New Britain Herald Newspaper, February 1, 1924, Page 24

TALES OF THE TURF Copyright, 1 By Hugh S.Fullerton 928, by The McClure Newspaper Syndicate. TOUTIN' MISTAH FOX P ant lower lip drooped dejected- 1y, eyes shifted in a scowl il the pupils were dots in the cor- his russet un ners of expanses of white shoes, rapier-pointed and uncomfort ably overcrowded with feet, dragged laggingly along floor of the St. Charles Hotel Turkish baths. He went about his task of dist ing towels w air of one has suffered great wrong In the private rooms and on cots ranged in the dormitory, white men snored, gurgled, choked, strangled The sounds of sixty fat men si n sixty keys filled the rooms. the snore of the man in room six, which was a combination of shifting gears, a cut-out muffler, and a slip ping clutch, passed unheard Pro” Even whistle of his fellow rubber unnoticed The world was a place of darkness and Pro's mood was two shades larker skin he it scheme of which was that of the ace of spades. 1t was C'harles H ish but halt Al y patrons, although rowded with snoi The light patronage and the dejected mood of Prosias were due to the same cause the W r meeting he Fair Grounds race-track in New Orleans had ended two days before, the army of men and horses that had en- camped in the Crescent City during e winter, and the swarm of plump patrons which nightly had crowded the St. Charles, had moved north- ward to Baltimore, and Trosias rimble, top sergeant in that army with the rank of tout, was left hind, to eke out a livelihood working as rubber the bath- house. Until the morning of “Get Day” Miss Luck had smiled that morning she beamed and hix bank roll had waxed fat, and flourished. The cus- tamary rumors had circulated on that morning—the old, old story the "Get Away Killing"” and the feed men's bill—and straight from the oats-box the rumor had come to Pro, alighted upon him, and stung him. It was a bot tip—so hot that it singed and burned. The tip was to the effect that Centerdrink had been nominated to win—-that he was to be shooed in at long odds, and that all the grievances of the bettors against the bookmakers were to be evened up in one great killing. Pro had it from a jockey, who had t right out of the conference at the the who the cheery was than his [ ght. The St aths were od wit be- by in Away and on r prospered which Centerdrink had been chosen | to win, Pro had hurled his bank rell—the fortune mccumulated dur- ng the entire winter—at the book- makers, who, instead of breaking in * panie, had handed him back smiles and bits of pasteboard with cabalis- tie charcoal characters on them Pro had stood to win more than tawelve thousand dollars- stdod dagedly while he watched Cen- terdrink finish eighth. When the truth dawned upon his benumbed brain he had reached one hand into he now vacant pocket, seeking car- e, and, finding it not, had sought the bath-house and work--his dream of a summer jaunt around the race- courses wrecked Pro completed his task of distrib- uting towels and stood thinking. Daylight was commencing to show through the little windows just der the ceiling of the bath-house, and daylight brought with it fresh bitter thoughts. MHe knew that a few hundred miles to the northward the sun was rising on a stretch of | teve] land, a cireular ribbon of loam | Birds meadow jafd upon a field of green, were singing in the larks were rising from Rows of 6 were spr along the front of the circi of low, whitewashed stables. Slen graceful horses, blanketed to the knees, were being led around and around in little circles, the odor of frying bacon was the air, the rhythmic drumming of the feet of a speedy colt was sounding from th track. Far across the velvet inflel near where the spidery pillars of stand stood black against the light ng sky, men with watches ir hands were on the rail t fractions of seconds the movement of the fiying He p red acant spot o kets of spot eness of Miss Lu trees the nging ar line the on Center ipy ing. a as wun st hunder clouds Reckon as 1%t been o osias | ot | and he had | infield. | up | promise me."” As answer page in the hotel Charles baths passing through ing rooms pagin Mistah Prosiz Prosias Trimbte Hyah, boy. the captain of the bell-boys called. “Doan’ be a-pagin’ fame ‘roun' de house. D’ I'rimble he dat buxom black niggah Pro, down in de baf-house, Tellygraft foh yoh, niggah.” the page announced disgustedly, as he tossed vellow envelope toward Pro and abandoned all hope of a tip. Miss 1 favor me!’ Pro plead- voutly. as he held the envelope hand. “Miss Luck, bring de good news—doan' betray me now. Ah peeds yvoh!" What does he say, Pro?" What who say?” demanded Pro, his lips suddenly bulging outward lelligerently, as he swung. about to face Mr. Clarence Fox, who had pur- the telegram from the lobby nto the bath-house. Mist’ Jim Robin say?" re- sponded Mr. Fox, scowling How come yoh knows so much?" “Reckon Ah doan’ know he prom- ise’ you a tiy P “How come yoh knows?” Reckon yoh didn't infohm a tain lady frien' o' mine?” Dat yaller gal too brash wif her mouf!"” Pro muttered regretfully, as lie vecalled the fact that the lady in question was manicurist in the Roval Crescent Palace barber shop, | Clarence Fox owner. In spite of his appearance of dis- | pleasure, Pro was not displeased. His mind was working, and Mr. Fox | was fncluded in the thoughts. Mr, Fox possessed money. Pro’s cash capital consisted of the dollars and twent: centa secured in tips {during the night's work. Further, he was aware that in order to turng even a sure thing on a race tip into roney, working capital is required His acquaintaince with Mr, Clarence | |Fox had been incidental to his friendship for Miss Susie, the mani- cur and Pro recalled, with some | regret. the fact that during the more | prosperous times of the winter he had been inclined to treat Clarence Fox condescendingly. But Mr, Fox, | proprietor of the five-chair barber | shop catering to the swelldom of the | negro district, hewviewed in a differ- [ent light now. 1t Mr. Fox could be | persuaded to finance certain illegal ns, Pro saw a working to the wish, the under which the are located was lobbies and writ- f in in Trinble! Mistah o dat ick ed d n his sued down What ver- two | but delectable opera way to overcome lack of capital, | *'8cuse me, Mistan Fox, it An | seem discurtous” he said, *but a gennelman gotta be careful when he gits straight tips from gennelman | white owners.” | “Dat all right, Mistah said Clarence, responding ness with greater politeness respects yoh sentimen dat a wahm tip?” Ah "low she 'bout ninety-eight in de shade,” Pro responded. Ah doan’ 'low dat yoh 'tends to bet enuft foh to all de han'- books in Noo 'Leans?” Clarence ine quired flatteringly. ! " “Don't 'low as Ah can” said Pro| | regretfully. “You 'low ef Ah tell yoh wha' hoss Mist' Jim done name’ h wait till Ah gita my bets 80’8 not influence de odds” dat Ah kin. Yoh " Trimble to polite. “Ah n low ow “Ah dat tip look good?” “Look good?” Pro's voice quivered ind “Yoh ne tellygraft a nig- with outraged ation, ow Mist' Jim d 1 it goo “Nevah kin tel [ Fox cynically Prosias hesitated. 1His mind was in panic tear of losing the op- | portunit ire working capital, | [ et the ‘situation was embarrassing. He found it difficultito approach a | | business proposition without reveal- | ing the fact that he was embarrassed financially, Reckoy Ah tell yoh de name ob de Je right commented Mr, to mec yoh o the vight thing it | 887" he Pro. Ah always Ah? | repitation, Clarence,” vague ous of the ¥ hing of Clar- knows me, does ¢ thing, doan’ Dat knew thing, "ro, with he tore yreathed W paper neck iy in ROBIN end of zzied aid Prosia sgh 2 backer 1andbook dolars nees of Pro at after renade 1 1ga because hat g ] | times he tenfatively | won ROSTAS TRIMBLE'S proturber-, Mist’ Jim'd sen’ me dat tip he donethe track the odds would be twenty to one. Instead of retiring for the day, Pro promenaded, ostensibly for pleasure, but always with a view of borrowing capital to wager. Several opened negotia- tions, but, meeting with scant couragement, he contented hims with _remarking airily that he had remained in New Orleans to consui mate a betting commission for an owner, and was leavir to juin the horses that evening, after the ing. His prolably were the first eyes to & ticker that afternoon, when s and clicks the tape record- act that Ivery Garter had won. Thirty minutes later, with twentygtwo dollars his pocket Pro entered the bath-house “ARh's sorry to be 'bliged to notify yoh Ah resigne” he announced. en | “Ah’s called No'th With light heart and faith in Miss Luck vestored, he went forth to'the Royal Crescent I barber by a devious route. At his firs tie remailed casually that ¥ - n't he surprised if he Fox had cleaned up five hundred dollars, at the second stop he opined lie a Mr. Fox had seven hundi W the 1 Street hix est nings had dollars and dwindled to eight dollars, due to sud- den generosity in lending aud to purchasing cigars for less fortunate acquaintances, His mental estimate of the amount exceeded the figures he dared There Was no limit to his imagination Mr, Fox had money A hundred dolla should vield fifteen hundred at proy pool- room Mr. Fox ted mself a sport. Pro calculated that a prop- o with money, would bet at hundred dollars on a tip from an owner, which at to one-~the lowest possible figured Mr, Fox 1d ac- would be six thousand dollars o shop stop and won probii twelve sh passed express openly. odds, least five ight twelve cdds cept we S S of ¢ fifty of thousand dollars self riding into mere in an automol even determined to instead of soliciting negro < which Pro pictured him- the at open le per cent was three Jaltis He mission employee's pay an | badge Royal « a state th shop in M the He reached Palace harber cited anticipati was draped over and very sent ism, “Howdy, Clarence under forced draught. slip dat one over! “Suah did.” without enthusiasn We ‘mos con.” obser tion Fox, at ease ar counter nonchalant his calmness a shiver through optim he excl We aimed suah yin dis h Pro, ed Ah rec form sah jad yoh hit Fox faith in ez much l]-np“ Didy Pro hopee unbelief, s ated bet, Pre Al mought oh. Put all concent Yo' 1§’ re mahsef pikin’ anedl Ah orf tark B win nuffin a-tail?” Pre erated, his voice expressing his ebl ng hope Ah w M. P lay me ten two dolah.” He hesitated ing passionate added “Hyah yoh bit fok He peeied a five-dolla huge roll extracted carele Fox wif be goir Ah th. Ah perd Yoh Yoh jes' twent positivel to one contr kill- | | trousers pocket and flipped it toward | | Pro. | “Dat a good tip, Pro," he said in | conciliatory tones. “Ah thanks yoh | foh it. Wish Ah'd had moah’ faith, Ef yoh git any good ones in Balti- wiah me.” “Yas, sah, Clarence,” he said slow- ) h ain’ fohgit. Ahll ‘membah yoh, Clarence.” His brain was dazed, but his heart seethed with bitter resentment. He knew that Clarence Fox had profited largely and had swindled him out of his just share. He walked slowly. bitterly regretting the generosity the morning, but for which he still would have had enough money to reach the race-track, He went hum- Iy back to the St. Charles baths and petitioned to be restored to his posi- tion. hat night, while working upon the super-fattened carcasses of patrons, thoughts of Clarence Fox mnd his perfidy came to his mind, and he struck hard, eliciting howls of prot And during that long night his brain slowly evolved a plan of vengeance. Three days later Clarence Fo rayed in a glory which neither Solo- mon nor the lilies ever could have jvalad. | descended the St. arles haths “Why. howdy with well simulated thought 1oh done gone “Not yit, Clarence. “How come?" foh a few days missioner Whafoh of me frien done of into Pro?” he exclaimed, “Ah surprise. altim not yit.” he asked woild Ah Ak ez his bettin’ me o' remain n' ez sen’ me that last' L4 Clarence with startling sudd patronizing familiari condenscensio stantly 15 friendship, “Hear anythin'?” he inguived, “Ain' 'spectin’ anythin' foh a day er two." changed From a i supe ended ¥'s manner he des in- to solicit tell when he wiahs me slippin’ no 1o hs da het no tempt was imper tips coir won' I'ro's con- onal - In the eve his presence had % gfifmrs Nr to A “Al's 2 X got | % Fox himself. I ' got no faith a-tall hab <hoe maybe yoh won' no time.” I'ro remarked A he mah exclaimed Al's hundred dolla commented i responded to ignore distime " tah to-morrah now, Pro” Clarence " P'ro promi @t suah And, as Mr, Clarence Fox departed, Pro, leaning upon the handle’of a' mop, suddenly commenced a jellylike: tlosh quake which concluded with a noisy irruption of laughter. “Dat niggah done broke!" he mut- tered, as his inward merriment sub. sided. “Dat niggah broke right now, on'y he doan’ know it His plot was working. That evening he sat in the bath- house, his mind concentrated upo: the racing form, He was busy pick ing losers, instead of winners, and even the unmuffled snoves of .the sleepers failed to distact his atten- tion. considered. 1 de dog what run las’ foah times at de Fair Groun's. He run las’ foah times. he seben Jat othah time. Dat colt ain't got no chanst a-tall.” He studied the.en- tries for a moment Kunnel Campbell,” he repeated. “Dat mah slection foh Mistal' Fox in Jde fust race.” He yelled with inward laughter for 2 moment and resumed his work on the dope sheet. Jakmino,” he read He date skate dat Mist’ Jim call de buggy he Dat hose got bow ten- dons, glandahs, an’ de boll weevil. He kain't run fast "nuff foh to wahm hisse'l good. He aip't no rumnin’ hoss. He ain' fas’ 'nufi foh to pu!ll a dise harrer. e muttered over the form sheet a moment, then decided. “Jakmino—d mah slection foh Mistah Fox in de third race.” “Jakmino. Prosias went off into another spasm of inward mirth, He studied the entries for the last race, suddenly threw back his head and laughed until the snorers, dis- turbed, ceased snoring and twrned er off their bhacks W, he said, agal ‘Ivene W,~—dat houn’—wust houn’ She six yeah ole an’ nebber bin in de money, He lauglied ‘until and chuckied to himself “lrene W.: dat mah gran' spee and. Jaughed oss suah a n de maiden—ain't rene 18 extr Then he #aid to himsel Mistah Clarence I\ Yoh broke, on's solemn!y I done roh doan With ator of telegrs off am next afte attired in the purchased with the « of the the hotel. a propelled by the tele hasiened through the Mistah Procias the upstai, I himself, and as Mr. orgeous iilieit race bell-be the aid in the evolved a tol to the noon Ivory Garter neg pre on tered o ph operator, imble! ias Trimble!” in called tell yoh name ‘roun’ n de baf- capt “Aln' Ah he pagin® Dat wine iat PPro down el My, ( hehind ctepe th tele gram was deli Wh anded Ain’ moving as if to pl his pocket hile folks he sa oper Ain't openin pesticati gram ir tel is Yoh t'row me dows M as 1 vith surprised disap- pointment A A retorted ermulous Ah oh sa Fox reement s Ah n oh aint” Membah yoh out dat tip.” 1ip.” Pro coun- tered “Tackon Ah bettah read it.” He ripped open the velope and held the inclosed message at a tan- talizing angle so that no craning of the neck of Mr. Fox sufficed to give him a glimpse of the contents “Wha' yoh make ob dat?” Pro ex- daimed as in surprise. “Mist' Jim suah gittin’ good. hittin’ ‘em hahd.” “Wha' he sa3 “He terious" Wha' Fox. heariy Mr mek a Ain't suah s s de plenty.” snid Pre mys- p day “ quaversd say Dis clean- hos Mr cireuit. | near apoplexy 1 tip foh Mistah Fox in de las' Fox's voice | | | ‘Hoss? He done name three ! | hosses—iwo hot tip an’ a gran’ _ape~1 ! cial extra b”ilin’ hot one.” =3 | “Gimme dem names, Pro." Mr.| | Fox, feeling the urge of excllemenl,l ‘ru(‘hed as if to take the telegram} | from Pro. “Han's off, niggah, han's off!"” l"ro‘ warned, scowling belligerently. | “Ain’t us pahtners in dis?” quav-| | ered Mr. Fox. “Um. Ain’ so suah 'bout dat yit,’ i sald Pro, exasperatingly cool. | | ““But us made a 'greement.” t | “Ah 'membahs dat,” Pro admitted, | as if reluctant) “Le's gee, dey's a | | " | hoss in de tust race, dey’s a hoss in| “Kunnal Campbell,” he vead and|de third race, an' de gran’ special 'length, | suah thing in de las’. Reckon Ah| | tip yoh one at a time.” | “Wha'. de fust, den?” pleaded M | Fox humbly. “How much yoh 'low yoh bLet on ) ld’nl fust hos | "Depen's.” “Ain’ tippin’ | ben’s “Bf it look. good, Ah bet fifty dol- " Mr. Fox stuted the figure ten- ! tatively. | { - “Fuly dollah? Ah ain’ tippin’ no | vikahs.” | “&h Dbets.a. bunnerd ef de price look right.® “Ain" tippin’ nufin’ on.no ‘ifs “Al bets a hunmnerc doliah en dat fust hoss,” ! Mr. Fox had surrendered, and he stated the figure with the air of a | man puying through the nase. “An' fohty pussent fon me?” | "Dat ouh 'greement, Pro.” “Dat hoss' name,” said Pro, open- |ing the message and stopping in | naddening deliberation t hoss' me-—-how Ah know yoh play faih?" “Yoh knows me, I'ro “Uh—reckon Ah do Clarenc “Len, what dat hoss' name Mr, Fox's voice bore a note of ir- nuffin’ no ‘de- on | vitation, and Pro hastened ihe situation, “IK-urn-n-e-l C-asmep-b-g-l-1- Pro” spelled from ° the message. Kunnel Campbell—dat geod hos: | in, Ought git a good price on dat hoss, Clarence, : “Kunnel Campbell” repeated \ir, Fox, “AN's gwine, AWl be back atter dat race” “AR'Il "bhe waltin® hoss,” Pro promised, When Mr, Fox d.sappeared with more haste than dignity, Pro threw back' his head and indulged in pro- longed laughter. “Mistah Fox,” done broke—yoh doan' know it wir,” For an hour and a half Pro tasted ‘the swee's bf vengeance, § “He say he bet a hunnerd"” he so'lloquized. “Diat mean he bet two hunperd, mebby two hLunnevd an' fifty, an’ lie e outen mah spare of bhe win. When he lose he 'low he bet foah hunnerd” MHe was hehearsing reasons for the defeat of Colonel Campbell and ad- ditional veasons for increasing the size of the next bet, when the door opened and Mr, Fox, wildly agituted and with shining face, hurtled into the bath-Louse, ! UDid—aid—aid eyes were buiging, “Did he win? panied Mr. Fox Rampaht Street tip, Who'—wha' what odds | Pro, dazed with the unespe l"' developments, managed “Niggah on'y me five | lied Mr. Fox breathlessly, a lunnerd at five to on five hundred d h" “Wha' dem 1t “Dat a «'picious niggah gamblah, Pro.” sald Mr, Fox. “He done suy he ain' makin® no ticket, foh fear de plice git evidence.” Pro saw the ment “Two wif de second he repeated, broke, on'y “yoh yoh he win? Pro's We “Done Gimme kil'm, Pro!” clean up dat nex' oh g tedness o gasp. W one” Ah beta We win selessncsy of argu- share” | par- hunnerd-dat mah he stated. after an arithmetic turition. “Gimine dat mon “Ah ain’ ¢"lect yiL." c'lect foh An tell yoh dat “Aln’ got tinie befoh de next rac “Den pay me An' take cha ch?” Reckon et AWH talky ided, “An «sen he do He counted twe of a huge roh of them o P'ro ‘reluctantly “Tiow 1 Tow time?" "o the mones Reckon nerd.” A hunne de bow!! otest nerd or on et volisel.” dat niggah Al keep dat nex’ tip foh My, nigg h pay broke.” dollars paeced hundred bills and yoh bet dis recounting el v em:ne Ab shoot another hu rd, an’ all dat registered i Yoh gwine shoot nothin’, Dat'll wn’ de special ext 5 in".” “Ah's gamblin'" Mr, shortly. “What his name “An' mek de bets whar des e tickets Pro added, imposing a new condition. “Ah knows a plac An' fohty pussent foh me “Dat ouh ‘greement.” Dat nex’ hoss' | telegram tantalizingly | hoss Joa-k-m-i-n-0.” “See ieh farah dashing for the exit “Wha' yoh think 4™ Preo asked himself wonderingly, as he felt the monesy 10 make certain it was real. “Dat hoss ain't got a chanst, an’ be win!" diss Luck she suah smile!” he continued. Ah kain't lose, an' Ah still break dat niggah. Fox dedl red the nex Pro studied t said Mr. Fox Ah bets dat niggah bet three hunnerd dollar, an’ git eight to one an’ pay me dis." The two hundred dollars suddenly decreased in valwe by comparison | with Clarence’s supposed winnings. Then Pro's face lighted, Al's got mine.” he reflected. “an’ Ah gwine keep it. Wait twell Clar- | ence done git de bad news ‘bout dat | to ease | Mist' Jim bin-hol'in® him foh a kill- | Jakmino race! . Dat hoss hin’ got ne moah chanst ob winnin' dan a nig- gas has bein’ ‘lected gubonor ob Louisiana.” . An hour later his comforting re- flections wera interrupted by the second avalapche descent of Clar- ence Fox into the bath-house, His eyes were protruding and his face shining, and money bulged from | every pocket, “Did—qaid—did—did dat one win, t00?" Pro's eyes rolled wildly and amazement was portrayed on every feature, “He roll home, Pro!" cried Mr. Fox. “Win all de way, by foah Ah lef’ a trail o' bankrupt " de- niggahs from de Levee to de b: “What odds yoh git, niggah manded Pro, suddenly stern. “Ah git seben,” Mr. I'ox lied cau- tiously, *“What yoh git? “Ah git nine foh mine,” Pro lied. “Show me dem ticket." “Ah_ git nine foh paht o' mire, too,” declared Mr. Fox, .weakening. “Ah git seben foh a hynnerd, an nine foh a hunnerd. Hyar de ticket foh de nine, Dat othah niggah de one dat Goan’ write no ticket.” “Pay me, niggah!” said Pro stern- 1y I’ay me six hunnerd an’ forty dollar, *Count it yohsef” said Mr, Fox, sudde reckless in ‘his' prosperity as he dragged money from pockets (and tossed it in serambled heaps on the cigar counter. “Count dat tri- flin’ six hunnerd an’ fohty dollah, an’ tell me date special. Ah gwine {staht an epidemic ob bankruptcy |"mongst dem niggah gamblahs'from ide leves to de lake.” Pro counted his share, feeling the money as if striving to make certain | he was awake, His eyes rolled, and |, he blinked. He knew Mr, Fox had won more than he admitted winning, !but in his amazement he failed to | feel even resentment, “Git @ move on. niggah” com- manded Mr, Fox. “Doan’ be al] day countin® dat (rifiin' mone) Le's go | git de real coln. What dat las’ hoss' nare " Pro arose, stuffed his shsve of the loot into his pockets, ghoved the re- mauinder back toward Mr. Fox, and suddenly gave voice to long pent teelings. lun niggah “Alh's cheatin® long an' guess, guess,” he said witheringly. | done tppin® Iyin’, stealin’, niggahs.” “Whut yoh mean?" demanded Mr, | Pox, but weskly, “Ain' Ah done slip yoh eight hynnerd an’ forty dollah?" | "Yoh suah done so," admitted Pro, ‘an' yeh done win twicet ez much ez yoh mit yoh win. Ah mean yoh done cheat me an’ lie an’ steal. .Ah say Al's done, an' Ah mean Ah's | done. Myuh whar yoh an' me paht. Ah do mah own bettin’, an' Ah doan’ no plkah™ He strode indignantly from the bath-house, leaving Mr, Fox crushed, Presently he iallied and pursued, striving 1o lesrn what bhorse 'rosias was betting on, Up narrow stairways and down narrower st¢hs into basements, into rooms behind pool pariors and rooms | behind barber shops, into cigar stunds, Pro dushed and dogel len ing behind bhim_ a trall of quaking, alarmed colored men, The word ead over New Orleans that Pr Trimble was plunging, but the bovkmukers, anxious to lay off bets, were close-mouthed and Clar- ence Fox strove in vain to discovs which horse Pro was playing. fifties, twenty-fives, and hundreds. Pro wegered his discounted share of Clarence Fox's winnings, and slowly the odds on Irene W. to win the last race at Baltimo' were driven down- ward from forty 1o one to six 10 one Just before post time for the final race, Pro, Nushed and hreathless wagerad the Jast ten dollurs and stood in o small room where a tele- 2raph elicked ay at a key and received the news from the dlstant track, Two bundred at foht, thousan'” he figured, “a hunnerd at thutty mek three thousan'. a hun- {nerd at twenty-five mek two thou | san’ five hunnerd.” | Laboriously ie checked off bis bets nd strove to strike the total “Ah 1 tirteen thousan' fibe hun. nerd dollah.” he said dazediy, Add lat eight hunvered an' fohty, and dat’ll mel win fo'teen thousan’ Uree hunvered an' fobty 4 . “Ah when Al gits Al «taht a stable ob howses Al Ah it e Mah colahs uhple, wif a cap spr the operator mek sight e Mes Lu e weahlet samh a1’ A low call de in lioy vor Iis reverin was interrupted by he telegraph instiur “ what the told him, At the quarter” r Behrmann ond At the half: Ma lead hicago Fritz sscond Behrmann third, The three- Mayor Behrmann by half Mai-Blanc second, Al Kray the it in- man @t Nir King strumont Mai-B ane sajd Ma Maude G. th Riane Mazor quartere a length third.” There Was a pause “Hyar « Irens.” said Pro sofi- Iy 1o Wimsell, seeing with the of desirs Stretch. the same.” » wearily. “The winner— There was another long pruss, and Pro. swallowing hard, waid “Come on, yoh Trens W '~ “The winner<Mayor Behrma Chicazo Fritz second. Vicksburg Sal third.” Pro stood with tower lip quive ng and bighwith bewilder- ment. Then he adged slowly toward the operator. “Mistah” he sa'd striving to speak casually, “Irene W. wah scratched in dat race, wah she?” “Irene W «aid the onerator die. daipfully. “Bah! Ehe ran last.” Slo®ly. as if in a trance, Prosias made his way down into the street and $tood staring across toward the barber shop of Clarence Fox. Light broke upon iris bewildered brain, and he muttered: “Al done touted mahsef!” me eres e Lie e