Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-12-07
THE TICKET
IN HIS BOOT.

Jimmie GlabefS IaIneF 0leu Wuen ne
was but six years old, and Jimmie had
to 60 70 work selling papers TO help
out his mother and the other children.
From that he drifted into the position
Of telegraph messenger boy and when
be was fifteen helped at livery sta
BILE. This Job suited him better than
the others, for he was very fond Of
horses. Making the acquaintance Of
q raiser Of blooded stock who took a
fancy to him, he left the livery bust
ness for a stock farm. Jimmie. like
the horses, must have had some very
good blood In him, for be sent every
dollar Of his small wages that he didn't
need TO keep body and soul together 10
his mother, who was getting old and
feeble, and he worried because he
couldn't send her more.
Jimmie begged Mr.. WheeIock, his
employer, TO LET him ride In a race, but
was only permitted to ride In practice
trials Of speed. Indeed. the stockman
seemed perfectly willing that Jimmie
should get all the practice he wanted.
Finally be told Jimmie that he might
make a trial Of his ability In a real
race, but on a horse that had no
chance TO win. Jimmie WINS delighted,
and when. rugged out in tight breeches
and a scarlet jacket, he mounted his
aOrse he felt that he had reached the
summit Of bis ambition.
I A man came up to him, making signs
that he had something private TO com
municate. Jimmie bent down, and the
man whispered to him:
"see here. sonny. want 70 make some
money!"
Jimmie thought Of his old mother
and the kids.
Because II you do I've got $500 for
you. I've fixed I'VE Of six jockeys to
let my horse win. Your horse has no
chance anyway. so there's nothing
wrong IN II for you"
III / can't win, why do you want
TO pay me to lose"
"ro make a dead certainty Of 1t. The
way do It IL this: My horse Is quoted
ut 20 to /. give the jockeys each
ticket that calls for $500 to $40 Ill
slip your ticket In your boot"
Jimmie's education had not been in
the moral line, but he was instructive
" honest, And he was as smart as
he was honest II his employer should
lose any money on the race Jimmie
wanted him to know that he had been
gwindled.
The man gave him a slap on the leg,
managing at the same time to shove
q ticket In his boot, and Jimmie rode
or Soon after that the horses got
into position, and the bell sounded.
Now. Mr.. Wheelock, who owned the
horse Jimmie rode--he had named him
Mark Tapley-had his eye on both
Jimmie and Mark. Nobody knew
anything about the horse except Mr..
Wheelock, who knew all about his
pedigree and believed him to be OF
great promise. He had watched Jim
mile ride in the trial races and had
noticed that he was a natural jockey,
but, fearing that II Jimmie knew he
was riding a horse that might win
and was backed by his master the
boy might get rufiied. he did not tell
him what was expected Of him. Be
sides. he didn't care 10 trust his secret
with any one, not even Jimmie.
The start had no sooner been made
than the favorlte began 10 pull ahead
Mark Tapley was one Of the last across
the line and after passing one or two
Of the last runners kept his position
for the first quarter. When half the
course had been run the fayorite was
I ~. ~.
hind and the rest scattered.
'"rhe little Jewelw muttered Vince.
lock 10 himself, Hes ready to give
his horse u squirt. and believe he'll
do H."
Jimmie gained but slowly. BY the
time three quarters had been gone over
he had gained only length. But the
fayorite had from the irst been doing
his best. and Mark Tapley was getting
nerved to his work. When but an
eighth remained Jimmie began to push
him. In few seconds It was neck
and neck, and at the goal he passed
the wire half length ahead.
There was the usual excitement
when 1t was discovered that a horse
against which 20 TO | had been bet
had wen the race. and every one who
had dollar on him had pocketed 500
Though the winners owner had risket
but $4,000, he had won $4,000. He
pulled Jimmie or the horse. giving
him a hug as he did 80. aud told him
that he was little brick
The same evening he sent for his
Jockey 20 come to his house and when
Jimmie appeared handed him a check
for $500. saying az the same time. "Put
that Ia savings bank" Jimmle's
eyes opened wide. Then be thought Of
the ticket Ia his boot Pulling It out
be handed Il to Mr.. wheelOck. telling
him how he had received It. The stock.
man looked from the ticket to Jim
mites face In wonder. not speaking for
some time; then he said;
Where did You learn honestyfs
Dunno" Jimmie replied. Reckon
Il was born IN me-
| tT'ha af.aRss,a,, 49,, -. a.. n