The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-09-23
THE DEAcOH'S HANDICAP
BY j. c. PLU MN Err.

Deacon Job Potter entered his kltcn-
en- and seated himself with a deep
sigh on the bench.
What's the matter, Job?" asked
Mrs Potter.
I'm concerned, Hannah, I'm con-
earned My sperrit is as clar as spring
water, but I'm concerned 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 a 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
owhere 'cept kivered with dust. Now,
all these people will think l was
racin'."
Eat your supper job. said Mrs,
Potter. mo one II 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, celor-
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 goin' with
Sarah" he snarled hes worldlin'
and sells feed to those unreginerate
critters that have race horses at the
track"
"Jedge Grimes says Fred's dom q
nice business and is goin to be rich
man some day" put in Mrs. Potter.
Who's ledge Crimes" retorted the
Deacon, dsdainfully, 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 lie
chuckled and then looked at square
piece Of cardboard among the papers
It 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 scorchin
himself with Hell fire. III 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, ant
Fred Carey was doing a large bust
ness with the horsemen. II 1t were
not for the Deacon's savage Oppose
ton to his suit for his daughters hane
he would have been entirely happy.
The village, being right in the shad
ow of the great race course, naturally
contained some ungodly souls WHIT
were interested in the sport and
few evenings later the Deacon, car
rying home half.soled pair Of boot
from the shoemaker, found then
wrapped in sporting paper. TIT
Deacon eyed it with hostile CLEAN
as he unwrapped the boots in the pri
vacy Of his kitchen and then his ey'
caught an item in the paper:
Public interest on the winner 0
the Atlantic Handicap now centers OF
! Saracen. Opening at 100 to l in tn
winter betting, his odds have dropped
to five to one with wise money goinI
on fast at that
The Deacon dropped the paper an
felt in his pocket. He drew forth til
pasteboard card
"A thousand to ten he murmureC
land this hyar card belongs to tn
III
i one who has it"
When the day of the race dawne
the Deacon wandered about the houS
{ as a perturbed spirit. The handica
was 10 be run about four o'clock an
by that time the Deacon was slinkin
about the entrance to the course in a
agony lest he be recognized and les
Saracen should lose. He heard tn
y cheers and shouts which heralded tn
finish and a cold sweat came out owe
him. Men began to come out OF tn
entrance and seek the cars. but b
dared not ask who had won. FINAL,
incorporation, he approached a spor
i've looking van and asked quaverinl
" who had won the handicap.
. why, Saracen," replied the mai
hands down and the jock lookin
+. back at the other skates
rs this your ticket?" asked til
cashier at the Turf club.
1t is" snapped the Deacon.
The man cai ed to someone in Ii
office, and in a moment the Geacc
and Fred Grey, two very surprise
men, were staring AT each other.
This ,uan has the ticket YOU sto
,,;I IN