Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1922-02-22
The Owner of
".SiIver King
7IiIIIIIfIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIiIiIIIlIIIIIII
BY MARVIN ST. JOHNS


He shook him, but the man did not
respond. Then, lifting him in his
arms, the young American carried him
to the side Of the highway and laid
him down under a tree.
Automobiles and carriages streamed
past them, but no one stopped to no
tice the recumbent man. For this was
at Kempton Park, and one of the clas-
sic races of the year was to be run.
The man had evidently tainted. He
was elderly, thin, gaunt, Withholding
Leaving him there, Danbury bought
some sandwiches.
The man ate the sandwiches greed
lily, and presently seemed so far re-
covered as to sit up. He stared at his
rescuer.
"Have they run the Victoria stakes
YETI" he implOred.
"Not. believe, till three O'clock
Danbury answered.
''Then help me to the course. It's
matter of thousands" He looked at
Danbury thoughtfully. Help me there
and I'll show you what an old mans
gratitude MEANS"
Half an hour later they were seated
by the side as near the track as they
could get.
'Therer ' the old man cried, as a
poor-looking animal went by. "That's
Silver King. He's being quoted at
forty to One-a rank outsider. And
he'll win-hes mine"
'That horse is yours?' CALCULATED
Danbury.
mime, every inch Of him. And now
I'm going to make your fortune" re
piled the other. 'Listen!"
"Ten years ago Silver King was 9
Derby winner. Never mind what his
name was then. He was mine, and
won ninety thousand pounds on him
1t went in wine, women and song
squandered, sir, as easily as it came
lost everything; I lost Silver King
He was sold to millionaire. But his
jockey misused him and he WOULDN'T
run Three months ago, 1 discovered
him breaking his brave heart between
the shafts of hanson cab. I bough
him for ten guineas cash. had JUS
a hundred pounds in the world.
rented a little cottage and barn in 6
wild part of Essex, and there 1 trained
him. Twelve years old he is today
and at first it was a heart-breakI1s
task. Often / thought the task wa:
impossible. but / persevered. And "a
last the day came when / knew thai
I had again one of the swiftest steeds
in this country. / hired a jockey an(
entered him for the Victoria stakes. i
had fifty pounds left, and I borrowed
| two hundred more. I didn't spen(
anything on food. A loaf of bread
is all I've had the last five days. Be
| cause, you see, sir, two hundred ant
I fifty pounds placed on a forty-to-on'
| shot means ten thousand If he wins
| A fortune for me and a peaceful ole
| age for Silver King. And he cam
| lose.."
| He started toward a tall man in {
white hat who, standing on stool
was shouting the odds. The horse:
were at the starting gate.
| 'Do you want to come in?" asked
the old fellow, stopping short. "A hun
dred pounds will net you four thou
sand"
Danbury had five hundred-the bal
ance of all he had put aside for hi
European tour.
you're dead sure" he queried. "I'l
I'll wager four hundred"
"And you'll never regret it, son. an
swered the old man, and dragged hin
/ up to the bookmaker.
"Last chance!" the latter yelled.
"What's the odds on Silver King?
queried the elder man.
"Fifty to one" answered the book
maker briskly. "Want to make bet
! It's a sporting chance-there's wors
horses has won. -Four hundred?" II
took the money and scrubbed memo
randum in his book, handing Danbur
the stub.
Danbury turned, tense with excite
ment, to see the horses racing dow
the field.
"He's winning" yelled the old ma
at Danbury's side.
Blackberry had fallen back and ST
yer King had passed three of his CON
petitors.
the lead again. And Silver King ha
fallen to the rear. The horses quick
ened their stride. Blackberry was eds
ing away from all. And poor old ST
yer King fell further and furthe
away. He tailed away, his wither
rocked like boat in a storm, and a
the yells of thousands showed tha
Blackberry had romped home Silve
King came toiling along, last of tn
field.
When Danbury, stunned by his los
turned round the old fellow was n
longer at his side. The bookmake
was also gone. A little mob of viii
ners was hunting for him with yell
Of rage. But Danbury never sa'
either of them again.
An Assistant Desired.
| 0WQrQ Won sorry when Won 1QQrnQ