Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-02-18
WON ON A CROSS.

"The nurse tells me you wish to speak
with me, Quilter," said Mr.. Tranquil,
the Clergyman, as he took his seat be-
side the bedside of dying man in the
infirmary ward.
Yes, yes, sir" replied the man, in .
cracked voice. 81 feel | Shall not last
the night, and l should leave this world
in happier frame of mind if relieved
my soul of the secret that has been the
curse of my life.
"At the age of II / became appren-
ticed to trainer at Newmarket, and
In due course passed from under
his hands 'one of the smartest horsemen
I've turned OUT as he put it in intro
rucing me to the notice of his latest
rlient, one Capt. Disbrow Dives, as sly
looking, and, as | afterwards knew to
my cc9t, as Thoroughbred a scamp as
ever disgraced the sport of kings
"The captain had been on his beam
ends for some time through heavy
losses at cards, and, on top of that,
rhortly before knew him, came what
to many would have been Dame For
tunes finishing stroke-viz: his com.
pulsory retirement from the service
through being mixed up in some shady
business or other; but he soon found
his feet again, for an old uncle died
lntestate, and Capt. Dives, as next of
kin, came in for over half million OF
money. After getting together choice
stud of race horses he soon saw the
futility of plunging and organized
eyStenntip op1 pffnpSiv m po ion
against the ring.
"Eventually the captain promoted me
to the position of first jockey, but dur
Ing all this time he did not associate
with the upper crust of race-goers. He
never visited the paddock, but might
always be seen hanging over the rails
outside, watching his horses win in the
most unconcerned manner Imaginable
"For five years nothing occurred 10
divert the current of our wonderful
luck as it came to be called. But re-
verse, bearing out the adage of the
pitcher going too often TO the WELL
seemed in store for us unless we played
our cards very carefully.
"'rhe Clipper handicap was to be run
in fortnight, and our horse, Radix,
six stone ten pounds, dark three-year-
old, which had been kept for this race,
was n favorite at five to one. In our
blind confidence we feared nothing,
and, in fact, looked upon the colt as -
regular top-sawyer among the handi-
rap class; but as the time drew near my
lelicf in the colts vast superiority
sened as some talk / had heard all ,u'
4 - ,.,.1-
captain had plunged heavily on this
event, and in the course of one of our
rhats about the race | asked him if it
was a wise line to follow, even with a
supposed certainty.
Capt. Dives always became ffdgety
when I threw doubts on any of his cer-
tainties, and after looking keenly at me
for few seconds he broke out with:
"Look here, now, Quilter, what do
you mean by talking in this strain?
You've heard something; out with it,
man, for there is no time to lose.'
"Wcll, sir answered, 4 have heard
come ugly talk about Sir Giles Wacl.-
toms Geranium, the bottom weight, but
If there is anything in il we shall soon
,now, as SIR Giles is not the man to
Ut his horses run loose. Old Bridoon
told me on the strict at. that Gcranium
has been tried good enough to give the
top weight seven rounds and then win
in a trot. Of course, it may be only
fairy tale, but it is best to watch and
throw away no chances
This had a salutary effect on. the cap
tain, for after hurriedly looking up
Gcranium's form he said he would
await the development of events be-
fore supporting RadiX further.
"Nobody ever scanned the betting
lists more eagerly than / during the
reXt few days, and it was soon plain
that some astute person who didn't
wish to attract public attention to his
doings was taking a hand in the game,
md the captain began seriously to con-
slider the advisability of hedging some
of his bets, thing he never liked to
do; but three days before the race the
Geranium people struck a blow that
lust about knocked him off his legs
Dv working commissions all over the
country they rushed the filly up from
ass to the position of a red-hot,
favorite in one day, thus. closing
against us the last loophole of escape,
RS hedging our money was now out of
the question.
"I have hitherto omitted to explain
that Sir Giles Wackton considered Can't.
Dives a personal enemy. They had both
been in the same regiment together