Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-20

Once again past the stand we drove at the
ditch that some would never get over;
And a cheer shook the ar as the Bay
Then over went North star-though he
pecked, and nearly emptied his saddle.
Az I lifted the Black al his heels, he
frothed the Browns flank with his
nozzle.
Then down the back stretch, Ger hedge and
Ger bank. we three were racing to-
Till at the next rail the Bay jostled the
Brown, and riderless crashed through
the timber.
So we rounded the turn, and into the
straightforward Stars lean flank we
were tapping
But we shot to the front when I gave the
Black head. and I saw that the other
was stopping.
We raced as one horse at the very last
hedge-just a nose in front was Cru
I felt the big Brown bump twice at my
side. and knew he was ready to blunder.
Bay stride for stride gaIloped and
foundered,
lust missing his swerve. 1 called on the
Black. and drew out as he bravely re-
sponded.
Just the last Jump! n Crusader took of
twenty feet from the brush-covered
timber.
strickland fell, with his head on my
wither-
Down. down. Utmost to earth-brought 70
his knees in the struggle,
The Black lost a length. the Brown forged
ahead. and I was half out of the saddle.
How I sat down and rode! How the old
horse strovel And the Brown rolling
On. gallant Black! on, my brave peti We
We're almost under the paddock.
reached to his girt: neck and neck
rode at his shoulder.
AS we flashed past the post l had won by
q head. How they cheered. Bravo
But Crusader stopped short. gave a sigh
and fell dead; I stood all alone in the
winning.
like a babe on his neck / was sobbing,
He had won his last race; game to the end,
,s his brave heart broke in the r stEiylng.
The girls voice hsS faltered and died
away to a broken whisper as she told Of
the death of Crusader.
For a full minute there was a n~oiselesi
hush. The full pathos OF the gallant horses
striving had crept into the hearts that wer'
flesh and blood and, carried away by theil
feelings, the people had forgotten all aboui
their tortured convictions Of the sinfulnesi
Of making a horse go faster than a sharI
trot. Gradually into their awakening sense!
stole a conviction that somehow rney wer'
countenancing the sin Of racing.
Before the complete horror Of the situa.
tion had obtained a strong pair of hands, IA
back in the church, came together with al
explosive clap. Like the rat-tat-tat OF
quick-fring gun was the appreeiative wolfe!
OF recognition from the solitary appiaudsr
II went rolling and cracking through tn,
church dehantly, derisively, Svely
Half way up the isle a softer pair OF nandi
touched the rattle with what sounded likl
a faint echo; then there was sudden silence
The entire audience turned and looked dis
paragingly. discouragingly, at the man VIII
had h%guTatively risen as a champion Of thu
soandalous recitation.
Resentment had taken hold of the goot
Christians.
That Crusader had enlisted their sym,
pathies for a few minutes showed thu
dangerous sublety of this 'horse-racin
tu ness"
The rest Of the program might Just a,
we'll have been eliminated; the concert, as
concert, would be discussed for all time 4
ENd 49, 0N1e4 " -
sa6 eP.
The people flowed from the church full o.
an expressive contentiousness. seeking b,
exuberant condemnation Of the sacrilege L
square somehow themselves with their con.
sciences for the brief baeksliding.
Where the church path turned into tn,
road q group Of men had attached 10.
gether. drawn by the magnstOf discussion
They quite blocked the pathway, obliyioui
to everything but their outraged feelings
Like a great dark bloteh in tas a,ght tk'
group stood. and presently two slight graz
shadows slipping up the path. coming 70 thu
human barrleade, stopped. wavered anS
eircled out on the grass to pass. The shad.
ows were Allis Porter and her brother Alan
One CT Inc men, overhlled with his exceed.
ing wrath. seeing the girl, gave expressioI
to a most uuchristian opinion OF ner mod.
esty. The sharp ears OF the boy neard thu
words Of the man Of harsh instinct and hi
face flushed hot with resentment He hal
turned, bitter reproach rising TO his lips
How could men be so brutish2 How eoul'