The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-01-07
THE DRAGONS HANDICAP
By. J. c. Hummer.

Copyright, 1906, Daily Story Pub. Col Deacon Job Potter entered his kitchen and seated himself with a deep sigh on the bench.
 Whats the matter, Job?" asked Mrs. Potter.
 earned. My sperrit is as clar as spring water, but I'm concarned aboat what these hyar carnal minded people will say"
 whats happenedT' inquired Mrs. Potter.
 q was drivin' to hum this afternoon when who should come up to me but Mordecai Pratt drivin' that there two hundred dollar critter ne bought in York, hitched to his buggy. I had my old sixty dollar mare to the light wagon and when she heard that crit ter behind her she jest gripped the bit in her teeth and Mordecai wasnt nowhere 'cept kivered with dust. Now, all these people will think I was racin'.
 Eat your supper. Job" said Mrs. Potter, mo one'Il believe you would race arter the way you've talked agin it."
 'Mordecai wasn't nowhere" repeated the Deacon, with a chuckle which he turn~~ into groan as more behtting one concerned spiritually.
 A ripple of laughter came from the parlor.
 who's in thar?" asked the Deacor
 Why" replied Mrs. Potter, color ing, Fred Carey walked hum with Sarah. and he's not gone yet"
 The Deacon thumped his fist on the table.
 q won't have that man a Roin' with Sarah" he snarled, "he's q worldlin' and sells feed to those unreginerato critters that have race horses at the track. Who ever saw Fred Carey at the mourner's bench in the tabernacle of the Lord? No one, but there's lots ave seen him dancin' at these hyar picnics and sich. He's no sor. of man to visit the daughter of a perfessin Christian and. If say 1t myself one of the pillars of the church hyar- abouts."
 'Jedge Grimes says Fred's doin' a nice business and is goin' to be a rich man 1.1,, some day" put in Mrs. Potter.
 Who's Jedge Grimes?" retorted the Deacon. disdainfully. don't he play cyards?"
 But Mrs. Potter went up stairs before the sins of the Judge were fully pro- claimed.
 After she had gone the Deacon emp tied th his pockets of some old papers, throwing them into the stove.
 'Mordecai wasn't nowhere" be chuckled and then looked at a souare piece of cardboard among tke papers. It read as follows:
 international Turf Club, New York.
 Play or Pay.
 1000iSaracen
 Atlantic Handicap"
 T pis ked this hyar thing up on the road in front the house." muttered the Dea on; some carnal idjut beer betting his money and a scorchin' himself with Hell fire. I'll talk about thls hyar paper at Sun lay school, an1 he replaced it in his pocket.
 horses were gathering for the spring races near the village, and Fred Carey IS doing a large business with the horsemen. He was liked and trust ed by the race men, and while they dodged some hills. they always paid C'"oy, If it were not for the beacon savage opposition to his suit for tkc daughters hand, he would have been entirely happy. Sarah Potter would not listen to his urgings for runa- way marriage. "I won't marry and have Papa mad with me- said she softly. when Fred urged her, and he kneI she meant it.
 The village, being right in the shad- Ow of the great course, naturally contained some ungodly souls wh0 were interested in the sport and a few evenings later the Deacon. car rying home a half-soiled pair of boots