Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-21

1888 1921 'hN'hAhe ~ aNhAAoH NA'AN y
never been a S-year-old won the Brooklyn
yet. ThereIl be openings enough to put
down the money later on-in the Derby, II
the mare pans out we'll"
Andy Dixon was first Of all a careful man.
Redpath had been riding Lucretia IN
her gallOps since she had come to Graves
end. On the 22d Dixon gave Lucretia a
good, strong three-auarter gallop over the
handicap course. on the 23d she had a quiet
and on the morning Of the gath, the
eventful day, she poked her mouse-brown
nozzle over the bar Of her stall when Allis
to look at her and seemed to say, "Tu
do my part today"
Nothing could have been wished for IN
Lucretia's appearance that wasn't there,
except Just the faint suspicion Of a sacri-
nee OF strength to speed. But II the frame
wasn't there the good. strong part was;
the courage and the gentleness. and the
wisdom, and the glow of perfect health.
Down In the betting ring men of strong
voice beloved words Of money odds. and
full-muscled shoulders pushed and carried
heads about that were intent on financial
business. But what Of that? 1t was not
the Brooklyn, 1t was gambling.
Out in the paddock a small. brown mare
OF gentle aspect. with big, soft eyes full OF a
Dreamy memory Of fresh shooting grass,
walked with easy stride an elliptical circle.
Her fetlocks fair kissed the short grass in
an unstable manner, as though the Joints
were all too supple.
Inside Of the circle stood Allis Porter. and
the man of square Jaw and square OF
shoulder. That was Andy Dixon. Presently
to the them came Mike Gaynor.
Were gittin' next it now. Miss Auls:
we'll soon know all about it."
We're all ready. Mike" said Dixon with
square solemnity. when they've beat the
little mare, they'll be catchin' the Judges
eye"
There's nothing left now. Mike, but just
a hope for a little luck" added the girl.
You're talking now, Miss Allis. Luck's
the trick from this out. The little mare'u
have a straight run this trip. Here's the
by comin' now.a and a good by he is"
A4little man in blue jacket and whlte stars
Joined them, s%aluting Miss Alis with a
riding whip. Are you going to win, Red
path?' asked the girl.
I'm going to try, Miss. She's a sweet
mare to ride, but it's a big field. There's
some boys riding that ought to be in the
stable rubbing horses"
You'll have to get out in front" said
Dixon, speaking low; your mares too light
to stand crowdin', an even II you have to
AXE her back for a breath after you've gone
half the journey, she'll come again, for she's
game"
Them Langdon fellows thinks they've got
a great chance with our cast-off Diablo,'
volunteered Mike II had a peep at him in
the stall, an he's lookin' putry fit"
II never was no Glass; objected Dixon.
IF you'd see him gallop the day he run
away. you'd think he had class" said Mike.
Bot thumbs up! You'd fought it was the
flying Salvador"
well, wen soon know all about IT," de-
clared Dixon. There's the saddlin' horn.
Have you weighed out, RedpathT weight ali
right, ninety-two pounds?
"All right, sir. 1t was a close call to make
1t, though there was a few ounces over"
"All the better, it's a hot day, an II
they're long at the post II take them spare
ounces out Of you, l fancy"
Dixon held up his finger to the boy that
was leading Lucretia, and nodding his head
towards the stall, led the way.
We're No. Z Mike" said Allis, looking
at the leather tag which carried the figure
seven on Jockey Redpath's right arm.
There's luck in odd numbers said Rory
o'Moore." quoted Mike.
1--WE a superstitious dread Of seven" the
girl said; otis the one number l always as
ISOLATE with disaster-I don't mind 10 a bit"
We'll break the bad luck seven today"
asserted little Redpath bravely.
Il hope so,' answered Allis. Let me put
my finger on the number for good luck" and
she touched the badge on his Urn. "Now
I'm going up to get a good seat in the
stand" she continued. "Ill leave Lucretia
to you, Redpath."
Regally, one after another in stately file,
the turf kings, decked out with the silken
Jackets that rested atop-crimson, and gold,
and blue, and white, and magpie-passed
through the paddock gate to the newly
smoothed course. Very modest and demure
No. Z, the little brown mare, looked be-
side the strong-muscled giants, bright bay,
golden chestnut and raven-wing black that
overshadowed her in the procession that
caught the 10000 pairs of eyes. Something
Of this thought came to Allis sitting in
the stand. What a frail little pair they
were. both Of them. and to be there battling
for this rich prize hat was so hardly
fought for by strong men athirst for gold,
and great horses akeen for the gallop.
All, there was Diablo; the very number
Allis had said carried no dread for her, 10.
What a strange coincidence. What a cruel
twist of fate 1t would be II he were to win
he looked equal to 1t. A man sitting at
Allis' elbow suddenly cried in a voice en-
Unused into the joyous treble of a boys:
Look at that big black; isn't he a beaut?
Number 13. That's a hoodoO number, II you
like; it's enough TO give a hacker cold
feet"
81 thought you weren't superstitious.
Rex'-this was a woman's voice.
I'm not, an I'm going straight down to
back that black, 13 and ALL"
On Allis' other side one Of the party was
ticking off the horses by their numbers as
| they passed: zone, two, that's White
Moth; they say she'll win; three, Red
Rover; ~four-what's that? That's George
L.; FIVE, six seven-just look at that little
runt. What is It? on, Lucretia. Might
as well run a big calf, I should think"
"she's just lovely" declared a woman in
the party. "She's as graceful as a deer,
and I'm sure she'll run as fast as any of
them"
Cant live in that mob; they'll smother
a little thing like her" declared the man
emphatically. Where are we-ten, eleven,
the King. that's the winner for a hundred.
Look at him. He carries my money. It's
all over now; they can't beat him. That's
a fine locker. though. IS. Diablo, eh?
What's that horse, Diablo, George?" turn
ing to one of the men.
mo good-a maiden; I looked them all