Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1900-05-25
GRAY EAGLE AT THE FAIR.
BY r. E. C. ROBBINS.

prise him. He's deacon, pa is, but
he says that the trots at our fair are
we'll enough"
"Ain'tno pool-selling or anything,
you know" observed Henry.
Hes one OF the trustees Of the fair
himself, added Horace, "but all he
cares for is cattle and sheep aud butter
and such things"
The boys had evidently reserved
their favorite theme until the last, and
finding an interested listener, they
spared no details. Before Mr.. Ever
cit had reached the hotel he was in
possession OF the complete history of
the gray colt, and was fully informed
in regard to that great annual event
the town fair.
Furthermore, he had promised to
delay his departure to the city for q
day or two in order to be present at
Gray Eagles performance.
When he handed the boys the five
dollars which they had hoped for but
hardly expected, their faces glowed
with delight.
You'll see Gray Eagle trot nowp
said Henry. "And he'll come in
ahead, cure as gunsr"
IF he doesn't buck, added Horace.
won't it be rather dangerous bust
ness for, boys like your" asked Mr..
Everett. (Which OF You is to driver"
'Oh, Horace, Of course" replied
Henry. "He can drive as we'll as
any man In this town" ~
Henry eau drive as we'll as can, A."
explained his brother, "but he sort of
lacks confidence before folks"
"You had better tell your father
what you propose to d." was Mr..
Everetts parting advice.
znrA1 sil - l1nniulah uilnnas Tia
cheerfdf sjoinder. -
Agreeably to promise, Mr.. Everett,
on pleasant day early in October,
made one OF the throng in attendance
at the town fair grounds. He spent
an hour or two Inspecting the sleek
stock Of the farmers, admiring the
handiwork Of the farmers wives and
daughters, witnessing a blowing
match, listening to the eloquence OF
the lemonade vendors, aud especially
noting the odd characters which are
always to be seen on such occasions.
Then, following the movement of
the crowd, he found himself ut length
at the great centre OF attraction, aud
he took his place in the front tier of
seats opposite the judges stand by
the "half-mile track"
Theiudges had taken their positions,
aud had rung the cracked bell hang
ing over the stand as signal to the
drivers in the first race to prepare for
action.
Seven more or less feet.footed
steeds were being driven on the track
for the preliminary warming up"
and MS this was the "three minute
class" Mr.. Everett looked them over
anxiously to discover il the gray colt
and his driver were among the con-
testants.
Sure enough, there they werel That
loose. jointed, stumbling, rough.coated
animal, looking as IL he were just out
OF the pasture, was doubtless Gray
Eagle.
Aud the little fellow perched on a
rickety gig and clad in uniform con.
sisting Of red flannel shirt and visor
less cap, was no other than his young
friend, Horace.
Hardly had Mr.. Everett identified
one of the Raymond twins when the
other appeared at his elbow.
"How d. do, Mr.. Everett9" said the
drawing voice. '.'5ay, we're in luck,
Hod and I arel They've drawn for
positions. and Gray Eagles got the
polep
Again the bell rang, and the scoring
began. The usual number of false
starts occurred, and Mr.. Everett no.
ticed, to his surprise, that Gray Eagle,
in spite Of his uncouth appearance,
trotted in very lively way, and that
the diminutive Horace was ct least as
skillful driver as any of his competi.
tors.
THAT colt OF yours has wicked
looking eye" he remarked to Henry.
eyes, he's ugly" admitted the boy,
''but Hold knows low to manage
him."
Once more the horses came down to
he wire.
'Gow shouted one of the Judges,
md away they went-all but Gray
Eagle.
The excitement had proved too much
or him, and instead of trotting, he
eemed to be executing something
ike q war dance. Up and down, from
light to left, forward and backward he