Gilpin observer., 1913-09-18
The DEACON'S HANDICAP
BY J. c. pLuMMER.

- ~
&sssssssssssssssee>essssssssssssesss3
Deacon Job Potter entered his kitch-
en- and seated himself with a deep
sigh on the bench.
Whats the matter. Job?" asked
Mrs. Potter.
I'm concarned. Hannah. I'm con-
earned. My sperrit is as clar as spring
water. but I'm concarned about what
these hyar carnal minded people will
say"
What's happened?" inquired Mrs.
Potter, anxiously.
Il was drivin' to hum this afternoon
when who should come up to me but
Mordecai Pratt q drivin' that there
two hundred dollar critter he bought
in York, hitched to his buggy. had
my old sixty dollar mare to the light
wagon and when she heard that crit
ter behind her she jest gripped the
bit In her teeth and Mordecai wasn't
nowhere 'cept kivered with dust. Now,
all these people will think I was
racin'."
Eat your supper, Job" said Mrs.
Potter, mo one IL believe you would
raceafter the way you've talked agin
it."
A ripple of laughter came from the
parlor.
Who's in thar?' asked the Deacon.
why" replied Mrs. Potter, color
ing. Fred Carey walked hum with
Sarah. and he's not gone yet"
The Deacon thumped his fist on the
table.
Il won't have that man a goin' with
Sarah" he snarled, hes a worldlin'
and sells feed to those unreginerate
critters that have race horses at the
track"
"Jedge Grimes says Fred's doin'
nice business and is goin to be rich
man some day." put in Mrs. Potter.
Who's Jedge Grimes? ?" retorted the
Deacon, disdainfully, don't he play
cyards?"
But Mrs. Potter went up stairs be-
fore the sins of the judge were fully
proclaimed.
After she had gone the Deacon emp
tied his pockets of some old papers,
throwing them into the stove.
"Mordecai wasn't nowhere" he
chuckled and then looked at a square
piece of cardboard among the papers.
1t read as follows:
international Turf Club, New York.
Play or Pay.
1000 Saracen
Atlantic Handicap"
Il picked this hyar thing up on the
road in front of the house. muttered
the Deacon; some carnal idjut been
betting his money and a scorchin'
himself with He'll fire. I'll talk about
this hyar paper at Sunday school,"
and he replaced it in his pocket.
The horses were gathering for the
spring races near the village, and
Fred Carey was doing a large busi-
ness with the -horsemen. If it were
not for the Deacon's savage opposi-
tion to his suit for his daughters hand
he would have been entirely happy.
The village, being right in the shad-
ow of the great race course, naturally,
contained some ungodly souls who
were interested in the sport, and a
few evenings later the Deacon, car
rying home a half-soled pair of boots
from the shoemaker, found them
wrapped in a sporting paper. The
Deacon eyed it with a hostile gleam
as he unwrapped the boots in the pri-
vacy Of his kitchen and then his eye
caught an item in the paper:
Public interest on the winner OF
the Atlantic Handicap now centers on
Saracen. Opening at 100 to / In the
rtvt hot ~
to five to one with wise money going
on fast at that
The Deacon dropped the paper and
felt In his pocket He drew forth the
pasteboard card.
"A thousand to ten." he murmured,
land this hyar card belongs to the
one who has It"
When the day Of the race dawned
the Deacon wandered about the house
was to be run about four o'clock and
by that time the Deacon was sinking
about the entrance to the course in an
agony lest he be recognized and lest
Saracen should lose. He heard the
cheers and shouts which heralded the
finish and Q cold sweat came out over
him. Men began to come out Of the
entrance and seek the cars. but he
dared not ask who had won. Finally.
1 incorporation. he approached sport
i've looking man and asked Quaverins.
ly who had won the handicap.
"Why. 6aEaeea." replied the man.
hands down and the jock lookins
back at the other skates"
''Is this your ticketf" asked the
cashier 1t the Turf club.
TT H." snapped the Deacon.
The man called 70 someone in the
once. and In . moment the Deacon
and Fred Carey. two very surprised
men. were staring at each other.
This man has the ticket you stop
Ped" said the cashier.
Il found It in front Of my house."
the Deacon