Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-05-25
A BOAT RACE STORY.

Cambridge university eight. Ee was a
man greatly to be onvied. Wcalthy--his
father was large mine owner in the
north - popular, good looking and
thought to be one of the best strokes
turned out from either university for
some time. Last, but not least, he was
engaged to be married at Easter to Ruth
Meynell, as bonny lass as need be,
with whom he had been i'll love for some
years.
1t was the afternoon before the great
event when the following telegram
reached him,
Meet me, Kings Cross, $50. DAvENAHT.
Jack was delighted, for it had been q
great disappointment to him when his
father had told him that business of i'm
portance would prevent his witnessing
the race When the train glided slowly
into the station, you may be sure that
cordial greeting was exchanged be-
tween father and son. Bnt Jack was
startled to see how greatly altered his
fathers appearance was from what it
had been three months before.
"Well, LUw do you think m looking,
dad?" he exclaimed presently, when
they We're seated in Il private sitting
room i'll tho Great Northern hotel "We
are all of us III good form, believe, and
shall make tie Oxford lot do all they
know, I'm certain. There's only one
thing can't make out Have you no.
ticed how strongly the betting goes on
Oxford? 1t was 4 to on i'll this even
ing's paper. If it were not absurd, l
should think that there was some plot
on to damage cur boat or something,
only that's impossible. But anyhow 1
cam help feeling anxious. Those book
les are generally right in their odds on
this race, and there is nothing in our
respective form and times to warrant
the long Odds Do you know, feel that
/ must win this race. I'd willingly give
five years Of my life to be certain of it !"
Here Jack saw his father turn ghastly
pale He darted out of the room and
was back again in Il minute with some
brandy, which he made his father swal-
low, and waited with intense eagerness
to hear what was the matter, anxiously
requesting to be allowed to send for a
doctor at once.
"No," said his father, "that is no
good. l have already consulted one about
these heart seizures, which are common
enough just now. Ny doctor says that
any intense excitement might carry me
off like the crack of a gun. Those were
his words. But that doesn't matter,
jack" he added brace yourself for a
great shock, one which will try even
your strong nerves. Jack, my poor boy,
your words went through me like a
knife Just now. Mine is dreadful er-
rand up here to see you today. Jack,
have come to tell you that we are utter
ly ruined. Fool-villain that 1 am,
have, urged with the desire to leave you
vast wealth, specialized largely and
lost. "
At first Jack thought that his father
had taken leave Of his songca. The G,loc::
was tremendous, but varsity strC.;os
are the material Of which the leaders O.:
fcglorn hopes are made. lis strict train
ing and strong nerves soon came to li-
aid, and ne tried to cheer up his fachc;'
by the usual conlmonE lacos of hoping.
that it WASH It so bad as his father dread
*, it 20 be. And then tho thought of III.
eseat event i'll which lie was to take
spoh 81 prominent part on the morrow
rushed across his mind, and he couldn I
help saying:
But if you love me, as you say you
do, how could you bring me such ghaat-
~ news at such time rs this, when
the fact Of my knowing it one day soor-
er o. later could make 10 earthly differ
enco 20 orr circumstaLccB? 1t was wick
edly cruel not to keep the news till after
tt.c race.
"2top, Jack" his father replied,
"You mustn't blamo me uljustly. You
have sufficient reason to blame, yes,
hato, ne without that. Listen! told
you [ loved you, and / do 1t was fol
you that / have acted as l have done.
AS just said, / am doomed man. Al
the outside, am only given one year tc
live End time being SO short, and my
affairs so sLiky, what was 1 to do
Draw closer to me, closer, Jack 4
whisper heard would he fatal"
Jack bent down his head, and his face
became as white as his fathers. AnG
this is what he heard:
"Jack, have put every haIfpenny
possess, and more-e50, O00-on OXFORD
for tomorrow's race.
For moment Jack looked at his IA
; ther. He was fairly staggered. Then
without word, he took up his hat ant
left the hotel, haunted by his father
pale, entreating face, and made his wa,
to the training quarters.
The day of the race broke bright ant
fair, and London turned out hlr thou
sands of holiday makers, as only LondoI
can. The race was finely contested
throughout, and it was only in the las
quarter of mile that the light blu
flag forged slowly ahead, and after tn
most exciting struggle ever Witnessed
if we except the memorable dead heat
Cambridge won.
Ruth Meynell, who was staying witt
some friends i'll town to witness the race