The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-10-26
THE TICKET
IN HIS BOOT.

out his mother and the other children.
From that he drifted into the position
or telegraph messenger boy and when
he was fifteen helped at livery sta
BILE. This job suited him better than
the others, for be was very fond of
horses. Making the acquaintance OF
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 he sent every
dollar Of bis small wages that he didn't
need to keep body and soul together to
his mother, who was getting old and
feeble, and he worried because he
couldn't send her more.
Jimmie begged Mr.. wheelock. his
employer, to let him ride in 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 he told Jimmie that he might
make trial Of his ability In a real
race, but on horse that had no
chance to win. Jimmie was delighted,
and when, rugged out in tight breaches
and a scarlet jacket, he mounted his
horse he felt that he had reached the
summit Of his ambition.
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 to make some
money"
Jimmie thought OF his old mother
and the kids.
Because II you do I've got 5000 for
you. I've fixed FIVE of six jockeys to
let my horse win. Your horse has no
chance anyway, so there's nothing
wrong In 1t for you"
eff ! can't win, why do you want
TO pay me to loser
ITO make dead certainty of t. The
way do 1t is this: My horse is quoted
at 20 to l. give the jockeys each
ticket that calls for $500 to $40. I'll
slip your ticket in your boot"
Jimmie's education had not been In
the moral line, but he was instructive
ly honest. And he was as smart as
he was honest. If his employer should
lose any money on the race Jimmie
wanted him to know that he had been
swindled.
The man gave him slap on the leg,
vtno evtper OF ho ma f,,,a ~ ckaua
a ticket in his boot, and Jimmie rode
off. 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 |
mie ride In the trial races and had |
noticed that he was natural jockey, |
but, fearing that If Jimmie knew he /
was riding horse that might win |
and was backed by his master the |
boy might get ruffied, he did not tell |
him what was expected of him. Be-
sides, he didn't care to trust his secret
with any one. not even Jimmie.
The start had no sooner been made
than the favorite began TO 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 favorite was
first, Mark Tapley three lengths be-
hind and the rest scattered
1.-THE little jewell" muttered Vince
lock to himself Hes ready to give
his horse squirt. and l believe he'll
do it,"
Jimmie gained but slowly. BY the
time three-quarters had been gone over
he had gained only length. But the
favorite had from the first been doing
his best, and Mark Tapley was getting
nerved to his work. When but an
eighth remained Jimmie began to push
him. In a few seconds it was neck
and neck, and at the goal he passed
he wire half length ahead.
There was the usual excitement
when 1t was discovered that a horse
against which 20 to / had been bet
had won the race, and every one who
lad dollar on him had pocketed $40
Though the winners owner had risked
but $4,000, he had won $4,000. He
pulled Jimmie OFF the horse, giving
him hug as he did so, and told him
hat he was little brick.
The same evening he sent for his
Jockey to come to his house and when
Jimmie appeared handed him check
or $500, saying at the same time, Put
hat In a savings bank" Jimmie's
yes opened wide. Then he thought Of
he ticket in his boot. Pulling it out,
lie handed it to Mr.. Wheelock, telling
him how he had received 1t. The stock
nan looked from the ticket to JIM
nie's face in wonder, not speaking for
Ione time; then he said:
'Where did you learn honesty"
'Dunno," Jimmie replied. Reckon
{ was born in me-"
The stockman tore up the check he
lad written and wrote another. 1t
vas for $4,000.
"Shall put it into the business for
rou, Jimmie?"
Jimmie was too overwhelmed just
hen to reply. but in time he assented, h
nd the concern is now Wheelock & !
later.
Jimmie in bis prosperity did not for |
ct his old mother and when she died
ant all his brothers and sisters to