The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1893-04-22
BAY ST. LOUIS, MISS, SATURDAY, APRIL 22 1898.
want to see some one before tho

races"
The manager looked at his fayorite
wirer sharply. Roberts honest eyes
were troubled and his cheeks flushed.
"All right, my lad. You have never
asked for a holiday before. Take the
whole day." and the manager turned
to his desk.
IA half day is plenty, sir. Ill be
back by one o'clock. Thank you," and
Robert, hat in hand, was already on
his way to the railroad station.
It was but fifteen minutes ride to
Appleton. Robert was just in time to
catch the first train, filed with a mer-
ry-go-lucky crowd, already on their
way to the races.
Robert in the corner by the stove,
lodged out the car door as soon as ZAP
pleton'' was called, and, outstripping
the other passengers, reached the trot-
ting park first.
A man came toward him, swinging
his cane, as if he were person in au-
thority.
"'Tain't open yet" he said to Robert
VI only want to see James johnson
a moment; is he here?"
Hes over there" and the man
pointed with his thumb to row of
stall sheds.
Robert rad in the direction indicated,
to find johnson grooming Longshanks
till his bay coat shone like damask.
He's a beauty, amt hep" was John
sons salutation, showing no surprise
at Roberts appearance. "Come after
your gold temp
mo-" said Robert, "but I've brought
you another if you'll give up that elec-
trio spur business"
johnson whistled, then broke into a
laugh.
''Got to think it's wrong, have you?"
he said, at length.
"Yes," replied Robert, 81 do. 1
think it's cheating"
johnson had already mounted, and
clutching the bride was off in flash
on bare back Longshanks.
Robert waited. and several others.
gathered to watch, Johnson's prelimi-
nary dash, as they considered it.
High-mettled LongshanlSs, in perfect
condition and fresh from the stall,
flung his hoofs in the gayest spirits
Its we'll to take the edge off," said
some one. as suddenly the horse broke
his gait, and reared and plunged, as it
stepping on needles.
1t was the touch of the electric spurs
he felt. Springing forward he came to
SO sharp halt that johnson was flung
head first upon the turf,
Longshanks dashed on again, far
around the smooth, rolled track, but
Johnson did not stir.
K Robert ran quickly toward him,
while others hastened to catch the VAL
liable horse before he had spent all his
speed in his mad course round the
race track.
Are you hurt?" asked Robert, in
tremble, as he bent over Johnson.
Yes, some," he answered, like one
collecting his senses after a stunning
blow. ''Get the battery away quick
before they find it."
In an instant Roberts nimble fingers
had abstracted it, and shipping the
wire that held it to the spur he
plunged both wire and battery into his
own pocket.
A surgeon fastened toward them.
Robert pushed the promised gold piece
into Johnson's pocket, then stood one
side to make way for the surgeon.
Poor fellow, he's off in a swoon,"
said the surgeon, having him lifted to
stretcher, "but he'll pull through"
With this verdict Robert hastened to
take his train for home.
Il Il n
1t was a month later when johnson,
his arm still in splints, entered the
electric station.
'rm going to set up a fruit-stall on
the corner, Rob-" he said. 'Horse.
riding hasn't brought me no good, and,
Rob"
"Yes?'
They've just made rule 'gainst
connecting up spurs with 'lectric bat