Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-06-24

than some of our boys began blufing
about the bars, Boosting that Doc
tors Greek had the winner up its
sleeve. There were many astute rae
ing men about, interested in one or
other of the twenty-eight probable
starters. They must have carefully
ascertained that Nightjar was a one
boy horse, and that by extinguishing
Martin Thomas they also extinguished
any danger threatened by his mount
'sIt was only two hours before the
race that Martin Thomas developed
alarming symptoms of collie or lead
poisoning. To our agonized inquiries
of the indispensable jockey, we learned
that he had been prevailed upon to
take only one little glass of cham
payne with some swell gents up the
town.
"The boy grew rapidly worse, and
was laid on bed in state of help
less collapse. Cover and ourselves
occupied one shanty, with Nightjar in
a shed at the rear.
"You can imagine our CONSERVATION
as we three looked at each other and
realized the situation. Old Cover
broke down, and shed pitiable tears
of rage and despair. At my feeble
suggestion of fetching doctor, Carrie
flew to the door and bolted it. Does
any one know she painted, that Mar
tin Thomas is poisoned--is nobbled?'
MARTIN Thomas, in the throes of
violent retchirg. assured 'missus he
never said nothing to nobody bout
feeling sick
60 Then be hanged to fetching q
doctor! This stupid boy won't die.
Serve him right if he does! just like
you careless men letting him out of
your sight! Now, I'll just show you
what woman can do-you, Charlie
Cover, you snivelling old fool, scrape
some SCOT out of that chimney-catch
hold of these scissors, Jim, and cut off
my hair. leaving it only an inch long
over all.
When I hesitated to shear off the
beautiful black hair, she quickly or
dered me do what I was told, or she
would do it herself. Cover, after
gathering the SCOT, was instructed to
heat two iron skewers. One by one
her lovely dark tresses yielded to the
scissors, and the fall of each to the
floor was stab to MY very heart. A
few turns of the hot skewers in her
clever fingers twisted the short ends
of hair into scrubby little curls.
"Now, you men, strip Martin
Thomas of all his clothes, put the
things in that corner and clear out
while I undress.
s'She plastered her bonny face and
neck and arms with decoction of
SCOT and grease. With infinite cour-'
age she even got into Martin Thomas's
shirt. The cap and jacket, boots and
breaches fitted to q nicely, and when
she strutted about with them all on,
slapping her boot with her whip, the
wonderful impersonation of the Afri-
can jockey made us gasp with aston
ishment.
g I've ridden horses cross-legged
many time,' she said. L can scale
the weight, and am going to give the
boys a run for their money, that's what
am gong to DO.
g Talk him, Missy Layman, talk
de horse all de time was Martin
Thomas's faint adjuration, as we
locked him in to take his chance of re-
covery until our return.
"'You keep out of sight, don't let
him see you, Missed Carrie as we APP
preached the stable,
Gle whinnied welcome as she
opened the door, bride in hand, and
as he lowered his corky head to
shuttle at her. she slipped it on him,
all the while chattering in splendid
imitation of the boys cultural tones.
He appeared slightly perplexed and in
clined to resent advances, but in Sec
ond his hood and muzzle were on, and
she led him out, snorting suspiciously,
and stamping his wicked feet.
Cover soon adjusted the saddle.
Throw me up, Jim, and don't
stand staring like BOBBY.
''My dear life,' I said, don't risk
your pretty self for winning stake.
What do / care if our money is lost?
And, for heavens sake, if you will
have your own way. keep those spurs
off him.
"Well, to our surprise, Nightjar
perambulated the paddock quietly
enough. She sat him saucily while
he was walking, showing her white
teeth, slanging the other jockeys, and
grinning for all the world like Martin
Thomas. Nightjar's splendid appear
ance made him many friends, and he
even touched 10 to /.
Gin the preliminary canter the
trouble began. Cover slipped the
hood and muzzle at the paddock gate,
and away went Nightjar in front of the
grand stand, bounding and bucking,
and kicking flashes. The missus's