The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-03-02
A STORY OF THE TURF
DOES IT SOLVE A MYSTERY OF LONG
STANDlNG7

4 ne fdclnR 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
equipages, handsome, well dressed men
and beautiful women all conspired 70
drive away care no matter what ones
trouble might be.
So l thought as, comfortably seated
In huge rocking chair, looked about
me from the piazza Of the Grand Union
hotel one glorious morning in July,
lSe-. All the people near me seemed
intent ON discussing only one subject
viz, racing. l remember distinctly to
have caught several times the expires
sion: He's sure winner. Nothing can
beat him. " Then again some one would
say: Tho Black Whirlwind is a won
der. He will win in a walk, " and va
rious 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 a
quiet smoke. After having traversed
two or three blocks found myself just
behind two gentlemen walking leisure
ly along, who seemed to be talking
about something in very serious man
ner The walk being narrow, made
no effort to pass them and lazily follow
cd behind. enjoying my beloved pipe.
Very soon l 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 as Mr. A. said
to the other, $50 you are surely going
TO start him in the - stakes today,
are youY'
The smaller man (whom | will desig-
nate as Mr.. ID. } 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 no will
start and win too.
"Well. said Mr.. H., 81 have a prop
osition to make, or rather, l should say,
a bet to propose.
Lets hear it, " said Mr.. d.
In very cold and measured tones Mr.
III. then said, 'Mr. d., l will bet you
50, 900 that if your colt crosses the wire
first today the race will not be given to
him and So. 00O additional that if you
do start him he will never again run in
another race. "
BY this time l was trembling with
excitement but something beyond my
control forced me to continue being an
unwilling eavesdropper
Mr.. ID. 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 be thought of for
n moment.
'Well," replied Mr.. H., "a little
bird brought me some extremely inter-
esting news about your colt, and / do
not believe that my mental faculties
have forsaken me. l repeat that / am
willing to make the wager, and l know
full well that | thoroughly understand
what am saying and doing. Do you
accept the wager or not, Mr.. d. ?"
All this time l was only few feet
behind them, regulating my pace by
theirs and trying to appear very preoc-
cupicd.
After some hesitation Mr.. ID. replied
that he would consider the matter and
would give an answer before ! O'Clock.
Somehow l did not feel as if l had
committed a very great offense in listen
ing, but at any rate l thought that l
had heard enough. so l turned and re-
traced my footsteps, thinking there was
something very peculiar in what / had
overheard worried over it so much
that l concluded TO go out 80 the race
course. l called a cab and was soon
there. IN the betting pavilion l APP
preached man who seemed ito the
manner born" and politely asked if he
know anything about horse called
the Black Whirlwind " He under
stood at once and told me the proper
name was fremont, and went on to say
that in all America there was not a
8-year old who could outrun him. >"
After thanking him for his informa-
ton | went up to the grand stand and
N'N@N NHNAtt'NA % IARkAaAAAntt aulO
enough. fremont was entered in the
fourth race Very impatiently / sat
there and waited Finally the first race
was run, which l watched with little |
or no interest, and after the Jockeys had |
dismounted again made my way to the
betting ring | stood ON the outskirts |
of the crowd, quite interested in what |
saw and heard, though / could not UNI
derstand the modus operandi of the |
bookmakers- Suddenly heard loud |
shout from the end Of the ring / tried |
TO ascertain what was the matter. but |
was pushed and jostled about By the
crowd SO savagoly that could not get
an answer to my inquiries. Soon, how
ever, l heard voice cry out, Scratch |
Tremontr'
This was repeated by many ON all |
sides. Every one appeared surprised. l
and no one seemed able to give any rca-
son for the colts withdrawal.
After the excitement had somewhat |
subsidized l returned 10 the grand stand |
and sat there. thinking deeply re-
membered the conversation Of few
hours previous, and tried very hard to /
form some opinion as 10 the ms and /
outs of what considered n worry Str,,.,, /