The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-11-03

Ueut dllHOSl uOuDlc w el Il AuSS paShSt
of carrots.
LET me help you," said Philip,
springing to her assistance.
This was only the first Of many bas-
kets that the energetic lad carried from
the gate to the buildings that day. The
people amused him by their quaint
speeches, and it did not occur to him
that he was doing anything unusual.
Toward noon he went to town for his
luncheon. AS he was entering the
gate of the fair grounds ON his return
he noticed just ahead Of him a portly
woman with two baskets filled with
plates.
LET me carry those baskets" said
Philip, touching his cap.
Its easy to see you've been we'll
brought up said the woman, with a
disdainful glance at the loungers
that sprawled on the benches. Il
guess you don't belong to this town."
NO." said Philip, my home is in
Pennsylvania"
"I'm the cake-and-pie woman" vol
unteered his companion, displaying a
badge, upon which was printed, "Su-
perintendent of Glass G." 1T beats
all, the way folks bring their dough
nuts and cake, and goodness knows
what all else, without sign of a plate
to put 'em on. Every year have to
lug out bushel or two of plates for
ether peoples doughnuts. Come in
when you're hungry and I'll let you
sample some of mine. Thank you for
carryin' the baskets. If I had boy
I'd like him to be just such boy as
you are-mine went to Cuba"
Philip knew without further words
that the boy who had gone to Cuba
had not returned.
During the week that followed Mrs.
Bailey and the "tea-boy" exchanged
many courtesies in the way of cookies
and cups of tea. and the long. tiresome
days were pleasanter for both in COZ
sequence.
The last day of the fair was the time
set for an exciting Series or horse
races. The attendance on Friday af-
ternoon exceeded all previous records,
and the entire crowd was assembled
upon or near the grand stand. Upon
the platform used for the acrobatic
performances Philip saw several men
with their heads close together over
certain small books. Philip had at
tended too many county fairs not to
recognize the men at once as profess
sional betters, who We're quietly max
ing wagers on the various races. Their
business is seldom conducted openly at
the fairs, but surreptitious ways are
not hard for them to find.
Philip considered himself very much
of a man, and quite capable of taking
care of himself under any circum-
stances. To be sure. he had no inten-
ton of betting, but he wanted TO see
what was going on. The men on the
platform seemed to be having a lively
time; but as Philip was climbing over
the rail to join them, cne of them
stopped him.
"Run home to your mother. sonny"
said the man. s1eeringly. Were you
thinkin' of putin Ave cents en- some
body's nag:'
Philip colored angrily, drew roll
of bills from his pocket. and retorted,
II guess I'm old enough to bet if I
want to. I've seen more horse races
this fall than you've ever seen alto
gether. I know something about
horses, too. Here, just to show you
that I'm no greenhorn, I'll put flyer
on Torchlight.''
Philips knowledge Of the ins and
outs of betting. however. was far more
limited than he suspected; but the
men winked at one another. They
scented an easy victim.
Torchlisht won the first heat. and a
surprising number of crisp bills found
their way into the lads hands. Elated
at sight Of the money and spurred on
by the jeers and concentrations of the
men, Philip threw caution to the
winds. staked all he had won-and
more-on the secord heat, and lost.
In the meantime, Philips stout
friend. the motherly cake-and-pie wo-
man, had Glanced to see, from her
place on the opposite grand stand, the
group on the platform. Toward the
end Of the fu.,l heat, whe-, every other
neck was craned to see the horses
sweep down the home-Strctch, Mrs.
Bailey sat with her shrcwd eyes fixed
upon Philips face. She saw it grow
| white us the horses swept pas. the
judges stand and urde: the wire.
"h1y iand!' said she. If I'd realized
sooner what he was up to Id have
| marched over there and rescued him
But maybe he ANT worth saving
Dear me! I don't know what this
| worlds ccmin' to-
With empty pockets and hanging
head Philip worked his way through
the crowd and set off across the field
toward TIE little wMte taRt. Hrs