The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-22
Our Daily Sport Story

minutes passed. and with them three of the remaining F miles. Leighton was now but nine miles ahead; and the state line, beyond which Cunningham's author ity as sheriff would for time be null was five. Once across the line he could snap his fingers at the pursuer. He glanced back. The automobile had cov- cred one-half of the distance and was coming swiftly and smoothly. The horses were breathing hard. Another three miles, with no change, and ahe race would be ended-lost.
 Involuntarily Barstow leaned forward as he often did in moments of suspense on the race track, when a hands turn meant win or lose. Then his face blanched.
 A COW was walking deliberately from the roadside. growth, and along here the road was narrow. Barstow rose to his feet and reached forward as far as he could. his whip in the air.. A spill and smash was better than missing chance. As they swept upon the COW, the whip came down viciously, the animal threw up her head, thereby saving 1t from the rushing wheels which. just grazed the skin.
 But as though ashamed of this slight concession, the cow snorted and walked quickly to the middle of the road and there stopped. Barstow heard a yell be- hind him. The COW had lowered her head to the automobile in a manner that threatened dire consequences to both. Cunningham yelled once more, savage1y; but the COW remained obdurate. Then Cunningham stopped. When the animal was hustled unceremoniously aside and the machine again started, 1t had lost the three-fourths of a mile previously gained.
 Twenty minutes afterward Barstow swept triumphantly across the line and turned his horses to one side. Sixty sec onds. behind him thundered the automo- bile. AS the machine stopped beside him Barstow took off his hat
 'Fine spurt, that last of yours. Cum ntngham," he congratulated. But not quite enough. However, the odds were agaiEJst you. I've a good mind to go back and buy that COW and pension her with a clover field for life. But say, can't l get you for best man a half hour or so from now? We'll fix this other thing up afterwards. Whats it for. anyhow-my fast driving yesterday"
 Fast simpleton" sputtered the sher- if, dlsgustedly. "A special came in two minutes after you left and brought this young man. He's Claire Egmont's broth CT, and came on ahead to help you get things ready. They thought 1t would be more convenient to stop at Brant than Leighton, as the train will be held there 20 minutes for the down express to pass. It will be there in just 4S minutes now"
 Good Lord!" calculated Barstow. aghast. And my horses are winded. can't do it.
 "Of course you can't, with them." hur- riedly. Here, jump into this automobile and speed her till the wheels leave the ground. Never mind cows and things. Run them down. Our minister will be on the post office steps when you get there, waiting for his mail Pick him up as the cowboys do their hats, at full speed. Scorch now! I'll bring home the horses"
 Forty-eight minutes later, when the north express pulled into Brant an auto mobile was just whirling up to the plat form. It was Barstow, a little flushed. but smiling. a young man who seemed highly amused, and a clergyman some what the worse for wear.