stable and gave orders
to the hostler to battle the strained leg
and bandage it. He then turned to
the stranger and said, "You will be
my guest until your horse has recov-
cred"
The stranger protested, but Capt.
Jackson insisted, and so he remained.
Providing his guest with gun, the
captain led the way to the wood, and
a capital days sport was enjoyed
1t was a week before the horse was
cured of his lameness. During that
time the captain had grown to like Mr..
Leicester exceedingly, and the feeling
of warm regard seemed to be second
ed by his guest. The two became
quite confidential over their evening
cigars.
The evening before Mr. Leicester
was to resume his journey Capt. Jack
son contided in him the one burning
desire of his heart.
Il tell you, Leicester, l have been
done up by the boys so many times
that am just aching to get even with
them. If l could get the better Of
them once, in good shape, | would be
satisfied 1t would pay for all have
stood from them"
We'll, then, why in blazes don't
you9 You ought to be able to cope
with them"
Il would if there We're not so many.
Why, l can't do a thing but what they
are posted If l go off to hunt up a
horse that can beat them all. what do
you suppose they do2 Telegraph to
every blamed horse sharp and l get
fooled myself. | have bought more
than a dozen horses and had the pleas
ure of seeing them walked away from
in races. l can't do it. I'd be happy
if l could down them just once, but
I'm powerless in their hands"
Nonsense. I'll help you. l know
of horse that can be bought cheap
He is sorry looking animal, but,
Stars and Stripes, if he isn't creased
lightning in a race! To look at him
you wouldn't imagine that he could
run a mile inside of a week, but he's a
living deception.
Just the thing, if could only get
him."
''Of course you can get him. His
owner is a 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 purchase money until he has
proved satisfactory"
Good. If you'll do this I'll be
your lifelong friend"
We'll, I'll do it. Now, you want to
bet all you can on the race when you
have the articles signed for match.
You can get all the odds you want
when they see the horse. You don't
want to make more than one match
either"
why not2"
ooh, nothing; only the horse might
be beaten III a second race. And an
other 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 before the half mile
mark is reached
Mr.. Leicester gave further minute
directions regarding the care of the
animal prior to the race, and then re,
tired to the captains 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.
Accordingly, 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 horsefesh 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 be.
hind.
"Another Joke on the captain" was