Montgomery County sentinel., 1936-03-12
It's an Ill Wind
By MARTIE RANSOM
g Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.

With only five dollars between him and
starvation the foot and thumb route
was the only one open to him.
In justice to Eddie it must be said
that he was the victim of a frame-up.
When his two pals told him to stop his
car in front of little shoe shop in
the Bronx, Eddie had no idea they
were going to hold up the place; not
until they came out and told him to
drive like hi. They were picked up
half an hour later by two radio cops.
Major Gardner, head of the Gardner
Stables, running string of horses at
the new Santa Anita track, took
great deal of pride in his ability to
| judge men and horses. For that reason
he never questioned Eddie concerning
his past. Just asked him If he knew
horses and if he could ride. Yes, Eddie
showed him his credentials; showed
him his paper clippings; wanted to tell
him about the year he spent in jail but
the Major simply said, you'll do, my
boy, you'll do"
In the two weeks before the opening
| of the track Eddie, with two other
jockeys, was put to working out the
horses. The Major was always on hand
with kind word and friendly pat on
the back. He came to love the boy.
He loved him because of his quiet man.
ner, his affectionate way of talking to
the horses and his consideration for
their comfort in preference to his own.
| And Won dop,t tI1iply LNddi0 hod xryou
with horses, listen to this:
Miss Mary, a maiden after nine
starts, won her first race the first time
Eddie rode her. Tomboy, who broke
track records in workouts, yet couldn't
win a race, won the Gala Day Handi-
cap with Williams up. Flying High, a
horse that the Major had just recently
acquired for $500, won his first three
races for the Gardner Stables with
Williams riding. Yes, sir, I'm convinced
horses have more than horse sense,
cause they loved that kid and would've
run their ears off for him, 1 know.
Then into his life on the day of the
big Thanksgiving Day Handicap came
two strangers. Strangers they we're to
Eddie, but he was no stranger to them.
1t was an hour before the big race.
Eddie was alone with Flying High
when they approached him with a
friendly enough smile. One of the two
did all the talking.
Hi va, Eddie" he said with friend
ly wave of his hand.
Hello" replied Eddie none too con-
genially. He had seen this type be-
fore and knew him for the gambler
type, from his buttoned shoes up to
the cigar in his mouth.
Eddie" he says matter-of-factly,
1--WE want to see FLYNN High win to-
day."
"Well," said Eddie smilingly, $50 do
l. Fact is, I'm riding him to win."
"Yeah 3. but we wanna make sure
va win"
"What do va mean by that? l don't
go for any phoney stuff. If that's what
you're gettin' att.
"Listen, Kid" He was getting sore
"We just sold a horse for ten grand
and we got 1t all on FLYNN Highs nose,
see? An if FLYNN High don't win, the
Majorll hear about that year In the
pen and Wen make it worse Wen tell
him va threw the race for us, get me-?
Now just be sensible and we'll all wind
up ahead of the game. We're gonna
help va win."
Eddie begged and pleaded to leave
him alone, but 1t was useless. He prom
lsed them he'd win without using their
battery, but they insisted he take 1t
and use 1t or else =.
Eleven horses were starting In the
$4,000 Thanksgiving Day Handicap.
Some of them Eddie hadn't seen at the
track. Shipped in recently, he sup
posed. There was Cossack at eight to
five; Marietta at two to one; Peck's
Lad at five to one and Flying High at
two to one.
They all got away to beautiful start
| in the usual noise and commotion at
tending the raising of the barrier. At
the quarter pole Cossack took the lead,
Peck's Lad was second and Marietta
third. At the half they remained the
same. Eddie didn't push his mount.
| II was LOO lOuS u TdCc lOI LHdI. Al
the third quarter he gave him the
word; talked to the horse, pleaded with
him. He was determined he would not
use the battery. He was gaining fast.
He was neck and neck with Marietta
as they passed Peck's Lad. The Co.'S
sack was right in front of them. Mari
eta was going ahead, passing the Cos
sack. Eddie urged Flying High but 1t
was useless. Marietta crossed the fin
ishing line in front, Cossack was Sec
ond and Flying High, third.
When Eddie pulled his mount into
the stables the two men were there
ahead of him. They were talking to
the Major. Eddie knew what to expect
but he wasn't going to run away. He'd
take 1t standing up. He pulled up and
Joined the three in time to hear:
"Here he is now. Ask I'm II 1t amt
true"
II know all about Eddie, my friends"
the Major was saying quietly. Then
turning to Eddie he said, "Didn't ex-
pect you to win that race today, Eddie.
knew Marietta would beat Flying
High. That's why / bought him this