Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-10-16
- | SKIMPSEY.

- SKIMPSEY. 1.
Whistling, all out of tune, a snatch Of
some popular melody as he sat perched OF
wooden fence, with his peaked cap turned
backward and thrust on the back of his
head, and his miserable thin legs in theil
dirty white breaches, all doubled up, sal
Skimpsey. From under plentiful crop Of
bright red hair shone his blue eyes-eye.
that had merry twinkle in them in spite
of the fact that this was big race day and
2 stake day at Monmouth park. and as YET
Skimpsey had no hope of mount
For Skimpsey was jockey and made his
living on the race track. He had been q
stable boy from the time he was old enough
to lead horse, and now he was eighteen
and full fiedged jockey. Tom Ferrars
was his name once, and Ferrars was the
name run up on the track when he rode
but among the jockeys and stable boys and
the thousand and one loiterers about the
track, he was Skimpsey They had called
him Skimpsey, in their own expressive
fashion, ever since his father died and Tom
had taken to saving money. This is very
unusual in boys about the race track, and
when Tom suddenly ceased betting and
treating his friends to cigarettes and other
various designations in which he had pre-
viously INDUCED, they regarded him with
distrust, if not with absolute dislike.
But if his unpopularity ever troubled
Skimpsey, he never allowed himself to
show it. Always cheerful and good
natured among the boys, and willing and
respectful to his superiors, he soon won
for himself a reputation as conscientious
and capable lightweight jockey. Conse-
quently, his services were often in demand,
and once or twice week Skimpsey made
his way to the city and laid in the lap OF
his mother, who lived in the humblest of
fats in the poor part of the city, very
respectable sum of money. 1t was hard
enough to resist the many temptations at
the track, to bear the jokes and taunts of
the other boys, but when at last he would
place the money in his mothers hand he
would feel fully recompensed.
SklmpSey's mother was a seamstress,
and, as her wan face and bent form at
tested, industriously strove to do her part
with Skimpsey in the brave struggle. OF
father, perhaps the least said
the better. He had been trainer of race
horses, and finally attained an official posi-
ton on the race track. Dying suddenly, it
was discovered that he had robbed the club
of over S., 900; and it was to make up this
deficiency, to restore honor to his dead
fathers name and to his own, that Skimp-
sey, with his mothers assistance, was
working SO industriously. The sum at
first seemed, to these two poor people,
enormous, but the earnings of a good
jockey are surprisingly large, and now, the
amount almost completed, the money lay
in savings bank on Broadway.
And SO it was that Skimpsey whistled
cheerily as he sat all by himself on the
board fence. He thought of his mother,
and how glad she would be when the debt
was paid. She need not work any longer,
he thought, for he could earn money
enough to support them both easily. He
would find her a pleasanter home than
that miserable fat and he would buy her
a green velvet coat, like Mrs. Hinton, the
trainers wife, wore Then when he could
save up some money he would buy him
self new suit of clothes, and, joy of joysl
a silver watch chain with a big silver
horse hanging from it, and perhaps some
day big beaver hat like Dan McCarthy's.
With all these bright visions chasing
each other through his brain, it is not sur
prising that Skimpsey did not hear the
saddling bell for the first RAGE. He did not
even heed the trumpet calling the horses
out and later the roar of the vast crowd as
the cry went up, 'sThey'fe Off They're
off" until suddenly he heard voice say
ing, Here be isp' and Skimpsey jumped
down from the fence as two men ap-
preached him.
"Ferrars," said Mr.. Hinton, the trainer,
here's Mr.. Melville, as wants you TO ride
Maid Marian in the Seaside stakes"
"Whatl me?" cried Skimpsey in delight
full surprise, for he had never ridden in
such Al important race.
Eyes; what's the matter? Don't you
want the mount"
Skimpsey tried to say something, but
failed dismally, and his freckled face
turned redder than eyer in his delight.
"It's $50 to ride, and $3.50 if you win"
said Hinton; and Skimpsey's mind revert
ed to the money 10 the savings bank, now
only short $500 of the 5000.
Mind, Ferrars," said Mr.. Melville, Maid
Marian's owner, you're to ride to win.
Get well off and stay near the front till the
last turn. and then let her out for all she
is worth"
"Now's the time, Skimpsey." added
Hinton, "to make reputation for your
self The mares well in it at ninety eight
pounds and ought to win. There are no
other lightweights free; that's how you
got the mount"
Skimpsey didn't care how it came about.
He only knew that hs was to ride Maid
Marian for the Seaside, to make fifty dol
lars anyway, and perhaps two hundred
and fifty. His blue eyes fairly danced for
Joy at the prospect. How his mother
would bless him if it could only put the
large sum into her hapdl
The Seaside was third on the pr9-
gramme, and there was still another
race to be run Off before it, Skimpsey
strolled over to where three or four stab BILE
boys lay on the grass discussing the vari-
Gus topics of interest to themselves.
"Here comes Skimpseyl cried one.
aHello, skmpsey, amt ridin today ! seep'
'Goin to-" said skimpsey sententiously.
"What ins"
Seaside"
"What on?"
maid Marian"
She's no good; you're not in it."
well, wait and seev' answered Skimp-
sey Hinton says she's fit, and l guess
Hinton knoWsW
That's sol'' said one of the boys, and
the group dispersed to watch the race
which was going on.
Meanwhile Maid Marian, superb chest
nut filly, was being led around the sad
ding paddock. and the second race having
been decided, Skimpsey, in Mr.. Melville'
c9lQrs, with his saddle on his arm, mad
his way IN the weighing room to b!
weighed in.
AS he WIS leaving the place he felt ,
hand laid upon his arm, and looking up h
recognized Grips, the bookmaker.
"Hello, skimpgey" said that worth.
pleasantly, ~ see you're goia to ride Mais
Marian"
"Yes."
"To VIM"
eyes"
swell. Skimpsey, keep dark on this
You like money, and you'll make some b.
winning; bqt mind this, Skimpsey, I'll
hit me hard if you do You'll make COO
thousand if you lose, understand"
Yes. Skimpsey understood. He knew
too much about the race track and it
darker methods not to do SO; but before b.
could find voice in which to reply, thu
bookmaker had gone, land the trumpet hat
sounded to call the horses to the post
Hinton, the trainer, gave Skimpsey lie.
up, and taking Lady Marian by the heat