The San Francisco call., 1908-07-26

A Norris park stout man
pumped heavily into seat that
held a thin faced professional betting
man and said: Hello. Sproatl How's it
comin'-pickin' 'em like you did last
fall at SheepsheadY'
"Oh. Gruderi Didn't know you.
Piclin' them? I amt backed a winner
In six days"
"Firebrand looks good business in
the sellin' race" Gruder said tentative
ly. scanning his race program. He'll
!, vin-it's a pipe; but what's the good
three 10 five. that's what he'll be in the
books" Lowering his voice he con-
tinued: There's Firebrand's trainer.
Jack Lane. two seats behind. You was
in on that thing he put over the plate
at Sheepshead last fall, wasn't you?
He's pretty hot stuff Wish I knew II
Firebrand was goin' to turn the trick
today"
Sproat turned has head casually and
70 his establishment looked into the
round, blue eyes Of his friend Jack
Rooney, horse clocker. who sat alone
IN the second seat behind that Gruder
had spoken Of Sproat had never no
ticed before the extraordinary resem-
blance his friend bore to Trainer Jack
Lane. He sat buried in deep thought
for q minute. while Gruder ticked OF
on his race card possible winners.
Don't you know Lane?" sproat
asked presently.
4 mot to speak TO. 7 just seen him on
the course a couple of times-wish I
did"
I'll introduce you" the other de-
clared. The stout man followed him
with alacrity. and Sproat, with dis
tinet emphasis on the clocker's read
5usred name, said, "A friend of mine,
Mr.. Gruder. who wants to know you,
Lane"
ROoney's round eyes. growing round
er in astonishment. saw the lid OF the
speakers left eye droop in a wink of
caution.
At that instant a man Joined the
little group and Sproat. saying, sit
down, Mr.. Gruder-Dave. here. viii take
your seat with me" carried the in
truder away.
Gruder crushed his fat body into the
seat beside Rooney and unbuttOned his
vest, saying. "Phew! it's hotl 1 s'pose
you've heard Of Ben Gruder. Mr.. Lane.
seh? I made EN- wipe their states at
New Orleans a couple OF times this
winter; an 1 was on myself the time
you an Dick Sproat copped at Sleeps
head last year"
Rooney cautiously refrained from
any observation in return. and the gar
ruious fat man, looking over his right
shoulder and then over his left, tipped
his heavy jowled head toward the
clocker and continued in lower tone:
Your horse Firebrand looks the goods
with 112 pounds Up. The papers all
tip him-that means he'll be about 4 to
8 in the betting"
7 don't take no TO about Fire
brand" Rooney declared IN an ag-
Erieved voice. 7 won't bet s5 on him
today"
This was a most truthful assertion,
for at that moment the speakers cap
ital-he had counted it over very care
fuuy-was exactly s4.27. II Yellowbird
had possessed just trife more speed
the previous day. Rooney would have
n possessed something more than $500;
out it's always 10 to l against Yellow
bird or any other horse when he's 10
10 in the books.
Gruder's heavy eyes. with the little
pouches Of sagging skin beneath.
sought Rooney's face with a hungry
look in them as the latter spoke Of
not backing Firebrand. Then he dug
his elbow clumsily into the clocker's
ribs and announced mysteriOusly:
"Whitestocking might bring home
the candy. I'm wise TO that stable
there's somethin' doing'"'
There's always 'somethin' doin',"
Rooney growled, thinking Of Yellow
bird; 'somethin' doin'. and at the fin
ish the best horse wins. That's what
keeps the wise guys guessin. White
stocking with an onion on his back
couldn't beat Firebrand."
The fat man gave snort 1T ain't
what q horse can do, it's what he does
do. that gets the nun. You want TO
make some sure nun, don't you. Lane?
You amt in the game for your health"
I'm in it to improve the breed Of
horses"
Say. that chestnut's dead ripe UP In
the clubhouse 'mongst the swells, but
they're all out for the long green. You
don't feed your horses for the public no
nore'n they do. We could make some
good money together. Lane. II you
chip in with me you could own horses
OF your own"
It had been the dream Of Rooney's
nfe 20 own a good racehorse. and sud
denly thrown OF his guard he said:
say. mister. If had a horse could win
I'd knock some OF them book makers
on the block"
What's the matter with Firebrand?