New-York tribune., 1921-04-17


thing / own, and so do"
Then he made out some papers and turned
them over to Harmony, after which he said
few parting remarks and finally left u.s.
THIS Galops which he referred to was
race horse, according to certain loose
manner OF speaking. In California sporting
circles he notorious, and his track history
was Kissing and byword.
In appearance Gallops was small, black
coated and unambtious beast, with a despon-
dent look about him that made you believe he
must have suffered some terrible tragedy in
youth. He had pale blue eyes and they pro-
truded into space, giving him startled and
imbecilc expression. He was worth about $40
for purposes of glue and other by-products,
and nobody knew his age.
This the sad-faced equine which Mr.
Lewis now added to his alleged assets and
turned over to us in lieu of our four thousand
iron gentlemen.
In the of the next few days Harmony,
Omar and wandered out to the scenes of our
undoing at Pergo Park. While we were there
it occurred to Harmony to have a brief look
at Galops.
Harmony and / gazed at our new possession
without the slightest enthusiasm He looked
pessmstc and underfed, and you could see all
his larger ribs and part way into his engine
ROOM He had high, proud head and curly
name. Omar tried to look at his teeth and
nearly lost two fingers.
A week later made another pilgrimage
to the track and spent the time talking to
casual friends. We were late in leaving the
park. The days sport ended and the race
goers had long since departed for the city
Harmony paused to light cigarette, and we
were standing there innocently, leaning against
the railing in the semi-obscurity of the late
afternoon, when something passed on the other
side. 1t went by like six-inch she'll There
was the rush of wind, the hum of moving
object and then silence.
"What that?" Omar exclaimed, turning
a startled eye me.
''lt sounded like horse" I returned
Harmony had lighted his match, and when it
burned his fingers he dropped it,
"It sure sounded like horse" Omar admit
ted, peering down the dim track
"No horse lives that can go that fast" Har-
mony retorted. ''They amt no such horse"
We stood there in foolish debate, and finally
climbed on the fence and sat there expectantly.
Soon discerned something coming toward
out of the gloom. 1t was an indistnct form
at first, but it gradually took shape and as it
approached saw that it was horse and
perched on its back was small figure When
the animal was opposite Harmony shouted and
the rider came over.
"What horse is that?" he demanded of the
dim form.
"Gallops," said the voice.
I heard noise as of Omar falling off the
fence, and when I looked up he was picking
himself up.
"Gallops?" Harmony repeated, with forced
calm. "Galops? You amt making any mis-
take, you? You sure that's Gallops?"
Il ought to know, boss, said the voice. "I'm
the exercise boy on this track, and sleep in
the same stable with this hoss."
did you go by us few minutes ago." Har-
mony inquired incredulously.
II sure did go by you," said the boy eve
a-gon it, wasn't we?"
He chuckled gently and stroked the surpris-
ing beast.
WE CLIMBED down on the track side and
made careful investigation. The lad
was telling the truth. The horse was our own
Gallops, pop-eyes and all.
Boss, how he kin go!" said the bow admir-
ingly, and we felt of Gallops anew to make sure
it was he.
Have you run him far?" HARMONY de-
manded, and the boy announced that he had
merely logged fast quarter mile.
Every good" said Harmony. "I'm Mr..
Chllds, and he's my horse. Run him clean
around the track this time, and we'll hold a
wat h on him. And don't forget to hurry him."
All right" said the jockey. 81 didn't know
this was your hoss'
You had nothing on me- said Harmony.
and the lad steercd Galops out to the center
OF the track and started.
There, in the gathering dusk, we timed our
astonishing racehorse. He got off like
Mauser bullet, we heard the departing thud of
hoots and little later the noise began coming
from the opposite direction. HARMONY and
Omar both held their watches on the trv-out
and now forget what the time of that test
was Let it go with the truthful statement
that 1T was faster than any horse ever Travelled
mile in California up to this time. The how
turned around and cantered back to us On.r
closed his watch.
whats the matter with him." he asked
he never went that fast before in his life
What have you been doing to him."
Not thing" grinned the boy. "The fact ;s
this here Gallops is peculiar hoss and ~,