Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1940-01-26
CHAPTER Is

myself! Olln Sdlu SuuuSHly aiiu Sh
phatically..
what with, Mexican jumping
beans?" Snapper derided. "Slim,
your bankroll lacks sufficient vita
minis to pull off deal like that?"
"I have forty-eight hours" said
Slim.
"And about forty-eight cents in
your pocket" Snapper reminded.
Forty-eight hours in which to raise
$4,000, thought Slim, pacing nervous
ly up and down the room.
"And head start of ninety cents"
he told himself ironically as he felt
in his pocket and jingled that sum.
Slim took inventory of the posi-
bilities at his disposal. Matt Biddle
was his friend. Slim could count on
him in a cinch. But he dismissed
the thought, recalling what a terrific
losing slump Mats too-bulky stable
was in. Matt was pressed for cash,
himself.
There was Edithe Clarke Ashleigh.
He could appeal to her. But that was
dangerous. Edith was already cap
tiyated by the slim, black racing legs
of Knight Errant. Thursday, if she
knew, she might have claim of her
own in for the horse.
maybe can help" Flo said devot-
eddy, as if she had been reading
Sims thoughts. 81 have a thousand
in the bank. It's the sinking fund
for my shop, but you can have it"
Slim shook his head definitely.
Finally, a truly fantastic idea be-
gan to crystalize in Sims mind.
Snapper, did you ever hear tell
of selling one horse to get enough
money to bet on another horse, so
you could get enough to claim still
another horse?"
"Have you gone completely off
your nut?" Snapper asked in sheer
amaZement.
give got i'll" Slim exclaimed. "Sell
Cold Cream tomorrow! Enter Susie
in the first race Thursday. Put Cold
Creams sale price into the mutuels
on Susie's nose! And if she wins,
claim Knight Errant with the prof
its!"
"He's Ponzi the Second, Flo," Snap
per said derisively.
Turning the wild scheme over in
his mind, Slim thought Of the many
bitches in it, any one of which would
Illustrate his entire objective. 1t was
like putting one coin in slot ma
chine and expecting to hit the jack
pot. He knew it was take-a-chance
flier of the widest order. But long
shots some times connected. And
Slim harbored bunch. -.
In the morning Slim led Cold
Cream down by "gyp row" at Airing
ton and personally staged one
horse auction sale for $24O.
If ever Slim prayed it was the fol-
lowing afternoon when Susie went to
the post against a field of platers as
nondecript as herself.
Slim believed Susie could outgame
this field of faint-hearted finishers
and would have felt confident if Dim
pies Draper was in the saddle.
But he dared not use him, know
ing that a rider Of Diapers popu-
larity with the public would drag the
price down in the mutuels. He would
have to get around ten to one for his
$24O on Susie's nose to have enough
ready cash to drop in his claim for
Knight Errant.
So with this idea in mind he had
engaged "Bugs" Harris, an erratic
youngster who seldom snagged a win
ner. The public never gave this boy
a tumble. That was why Slim en-
gagged him to ride Susie.
They were off, and Susie, running
for the future of another horse, was
caught in a speed jam at the start.
She Jagged along in the middle of
the pack all down the back stretch.
Snapper looking first at the field
moving down the back stretch and
then at Slim, discovered he could get
a better idea of how Susie was far
ing by watching the droop Of Sims
jaw intead of the actual running of
the race.
"Here, you take the glasses, Snap
per. 1 can't bear to look any more,
If she starts moving up let's know"
When Slim, in digust, gave up