Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-10-12

| ing, Come by Cha nee" (agedl, pedigree
unknown, the Handicapped had let him
in with only 10 ST. lbs, and, with a
first-rate jockey engaged to ride,
might as well be excused for looking
upon the Tally-ho steeplechase as al
ready in my pocket. Mine being dark
horse, too, and trained privately, and
nothing consequently being known
about him, should doubtless be
enabled to get good odds about him at
the post; another advantage was look
ing forward to with good deal of
pleasure, you may depend.
Yes, was a proud man, can tell
you, that December morning, when ac-
companied by few chosen friends, all
in the 'know," and in high spirits at
getting on real good thing" as they
termed it, at long price, we started
from the club in succession of cabs
bound to Waterloo station en- route to
| Sandown.
When thought, too, of the open
hearted way had impaired the secret
to everybody knew, from my own per-
my lodging. and the servants at the
club, | felt quite philanthropist.
There should be no coming up to me
with reproachful looks, and II say, old
chappie, do think you might have put
an old friend on to the good thing,
pom my soul do" OF that was de-
termined. There is nothing mean or
selfish about me, thank goodness! Oh
dear, no.
Arrived at Sandown, we first of all
proceeded in a body to the paddock,
where introduced my friends to Come
by Chance" who, with stable boy on
his back and led by my groom, was
walking round and round in his accus-
toned, oldfashioned manner. We then
made tracks for the stand.
The Tally-ho steeplechase stood third
on the card, and it looked 'healthy''
for our luck, as one of my friends re-
marked when we spotted the successive
winners of the two preceding events, a
selling steeplechase and hunters
hurdle.
We went in a body to the paddock to
see our horse saddled, in higher spirits
than ever. Alas! we little thought, as
chattering and laughing we passed
through the paddock gate, how uncere-
monio usly our mirth was about to be
dispelled, and our joy turned to woe.
We were met the moment we set foot
into the inclosure by little C apt. Copper
| (quite the best of the soldiers), who
was to ride Come by Chance" with a
| face as white nearly as the cap he
wore
81 say, old feller," he exclaimed,
rushing up, there's the devil to pay
over yonder," pointing, as he spoke,
| with his whip to the far end of the pad
dock where my horse was.
"There's bucolic party" he went
on, swearing the horse is his, and sc
far from being maiden he's won hall
the steeplechases IN England. He was
stolen from his place six months ago,
SO he says, and-but there, for heavens
sake, come and see the cove yourself.
don't understand it, dashed if | dol"
AS pale in the face by this time as
my poor little friend, Copper, | hurried
off, best pace, to learn the worst. Sure
enough, when | elbowed my way
! through the crowd collected round my
horse, there was a stout, red-faced per-
son of horsey appearance, evidently in
rabid state of excitement, haranguing
the lookers-on generally and my unhap
py groom in particular in most aggres-
sive fashion.
"Oh! here you be at last then, be
you?" was his insolent greeting as
came up.
II am Mr. Somerfeld if that's what
you mean," said l, loftily what
might you want?"
''Wot might ! want? Haw-haw-
haw, that's a good 'un, too, that isP'
roared red face. "Wot might want,
indeed? Why, want my 'oss, to be
sure-my oss, as was stolen six months
ago from my place near Barnet, where
he was turned out to grassland wots
more, mean to have him"
"'Come by Chance your horse?"
| stammered.
"To be sure he is" was the confident
.eply-"at least Barnacles is-that's his
proper name. Here's his description