The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-02-14
THE ROBBING
OF BURKE
BY LAURENCE D. YOUNG
Copyright

They were on the far turn, now. with
Diavalo and Gretchen, split favorites
out in front, and Lady Grace, her
Jockey. Robson. rating her nicely.
back an easy length. while the pack
trailed out behind. Burke liked his
bet on Lady Grace better than ever.
For the last eight months he had
watched the work of this good little
daughter of the peerless Lord Duck.
until now he thought he knew pretty
certain what she could do and when
she could do it.
AT the six-furlong post Gretchen, IN.
der whip. weakened, and there was
nothing for Grace to beat but the big
black Davalo, who. at his best and
out to win. was racing up the stretch
like whirlwtnd. Robson with the
FLY challenged in the last sixteenth
and the black, worn down by making
pace throughout the long trip. re-
sponded for few yards, but could
not stall off the final push of the fly
ing Lady Grace, who came home by
safe lead.
short time later, as Richard Ros-
common Burke stuffed the comfortable
bundle of yellow bills into his pocket
he thought: '"These western tracks are
right for me-"
After q season of continuous misfor-
tune at Gravesend and Sheepshead,
Burke had gathered together what lit
tie remained of his fluctuant capital,
told his circle of intimates at the
Metropost that he was going to try
his luck In pastures new, and betook
himself to Cincinnati, arriving at that
city for the opening Of the fall meet
ing at Latonia.
Whether it was the change of scene
or that he knew the horses to better
advantage, or that his happy star was
In the ascendant. he could not say,
but now, after four days of racing, as
he told Matthews, who wrote "turf"
for the Cincinnati Investigator, he was
''on his feet again." During the jour-
ney from the track to the city his mind
was mainly occupied with the thought
of his winnings and how he could
bring them to double and treble their
present size.
AS he was entering his hotel it oc-
Cured to him that he had great deal
too much money in his picket to safely
carry around. especially that night.
when he was going to dine with Mat
thews and some Of their friends in
common. and SO he stopped at the desk
and asked the clerk If he would put
his winnings In the safe.
"I'm sorry, Mr.. Burke" replied that
gentleman. ''but the combination OF
our safe is out of order and it won't
lock, although they are working at 1t
now. l can put the money in the cash
drawer, If you like"
A glance at this somewhat fiimsy
.contrivance convinced Burke that 1t
would never do as a receptacle for
anything Of his, so he said he would
take care Of his property himself. He
went up to his room trying to think OF
some hiding place for the roll. and put
It under the rug.
It made a hump plainly perceptible
from anywhere In the room. but IN
moving the rug he noticed a board
which seemed to be loose. With the
aid of his cane he pried 1t out. and
having placed the money In q large
white envelope. dropped 1t into the
boxlike compartment revealed.
Hearing someone coming. ne mas
tfly stamped down the board ana
threw the rug back over the spot ne
had molested. The person passed MS
door without stopping. and Burke
shortly afterward went to join Mat
thews and his friends.
In the course Of most agreeable
dinner a question arose as TO tne
achievements of a certain horse ana
Burke, saying he had a racing Iorih
In his room and could prove his as
sertion, went up to get the book.
No sooner did he enter the room
than he saw that corner OF the rug
WAS turned back In such a way that
no felt sure he had not left 1t so. HAD
some one been at his money! IN IeVer.
fsh haste he tore up the Doaro anu
looked into the hole The enVe'ope
was gone!
According to the elevator boy only
one person had been on tnat' noor
since Burke went down. and that was
: man with a black beard VINO nau
taken room that afternoon. NO, ne
hadn't come down yet, SAID tne IVY
in answer to Burke's query.
His thoughts were interrupted JUS
then by a slight noise like the ciick
OF a telephone in the next rooin' anu
then a mans voice saying:
.Is this the clerk7 ! won't DC ape
n stay here tonight. as expected ana
I would like to know when the neA.
train south leaves. Oh, well. III nave
10 hurry. WIN you send me one io1
my baggagef" $780,, -.
Another click told the listener tne
conversation was over. :.
Sd he wasn't going to stay as ne
n.d intended, thought Burke. ana ne
vould have to hurry II he was gong
10 70 south by the next tran WEI.
= <ost n he was going