St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1891-09-05

quarter in q shade better time tina
ever before. began to get Just q trid
apprehensive that had crowded her
little bit too hard and caused the lams
ness Then recalled the soulft
chuckle from George Washington, he
darky groom, when he rubbed he
down and gave her her feed. De
amt no horse dat kin beat 70, hone,
'rcss dcy got WINGS no had murmurc
as he strolscd her clean legs fcl
that there must be . false impressio
out some way and l was about to ez
press myself to that effect when I got
wink from the governor that undes
stood meant that should emulate tn,
example of the clam. shut up an,
think. Iwcnt over to the stable to Sc
the invalid There she was her leg
all wrapped mp in flannel bandagcs, an,
a strong odor of liniment pcrmcatc,
the atmosphere; she must he lame
Several sympathetic natives called an.
offered their condolences. They said |
was really too bad that We had come 6.
far to have to walk back. It would be g
much further.
II was questioned by many as to tn,
extent OF her injury. admitted in my
innocent. childish way that she mus
be lame. The governor had an inter
view with Mr.. Orr. Bob's owner, and
intimated that he would like to have .
show for his white alley. That gentle
man said he knew he had q ,cipch
from che start. and he would stick te
terms of the race as laid down by tho
governor. Soon after the conference
the boss began to hedge, or try to
Odds were offered by Bob's hackers,
and it seemed rs II their money would
60 begging, until the day of the race,
when money was taken at odds on the
mare until quite pot of il was up. In
the excitement nobody seemed to notice
that takers were coming rather anxious
to get all the bets that could be pro-
cured at any odds offered. The time
drew near for the race. and the town
was evacuated. Everybody went out to
the fair grounds to sec it. There was
no regulation costume for that day.
There was the soldier in blue, farmer
in jeans. and the citizen in broadcloth.
1.-The track was q half mile and in
tolerably good condition. There was
no grand stand and the crowd iostled
and stood rs near the track as possible.
The first horse to come on the track
was Bob OF course he received an
ovation. Then the mare followed.
The flannel bandages wcrc still on her
legs and bound SO tight that she
stepped almost stiff legged. Bob's
rider. a boy about my own age. was up
and eager for the start Well. they
took the blanket of of the marc. She
stood with her head well up. eyes
bright. coat sleek, and ears forward.
"'Put the saddle on her. said the
governor. and then, taking me by the
arm and stepping aside. he whispered
My son. there is a heap of money on
his race; force the mare from start to
inish; make him run that first mile rs
Fast rs he can These were my instruc-
ions
Get ready said the starter.
Take the bandagcs or said the
governor. Then ] mounted her and
he horses were headed in the opposite
lircction to which they were going to
un. as was the custom in that country
t that time.
"'Ready.' We leaned forward and
ook a good hold on the reins. clinched
ur teeth. and waited
''Bang, and of we went after wheeling
ur horses about Bob got the advaa-
age on the start by three good lengths.
steadietl my mare and then began
living her the whip from the go. and
oon drew up alongside Of the horse.
forced him: made him strain every
,uscle. He did run nobly for three
uarters of q mile. but could SEQ he
7as weakening just a triflc rs we came |
own the headstrctch on the second |
urn. drew to his nose and he was
hard for all the wind he |
ould get Tho mare seemed to be
citing better. As we passed the |
rowd began to draw away. and how
hey did yell with chagrin. I was only /
kid and didn't have sense enough TO
ct scared, but I realized that that
rowd was mad BY . large majority
Au 1A100S S1O0VAS - =
ad to pass them twice more before
,uld win their money. could hear
oh blowing behind me and I made the
ace . little hotter. When We got just
ast the quarter on the second nile
: quit. His head went down and his
il went up and he was beat A
lme past the crowd the third time ]
new they were red-hot, and something
as liable to happen ut any minute.
gave the mare her full head and then
&c whip and spur. As we rounded the
I'm for the finish that human mass
gan to writhc and surge on 70 the
ack. It seemed to be their intention
block me and make my horse dy tho
ack. She headed right for them as
she was blind. Tho air seemed to
} full of hats. arms. umbrellas and
rong language. There was just .
tie opening left just about wide
eugh to squeeze through As the
ave little mare dashed through that
ragged throng hands clutched at her
idle aud my legA but they never
uched us. saw the governor wav.
g his hand and beckoning me to run
rough the gate and ! did We gal
ped two miles and half into town ,
d then two mileS further until we
{ to rendezvous in the brush. where
e governor had sent our stock for
fcty. The mare had run six miles
d half, and did not seem to b any
: worse for il. either.
After we got everything safe we
mt back to town and collected our {
Is William Hikcock protected uA
got the right tip before the race. I
n see. Wild Bill. as he was moro ]
niliarly called. made Springfield his
adquarters about that time. We left
It night I don't know what their I
culating medium was after We left.
We cnA a1nr>et III a. ->~>- g.