Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-04-09


was tired of backing other peoplel
gee-gees, and wished to try how hi
could work them under his OWE pro
prietorship and supervision. He hat
no desire to own high-class horses. He
knew that money could be made out oil
little races as well as out of big, only
with greater certainty. He had not a
soul above platers; his argument was
that you can win as much with a bad
horse as with a good one If you can
back him with confidence to beat
worse"
'IncontroYertible, remarked, in
terrupting the story for a moment;
"but / never could find worse than
mine. Nobody ever had such bad ones
as those which / collected with great
care at a small expense"
NO one ever accused you OF know
ing the game" said my friend, severe
ly. You should only 90 out with a
barrel organ and a monkey, being tied
to its tail. You might be clever enough
TO take the pennies If the donors placed
them in your hand, closed It over them
tenderly, and swore you TO secrecy.
But Fatty was a perfect tradesman.
He was after the nimble ninepence
every time. He used to back his
platers when it was good enough to do
so; when not he used to let other peo-
pie back them, and invest his money
on something else. 1t is beautiful
game so long as you can play it with
out danger from the mob or from the
stewards"
who was 'Fatty's tralner?" I asked,
feeling confident that position was not
a sinecure.
Why, surely you know" retorted the
historian. Fatty would, of course,
only have one sort of trainer--a man
who would do as he was told without
asking questions. Old Jerry Smiggins,
of Ripston, realized his ideal of that
character. You remember Jerry-he
always seemed to be trying to best
somebody, and was generally in debt
Talk about the very warm members,
he could give most of them a start over
what is called a rogue's course and
make hacks Of EN- when 1t came to
pure thleving. / should not like to be |
a dying man engaged in cuddling my |
money-bags for the last time If Jerry |
were in the sick chamber watching my |
struggles. He would accelerate my
doom to obtain the treasure"
And how did his employer trust |
him." | inquired, for had a little
knowledge of the Ripston trainer, and
that the elegant simile as
to the peril of the moribund person
toying with his cash deposits was not
an exaggeration. Indeed, Jerry would
no doubt have also removed any false
teeth that might have been in the un-
fortunate persons jaws. so as to get
the gold to bet with.
Trust him." replied my informant;
well, you know how far such men
trust each other Like one hungry dog
trusts a hungrier one in sight of an
odorous bone. So long as both could
get bite they do not worry each other
rs to which secured the most pestifer-
lus portion. They went on well for a
lime, and 'Fattys' nose reflected his
to a marked extent; it
,eamed upon us in the paddock and as
iumed more colossal proportions and
brighter tints as its owner put on
iesh and added to his balance at the
'ank. Then came the picturesque in
'ident at Camptown Park previously
United at"
Here the orator took breath and ex-
landed his chest before embarking on
he more exciting part of his recital.
refreshed by the rest. he continues
Fatty had one of his platers in a
cling race at Camptown. and on the
ook 1t had great chance. According
y. the public made his horse favorite, [
nd backed 1t down to even money in /
large field of runners. Fatty could 1
ot stand that; he did not care for G
ven money chances. SO. after confer 4
ing with his trainer. he gave him in /
Lructions to the effect that the favor t
q need not exert himself unduly in q
he race, and that precautionary meas b
res might wisely be adopted with that h
nd (the wrong end) in view. Having O
matters TO his satisfaction, ]
lie astute owner of the favorite went Is
Ito the ring and backed a horse which b
. believed was a certainty while his G.
indicate enacted the part OF spectator d
Jockey who would listen to reason h
hen it took the form of ready money II
as riding the favorite. Therefore it al
as that when the horse cantered to
e post Fatty felt slightly above him
lf-his usual sensation when he con-
iered that he was backing one GER
inty in Il race. and laying against -
Iother certain not to win. y
THE result OF the race, however, was y
It what he desired. The favorite had ~
ore in hand than his owner or train VI
thought. His jockey could not quite ~
IA him. thus ba found hireaIf naa. M