Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-07-23
sAXIFRAGE.
ftx5BtRai,t, is9s. |

pGfIeCb III lktS sfLu ItIilD, WItl1 lIo SpSSA OA whirlwind the Iiettle of hero But it was not so much his speed which gave him first place in all hearts as the stay, the bulldog grit, by which he wore down and conquered his rivals while giving them lumpslof weight. He had won at least his weight in silver for his packers purely on his courage Naturally they plunged on him when he was named to start at m 6ven imp5st, with the only two colts any Where hear his class, in q match for s5, 900 a corner over q distance of ground.
 "Play Saxifrage straight. YouH have money to burn. Same as if you fodfid il" the racegoers said one to another Wha6 time they were not lamenting that the prowess of their champion forced them to give odds in place of taking them. That was not surprising though. The wonder was that even the neryiest booky did not bar Saxifrage or turn his slate in face of the rush to back him. Many of them did do it, but not Hawkins. He was short, slight fellow, with a. lisp and blue eyes set in a pink, cherubic countenance. When he won out on each race Q shade of sad ness was visible, but when the ring was hit till good half of 1t went broke then was Hawkins q pattern of tranquil ipfan- tine gayety. It was his idiosyncrasy to do astonishing things. So his writing as good as Skto against Saxifrage passed as merely the Shim of a man who felt he had a character for eccentsicity to maintain. Nobody remembered that a month before a stranger at the track watching the ex- ercise gollops had said, looking after the golden chestnut: "So that's Saxifrage A good looker too, but it takes more than looks to win. Why, last week in Ken | lucky saw a dead match to him-height | color, the turn of t hair, by the same sire out of a sister to his dam-and he don't earn his oats. He can run of course | must with those legs under him-but is a | 6ur-tho rankest coward. He'll start all | Tight enough, but let him hear hoofs be- | Side him, and he stops to walk. You | might cut him to pieces, and he wouldn't | do more than trot.'
 Hawkins was lounging past, his hands | in his pockets. He said not word to the | stranger and was bstentatiously in evil | dence for the next week. But q tall spare, | nervous, black eyed lad, who had a habit | of blushing when spoken to and was Flaw kins' elbow shadow. disappeared for that length of time. Then Hawkins got tel ! egram. It was signed Sue and read: "Your twin brother has been found and will meet you at the old plaee. Run up if | you can spare day"
 Hawkins crushed it in his hand and | looked so downcast that tho man next to him said compassionately:
 "No bad news, I hope"
 'tIt may mean trouble" Hawkins said, his head dropping moro than ever. After ward he walked away, whistling softly the air of "Old Hundred"
 
 | Weather and track were perfect when the match came of. It drew together a holiday throng of shouting, laughing, l pushing thousands and Saxifrage was on I Is owner proudly confident The good beast had answered yes to the question of his final preparation and in such hollow style l nobody who saw it could think the race | in doubt. Yet with his accustomed crank mess Hawkins even lowered odds point. | When Jenkins, the head groom, who had not left Saxifrage's stall for 36 hours be- fore tho horse was led out for his preliml- nary, came up and said: "Gimme 30 O that, Muster Hawkins. I may as well be robbin ye as any O tho rest" the book maker smiled languidly as he replied; "Jcnk, you don't understand. It's q mat ter of professional pride. I shall live in turf history as the man who dared to lay 3 to 5 against your colt, and that will be worth what lose.'
 Nobody in tho surging crowd had caught the telegraphing from the eye of the groom to that of the bookmaker. .Jen- kins sauntcred away, clutching his ticket. Hawkins sprang down from his box.
 "Come!' he said, touching the tall lads arm. "Come! I want to watch this race from end to end"
 The tall lad got white. "We had better go," he whispered, "Go clean away. Re- member, if anything came out''-
 Don't be fool, Susan,'' Hawkins re turned in the same key. "Come! wouldn't miss it-not for half we stand to win.'
 
 The colts broke even the second time they were sent away. As the roar of tht sea came the shout, "They're off!' Of with Saxifrage leading a clear length The roar swollcd to q thunder: "Saxi frage! Saxifrage! Saxifrage! Come on you beauty! Beat them hands down!'
 Even Hawkins paled shade. His com panion grew deathly. The bookmaker put out hand. Susan, Susan," he said ten derly, 'don't fail your husband when fail | ure means ruin!'
 At his words warm flush chased awa1 tho whiteness. The dark eyes swam witt tears, but Hawkins had no thought tt give them. His eye was glued to the glass He saw half way home the chestnut stll leading, his tail waving defiance in thu l face of his nearest foe.
 
 he said under his breath. He might hav shouted 1t unhcard in tho triumphant ba bel about him. Suddenly he gave 0 lov joyous note and dropped his glass; Blink bonnie, the last horse, had locked the lead CT as they came into the stretch. He wa coming, coming, stretching himself as tn , chestnut shortened his stride. A stunned second the onlookers held breath; thel s broke into cries and curses as dayligh grew and broadencd between the favorit and his competitors.
 "Saxifrage Q bad last'' some one shout
 cd amid a chorus of groans and misses
 For the first time in his life a tremo , went over Hawkins. He took his compan ions hand and led her away, whispering:
 "You did that for me, Susan, and yo1 , shall have you reward"
 x S They found Saxifrage dead in his stal l the next morning. Jenkins always main
 tained that he died of heartbreak. In tn | main the public agreed with him. Flaw n kins had won enough money to leave oi - bookmaking. He bought grass farm an | set up as breeder. His most successful @ sire was golden chestnut known as tn t Blood Brother to Saxifragc Hawkih r bought him in Kentucky very shortly bt S fore the match race was lost-and won. @ MARTHA MCCULLoCH WILLIAMS. t Quality Taken For Granted. $ "A cigah, please, " said Cholly, steppin T up to the show case.
 ). "Yes, sir, briskly replied the tobaccc T mist. 'AFiyc or temp
 l. "One rcjoined Cholly, transfxing hil j. with a cold stare.-Chicago Tribune.