Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-09-12
I'm going to break John DUFFY" he

I'm going to close up the John Duffy
stable" he announced.
"Oh!' was her startled exclamation.
Prom now on have two great OBJ
jects in life, The first Is to win YOU;
the second is to break the owner Of
Wildfire."
The situation appealed to Mrs. Bar
rington's sense of humor. :.
You are going to break the owner Of
Wildfire? Well. won't that be nice?
Shaker! she cried as peal followed peal
of laughter, while Garrison looked at
her in amazement.
Donovan was seated at the desk in
his room at the track checking up his
feed accounts an hour before the
Ocean stakes were to be run.
From the paddock the bugle call Sad
dlingw drifted down the summer air.
The martial notes reused him from his
study of the figures.
bud, Bud! For the love Of Mike,
where is that kid? Bud, Budl'
In response to his call there tumbled
into the stable an odd little specimen
Of boyhood. It was Bud" valet to
Donovan and errand boy for Mrs.
harrington. Round faced and plump,
his run was more the amble Of a
Dobbin than the sprint Of Wilddre.
Take that bucket and get out Of
here" Donovan tossed water bucket
at the boy. Bud caught It, but the
velocity was so great az to almost
carry him through the door. Donovan
grinned at the boys woeful look a. the
utensil caught him tn his paunch.
what are you doingT' he asked
Chappy's valet a. that factotum
rushed from the door to tho stable en-
trance diagonally opposite.
II done been gettin' these pants
pressed for Mr.. Raster. After he wins
dat big race today he wants to dress
up in his finest SO he can mingle."
"Oh! It's like that, 10 itr' grumbles
Donovan.
The valet stood aside TO Let tho
Jockey enter, and the trainer reseated
himself at his desk. He looked up
when he heard Hortense open tho door.
"Hello! What do you want7" was
his greeting for her.
could you inform mo Of Mr.. Dono-
vans whereabouts?" she asked.
Yes; I'm Donovan" he replied.
Well, sir, was sent over here to-,
She paused. Her eyes had fallen On
Chappy. Her face shone with happi-
ness and alteration.
"Well, what is It? What Il ft7s de-
manded Donovan impatiently.
Hortense handed Donovan note,
glancing shyly at Chappy as she did 80.
"A note for you from lady," she ex-
planned. II amt never had no notes
from any gentleman" was her coy
suggestion to the jockey.
"Mebbe you will before long," was
Chappy's quick reply.
Donovan read the note and replied:
"All right! Tell her sure. will be
waiting for her, and tell the lady there
is nothing to tits walkover.'
Donovan called the jockey over to
the desk and asked:
"How do you like WildireY'
dat horse has got human intelli-
gence, Mr.. Donovan. amt never saw
no animal like her. And fit-say!
wish dis was der Suburban, OATS ALL"
You ride accordin' to orders and
you can't lose," counseled Donovan.
Let Jackdaw make the pace, while
you trail along in comfortable posi-
ton till you strike the stretch. Then
go after itv'
Don't Mr.. Duffy never give no or
ders?" asked Chappy.
Don't you bother about Duffy. He
never interferes with me-"
He must be a mighty queer man to
run stable. If owned lot of
horses I'd jest nach'ally come round
to see 'em once in awhile"
Let me put you wise to this one
thing" said Donovan. "If r. He
stopped. John Duffy stood in the door
way of the stable. Entering, he greet
ed Donovan as cordially as his nature
permitted.
MIR. Duffy" snarled Donovan.
Chappy gazed curiously at Duffy. To
him he was his employer and the
owner of famous horse. $50 that's
Mr. Duffy!' he said very quietly.
Wont keep you minute. How's
Wildfire?" asked Duffy.
II guess she'll do" Donovan WAS
concise and coldly polite. He did not
wish to quarrel then.
Good enough to VIM"
Duffy acted as If he owned the stable
and was comforting with his trainer.
Chappy was deeply impressed.
Tell you better after the race is
over" was Donovan's sibylline reply.
Good" answered Duffy, walking to-
ward Chappy, burt Donovan interven-
ed. Baked, Duffy laughed and said:
This Is Raster-our jockey?'
Eyes. our jockeyv' Donovan was
sneering at Duffy's assumption Of own
ership, but in doing SO he failed to
consider what effect it would have on
the impressionable Chappy.
He's ridin' mighty fine horse.
She'll be a hot favorite. too--about 8
:, 5. guess-unless Garrison throws
Il bunch of coin into the ring on Jack
1. W. was Duffy's next shot