The Virginia enterprise., 1908-02-14
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BABS' SAREWlTCH
BY Norman Hopewell
BY Norman Hope
(Copyrigllt.)

Copy
II fink shall go and back the win
ner now observes Lady Babs
The nine-year-old daughter of the
earl of Fulhanl, preparatory to putting
her intention into execution, holds up
her riding habit with both hands, so
as to exhibit as much as she can of
her new top-boots to the crowd in the
birdcage.
you're going to do what?" asks
pretends not to hear.
Il say, young woman" calls her
father. "One moment. Where have
you been for the last half hour?'
1--WE been on the Heaf wiv Alured
and Mrs. Fame fink Newmarket's the
incest place know for gallop. You
ought to have seen my pony! held
Alured from the Ditch right acwoss to
the Bushes wivout extendin' him; and
Alured's mare IL quite moderately
good, you know. Seen my boots, ad.
miral?' she asks inconsequently of an
OAuOAAy A0A 7" AO COA1lCS up a. Lu0 kuOe
ment
The admiral fixes his pince-nez on
his nose and affects deep interest.
by Jove, they're splendid!" he de-.
clares
"Ain't they rippin'? I showed them
to Kink. and he said they were quite
vewy down the road. Isn't anybody
goin' to take me into the ring to back
Velveteen for the 'Sarewitch?" she
asks.
But, my dear child" demurs Mrs.
Fame. "The ring! You mustn't think
of it,"
why Velveteen?" asks the earl.
shes at 33 to /! Hasn't a ghost of a
chance. Why not support your dad
dys horse, Babs?"
They, are standing at the door of
the locse-box where the earl's four
year-old is awaiting the event Of the
day. Babs gives him a perfunctory
glance and shakes her little head sage
~.
mot for anyfing," is her decision.
He can't stay the course and besides
l wasn't at all satisfied wiv the way
he moved at exercise yesterday"
The deuce you waren't," says the
ear, with laugh. You're getting to
know too much. Is that your personal
opinion. or did you read 1t in the pa
pers?"
II never read the papers," affirms
Babs. "Kink says they only give win
ners once year, and then It's only for
walk-over."
WHO is Kink?" asks Mrs. Fame.
Hes our head gardeners son; but
now he's appendixed at Mr.. Wilson's,
the trainer; and he's a great friend of
mine'
Hes mashed on Babs," explains her
brother, Alured, with a grin.
Hes much nicer boy than you
are.' retorts Babs. And he rides as
we'll as-as Otto Madden!"
And he says that Velveteen will
win, does he?" puts in the admiral !:
and Babs mods affirmatively.
Il suppose he hasn't given you his
reasons fer that astounding predic-
tion?" suggests the earl.
ITS nothing Of the kind" objects
Babs. without quite knowing what pre-.
diction means. It's a stone blind
cert" She puts no emphasis on the
phrase, merely uses it as one might 4
plain statement of fact.
The admiral is vastly amused, but
has struggle not to show It,
"Oh, don't ask me-" murmured the
earl in reply to Mrs. Fane's look OF
questioning astonishment. Il don't
know where she picks up her stable
talk
Well what else did your-did Mr.
Kink say?" inquiries the admiral when
he has regained control of his fea
lures.
Il can't quite member his exact
words" replies Babs. but l fink he
said the favorite couldn't win in .
couple OF fortnights If Velveteen-
that's Mr.. Milton's f1lly. you know
only stood right sides up"
This she says with perfectly limo
cent expression on her cherub.lik-
face, and shows considerable indigna
tion when it is received with an ex
plosion Of laughter.
I'm perfectly serious" she protests
Il know Velveteens' form to an ounce
It's fousand to fick'n on her.
"Babs!" exclaims Mrs. Fame. "Hov
dreadful"
'But-Velveteen!" derides the earl
"She's the rankest outsider of tn,
whole lot!"
THAT has noting to do with it, dad
dy,' argues Babs. ''Kink told me t,
put my shirt on her."
Il don't think he can be a very mic,
boy to talk to you like that" demur,
Mrs. Fame.
''Oh, but assure you he is," de
clares Babs, "or they wouldn't hav,
him In the choir of st. Manews."
rs: that whore he gives you tips ?
she asks in shocked voice.
Sometimes during the anfem
5 when my governess is local terror TO
T. the organist. and I'm wiv her."
Local what?" gasps the earl.
81 During the anthem? wonders Mrs