The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-07-10

high and fair in the sunlight aoote
the finish line. Opinion divided go
equally as to where 1t Wouid -
up-in the building of a church OF tue
riot of a tavern. The wiseacres OF
course backed their Judgment IN
whisners. 1t was the great unol+
criminot;np mass which
against the silence of the wagering:
It. had come out for a holiday ana
wanted TO Law modest sums with at
least a thrilling conviction that 1T was
following the lead of some one VINO
knew.
IT, was bruited that Blue Bonnet
! was on edpe-ready to run Tor even
the stake IF a soul. Certainly she
looked a pattern of fire and fettie III
her preliminary, as she went past INC
| grand stand. with Isham on her Dack'
her chin drawn almost upon her chest
n~ranc;nr and curveting like mad, yet
readily chewing the rein. After her
came soberlv pacing BendlSo. grand
son to POt-s-Os. n good, substantial
BAY. with full black points; next
MODS. a Washy sOrrel. though reason
ably well bred. and after HIM, HACK
lock. a spanking Hightiyer chestnut,
who could 90 like the wind. though
even his ovne admitted he could
hardly STAY the route. At the very
end. R~oxane. her silver name tied
| with blood red ribbons, her tail
streaming plume wise and glistening
| in the sun. She held her head low un-
| der a free. almost a loose rein. Shan
ky, Lawson's black body servant. rode
her, as he did in nearly all her eNer-
else gallops.
She moved a little heavily. Com
monty she was quick as a cat. The
w~iseacres shook the head and agreed
instantly that she was Overtralned-
she could never win the Ourth OF
July in such company. But Isham
hanging half out of saddle to look
back at her made a face and murmur-
ed .'Humph! You metty sateful
Miss Roxy-Ann! Maybe you foolin'
all desc people, but you amt done
fooled me. Presently youse gwine
wake up, an ra'ar an charge, an
split de win-but Bonnet'll be right
dar wild ye-'ceptin' he passon he
take an tuhn VILE
AS they rode down to the start,
Lawson shouted to the parson, I'm
going to beat you-no matter who
has the best horse
Il am going to beat you-God being
my helper the parson caIled back.
Il think [ nave the best horse /
know l have the best cause"
Exactly three minutes later the
drum tapped and the five horses went
away aligned like a file of cavalry.
For at least 100 yards they held in
rank. Then Blackjack shot clear by
an open length and stretched away
for the first turn with a defiant snort.
Blue Bonnet fought to go after him.
The parson took a double wrap on
her. Blackjack was he knew merely
an incident. RONOne lay well back
there he must keep his eye.
The first mile around was SO slow
Blackjack increased his lead to a dOz-
en lengths. Blue Bonnet began to
foam. Her rider let out a wrap. In
stantly she rushed to collar the chest
nut. In the next mile she cought and
passed him, though sti1 he ran strong
and free. Mops came for a second to
her throat-latch then dropped back,
failing so steadily as to show he was
out of the race. Dendiga ran a con-
sistent third. RoNane was absolutely
last.
Yet in the last half mile she woke
up, passed the other three as though
they were anchored, and dashed under
the string, beaten by a short head.
1t vas a marvellous performance,
amazing eve to those who knew the
mare best. She ran 50 true. so east
~, with such even swiftnesS, the best
trained eve got no right perception
of her speed. Even Blue Bonnet's par
tiS:ns rubbed hands in delight. say
ing: Its a race of blood now-and
only two in it."
u --,. II 1:~l4 81
are c~ontending here the parson said
to a remonstrant pious friend. Law
son overheard, and laughed quietly.
The bowers are oddly horsed, par
son. he said. Il reckon as you see
things, light rides the color Of dark
ness, and darkness the color Of light
Mops distanced. Blackjack with
drawn, left but three contenders in
the second heat. Blue Bonnet came
out for it reader than ever. She spoil
ed three good starts. indeed, by her
eagerness to be out in front. When
at last they were sent away together,
she was neither to hold nor to bind.
Leaping, %plunging, bucking, she TOOK
the rail, held it.. and settled into a
sweeping run. Her feet flew invisibly
with the rythm and precision Of some
mighty machine. her low head nodded
slightly at each bound, foam flakes
gathered and flew from the bit-by
time the third mile began she was
white from counter to tail. Her III.
der's heart leaped. tie had feared
only for her temper. So long as she
kept the lead. he knew he was safe.
He dared not look back. Shouts from
the stand as he passed it this third
time let him know that Blue Bonnet
looked a winner all over. But he
cought the unfailing rataplan of those
other hoofs behind. From the first
they had not varied by the least frac-
ton OF a second. He knew. and dread
ed. the stay of the desert. He must
win now. if he was to win at all.
Into the last quarter Blue Bonnet
led CALAMITY, though her laboring
breath and glaring eveballs said she
was almost spent. The parson, hang
ing in his stirrups, leaned far over
her neck. soothing. encouraging with
hand and voice. Now and again he
gave her the spur sharply. He knew
it was idle to go to the whip. The
Uoporonc hJOO6 in her veins would do