Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-10-20
OF THE TURF
DOES II SOLVE A MYSTERY OF LONG
STANDING!

VIZ DID As. Dwyer's Tre0oat Su0denly
Esd His Racing Csseers-Ths Question
- Aes-semcsAiag That WIN Rs Par
ssculasiy Interesting Co Hersene,.
The racing season had begun, and in
consequence Saratoga was thronged with
visitors. The hotels were crowded, and
the cottages had long since been taken.
The balmy air, the sight Of magnificent
eQuipagcs, handsome, we'll dressed men
and beautiful women oil conspired to
drive away care, no matter what ones
trouble might be.
So I thought as, comfortably seated
IN huge rocking chair. looked about
me from the piazza Of the Grand Union
hotel one glorious morning In July,
1ss-. All the people near me seemed
intent ON discussing only one subject
viz, racing. I remember distinctly to
have caught several times the express
sion: Hes sure winner. Nothing can
beat him" Then again some one would
say: 1.-The Black Whirlwind is o Won
der. He will win in walk" and va
Sious other like opinions. Not being ia
miliar with race horses and racing
slang, was unable to make heads or
tails out Of all had heard, and realiz-
ing that was out Of my element / con-
cluded to take stroll and indulge in o
quiet smoke. After having traversed
two or three blocks found myself just
behind two gentlemen walking leisure
" along, who seemed to be talking
about something in very serious man.
ner. Tho walk being narrow, mado
no effort to pass them and lazily follow
cd behind, enjoying my beloved pipe.
Very soon I again heard the word
"Whirlwind," and / confess that my
curiosity was greatly excited. Just at
this moment rather stiff summer
breeze came up, and bearing directly
toward us waited distinctly to me their
conversation. The larger Of the two
(whom will designate rs Mr.. A. said
20 the other, $50 you arc surely going
TO start him in the - stakes today.
are your"
The smaller man (whom will desis-
nate as Mr. d. replied: why, certain
ly. I'm sure to win. There Is nothing
eligible to start that can make my colt
even extend himself. OF course he will
start and win too"
"Well," said Mr.. H., II have prop
osition to make. or rather, should say,
bet to propose"
Lets hear IL, =" said Mr.. d.
In very cold and measured tones Mr..
II. then said. MIR. D.. will bet you
e5, 900 that If your colt crosses the wire
first today the race will not be given to
him and s.. 900 additional that if you
do start him he will never again run in
another race"
By this time was trembling with
excitement, but something beyond my
control forced me to continue being an
unwilling eavesdropper.
Mr.. u. quickly replied: why, what
is the matter with you? Has anything
unusual happened that has caused your
good sense to forsake you? Your propo-
sition is too foolish to DO thought Of for
moment"
WELL" replied Mr.. H., "a little
bird brought me some extremely inter
esting news about your colt, and I dc
not believe that my mental faculties
have forsaken me. I repeat that am
willing to make the wager, and know
full we'll that thoroughly understand
what am saying and doing. Do you
accept the wager or not, Mr.. d."
AL this time was only q few feet
behind them, regulating my pace by
theirs and trying to appear very preoc
cupied.
After some hesitation Mr.. d. replied
that he would consider the matter and
would give an ans wer before O'Clock.
Somehow did not feel as if hat
committed very great offense in listen
ing, but at any rate ! thought that
had heard enough. so turned and re
traced my footsteps, thinking there wa!
something very peculiar in what I hat
overheard. / worried over it SO muci
that I concluded to go out to the rac'
course. called cab and was soor
there. In the betting pavilion up
preached q man who seemed Ito tn,
manner horn" and politely asked if hi
knew anything about q horse callet
1.-The Black Whirlwind He under
stood at once and told me the prope
name was fremont, and went ON to ga,
''that in all America there was not ,
3-yenr.o old who could outrun him."
After thanking him for his informa
ton went up to the grand stand an,
there purchased o programme. Sur
enough, fremont was entered in tn
fourth race. Very impatiently 50
there and waited. Finally the first roc
was run, which I watched with littl
or no interest, and after the jockeys ha1
dismounted again made my way to tn
betting ring. ] stood ON the outskirt
Of the crowd, quite interested in what
sow and heard, though could not I'M
dGrstand the modus operandi Of tn
bookmakers. Suddenly heard lou
shout from the end Of the ring. trie'
to ascertain what was the matter, bu
was pushed and jostled about by tn
crowd so savagely that could not &c
IN answer to my inquiries. Soon, how
ever. heard voice cry out. ''Scratol
Tremoutr'
This was repeated by many ON al
0ides EVERY ono upDeared gururiNed