The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-08-02

confirmed pyton in his determination
to have Il plunge on the horse.
At the lotteries the night before the
race Layton bought Zigxag In tho first
lottery.
! er claimed anything, johnson answer
cd. "Nothing. thanks"
"1lcll come to me after It's Nil over"
thought Layton. "nnd ask for q half
throughout. He knows I'll hnye to
give 1t to him too. 1t wouldn't he safe
to have his horse running with none Of
the owners money on"
When Simpkin was sold, Johnson
bought him through another party.
And so 1t was through every lottery,
and there were many OF them, for the
handicap was n big betting race, with
| eight horses I'm It.
| Layton bought XiSzng steadily every
time and JohnSon's agent took Simp-
| kin.
After II was over Layton rather won
drrrh that XigZug's owner made no
sign did not come ana ask for his
| half.
He could understand Johnson's rc
fusing to take any interest In him In
| the lotteries. for the effect OF that was
to reduce his betting price But why
did he not come forward now when It
WAS all over?
"Ilc'll come around In the morning"
he thought "IIr won't let him run un-
backed after TINT trial."
But In the morning Johnson still
made no sign. Layton was getting Il
little uneasy. Racing was such an UNI
certain business Mt best. What if
something hnd gone wrong with Zig
gag? He would be utterly ruined II he
failed to win the race. Not only the
Marwaric's debt. but the present lot
terry account. lie would be posted rs n
d"faulter. At least 1t would take every
rupee he could rake together In the
world to square up, and he would GER
tainly have to send In his papers.
Fifteen minutes before the race 10
offer had come from Johnson to take Il
share In NiEzag's chances. The sus-
pcnSc was too great for Layton.
He went to the little dressing room
just under the stand where johnson
was putting on his slim riding boots
and colors.
'S"c here, Frank" he said, "I've got
IigZng In every lottery, and stand to
win big pot over him. DO you want
any of it? You haven't taken bit Of
1t yet"
Johnson was noted for two things
his superb riding and his exquisite Gym
ical humor.
"Who the merry hndes told you to
hnck my horSe?" he asked
IL backed him because | thought he
could win and you were riding him."
answered Layton. coloring slightly.
"N"ll, he hnsnt the ghost Of q
chance" said Johnson, tightening the
| strings In his racing cap. land don't
| want bit of him In anything. He
hasn't thousand To one chance"
| Layton was ,iunfoundcd.
eff he doesn't win." he said, 81 Shall
come croppcr."
Johnson looked at him quccrly for n
minute; then he said "Now 80 and
square Yourself on Simpkin. You can
hedge on him. for he's sure winner"
"And If he's brntcn." said Layton al.
most angrily, Il shall hc In worse
hole thnn ever. won't do It, I'll stand
or fall by Xigzag, and I'll lay you
5000 rupees to nothing against his
winning"
81 won' Ito 1t that way" said John.
son quickly. "for that isn't bet. II
can't lose. | can't win. That's the rule
In betting, but III take 5000 rupees to
10.
"llrrr, Dck," he called sharply.
"iou witness this bet. MIR. Layton lays
me 5000 rupees to 10 against TigZag
If the horse WINS he pays me 5000; II
he doesn't. pay him 10. That's clear
understanding. isn't IT,"
eyes," answered Layton chccrfully.
"lta the only bet Eve got on my
mount" added Johnson, "and It's 1us
throwing 10 rupees In the sea"
Az they rode over to the post johnson
Rnld to- Dick: "lll carry them along foI
y you half II mile, for with your ligh,
weight " Will he better for Snmcthln,
l. to make the runninr When I'm don,
J. for. You can :" to the front and cuntc
home. think y"ull have an ems
l. job"
y 'l'h rather be on XigznE, sir" rrplir
l. IN" Jockey. Il know what he can d,
and don't like the feel of this frllo,
l. under me. He's Shifty."
:. The race was Il mile and Il uunrtr,
l. As the horses made their way over l.
tn" starting post across the ro,lrs
J from the stand Guirty came up To Lay
ton and said. "Ihrrr's II Tremendous
, rush "n SimpkIn.''
And =" thtr" was. The stable none,
+ being all on. Harvey hnh told II few oi
|