The Wilmington morning star., 1940-04-28
1910.
NEA SERVICE, INC.

bringing Pepper Boy from the sta
BILE now Time to saddle. S'long.
Come on, Willie"
But say"
mo time. See you later"
They started for the paddock, but
Willie Bond stopped, said, You
don't need me in the paddock-Sam
stand by-tell Madden, your jockey,
to get out in front and win. Don't
confuse him with a lot of instruc-
tons he won't remember anyhow
and good luck!!"
"One minute, Willie Bond, what
are you up to-"
Sherry was sorry the moment
she asked the question regretted
the accusing tone she had used, for
she knew it hurt. Uncle Willie COM
pressed his lips an instant-then
drew a deep breath, threw his head
up. But the eyes, under the shaggy
white brows, were flinching lika e
beaten child's. He was al oldish
chap, a failure, thrown on a girls
bounty-and trying desperately to
keep his self-respect.
"Sorry-I didn't mean a thing!'
She smiled, tried to make her tone
sound light.
A mask dropped on his face-a
perfect poker mask. I'D only be in
your Way-you saddling your first
entry-your first as owner"
willie Bond" she smiled roguish-
ly, there's something in the wind,
Tell a pal, won't your" She snug
gled up to his arm, but her diplo-
macy failed. He stepped off from
her, raised his hat with dignity.
Good luck, child" he said, turned
lawn.
Old Sam was walking Pepper Boy
around the ring as Sherry Bond went
up to number one stall. She mo
toned for Sam to bring the colt in,
The groom was in morose mood as
he whipped off the blanket. "This
baby amt up to no hard race yet,
Miss Sherry" he complained; che
needs two-three more workouts. Il
1 was you," he lowered his voice
I'D tell Madden jus to give him g
easy ride-not to push him."
Sam! When I want your advice
I'll ask for it." She started to say
something else, but the saddling bel
rang, and Madden's fat valet wad
died up to the stall, the jockey
riding tack in his arms.
Here you be, Sambo-mebbe
better do a nice job O. saddlin' TO
you-how bout it,"
"Shet yo' mouth, white man." San
muttered in low, savage tones a
he placed the saddle cloth on til
little black colts back. Now gimm'
that saddle" He took the silver o
leather from the valet, carefully ad
justed it, pulled tight the cinch. TIL
colt backed aWay-started to rear
whoa. little feller-whoa there
boy" Sans changed in
flash; he crooned to the colt as al
old nanny would to a pickaninny
With his free hand he stroked Pep
per Boys cleaning neck. The ami
NAL quieted down.
II better take him around some
more, Miss Sherry-keep him quiet
like"
She nodded. Sam led the colt into
the ring with ten other horses.
A Stubby felloW-Wearlng the scar
let jacket, purple cross sash ant
white cap of her Lone Tree Stable
walked up, lifted his lined face
Madden, the jockey.
"Everytl-ing oke"' he asked.
Sherry nodded. This was getting
exciting-her first horse-in hi
first race-the first time she wa!
to give instructions to a jockey
what do you want, Miss Bond?'
He was looking at her s~peculatively
what 90 you mean?"
Hes a maiden, amt he? Neve,
won"
He's never started before"
You can qualify with him, then
what do you mean by that?'
He lifted the white cap, rubbed
his hand through red hair a min
ute. Shook his head, replaced thu
cap. Maybe she was just dumb
I'm just trying to help" he ex
planned. IF a horse amt won-Well
never mind what the rules say-it'!
sort of-understood - that if you
nag is being beaten-you don't havt
to ride him out-you can let hin
take it easy-and maybe win mex
time"
obi" Yes, she had heard of this
turf practice; this giving a nader
a qualifying or tuning-up race fol
a harder race to follow. Madden was
speaking again:
You got him in the Derby, ain
you?"
Il have" Sherry felt her face
slowly going white. Paul Wharton
had warned her that racing WASH
all romance and roses. II amt beer
: spoke for-for the Derby-leastways