The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-12-19
BREAKING A CURSE.

One morning, now several years ago,
Henry Goodeve, solicitor, had call
from one of his most distinguished
clients, the marquess of X, who
brought with him companion, and, on
his companions behalf, proposed to
Goodeve a novel and peculiar transac-
ton. The companion was introduced
as Philip Charlmount. He was a
young fellow, apparently of about 25
years, but looked worn and dissipated
and had the air of a han whose nerv-
GUS system was in a bad way. Goodeve
knew his name, having occasionally
read it in the turf reports in the news
papers as an owner of race horses.
Nov. Goodeve," said the marques,
1--WE want you to do business in a
certain little matter which may be
profitable to both of us. l hope we
shall find you agreeable"
What is the nature of the business,
my lord?" asked Goodeve.
Its this" said the marquess, my
friend, Mr.. Charlmount here, has a
horse for immediate sale, and he wants
you to buy it,"
The solicitor raised his eyebrows and
shook his head.
81 never bought horse in my life,"
he said, land know nothing about 'em.
I am afraid, my lord, that you must
look for customer elsewhere. I"
"Ah," the other interposed. But
this is no ordinary horse deal that we're
proposing. Is it, Charlmount?'
"Most decidedly not" replied the
young man addressed, in an emphatic
tone.
"Do you follow the turf intelligence,
Goodeve?" inquired the marques.
Cant say l do, my lord. Never
took much interest in racing"
swell, at any rate, perhaps you know
the name of the favorite for the Cam
bridgeshire?"
"To be quite candid, my lord, don't.
But suppose can find it here" said
Goodeve, taking up the morning pa
per. Here we are. Prince Charming
100 to 12."
''That's him." said the marques.
That's Charlmount's horse, which we
want you to buy"
"Yes, before the race. And as it's
run the day after tomorrow, there is,
you can see, no time to waste over the
transaction"
From your wishing to sell him,
under these circumstances, I presume
that you do not fancy his chance" re-
marked the solicitor quietly.
"On the contrary" answered the
marques, with emphasis, ''we fancy
his chances very strongly. He has
been highly tried under extra weight,
and has come out of it splendidly-
hasn't he, Charlmount?"
"Magnificently," asserted Charl-
mount, his face working with a pecul-
lar and unaccountable excitement.
"He's about as dead cert. as ever ran. p"
"Then why do you wish to sell him?''
was Goodeve's natural rejoinder.
"Now, look here, Goodeve," struck
in the marques, "Charlmount's reason
for selling the colt is, can assure you,
q very cogent one. At the same time
it is a reason which, at present, we are
unable to divulge. Our terms of sale,
however, are such as will be highly
profitable to the purchaser, and will
guarantee him, in any event, hand
some return upon his money. When
you have heard the details you will
not fail to agree with me. They are
as follows: That in the event of your
consenting to buy the colt to-day for
his proper Value 6 3,00O-we will give
you our joint undertaking to repur-
chase him from you for C 1900 next
Thursday-the day after the race"
Henry Goodeve opened his eyes.
This is a most extraordinary pro-
posal. my lord" he answered. "Do you
clearly understand what you are offer
ing?"
Quite. Our offer amounts to this:
That if you will accommodate us in
this matter we will pay you bonus
of 900 in three days time. Possibly
more than G1,00O; since, if Prince
Charming wins the Cambridgeshire
you. of course. as his owner. will have
the stakes in addition"
"Well, then. gentlemen. it seems to
me that it is scarcely necessary for the
$4,000 to change hands. Because if
| as infer-you merely wish to saddle
| me with the technical ownership for
the day of the race, l had better just
buy him from you for nominal sum
and"
mo. mol" exclaimed Charlmount
excitedly. "That will not do, Mr.. Good
eve. The purchase must be bonafide
The full value must be paid down, ant
everything about it must be strictly
regular. Nothing less will be the leas'
use."
II need hardly ask you such ques
ton. my lord said the solicitor. Blu
this secret-you will assure me that i
is of no illegal or dishonorable ma
ture?"
Most certainly will. Upon tina
point you have my unqualified assur
ance," replied the marques. warmly
Every WELL my lord" said Henry
Goodeve. after a short reflection, "upor
the strength of that assurance will
consent to do business"
"One thing more, gentlemen" hi