The morning call., 1893-03-13
DUTCH. ROOKIE & CO.,
Pool Sellers and Book-Makers.
No. 1856.
g to 9 Flora E.


"Yes, its cinch. Don't see how Pm
going to lose," were the words the happy
fellow whispered TO his pale-faced neigh
Dor. who turned and critically sized-up the
speaker.
The jubilant ticket-holder was a round
faced fellow with ancient garments that
displayed traces Of dust gathered on many
racecOurses. His battered white tile was
pulled down over his ears, while ,lis mud
stained coat was rolled up around his neck
until 1t almost concealed a big Alnska dia-
mOnd that ornamented sOled shirt front.
Seedy Sport may have been 45 years old.
Perhaps he was 90. No one could guess his
exact age.
They're off" shouted he of the pale face,
and 80 they were, as the tinkling OF the bell
In the pOol-bOX proved.
Many of the spectators neglected TO wit
ness the race, their attention being rveted
on the antics of Seedy Sport His favOrite
got off in the lead and his excitement in
creased ct every bound OF the runners.
Sport forgot all about the mud and rain.
He took of his battered plug and hurled it
into the damp atmosphere as he screamed
with triumphant delight.
''She wins in a wslki"
Watch her go it!'
"Flora's the mare for meP'
Go it, old gal, go it say, and show 'em
how to run!'
Floral Floral! Flora!!T'
These were only few Of his exclama-
tions of Joy before Flora Z reached the
turn. He danced in the mud, tore his hair
and pulled several pickets off the fence
during his delirium of excitement.
But what was that on the stretch? He
stopped his wild dance and rubbed his
eyes. II must be true. Mischief had closed
the gap, passed Flora and was nearing the
wire length ahead.
Poor Seedy Sport! He groaned alond in
anguish as Flora L passed under the " ire
at LEAST length and "A half bAhind faf
My usual luck, he walled as lie tore the
worthless ticket TO pieces. "Why didn't |
play her for place. She wasn't in it to win"
Several spectators tried to cheer up the
discons0late sport by telling him to play Joe
to win the next race. mo use," he said
sadly, ''the bank Is busted and my credit is
gone"
81 wouldn't mind" continued Seedy
Sport, ''if it wasn't for the fact that | am
six months behind for room rent and the
restaurant man wont trust me any MORE
But Pm used 10 that sort of thing. l tell
you If man ain't lucky he'd better let
hurse-racing alone.
why. l never won but one bet in my
life" he mbled on, as he unbuttoned his
coat to display the Alaska sparkleF, land
never cashed that"
Flows that? Well. just this way. For
six months | worked on a ranch in Southern
California and saved up all my wages-SlSO.
1t came on spring, and when ] read about
the big meeting 10 be held in Denver my old
sporting blood was aroused and of 10 ben
yer ! went.
by the opening day OF the races I had
just S120 left. Soon after l arrived at the
track l nosed around the stables until |
picked up a sure-shOt tip. 1t was that IN
the frat race all the horses had been 'stiffed'
TO let The big gelding Terror of the Rockies
win. The Terror was 10 TO l shot. So l
put up all my wad on him and got ticket
calling for $500. You can all gamble that
l was mighty excited when the Terror had
everything his own way from the start and
won in walk.
"'Rich at lastp 1 says to myself. and I
ran to the bOokie to cash the ticket and
draw down that $500 Hully gee how
rich l wasl Then began to feel in my vest
pocket for the ticket Imagine my feelings
if you can when failed to find 1t. 1t must
be in some other pocket, / thought. |
searched frantcslly. The ticket was in
some of my pockets. 1t had been lost or
stolen. Suddenly the truth burst oD my
dazed faculties and | fell fainting into the
arms of policeman. When / regained my
senses l was in cell. The policeman had
arrested me for drunkenness"
And the very rehearsal of that disastrous
days events caused Seedy Sport to stagger
and topple until he of the pale face reache d
out an arm TO support him. Perhaps that
supporting arm prevented Seedy Sport from
again being gathered in by one of the blue
and-brass-guild terrors of all jaggers.
r f'nONYWETT