Year: 1877

loudly that any listener could have
heard. "Golly eff de ole man had
cotched me! But then the dorgs wouldn't
have let anybody come within gun shot
kin trust dem ebry time. Dey know
gist as much what am going on as eff dey
war human"


This conclusion operated badly for
the safety of his charge. He relied toe
much upon his dumb associates, and the
next night gave way again to slumber.
Itwas very dark one. Moon and stars
were hidden. But so much the better,
if there should be any outside watchers,
and it was with a feeling of safety
that the conspirators crawled to the door
of the stable and entered.


ether nigger is sleeping soundly and
the coast is clear,na whispered the leader.
"But 1 wish l had light. Their mare
is high-spirited lass, and may kick my
brains out"


"Go ahead. Hurry up" was growled
in reply.


There was quiet feeling round, a
patting and soothing of the animal, then
sharp snort and struggle as sharp
ened wire was driven into the foot at the
juncture of the hair and hOof and so rs
to be beyond discovery. But the noise
had awakened Tom. He sprang to his
feet with as near an oath upon his lips
as his Methodist prochvities would per-
NIT and called dogs and men in breath.


Somebody's dun bin heahl 1 smells
Jump


Butno disturbance of any kind could
be found. The deputies of Tom vowed
that they had seen no one enter the
stables and honestly, for they had been
completely hoodwinked. But early the
next morning it became known that
"Kurnal Simms mar had dun gon lame" /"
in the most unaccountable manner.


Lightning could not have carried the
news faster than it spread. A crowd
rushed to learn the truth. But no one
was permitted to enter the stable.


The mar will run-must run, well
or lame," was all the information that
could be obtained of the owner. az
have invested largely and cannot back
down, now"


So had others invested-to their sor-
row. The majority began hedging,
while those in the secret of the lameness
were loud in their profers of betting,
and that there was something in the
story, was soon proven. Tom had been
seen leading the blanketed mare about
and she was limping badly.


But she must have been miraculously
cured, for when the bugle sounded to
saddle up she was brought to the score
looking all over winner and fit to run
for a mans life. And "blood" told that
day. Lizzy Clay did indeed show the
rest clear pair of heels-won the race
without sob, and when the beautiful
woman, after whom she was named
crowned her with roses, she arched her
neck as if knowing the honor was her
due.


Half of the "sports" in the country
were Tin the expressive term used)
"busted" and the winners more than
jubilant. But no one reyeled in the
victory as much as old Tom. He rolled
over and over upon the grass nearly dy-
ing with paroxysms of laughter, and it
was not until he was gotten home that
any explanation could be obtained.


Dem ar white trash tink old Tom er
fool" he said between numbering guf-
flaws. :" But he jest sleep wild one eye
open de same as coon, and when dey
go ter lame Lizzy Clay he jest change
her inter anuther stall and dey waste dar
bref on de old plow mar. Hi, Hill De
golly, it viii be de deth OBJ dis ar ole
darky yet fer sartin."