The Washington times., 1938-07-14

before post time the betting pub,
) lie showed its opinion of his
chances by showing him up to bet
ter than thirty to one. 1t was such
a damn shame I could almost have
cussed, but at the same time I was
having a good laugh thinking of
the killing that was ahead for me.
There is a moment that is like
no other moment in human expert
ence. l refer to that point of time
when the fellow in the red coat
and the Sharp-vizored cap haulS
the bugle up to his mouth and lets
go with a blow, and the next min
ute the thoroughbredS start parad'
ing to the post.
This is something I have seen
and heard many thousands Of
times, but even now l get the old
goosepimpleS on my back and I
can feel my neck turning red. I
am busy watching for Ferocious to
come prancing by when I hear my
name called and there stands
Patsy Flack.
PROSPEROUS AND HAPPY
II figured you'd be up here
about now," he said. He was look.
ing prosperous and happy and his
hosses had been doing right well
through the season, having copped
a number of good stakes.
I said: You did, did you?"
Come down to claim FerociouS,
didn't you? Look, Pop, why don't
you and I let bygones be bygones?
I'll admit you were right. But
you're getting your hoss back to-
day, so what's the advantage of
you and me feudin', especially
when I'm in love with your daugh-
ter?"
You in love with Meg!" I sput.
tered. why, she's too good a
Conners to ever speak to you
even"
That's what you think" says
the young upStart. Look, I'm Civ.
ing you some advice. See that price
on FerociouS? Get on him before
it's too late"
"Bub," 1 told him, "if you are
smart you will get aboard him
with your shirt the first day he
gallopS for me. But he won't run
lick for you today or any other
day, just like I told you. 1 wouldn't t
let a nickle of mine ride on his
nose"
I've got a new jockey" he says.
If you had Earl Sande on his
rump and Todd Sloan on his neck,
and both in their prime, I still
wouldn't gamble that he will run
better than last, and, young man,
would you mind running along
some place because I want to see
this race and you have already
made me miss the post parade"
"Okay, Pop" says Patsy, but
don't say I didn't warn you. BY
the way, I've found out how come
and whyfore you could always win
with Ferocious where I couldn't. I"
YEAH" I says, land how's
that?"
Never let the boy that's riding
him get the idea that he knows
more than the hoSs does. Never
use the whip on him. Let him
make his own pace and win his
race the way he wants to. Am
right?"
A NEW JOCKEY
"Who was telling you that,
SOM" I was flustered into calling
him son. like the old days, but
had a right to be. He had the
proper secret of making Ferocious
run.
The jockey that's on him to.
day." says Flack. Look Pop,
they're off"
Yep, they're off. Ferocious was
in a jam away back the first time
they passed the stands. I glimpsed
the old fellow. He was in top
shape, hide gliStening like a new
50-cent piece.
At the mile the speed horses be-
gan to drop by the waySide, and
another quarter took more toll.
Just before they reached the head
of the stretch I could see Ferocious
make his move. I watched that
jock closer than I did the horse
. He didn't move or go for the bat
like the other riders, but just
hunched away up on his mounts
neck and took it easy like he was
there for the ride.
Entering the stretch Ferocious
began moving 'em down. Patsy
Flack, next to me, was muttering
Hold him steady, Meg! Ride him
easy, girl! Give him his head
that a girl"
I said, not taking my eyes Of
the horses: Who's this Meg YOU'RE
talking to?"
: : Meg Conners, Pop. Ever hea
of such a persona"
;, What's she got to do with thi
y here hoSS race?"
: If her hat fell off and yol
q could see the yellow hair floating
q out behind her, you would know
3 Pop. That's Meg ridin' Ferocious
. I told you my new jock could boo
y him in"
p Yeah, it was over by then. Ferc
. ciouS by half a length. I SuppoS