Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1908-01-23

they were in my day. And why? Re
cause it's the horses who do the racin
by themselves. With this American
seat they get no help from the chaps
on their backs"
Only those who have worn silk hav,
a right to argue the debatable ques
ton. | avoided It by asking the ole
Jockey whether such a charge as tina
made against Stern grasping his op
ponents leg has ever come under hi.
own notice.
NO. he says. though | shouldn't
be surprised II he did. He probably
saved himself from falling off that
way. But I've seen a jockey get hi:
knee in front Of another's and keep II
there!'
And them
Then all he had to do was TO sit
stin and let the other chap shove hin
along, You see. the other chaI
couldn't help himself He was on the
near.side rails and daren't edge closer
to get clear. All he could do was tC
shorten his whip and fog the leg thai
lay tight alongside his own in the
hope of shiftin' 1t. And ! must say he
tried, too, When they passed the
post, with a short head between them
the winners breeches was cut to rib
bons and covered with blood
"Of course he was Disqualified
suggest.
with a leg like that? Not much
sir! The other chap didn't dare say
word-till Afterwards. And what's
said in the jockeys dressin room aim
generally e for publication
But what about the stewards
Didn't they want an explantion?"
"Oh. yes. The stewards always do!
And they got one. The winner asked
them not TO be too hard on the poor
chap who was second. because h5
hadn't time TO change his whip-hand
and the other chap said that was so
and how sorry he was
What is said in the Jockeys dress
ing room won't. Of course. always veal
repeating?' ! observe with a smile.
The old jockey looks thoughtfully
into the fire. It's a long while ago
and. besides, ! wasn't in 1t, so ! dom
see why | shouldn't tell you" he says
presently. You know the jockeys
room in the corner Of the paddock a
Newmarket? Well, it was at one o.
the second October meetings, and {
trainer-his name don't signify-mus'
have overheard somethin' he WASH
intended to, and at the bottom of the
steps he met ar owner who asked hin
II he knew anythin' for the next race
Yes, sir he says. I've Just heard tbs
jockeys up there arrangin' what's t
win, II that's KNOWN anythin'!' Tn,
owner looks a bit surprised. o
course you're goin' to tell the stew
ards?' he says. No, sir, I'm goin' Il
back it, says the trainer. And h
did"
And the owner? II would be inter
esting to know what the owner did,
| venture.
"Oh, | daresay he had a horse OF BIZ
own in the race and thought /
NOuiAI l l'St' ihts We tUL
fdence, some of them. | remembe
once / was rid;n' for one of that sort
There were only two runners; all tn
others had scratched. Coin up to tn
post, my gentleman-he hadn't bee.
at the game lOng-did nothin' but eI
plain what a cert ! was on. how I
ride him. and how far TO win. Wei
/ was beaten in the first quarter of
mile-left standin' still; and do wha
| could, ] was so yards behind whe
the other horse passed the box. Whe
| got TO the weighin' room, there wa
my owner waitin' for me with a fac
like thunder. What the prayers an
blessin's do you mean by losin' a
that way" he asks, Mean say.
Why, your horse couldn't gallop fc
thlnkin' of the instructions he hear
you givin' me. ! had to ride him lk
blazes to get last"
He looks up with a pathetic lit
smile.
I'm last now-left standin' stil
myself" he murmurs shakily.
! reassure him. Yet, soon, ] knoI
the weighingout bell win ring in h
ears for the last time, and then ms
the old jockey get off well as the d;
falls and finish" in style!