The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1908-01-24

they were in my day. And why? Be
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 have
a right to argue the debatable ques
ton. avoided it by asking the old
jockey whether such charge as that
made against Stern grasping his o.
pOnents leg has ever come under his
own notice.
NO. he says; though I shouldn't
be surprised if he did. He probably
saved himself from falling off that
way! But I've seen a jockey get his
! knee in front of another's and keen It
there"
And then?'
"Then all he had to do was to sit
still and let the other chap shove him
along! You see, the other chan
couldn't help himself. He was on the
near.side rails and daren't edge closer
to get clear. All he could do was to
shorten his whip and fog the leg that
lay tight alongside his own in the
hope OF shiftfn' it. And l must say he
tried, too! When they passed the
post, with short head between them,
the winners breeches was cut to rib.
bons and covered with blood!"
"Of course he was disqualified?" 1
suggest.
With 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 amt
generally meant 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 he
hadn't time to change his whip-hand,
and the other chap said that was 80,
and how sorry he was!"
What Is said in the Jockeys dress
Ing room won't, Of course, always bear
repeating?" observe with smile.
The old jockey looks thoughtfully
into the fire. Its long while ago,
and, besides, wasn't in it, so 1 don't
see why l shouldn't tell you," he says
presently. you know the jockeys
room in the corner of the paddock at
Newmarket? Well, it was at one of
the second October meetings, and a
trainer-his name don't signify-must
have overheard sopethin' he wasn't
Intended to, and at the bottom of the
steps he met an owner who asked him
If he knew anythin' for the next race.
Yes, sir, he says, I've just heard the
jockeys up there arrangin' what's to
win, If that's KNOWN anythin'!' The
owner looks a bit surprised. OF
course you're goin' to tell the stew
ards?' he says. No, sir, I'm goin' to
back It, says the trainer. And he
did,"
And the owner? It would be inter.
esting to know what the owner did"
venture.
"Oh. daresay he had horse of his
own In the race and thought it
couldn't lose. They've wonderful con-
fidence. some of them. remember
once was ridin' for one of that Sort
There were only two runners; all the
others had scratched. Coin up to the
post, my gentleman-he hadn't been
at the game long-did nothin' but ex-
plain what a cert l was on, how to
ride him, and how far to win. Well,
l was beaten in the first quarter of a
mile-left standin' still; and do what
l could, l was so yards behind when
the other horse passed the box. When
l got to the weighin' room, there was
my owner waitin' for me with a face
like thunder. What the prayers and
blessin's do you mean by losin' all
that way? he asks. 'Mean?' I says.
Why, your horse couldn't gallop for
thinkin' of the instructions he heard
you givin' me. had to ride him like
blazes to get last!'"
He looks up with a pathetic little
smile.
I'm last now-left standin' still,
myself" he murmurs shakily.
l reassure him. Yet, soon, l know,
the weighingout bell will ring in his
ears for the last time, and then may
the old jockey get off we'll as the flag
falls and finish" in style!