Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1900-05-25

pranced, to the great delight of The
crowd and to the deep modification Of
poor Henry.
Hes bucking, just as I was afraid
of" said he. with tears in his eyes.
But the young driver was not dis.
mayed. He had loosened the reins
when the trouble began, and for on
instant he let the colt take his own
course. Then, with sharp pull and
q resounding cut with the whip, he
brought Gray Eagle to his feet and
sent him on his way.
The affair had taken but few sec.
onds, but even the slowest of the
horses now strung along the track was
far ahead Of the gray colt. But the
mirth OF the spectators was soon
changed to amazement at that colts
performance.
"Didn't I say he could trot?"
drawled Henry.
There was no doubt about Il. When
Gray Eagle had made the first circuit
| OF the track, IL was evident that he was
not to be the last in the race. But
could he possibly overtake ths Two
horses which, we'll ahead OF the others,
were contending for the first place?
Steadily he gained. Down the home
stretch whirled the two leaders, and
Gray Eagle was only length behind.
Then came an uncarthly cry from tho
lips of the young driver, and the whip
descended on the gray colts back.
Il knew Hod was going to yellI'
said Henry, exultingly, as Gray Eagle
swept under the wire the winner by a
neck.
In the midst OF the cheering. Horace
drove mp, and with professional air
threw the reins to Henry, who at
once went to the stable with the colt.
Now, forcing Lis way through the
crowd, there appeared an elderly man
with look Of establishment on his
face that was comical to see.
Horace" he began, "what in all
nature does this meanl"
Father, this is Mr.. Everett, that's
stopping at the tavern" sad Horace,
evidently glad OF a diversion.
Hope to see you we'll, sir. But,
Horace, what you been up tor ! never
was so took back in my life as 1 was
when they told me down to the hall
what you were doingp'
Horace began to explain awkwardly
enough, but his father cut him short
II cant stop to talk now. All is.
lot this be the end ont! II isn't safe
for boy like you.''
20 pa, do letm drive him one more
heat It's best two in three, and can
surely beat and get the premiumr'
mo, Horace, ] won't risk your
neck for all the premiums in the world.
I've got to 60 back now, but you must
promise not to drive again.
.But, pa, suppQss ! can find some
"Well.'' said Is father. who was
perhaps in his heat somewhat proud
Of the colts performance, ''if you can
get anybody that knows how, don't
care. All is, don't you do it." So
saying, he Withdrew.
''Too bad!" exclaimed Horace, start
ing for the stable with tears in his
eyes. '"Theres nobody that can get
to drive that colt, with all his tricks"
Mr.. Everett saw nothing OF the
Raymond boys for the next hour. He
took but little interest in the
other races, but he kept his place,
having some curiosity to see whether
the gray colt would appear again with
a new driver. The time for the sec.
ond trial in the three-minute class
came at last.
''Yes, there is Gray Eagle again."
said Mr.. Everett to himself. and
can II be possiblep Will Horace dis.
obey his father aud drive the colt, after
all? All. here is Henry againl Henry,
I wouldn't have thought that Horace
would break his promise to his fatherI"
"That isn't Horace behind Gray
Eagle" said the boy, flushing guilt.
lily. 'I'm Horace. Father didn't soy
that Henry couldn't drive"
"Oh, that is the way of i'll" said Mr..
Everett. "I'm sorry If that is your idea
Of obedience" he added, quietly.
Horace made no reply, and the race
began.
Gray Eagle took the lead aud kept
1t easily once around the track.
"He's got the race!" cried Horace.
But in q moment his face fell.
''Oh, he's of his feetl Why doesn't
Hen pull him down? Why, what's
Henry can't hold him!
He's running away"
1t was too true. Swerving from
side to side along the track, dashed the
frightened animal. At every instant it
seemed to the Mortified specta ors as
IL Henry must be thrown. to the
ground. The reins. were broken, and
the boy was powerless to guide or
check the horse.
"He'il be killed." gasped Horace.
"And it'll be me that killed himl'