The gazette-times. [volume] (Heppner, Or.) 1912-1925, 1914-04-30

thrusting forward with a Puritanic
fixity of purpose
'Lawd What can say, elder?
That pesky Widder Peasly says she
see me plank down a half dollar on
tn fence an then see Alb Thomas
cover 1t with another half dollar"
moaned the deason.
We're surprised Deacon Plunkett,
that man of your years should be
so weak" growled Hiram Whitten's
heavy bass, and he wrinkled his nose
sourly, while his half-closed eyes
gave no intimation Of leniency. 1T
would seem breathering, that as the
Deacon has well nigh confessed we
can only return verdict Of guilty as
charged, an leave 1t for the congrega-
tion to say what shall be done"
"Mebbe we ought to dig into this a
bit deeper" suggested the third in
vestigator, Head Selectman Carr 1--WE
known Brother Plunkett so long 1t
don't seem possible he could go
around bettin' money on hoss races.
Mebbe his mind was upset in some
way. What hoss did ye bet on.
deacon?"
The postmaster's eye glinted with
interestas he squared his elbows and
wet his pencil while Mr.. Whitten
shaded his gaze with one long bony
hand, and inclined his head bit to
catch the answer.
"On that derned Abigail's Pride"
sighed the deacon. ''She struck me
as such a sweet natur'd driver, such
a cheerful, gamey little mare, that
didn't think it was gambln'. Why.
I'd swore Alb Thomas didn't have
ghost of a show. An where there
amt no chance to lose l don't see
how 1t Is gamblin'."
II never liked tn way she carried
her head" observed Mr.. Carr mildly.
II dunno about that" protested Mr..
Whitten. shaking his head stouty and
pursing up his lips. She always
struck me as bein unusually clean
gated forward"
Why, man that would bet on
81
strangly. "ain't no gambler. He's jest
common crazy, that's all. / wouldn't
put penny on her to beat hearse
that is, 'sposin' was sinful enough
to bet on hoss race"
She made good time las fall on
TIL Durginville track" defended Mr.
Whitten shortly. Track was muddy,
too"
She's a hummer on a wet track.
That's why tomorrow will see her
leavin' everything behind her as if
they was hitched. Why, Sim Coles
hired man told me yesterday that
after rain like we're just been havin
she'll go through TIL field like a
streak"
Mr.. Carr pricked up his ears and
twisted nervously in his chair, while
the postmaster bit his pencil dubi-
ously and sneered. What does Sim
Coles man know about her, anyway"
HE took care of her at tn Durgin-
willie track" informed the deacon.
"He knows a hoss all right" de-
clared Mr.. Whtten dreamily. But
cant say l like tn way tn mare
was handled tother day. Seems if
her driver fretted her at tn stretch"
"She grew wuss an wuss in every
heat" added the postmaster, listlessly.
Shed probably make fine show
in tomorrer if she was given fair
chance" lamented Mr.. Carr.
AN she'll git tn chance" cried
the deacon, seeming to forget the
hazard Of his position. 'for Sims man
is goin to handle her. Lawd! l pity
them folks that's weak an sinful
enough to bet agin her. l feel so re-
pentent l carclate it's my duty to
warn 'em ALL"
NO. decided the postmaster firm
ly. TT amt your duty, Egbert, to do
that"
Il should say not" cried Mr.. Whit
ten, his eyes glittering
But folks will be givin odds
against her." protested the deacon
humbly. Joshua Runnells says he'll
bet dollar n half to seventy cents
she's distanced."
ut amt our duty to save Josh Run
nells' money for him." reminded Mr..
Carr decisively. Then he added. AN
so Josh is stoppin' here at tn village
this week, eh?"
Hes workin' at tn livery stable
| durtr, IN fairn informed tho daacop