The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-01-17

THERE, MA. WE DONE IT, DIDN'T wE?"
A fash and glcam of color in the
dust cloud under the wire, and they
are gone again. But the pace is killing
now, the bunch is breaking apart, bot
tom and endurance are beginning to
tell. One by one the weaker fall out
and drop to the rear. till now at the
last quarter only three are left lin it"
at all. Down the stretch they come,
whip, hand and spur, distendcd nos
trils and eyes tulging from the sock
cts. Big Tom crowding the pole and
coming like whirlwind; he rushed by
the gray filly and the favoritc nowhere,
away back in the rear.
Close by the railing on the grand
stand is the mother, with the wind
tossing her neglected hair about her
face, her hands claspcd over her breast,
and her eyes strained on the flying
horses. If an eye had noted her in that
brcathless time they would probably
have wondered ut her rapt excitement.
But they never kne w the mother love
or fear that struggled in that throb-
bling heart or saw it in the fire of
those staring eyes, rs her boy, her
baby, dashes under the wire.
Colt, you've got il this time, hit him
again, my moneys on the favorite aud
she's nowhere"
big Tom, Attic Collins mount, wins
by neck" reads the judge, and the
great event, the midsummer derby, is
over.
Is it quiet now? A thousand voices
blend in one mighty cheer as the win
IL liz -
rocking and rccling from the race A
thousand CANDY .licrchiefs wave them
welcome. Where is the favorite now?
The idol of the morning is now down
in the dust and another installed in it's
stead. And they ch Ger themselves
hoarsc anew over the new favorite, and
almost carry horse and ri der from the
track
With pale, bloodlcss face, and limbs
that will hardly sustain him when
helped to the ground, the boy staggers
into the stall where the mother has
returned to await him. With cry her
outstretched arms receive him lust as
his strength is gone and he totters to
fall.
There, ina. we done it, didn't we?"
he faltcrcd "Old Tom won the DERBY
and amt John happy now? We won't
nave TO race any more now, will we,
mother? Never have to ride again.
Oh, am so glad, for was afraid to-
day. Yes, mother, I was, that would
never get through that race But did
mother, didn't -"
THANK God for that, too my bov."
she whispered, as she carcsscd the
flushed forehead.
And won't we be happy, then, YOU
and and John, now old Tom has paid
the mortgage on the farm again. You
won't be tired and sick, then and
his voice faltcrcd and n flood of crimson
blood gushcd from his lips.
Some great artery ovcrchargcd and
overtnXcd in the excitement had sue
cumbed, and now ere help could come
1T was too late. Yes, brave boy, you
have backed your last mount and won
your last race. You will never ride more
save to cross the dark valley
While the gay throng outside chaffcd
and chccred and sang praises of the
new favoritc, he lay in the broken
hearted mothers arms and watched
the cbbing of his life tide.
Don't cry, mother dear, I am going
to see father now and little brother
Tell John good-by, mother, when he
comes, and tell him to be good to old
Tom and-it's-it's so dark, mother,
draw me closer, yet, and kiss me good
by"
The head dropped and the little tired
form quivcred-the rider-boy was dead
Joe brentwood, in Western Rural.
Mrs Youngwifc-"Havc you any
shad?" Fishmongcr-"Ycsm Mrs