Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-04

Porter nodded.
 Sure t'ingi That Langdon's crook I got de tip dat dere was a kilIin' on, an I axed Dick Langdon if dere was anyt'ing doin'; an Dick says to me, says he, putin bot t'umbs up"-and Mike held both hands out horizontally with the thumbs stiff and vertical there's nottin' doin', Mike" says he. What dye t1nk of that, sir, an me knowin' there was?" asked Mike, tragi- cally.
 'tIt's the biggest tip that always falls l down, Gaynor; and they've got to be pretty swift to beat Lucretia.'
 That filly's all right, but I aint doin' no stunt about horses, Mister Porter; I'm talkin' about men. Tn filly's honest, and yer honest sir, but ye don't roide tn mare yerself, do ye?' You think, Mike began Mr. Por- ter, questioningly; but Gayner inter- rupted him with: ''I don't think noth- in sir. an I ain't sayin' nothin', but there's boy ridin' in dat bunch to-day ! wat got 500 for trowing me down once, see? S'elp me God! he pulled Blue Smoke to a standstill on me. knowin' that it would break me. That was at Coney Island, two years ago." | Thank you very much, Gayner; appreciate your kindly warning, but I hope you're mistaken, all the same,'' | said Porter. Then he proceeded on his way toward stall five, in which was l LauZanne. s. How are you, Mir. Porter?" It was Philip Crane, standing just outside of the stall, who thus addressed him. Got something running to-day?'' l he continued, with vague innocence. l Langdon, just inside the box, chuckled softly.
 ''I'm starting Lucretia in this race" replied Honest John. "Oh!" Then Crane took Porter gently by the sleeve and drew him half with ] in the stall. "Mr. Langdon, who trains a horse or two for me, says this one'll win;" and he indicated the big chest nut colt. You'd better have bit on, MT. Porter
 "Lucretia carries my money" an- swered Porter in loyalty. 1 Langdon looked up from cinching 1 the girth tight and took a step toward the two men.
 ] Well, we both can't win," he said, half inso1ently: "an' don't think l there's anything out to-day'Il beat Lau- 1 zanne.'
 That march, beat him." retorted l Porter, curtly.
 "I'll bet you one horse against the other, the winner to take both," cried Langdon in sneering, defiant tone. I "I've made my bets," said Lucretia's l owner, quietly.
 1 "I hear you had an offer of 5000 for your lilly, Mir. Porter" half queried | Crane.
 ''I did, and I refused 1t"
 "And here's the one that'll beat her 1 to-day, and I'll sell him for half that" l asserted the trainer, putting his hand l on Lauzanne's neck. Exasperated by the persistent boast l fitness of Langdon, Porter was an gered into saying: eff he beats my | mare, I'll give you that for him my 1 self''
 HDone!" snapped Langdon., .,.rs4sset K l "I don't want the horse began Porter; but Langdon interrupted him.
 "Oh, if you want to crawl
 "I never crawl" said Porter, fiercely. CT don't want your horse, but just to show you what think of your chances of winning I'll give you two thousand and half if you beat my mare, no matter what wins the race"
 T think you'd better call this bar gain off, MT. Porter" remonstrated | Crane.
 ''I stand to my bargain whatever happens" Porter retorted. At that instant the bugle sounded.
 'tGet up, Westley," Langdon said to his jockey. they're going out"
 As he lifted the boy to the saddle the trainer whispered few concise direc- tions.
 Hold him steady at the post. hc muttered; "I've got him a bit on edge to-day. Get off in front and stay there; he's feelin' good enough to leave the earth. This'll be 8 matter of 8 couple of hundred to you if you win.''
 The ten starters passed in stately procession from the green-swarded paddock through an open gate to the soft narrowed earth, gleaming pink brown in the sunlight, of the course. How consciously beautiful the thor oughbreds looked! The long sweeping step; the supple bend of the fetlock as it gave like wire spring under the 1 weight of great broad quarters, all sim ewy strength and tapered perfection; the stretch of gentle-curved neck, sweet lined as greyhound's, bearing lean. bony head, set with two great jewels of eyes, in which were honesty and cour- age, and eager longing for the battle of strength and stamina, and stoutness of heart; even the nostrils, with a red transparency as if silk, spread and drank eagerly the warm summer air that was full of the perfume of new growing clover and green pasture l land.
 Porter passed through the narrow gate leading from the paddock to the grand stand. He crossed the lawn and leaned against the course fence, to take a deciding look at the mare and the chestnut as they circled past the stand