The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1896-01-31

to take lively interest in the per
Torrance, taking sides, and betting on
the success of the different horses now
put into the contest. The prisoner
having, by this time, through dint of
perseyering in good humor and soci9-
bility, in return for the abusive
epithets, by which all his attempts to
converse were, for while, received.
succeeded, in great measure, in dis
arming his keepers of the stern reserve
and jealous dlstrust they at first ex-
hibited towards him, he was soon
permitted to talk freely. and offer, I'M
rebuked. his opinions of the success of
the various horses about to make q
trial, which his previous observation
and acquaintance with many of them,
made during his residence in town the
preceding year, enabled him to do with
considerable sagacity. And his pre-
dictions being luckily fulfilled in scv-
veral instances, and especially in one
in which his most rigid keeper had
been saved from losing, in a bet, which
would have been made but for his
timely cautions. Bart at length found
himself on such a footing of conf
dence and good will with those whom
he wished to conciiiate, that he
thought it would now do to commence
operations for himself.
II don't think much of such trot-
ting, myself" said Bart, carclessiy, as
one of the contests afoot had Just ter
minated; "but there is one animal l
notice here to day, | should like TO
bet on.
"What horse is that?' asked the
keeper above designated.
THAT dapple gray mare hitched
over there in the corner of the cow
yard yonder,'' replied Bart, pointing
to a small, long tailed pony, whose
shabby coat of shedding and neglected
hair greatly disguised the remarkable
make of her limbs and other indica-
tions of strength and activity.
"That creature!' exclaimed the
other. contemptuously; why she
amt bigger than good sized sheep.
You may bet if you want TO, and lose;
for there's not horse on the ground
but would beat her. ~
"Well, for all that, Mr.. Sturges,
responded Bart, banteringly, Pm
not take back what I've said about
the nag. And to prove my earnest,
I'll make you an offer; I'll bet my
gun which you saw me hand the land
lord for safe keeping when they
brought me in-I'll bet my gun
against your hat, I'll take that Great
ure and out-trot you, with any boss
YOU may choose TO bring on
Done - exclaimed Sturges: but
YOU are contriving this up for chance
TO get away, you scamp"
What should | want to get away
for?'' hain't done nothing and
there's witness here that will swear
To thing or two for me, when the
trial comes on, guess you'll find; be-
sides, amt you going to ride by my
side, with q loaded pistol in your
handf"
"Yes, and that amt all; I'll put a
bullet through You the instant you
make the least move to be off. F"
I'm agreed to that.
well, but will they LET you take the
colt for the match?"
Guess 50; I'll venture to take her.
The boy that rode her here has cleared
out down to the brook q fishing; but
7 know him, and think no would not
object
who OWES the colt 2
rod Turner did, last year, when
lived with him; and the boy is from
that way. and borrowed her. likely"
Then you have rode her, have your"
asked Sturges doubtfuily.
Mover rid her with any other boss
hut kaow any to her boss but know
she can trot faster than any thing you
can find here: SO you may as well back
out az orce" answered Bart with ap-
parent indifference.
Not by a jug full sir; but l must
look me Up horse and fix matters a
little first: and then II it is thought