Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-08-26
Written for the Sunday Rs0iHsr.
THE JOCKEYS GHOST.
Love and Horses = Jack Barth'S
Fate on the COlumbiana
Race Track.

large and well appointed race course
run In connection with the Columoiana
fair grounds. The fair began in Ocio-
Der, and for the season OF SO the mana
gers had secured some good horses.
The track, although used for o long
time had never had an accident In It's
history, either to man or horse, and
the first had some peculiar facts con-
nected with it.
Among the jockeys who came to Co.
lumbl fair for the races was boy
OF IS, Jack Barth. He was q bright
and handsome boy and fine rider, had
plenty OF ambition, aud often dream ed
Of the time when he, at the head OF his
profession, would receive a salary like
Snapper Garrison, and other kings OF
the turf.
Jack was honest and trustworthy
and had the confidence OF his employ
ers, two brothers who owned small
stable OF runners. But though honest
as far as riding went, the boy had one
falling. His handsome face gained him
many admirers among the girls, whom
he would firt with and make love TO
without much regard for truth OF state
ment. In the fell of SO he had two
sweethearts, one farmers daughter
and the other q clerk In a dry goods
store in little town not far from Co.
iumbiana Before the races he went 10
bid goodbye to both.
Now Jack had only meant to have
little Irritation, but they were both In
love with him, and neither knew OF the
existence of the other. he had done
grevious harm, and was now aware OF
the fact. and heartily wished be had
never seen either Of the girls.
He went TO sec Mary Rockwell the
day before the races. She lived on a
little farm about five miles from town.
After tender greeting he ted her OF
his intended departure, and that he
would net return for some time. A wlsi-
full expression came over her bright
young face, and tears stood In her eyes.
Jack" she said, Pm sorry you are
going away, and them don't believe
you're true TO me always, are you?
Haven't you another girl somewhere?"
Jacks heart stood still for minute.
Somehow l can't feel sure that You
won't forget me just as soon as you're
gone. | hear mother calling; l must
60" She turned quickly and kissed bis
cheek.
'You will remember that, won't VOC?
Oh, Jack, 'front.' youP'
Until die" be cried, his conscience
reproducing him for his fa!seness; land
after that, until we meet again" But
she was gone.
ed In n IN
back to town. Why should they ring
10 his ears, even when he was saying
farewell to the other girl that night?
And when she too kissed his cheek as
they parted, why did IL burn all night,
as with fire?
The next day he was rid OF the
thought. lie was up with the first ray
of sun at his window, and OF to Column
biana on the early train. Tue town was
full OF people, and the fair grounds
were crowded. Jack was In high
spirits. The Parker Stake, In which he
was TO ride, was set for three o'clock,
and his horse was vicious looking
gray called Chance IL.
"Sav, Barth," said Williamson, one OF
the Jockeys, as they stood looking at
tine horses, "I'd rather you would ride
that gray than me. he looks tricky"
"Oh, / can manage him. He's SLY,
but he can run when no wants too. /
think we're sure TO win"
At3 o'clock, JACK In his riding dress
of white and scarlet, was going up the
track in company with his fayorite, Tai
lyho. The band was playing, the crowd
enthusiastic, the betting heavy. Many
were the admiring comments made on
Chance 1t and his rider. Jack heard
some of them. and thought "l'm sure
TO win, sure.
The horses got of well, and the race
was good one. No one was ever able
TO tell Just how II happened. They
were on the home stretch, with Tallyho
leading, and Chance IL and Baldwin
neck and neck, when there was shout,
a scramble and struggle, a cloud OF
dust, and Chance II dashed on without
a rider, and won the race.
When the frightened crowd reached
the Jockey, he Lay motloness In the
dust. they carried him to the stables,
but he never breathed again. Ills hand
some face was calm and peaceful, but
dyed red aud white TO match his racing
colors, for on the cheek where each OF
bis sweethearts bad pressed her parting
kiss. was a deep red cash, where 1t had
struck against stone.
A year after this the Colum5iana Fair
ouened on Tuesday. The night before
the stables were full Of horses, and the
men were divided into two watches. AZ
twelve o'clock the first watch we're pac-
ing slowly around the stables, when one
OF them saw something white moving
on the other side Of the track. lie paid
no attention to Is at first, supposing II
10 be a horse that had strayed from some
peddier's wagon, but as the object drew
nearer be saw that IL was q man.
A Young man la a Jockeys dress with
a CHASTITY white face, and on his cheek
a red mark, that looked like bleeding
wound. The Waterman sieod motioa-
less with fear, staring at the Figure.
At this moment the others came up, bat
were too frightened TO move. without
a sound, It passed into the stables"
"See here, boys" said one OF the
men, II believe it's some scoundrel
dressed up 10 scare us, and get a. the
horses, let's wake up the rest" They
gave the alarm, and up sprang the
others, TO see the Figure walking slowly
I'D and down In front Of the stalls,
looking at the horses. Up and down IL
went, taking no notice Of the irighten-
ed group in the doorway.
Come on." said Williamson ~ last,
"whateyer IL is, man or devil, it shzn't
touch the horses"
They rushed into the stables, but tae
Figure was gone.
Three nights after the same jockeys
G., tho N1naa