South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-14
The Canon's Confession
BY Francis J. Scully

your lifetime. I'm going 70 let YOU
race the best horses in the county.
II wish I could drive YOU. I even
+ wish more ] could race against you
myself. / was a good one when a
boy. Danny. But your old boss will
drive you. II I did. the people
wouldn't understand. but you un-
jerstand, Danny. Jason will drive
YOU, but youll win for me-"
( Danny rubbed his nose against
the Csnon's shoulder and neighed
quietly. Danny understood
Danny" he said putting his arms
around the dumb beasts neck, I'm
sure you1l go 10 the horses heaven.
Goodnight my boy"
Gossip was rampant when the
trotting enthusiasts saw Danny dee
yer entered The Canon was not
only bewildered when he saw ques-
ton mark where the name Of the
owner belonged on the program"
Jason's playing a trick on me- But
nobody knows I'm the owner. A
question mark is better than a flat
lie anyway"
But gossip has more ears than a
field OF corn. 1t was rumored all
over the grsndstand that the ques-
ton mark was Canon Cassavoy. The
whole story seemed TO be common
property, and all were tickled 70
death. "A sporting Canon was a
remark emitted gleefully in more
than one group.
The Canon deported himself In his
most solemn manner. He had given
Danny final instructions in the
stable To avoid comment he had
sneaked in. dressed in his farm
! clothes, hat over his eyes. 1--WE al
most a criminal conscience" he said
10 himself
Betting was most spirited in the
race for local talent. The pros ard
cons OF the various favorites were
warmly debated WITHIN ear shot of
the Canon No longed 10 take his
few dollars and place them on
] Danny. Just to shut them up" he
murmured. But I can't. Gam
/ bling is a vice"
The race was forced to six heats
so close was the competition. In
that grandstand the CanOn's wild
( cheering and wilder instructions
stood out like a lone fir tree on
snow covered hill. He utterly for
got himself in his excitement Ev-
erybody smiled and felt more at
| home. Evidently the Canon APP
proved Of trotting races.
When I'm the final heat. Danny
| Deever came down the homestretch
a head in front Of Black Briar the
| warm favorite. the Canon was beside
himself with happiness Alta boy.
/ Danny" he shouted And before he
! realized what he was doing. he had
mounted over the fence and was run
ming madly down the track shouting
/ encoura cement TO Danny. Danny
must have heard for ne outran him
! self and won by full length. The
Canon kept on after his beloved
trotter Danny heard him. turned
/ around Of his own accord and can
tered toward his master. with one
wild toss the Canon threw his arms
around Danny's neck. MY Danny"
ne cried, MY Danny. You wonder
/ boy. Sugar tonight for YOU old boy.
A barrel Of it,"
/ Suddenly he realized his sur
! roundings. A priest caressing a race
horse on a public track, Great
! Scott
The crowd. however. was not hor-
rifed. 1t was exceedingly happy A
sporting Canon!
Danny" he SAID. Lets get
away" He took the reins and drove
! out Of the track I . miles to the next
| parish. deaf to the shouts OF the
judges to take his prize money
Father" he said 20 Father Duffy.
in the latter's house. i've con-
fession to make. own a racing
! horse. Il"
Father Duffy laughed. Every
body in the county knows that he
said. Even the Bishop. What we
want to know is. did he VIM"