Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-07-26
FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.
INTERESTING READING FOR YOUNG
PEOPLE.
How Tom Barlow Won a Trick Race
Against y Pony-MakinE the Best
OF Failure-Thc Dog ON Guard.

OF Failure-Thc Dog ON Guard.
It had been customary for the boys
Of the Anchor Academy, ever since
that institution Of learning had become
the pride of Barnstown. to wind up the
years studies with a series of games
and athletic sports.
Every year the lads tried to Guido
the many startling feats of those who
had preceded them, and as early as
March they began to plan for their
fleld-day. 1t was deemed necessary to
conclude the day of sports with some
entirely new and original game.
Now it is not an easy task to think
up something in the way of sports
that is at once entertaining and really
new, but the boys at Anchor Academy
We're noted for their originality, and
each year managed to electrify the
spectators with some startling depar-
ture from the hard -trodden paths.
This year many suggestions were
made. but not until Tom Barlow came
to the front and said that he would
run race around small track with
any Of his schoolmatcs, the latter to
be mounted on ponies, the boys were
at sea as to what they would under
take.
Toms suggestion was laughed at
when first made, the other boys saying
that such a race would be ridiculous,
as it would be foregone conclusion
that the pony would win.
"Well," said Tom, you may all think
it would prove farce, but if you Let
me stake off track that shall be round
and let me name the conditions of the
match, I'll give all my bats to the base
ball club if don't win"
This started the boys thinging, and
as they knew Tom had level head,
was feet of foot and highly priced his
stock of bats, they concluded to adopt
his suggestion.
1t was agreed that Tom should lay
off the track on the campus, it being
further understood that he was not to
have it over 600 feet long, and to make
the race more interesting Tom was al
lowed to have the exact lines of his
track remain a secret until the day of
the race.
There. We're number Of candidates
for the honor of competing against
Tom, and it was resolved that trial
race should be held, in which all the
aspirants could have a chance of prov
ing the speedof their ponies. This was
after the manner of selecting cup de-
fender in international yacht racing,
and the idea greatly pleased the boys.
So one Saturday afternoon nine lads,
with as many ponies, reached the cam
pus. A track was staked off on the
turf, care being taken to make it just
600 feet long. 1t was agreed that
there should be three trials at least,
and any one pony winning twice out
of the three times should oppose Tom
in the race.
At given signal the nine sleek
ponies We're sent off at brisk gal
lop. Ned Brown on a dapple gray
charger, went to the front at the first
jump, eagerly pursued by seven other
racers. George Baker was in the rear.
which surprised the onlookers.
When one-third the distance had been
Travelled it was noticed that the bunch
Of leaders were away off the track,
while Barker's black pony, going on an
casey canter, Rugged the line. When
two-thirds Of the distance had been run
the big bunch that had started in the
lead were galloping wildly out in the
field. unable to turn into the track,
while George Barker was going along
easily. George won, while the others
were scattered 100 feet and more from
the finish line.
The result greatly surprised the boys
on the turf, who had watched the trial,
and it began to dawn upon them that
Tom Barlow was not so far wrong as
they had originally thought. They saw
that pony going at full speed could
not hold the track, but would natur-
ally swerve out Of the course.
The second trial was won by Barker,
and it was settled that he should COM
pete in the grand event.
When the field-day came the entire
population of the village assembled
around the campus. 1t was a very
pretty scene, the bright colors Of tho
gowns worn by the girls blending nice
~ with the surrounding foliage.
The preliminary games were won and
lost in gallant style; the visitors were
crowned with laurels and the losers
received plenty Of sympathy. But the
race between boy and pony was the alb
sorbing event Of interest and the spec
tators were glad when 1t alone remain
ed Of the long programme.
Tom Barlow came out dressed in the
light costume Of runner, and soon
put to rest all speculation as to the
length Of the track. Quickly he stretch
ed rope around a space he had pre-
viously staked off, and when he finish
ed the Spectators saw little ring,
about $50 feet long, This was the first
surprise.
Then Tom said he was ready, and
George Barker and his pony were
brought out to the starting point, Then
came the second surprise Tom had
been allowed to name the conditions,
and he announced that the race would
be run the wrong way Of the track.
This rule provoked storm of oppo,
sition, and George Barker was particu.
larly angry, for he had trained his
pony to go the other way, and had
never dreamed of such a condition be.
ing imposed. But all objections were
| of no avail.
The race was run and did prove q
farce, but not in way such an out
| come was predicted when it was first
| suggested, Tom ran like n deer when