The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1896-10-21
WON BY A DREAM.

"Papa, have dreamed three times in
succession that Frank rode Flash and
won the gentleman's cup"
'.It was one of the fairest and most
bewitching of Kentuclly's daughters
that the chivalrous old general turned
to as he answered.: you know the ac-
cepted tradition in regard to dreams,
10, and of course there is not Payton
in this enlightened age who retains
the faintest trace of super stition. l
have forbidden that Yankee lover of
yours the privilege of coming here, and
the mere phantasies of dream are not
going to restore him to my good
graces."
But 10 had sown the seed and the
look of confidence in her great brown
eyes told that she anticipated salts
factory harvest. The general walked
towards the stable thinking it passing
strange that JOS repeated vision coir'
cided so exactly with his cwn, for he
himself had trice been in dreamland
to see that dashing young fellow from
the north ride the magnificent black
filly to victory. There was another sur
prise in store for him when he came
upon Tom rubbing the satin coat of the
clean-limbed mare and talking to her as
though she comprehended every word
and sentiment.
"You's gwinter get dat cup suah.
Miss Flash, kase / done dream free
times dat Mistah Frank kim down heah
an you took him roun' dat cowse so
fas' dat he had no BRET lef'. Dey hain't
noffin' on foah hoofs kin keep in sight
OBJ you, honey, de way I seed dat man
ridin' you. OATS homes. ole gal"
The handsome old general threw back
his shoulders and knitted his brows as
he turned away thinking that he had
not been seen by the Industrious rubber
and failing to note the roll of the cum
ming eyes that followed him.
Superstition may have run out in the
blood of the Paytons but here was one
of the older generation in troubled
doubt. 1t was more than his common
sense could accept that everybody
about the place seemed to be dreaming
the same thing as mere coincidence.
He would pot go back of the strange
fact in search of it's inspiration for that
would confess weakness he would not
admit; but it was forced upon him as
an irresistible conviction that unless
frank Fielder was astride of Flash the
local race Of the year and the coveted
cup would go to Maj. Slickton. And the
thought of this was not to he endured.
To the general the major was an up
start, an unworthy rival, a man of ques-
tionable reputation on tie turf and ut
tcrly unprincipled where his interests
were at stake. Besides this animus of
dislike the general was moved by the
consideration that he had been shrewdly
goaded into posting $4,000 on the out
come of the race and to lose it meant
disaster to the prospects of 10 as an
heiress. 1t was this thought that had
most troubled the proud old Ken
tuckian, and before he slept that night
he had written Frank to come at once.
The surprise of that young gentle
man was not diminished by the hos
pitable welcome that he received, but
almost became panic when he was
told by Jo that he must ride for the
cup and win it as the one sure way of
overcoming paternal objections to an
event which was the browning hope Of
his life.
Fielder was thoroughbred Amer
lean. He had nerve, pluck, quick per-
ceptions and an iron will. "Jo," he
answered, "I'll take the chance, and
if fail you know that I'll be far the
heaviest loser of the day."
To the general he said: I'm sur
prised at your choice ofriders. Ire made
some fair records across the country
but have never gone from flag to flag
over the rough obstacles you people
put in the way down here"
That makes you eligible, for the
private terms between the ma jor and
myself are that there are to be gentle
men up, and no one that ever rode n
like race before. There are numerous
entries, but beat the majors Witch
and you will have won everything at
stake. I have no fear for the result"
and the old general felt comfortable
in the memory of those dreams.
"Who was that why little man that
sat near the foot of the table?" asked
Fielder of 10 as they walked out after
dinner the first evening.
"a Mr.. Wimple, from New Orleans,
said to be very rich. He's the gentle.