Middletown transcript., 1891-10-29
for the first race went up.

| Bowman, turning toward the dressing
room !" I'm in this race. Come to
my room at the hotel Tonight. |
shall be alone, and I'll tell you all
about it."
That afternoon was no different
from all others of its kind. One by
one the races of that day took their
places among the things that had
been. The Leger with its concomi-
tant rattle and roar and rout, came
| and passed, and, like the others, re-
manned but memory. Bowman won
the great race, as he had expected,
and 1 had the pleasure of seeing his
mount, Duenna, canter home four
lengths winner from the Derby and
Oaks, victresses of that year, landing
me the nice little stake for which l
had backed her. The general frenzy
attendant upon the dump had
barely subsidized when 1 felt an
arm slip through mine and Bowman's
voice sounded in my ear.
These people will drive me mad
with their congratulations if I stay
here," he said 8" let US get out of it,
for mercy's sake. Not now; their
eyes are upon US; we shall be follow
ed. When | give the signal we will
slip out"
As he spoke, the numbers for the
next race were hoisted and all eyes
were turned toward the telegram
board. At the same moment Bow
man tugged at my elbow. Now,
he whispered, and we made our way
out of the stand to the main road
outside, where a carriage was in wait
ing, and at once drove off to the hotel.
Arriving here we separated. Bow
man reminding me of my promise to
see him after dinner. Punctually at
the appointed timeI went to his
room, and, as | expected, found
him alone. He had. he told me,
given orders that we were not to be
disturbed. A few minutes later and
we were comfortably seated before
the FIRE, with our tobacco furnaces in
full blast. After a few thoughtful
puffs at his cigar, Bowman broke the
silence.
When we parted this morning" !"
he began, l promised that l would
tell you the story of John Rowland.
You shall have it now. But first, /
must exact one promise from you,
and it is that you will never reveal
this story to others, or in any way
make it public, until after my death
assuming that you survive me"
gave him the required promise,
and he proceeded.
"The succession OF strange events
which am about to relate date their
commencement as far back as twelve
years ago, soon after | had landed
the City and Suburban on Gay De-
ceiver, which, you will remember,
was the first big race was successful
in. / was riding at the Fullingham
Whitsuntide meeting, and, having
had good season so far. had managed
to get my name pretty we'll up among
the natives. It was early in the
morning of the third day that note
was brought me from John Rowland,
a bookmaker, in which he asked me
to ride filly of his, called Fenella,
who was entered in the two-year.old
five-furlong sweepstakes that day. I
didn't like John Rowland for many
reasons. one of which was that l have
keen hatred of book-makers as a
body, and another, because he was
one of the worst specimens of his class,
or to put it shortly,a a rufian and a
bully. However, in business, likes
and dislikes have to be put aside.
The man was willing to pay my terms,
was disengaged, and in those days
couldn't afford to throw a mount
away. l sent word Of acceptance
When I got to the course that after
noon l heard that Rowland had been
backing his filly for all he could gel
on, having made certainty of win
ming. l knew he had been hit hard
two or three times lately, and was,
therefore. not surprised to hear this,
though naturally it always makes me
feel bit anxious when I know an
owner had heavily backed the horse
am riding for him. Well, when I got
the jacket on and was going into the
paddock TO mount, Rowland's trainer
Yates, came up to me with a troubled
look on his face.
"I'm half afraid of this business OF
Howland's. he said to me. "The
filly has never been out before, and
is just as nervous as a kitten. She
won her trial easily enough, and il
she runs up to that she'll land ; but
| don't like the business, and | don't
like Howland's mood to-day. He's
been drinking heavily Never knew
him to 60 such a raker before, betting
more like a mailman than a sane
bel ng."
When | mounted Fenella, l
noticed that she was sweating freely
and trembling like leaf. She was
one of the sweetest fillies ever saw,
a bonny bright bay, with white
blaze on her forehead, and when I
patted her on the back by way of en-
couragement, she turned her head
and gave me look out of her eyes
that was just like that of human
being. AS we passed the ring, on
our way to post, Rowland stood
against the rails tugging at his beard,
and watching us as we went up
the course. | walked the FLY along,
patting her gently the while you
wouldn't believe what an effect that
patting has upon nervous youngster,
and by the time We had reached the
ssta frtteef she So was quite eo and quiet.
/ got we'll away when the flag fell
and at once started to make the pace
as hot as I could, for / knew that to
keep her front was my best chance.
If | had LET her be collared by any