The Van Buren press., 1897-02-06
WON ON A CROSS.

WON ON A CROSS.
1.-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
infrmary ward.
Eyes. yes. sir replied the man, in
cracked voice. 81 feel I shall not last
the night, and I should leave this world
IN happier frame Of mind II I relieved
nay soal of the secret that has been the
curse of my life.
eAt the age Of "a became appren-
tieed to a trainer at Newmarket, and
in due course passed from under
his hands one Of the snartest horsemen
I've turned ont as he put it in intro
ducing me to the notice Of bis latest
client. one Capt. Disbfow Dives, as sly
looking, and, as afterwards knew TO
my cost. as Thoroughbred a scamp as
ever disgraced the sport Of kings
eThe captain had been on his beam
ends for some time through heavy
losses At cards. and, on top OF that,
shortly before I 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
intestate. and Capt Dives. as next OF
kin. came in for over half million Of
money. After getting together choice
stad of race horses he soon saw the
futility of pinnging and organized
systematic and offensive campaign
against the ring.
Eventually the captain promoted me
To the position of first jockey, but dur
ing oil 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 IL came to be called. But re-
verse, bearing out the adage Of .he
pitcher going too often to the we'll
seemed in store for us unless we played
our cards very carefully.
'The Clipper handicap was TO be run
in a fortnight. and our horse, Radix.
six stone ten pounds, a dark tbree-year-
old, which had been kept for this race.
was favorite at Ave TO one. In our
blind confidence we feared nothing.
and, in fact. looked upon the colt as n
regular top-sowyer among the handi-
cap class; hut rs the time drew near my
belief in the colts vast superiority
aessened as some talk 7 had heard abb
one lower down set me thinking. The
captain had plunged heavily on this
event. and in the course Of one of our
chats about the race asked him II IT
was a wise line 10 follow, even with a
supposed certainty.
capt Dives always became fdgety
when I threw doubts on any of his GER
tainiles, 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 10 lose
Well sir answered, 4 have heard
some ugly talk about Sir Giles Wacl,-
toms Geranium. the bottom weight, but
II there is anything In it we shall soon
know, as Sir Giles is not the man tc
let his horses run loose. Old Bridoou
told me on the strict Of that Geranium
has been tried good enough TO give the
Top weight seven pounds and then win
in trot. OF course. IL may be only q
fairy tale, but II is best 20 watch and
throw away no chances
This had a salutary effect on the cap
tain, for after hurriedly looking up
Geranium'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
next few days, and IL was soon plain
that some astute person who didn't
wish 10 attract public attention 10 his
doings was taking o hand in the game.
and the captain began seriously 10 CON
slider the adyisability of hedging some
Of his bets. n thing he never liaed ta
do. but three days before the race the
Geranium people struck blow that
just about knocked him OF his legs.
By working commissions all over the
country they rushed the Ally up from
a5's 10 the position Of a rcd-hot
favorite in one day. thus closing
against us the last loophole Of escape,
rs hedging our money was now out Of
the question.
Il have hitherto omitted TO explain
that Sir Giles Wackton considered Capt
Dives personal enemy. They had both
been in The same regiment together
and had had serious quarrel over some
womnn. and Sir Giles had sworn 20 be
revenged II he waited o lifetime for
The opportunity.
"Ihc day Gerhnium was installed fa-
,orite Capt. Dives came down from
london with face the color ofn white
washed wall. and ! could see by his
ERuner that be ha1 been drinking %