Nebraska Newspapers

    10
THE OMAHA DAILY BETCt SUNDAY JOLT 20, 1002.
horoughbrecjs.
Bi W. A. FRASER.
Aithor of "The OutcatC ''Mootwa." and Other Stories.
(Copyright. 1902, by McClure, Phillips ft Co.)
. CHAPTER I.
Lmi than hundred miles from tbe city
f Ootbam, across broed.green fields, dotted
lata square and .oblong valleys by lull
leafed mapla and aim and mulberry, wis
. U village of Brookfleld.
A hundred years of expansion In the
' surrounding land bad acted Inversely with
th little hamlft and bad pinched it Into
hermetic Isolation.
. The Brookfleldlans had discovered a huge
. beetle In the amber ot their serene ex
istence; it wss really Rev. Dolman who
bad unearthed the monster. The beetle
In the amber waa horse racing and the
prime offender, practically the sola culprit,
waa Joha Porter.
By an Inconsistent twist ot fata be waa
known as honest John. His father before
him bad raced In old Kentucky to consid
erable purpose and with the full vigor ot
man who races for sport, and ao to the
ae John In consequence bad come little
beyond a not-to-be eradicated love ot
thoroughbreds. To race squarely, honestly
and te the glory of higb-coureged borses
ins to him aa much a matter of religion
M the consistent guardianship of parish
morals waa to Rev. Oeorge Dolman. There-,
fore two men of strong beliefs were set
on opposite aides of the fence.
Bven In the Porter household, which
waa 'at Ringwood farm, was divided al
legiance. Mr. Torter waa possessed ot
an abhorrent detestation of horse racing,
also aa assertive Christianity.
The daughter Allison had Inherited the
horse taint. In the saddle waa elysium;
In the swinging gallop ,of a atrlvlng horse
waa the obliteration of everything but sun
ahlne and the smile ot fields and the blur
of swlft-glldlng hedges and the driving
perfume ot elover-laden wlnda that pressed
atroag Into spread nostrils.
For Alan Porter, the eon, there were
columns of flguree and musty-smelling
bundles of tattered paper money where
he clerked in the bank. There bsd been
great unison In the Porter household over
the placing ot Alan.
In addition to horse lore John Porter was
fair Judge of human nature and beyond
doubt there waa a atreak of velvet in Alaa
which would have twisted easily In the
compressive grip of the race course.
As If the evil one had meant to try
olely the reclusive dwellero of Brook
field, Philip Crane, the banker, wandering
from the respectable highway of finance,
bad allowed himself to become Interested
lb race horses. But this fact wss all but
unknown in Brookfleld, ao the full resent
ment of the place was effusively tendered
to John Porter.
In hla younger flay aome money had como
to Philip Crane, with no extraordinary
plethora ot clrcumapectioa. The gambler
spirit, that was hla of inheritance, bad an
Instinctive truth as allied to finance, but.
unfortunately for Philip Crane, chance and
. lt him amongst
m ipBCUIBUIV 1 K.iiouw. - -
men who commerced with the aport of
kings. With acute precipitancy he was
separated from the currency that had come
to him.' The process was so rapid that his
racing experience waa of little avail aa an
asset, so he committed the first great wise
act of his life turned hla back upon the
race course and marched Into finance so
Strongly, so persistently, tbat at 40 he was
wealthy and the banker ot Brookfleld.
Twenty years of deliberate remlnlecenoe
convinced him that he could gratify the
desire that had been hla in those immature
days and possibly work out a paying re
venge. Thua it waa that he had got to
gether a small stable ot useful horses and,
of far greater moment, secured a clever
trainer, Dick Langdon.
Crane' latter-day racing had been suc
cessfulhe made money at It. No tnan
waa ever more naturally endowed to suc
ceed on the turf than was Banker Philip
Crane. Cold, passionless, more given to
deep concentrated thought than expression,
holding silence aa a golden gift even, as a
glfe of rare rubles nothing drsw from him
as unguarded word, no sudden turmoil
quivered his nerve. It waa characteristic
ot the man tbat he bad waited nearly
twenty years to resume racing, which really
cam as near to being a passion with him
as was possible for anything to be.
There is a aaytng In England that It takes
tw years of preparation to win a big hand
icap; and these were the lines on which
PhUlp Crane, by Instinctive adaptation,
worked.
, Quite by chance pick Langdon had come
Into hla handa over a matter of borrowed
money. It ended by. the banker virtually
1 owning every horse that raced In the
tralner'a name. In addition two or three
horses ran in PhUlp Crane's own nsme.
. If there had been any distinctive project
tn the scheme ot creation tbat gave Dick
Langdon to the world it probably was that
he might serve as the useful tool ot a
aubtle thinker. , Now. It did seem that
Langdon had come Into bis own tbat he
had found his predestined master.
John Porter had not been successful; 111
fortune had set in and there was always
something going wrong. Horses would
break down or get beaten by accident
there was always something. The steady
drain bad progressed even to an encum
brance oa Ringwood,
Ringwood was simply a training farm,
located close to an old disused rare course,
for there had been no rsolng In Brook
v field for years. ,
Inadvertently Rev. Dolman had Intensi
fied tbe strained relationship that existed
between tbe good people, who .frowned
te! EAT
Stearns' Electric
Rat and Roach Pasto
ao4 die out o! the houa. One ingredient
dries up their bodies, leaving ao odor.
It is a safe and sure exterminator also of Mice,
Water Bugs, Croton Bugs, Cockroaches and all other
vermin. It has been in general use in houses, tstores,
hotels, factories, offices, public buildings, etc, for
twenty-five years. Absolutely guaranteed.
f A I ITIHWi Substitute sas Imitations ere worth!,
UMU I IVsW. UsasrUKMi'tUUUC; Uaa sMk etas.
S sent a box at Druggist and Grocers or sent direct by Kxprsaa prepaid.
STEARNS' ELECTRIC PASTE CO, Chicago, Ills.
upon all racing endeavor, and those who
saw but little sinfulness In John Porter's
way of life.
The church was In debt everything In
Brookfleld was, except the town pump.
Tbe pastor was a nervous, iralous
worker, and It occurred to him that a
concert might lighten the financial load.
The Idea waa not alarmingly original, and
the carrying out of It was on conventional
lines; local volunteer talent and a strong
appeal Jo the people ot Brookfleld for
their patronage. -
The. concert in tbe little old clapboarded
church, Its sides faded and blistered by
many seasons pt tempest and aeorchlng
sun, was an unqualified success up to the
fltth number.
Nothing could have been more success
ful, or have evoked greater applause than
"AND HIS RIDER LAY CRUSHED,
the fourth effort, "Anchored," aa ren
dered by tbe village pride In the matter
of baritone singing; even De Reszke never
experienced a more genuine triumph. - The
crescendo of applauss gradually fell away
Into the soft rustle of manipulated paper,
as programs were consulted preparatory
to a correct readiness for the fifth offer
ing. Tbe programs confided that the
"Death of Crusader," by Miss Allls Porter,
was the next Item
In the front row of aeats a prim little
body, full of severe qualntness In every
quirk of dress, tilted her head toward a
neighbor, and whlspsred, "It's tbat racln'
gal of John Porter's."
Tbe neighbor answered In a creak meant
for a whisper, "I'm right glad she's took
to religion for onot, an' Is givln us sosne
th'n' about them crusaders. They was In
Palestine, you know. She's been away to
boardln' achool all winter, an' I guess It
'II be a hlgh-falutln' account of the war."
The quaint little old lady Jerked her
head up and down with decisive bobblness.
On tbe third upward bob her eyes opened
wide In astonishment; a small, slim fig
ure in a glaring red coat stood In the cen
ter of the Improvised platform.
From beneath the coat fell away in long
graceful lines a black riding skirt; a dark
oval face, set with large wondrous gray
eyes the Porter eyes confronted the
quaint little old lady.
"That's the Porter gal," her neighbor
squeaked; "I've seen her atop tbem race
horses more'n a hundred times. My!
you'd think butter wouldn't melt in her
mouth, she's that prim now."
"The coat would melt It," commented the
quaint one.
Then a clear, soft, girlish voice, with Just
a tremble ot apprehensive nervousness, giv
ing it a lilt like a robln'a. said;
THE RUN OF CRUSADER.
I.
Full weight they had given the gallant big
Black a hundred and sixty he carried;
And the run for the "Hunt Cup" waa over
three miles, with mud-wall and water
Jump studded.
The best racing days of the old horse were
past there'd never been better nor
braver
But' now onre again he must carry tbe silk
-I was needing the help of Crusader.
"Could hs win at the welgnt?" I whimper
ingly asked, as I clncned. up the saddle
girt tight;
He snuggled my hand as I gathered the
rein, and I laughed when they talked
of defeat.
To the call of th bugle I ewung to his
back like a roek was the strength ot
At sighV'oVVhe people he arched hi. lean J
neck, and they cheered for my King of .
-II 1 J a. '
all Hunters.
j j I
Ten horses would strive for the prlre-a big ,
field, and the pace would be killing. ,
From the West came Sweet Bilver, a Oray, i
gallant, and fearless In Jumping.
A F.klah old 'naa- who walked over' the
stlcks, hsd been sent for the Cup from
Kentucky : ,
On a Bay. tittle Jack, who was faat. they
had put but a hundred and thirty.
But I knew that North Btar, a big Brown
even the Black wn no gamer -
Wkw.:,rniura.,n,rhuu.a5.re,Bht
We made a brave trono. lona-strldina- and
strong, wiui me pica or cress-country :
riders.
wt. .11 u imp .una in .unvp.r.,
wiin its tnousanas or eager admirers
And down to the turn on th lwer far side,
where a red flag was flicking the sun
llcht; For twice we must circle the green-swarded
field, and finish close under the paddock.
III.
Just once we lined up; then down cut the
flag, and "UoV hoarse-voiced the
stsrter; '
And the thunder of hoofs, and the clanking
of bits, maile music to me on Crusader.
Quirk to the front, like a deer, aped a mare,
a chestnut, making the running:
But I steadied my mount, ami took him far
back with his weight he would need all
my nursing.
Thev took the first hedge like sheep In a
bunch, bit to lit, and stirrups a-Jtngle;
And so psst the stand to the broad water
jump, where three went down In
tangle.
I trailed at the heels of the Silver Oray
but Crusader waa begging for halter
And flew the wide ditch with the swoop of
a bird, and on again, lapped on his
quarter.
Then over the Liverpool, racing like mad,
where Sweet Bilver fell fighting for lead.
And his rider lay crushed, white-fared to
the sky, and to miss hlra Crusader
Jumped wide.
IV.
At the bank something struck, and a cloud
of white dust hid the wall as though
it were shrouded;
But the big aallant Black took off with a
swinr full thirty feet ere we had
landed.
AM we rounded the turn I could see Little
Jack go up to the mare that waa lead
ing; Then I let out a rap, and quickened my
pace, to work, clear ot those tnat were
tiring.
saw-
WHITE - FACED, TO 8KY, AND TO MIS3
Once again past the stand we drove at the
ditch that some would never get over:
And a cheer shook the air aa the Bay
landed safe, with the mare on her back
tn the water.
Then over went North Btar though he
pecked, and nearly emptied hla saddle.
As I lifted the Black at hla heels, h
frothed the Brown's flank with hla
nozzle.
Then down the back stretch, o'er hedge and
o'er bank, we three were racing to
gether; Till at the next rail the Bay Jostled the
Brown, and riderless crashed through
the timber.
Bo we rounded the turn, and into the
straight North Star's lean flank we
were lapping
But we shot to the front when I gave the
Black head, and I saw that the other
was stopping.
We raced as one horse at the very last
hedge Just a nose In front was Cru
sader; I felt the big Brown bump twice at my
side, and knew he was ready to blunder.
With stirrups a-fllng. empty-saddled the
Bay stride for stride galloped and
floundered,
Just missing his swerve, I called on the
Black, and drew out aa he bravely re
sponded. VI.
Just the last Jump! and Crusader took off
twenty feet from the brush-covered
timber. .
Then the Bay Jumped too short for hla
stride and fell, with his head on my
wither
Down, down, almost to earth brought to
his knees In the struggle.
The Black lost a length, the Brown forged
ahead, and I was half out of the saddle.
How I sat down and rode! How the old
horse atrove! And the Brown rolling
tired tn hla gallop!
On. gallant Black! on, my brave pet! We
were almost under the paddock.
Then we noted the Brown's flank; then we
reached to his girt; neck and neck I
rode at hla shoulder.
As we flashed past the post I had won by
a heed. How they chsersd, "Bravo,
Crusader!"
VII.
But Crusader stopped abort, gave a slarh
and fell dead; I atood alt alone tn the
winning.
And a hush came over the clamorous mob;
like a babe on hla neck I was sobbing.
He had won his last race; game to the end,
his brave heart broke In the striving.
' (Signed.) W. A. FRA8BR.
The girl's voice fcsj faltered and died
away to a broken whisper as she told ot
the death of Crusader.
For a full minute there was a noiseless
hush. The full pathos ot tbe gallant horses
striving had crept into tbe hearts tbat were
na ?lood and, carried away by their
leeimgs, me people naa iorgoueu an sdoui
. . I . . I ia, - M . I I . ,
their tortured conviction of th sinfulness
wi uiaiug e uui La Uia m UaI (F
lr"1' " 'J
stole a conviction that somehow raey were
countenancing tbe sin of racing.
. . . ......
Before the complete horror of the sttua-
tion had obtained a atrong pair ot Hands, far
back In ths church, came together with an
,, . ,fc- ... ,., . .
"P..? eUp- Uke ,tn rat-tat-tat Ot a
quica-nnng gun was tne appreciative vouey
of recognition from the solitary appiauasr.
"in rrv10 throuKn T
enuroh defiantly. derlUvely, apnxecr.ay.vely.
nan way up me tsie a sorter pair or nanas
tAnrhMi th t..itu ih .-tt. iu,A
f . . H.n ...-.
me enure audience lurnea ana loaned ais-
paraglngly, dlscouraglngly, at ths man who
had figuratively risen as a champion of the
scandalous) recitation.
Resentment bad taksn hold ot the good
Christiana.
Thai Crusader had enlisted their sym
pathies for a taw minutes showed tbe
dengerous sublety of this "horse-racln"
tu::ness."
The rest of the program might Just as
well have been eliminated; tbe concert, as a
concert, would be discussed for all time to
come aa having projectsd the Death ot Cru
sater. The people flowed from the church full of
an expressive contentiousness, seeking by
exuberant condemnation of the sacrilege to
square somehow themselves with taeir con
sciences far the brief backsliding.
Where the church path turned tne the
road a group of men had attached to
gether, drawn by tbe magaaof discussion.
They quite blocked the pathway, obllvloua
to everything but their outrsged fee'.lngs.
Like a great dsrk blotch In tUo a-gnt lis
group stood, and presently two slight gray
hadows slipping up the path, coining o tbe
human barricade, stopped, wavered and
circled out on the grass to pass. , The shad
ows were Allls Porter and her brother Alan.
One ct iho men, overfilled with bis exceed
ing wrath, seeing the girl, gave expression
to a most unchristian opinion of her mod
esty. The sharp ears of tbe boy tieard ths
words of the man of harsh instinct and his
face flushed hot with resentment- He half
turned, bitter reproach rising to his lips.
How could men be so brutish? How could
they be ao base? To tpesk 111 or ts sister
Allls. who wss Just the purest, sweetest lit
tle women that ever lived too brave and
true to be anything else but goodr
As he turned he eaw something that
checked his futile anger. A tall shadow
that had come up tbe path beblnd tbem
stretched out an arm and he beard the
vlllfler's words gurgle and die away, as
one of the strong hands tbat had best tbe
tattoo of approbation clutched him by the
throat. The boy would have rushed to
the assistance of this executive friend It
tbe girl bad not clasped his arm In de
tention. . '
"It's Mortimer!" ha cried, aa a voice
from the strong-armed figure cut the night
air with sharp decision.
Then the shadowy forma twisted up
grotesquely, weaving la and out. There
were votcea ot expostulation and strong
words ot anger, but the new serious) bus
iness tbat had materialised had moat ef
fectually pnt a atop to reflections upon
the Innocent girl who had ao unwittingly
offended.
"Ifa Oeorge Mortimer he'a la our
bank," Alan confided to his sister sa they
moved away. "He's all right he'a atrong
aa a horse and I bet Crandal'll have a kink
in hla neck tomorrow where Oeorge
pinched him."
"What waa It aboutr the girl asked.
"Crandal waa Jawing about people who
HIM CRUSADER JUMPED WIDE."
own race
evasively.
horses," the boy answered
"It's Crandal, the butcher."
CHAPTER II.
It was the May meeting at Morris park
and Morris park is the most beautiful race
course In all America.
John Porter, walking up the atepa of
the grandstand, heard someone call him
by name. Turning hla head he aaw It waa
James Danby, an owner, attttng In hla pri
vate box.
Porter turned into the box and, taking
tbe chair the other pushed toward him,
eat down.
"What about Lueretla?" aaked Danby,
with the air of an established friendship
which permitted the'-ssklng of such ques
tions. "She's ready to the minute," replied
Porter.
"Can ahe get the five furlongs t" queried
Danby.- "Bhe'a by .'Assassin and soma of
them were quitters."
"She'll quit If she falls dead," replied
the other man quietly. "I've worked her
good enough to win and I'm backing her."
"That'll do for me." declared Danby.
"To tell you the truth, John, I liked the
little mare myself, but I hear that Lang
don, who trains Lauzanne, expects to win."
The mare'll be there or thereabout," as
serted her owner. "I never knew a Laza-
rone yet much good as a 2-year-old.
They're sulky brutes, like the old horse,
and If Lucretta's beat It won't be Lau
zanne that'll torn the trick."
A bell clanged Imperiously at the Judges'
stand. Porter pulled out hla watch and
looked at It.
"That's saddling," he remarked, lacon
ically. "I must go and have a bit on the
mart and then take a look at her before
she goes out."
A Porter went down the steps his com
panion leaned over the rail and crooked his
finger at a thin-faced man wltn blond
mustache, who had been keeping a corner of
his eye on the box.
"What are they making favorite, Lewis?"
queried Dsnby, as the thin-faced man stood
beside him.
. "Lueretla."
"Wbafa her price?"
"Two to one."
"What's aecond favorite V
"Lauzanne Ave to two."
"Porter telle me Lueretla la good busi
ness," ssld Danby. in a tentative tone.
"Lmgdon thinks it's all over bar the
shouting; he says Lauzanne outclasses hla
field." replied Lewis.
"Lacgdon's a betting man; Porter' an
owner and a good judge," objected Danby,
"and he's got a good boy up, too, McKay."
he added, slowly focusing his field glasses
on the Jockey hoard opposite ths stand.
"Crooked aa a dog's hind leg," snarled
Lewis, biting viciously at bis cigar.
"Bob, It's darn bard to find a straight
legged dog." laughed Danby. "And when
John Porter starts a horse there'a never
snythlng doing. Here's six hundred; put It
en the mare straight." -
As Lewis pushed his way Into ths shoving,
seething, elbowing crowd In the betting ring
be wss suddenly struck in the chest by
something which apparently had the mo
mentum of an eight-Inch shell, but It wss
only John Porter, who, in breaking through
the outer crust of the living mass, hsd bsen
ejected with more speed than was of hla
own volition.
Bob smothered the expletive that had
risen to hla Hps when he Saw who the un
witting assailant was and asked, "What are
they doln' to the mare in the ring?"
"Not much," answered his assailant,
catching his bresth; "there's a strong play
en Langdon'a boras, and it I didn't know my
boy pretty well, and Lueretla better, I'd
have weakened a bit. But ahe can't loee;
she can't loss!" he repeated in tbe tone of
a man who la reassuring himself.
LewU battled his way along till he atood
In front of a bookmaker with a face east
very much on the lines of a Rubens cherub,
but the cherub type ended sbruptly with the
plump frontlsptsce ot "Jakey" Faust, ths
bookmaker. Lewis knew that. "It there'a
aoythln' doln' I'm up against it hers," bs
muttered to himself. "What's Lauzanns's
pries?" he aaked la an Indifferent tone of
voice, for tbe bookmaker's asslstsnt was
busy changing ths figures on the list.
Faust pretended not to hear him.
"Sure thing!" whispered Lewis to him
self. Then aloud bs repeated his ques
tion, touching ths bookmaker on the el
bow. The cherub smiled blandly. "Not takln'
any." he answered, nodding his hssd in
ths pleasant manner of a man who knows
when he's got a good thing.
"What's Lueretla?" persisted Lewis.
"Ob, that's It. is It? I'll lsy you two te
one."
Tbe questioner edged away, ehsklng his
head solemnly.
"Here! live to two hew much" but
Lewis waa gone.
He burrowed like mole most Indus
triously, regardless of people's toes, their
ribs, tbetr dsrk looks and even angry ex
pressions of strong disapproval, and when
he had gained the greensward of the lawn
hurried to his friend's box.
"Did you get It on?" queried the latter.
"No, I don't like the look of It. Faust
Is holding out Lauzanne and stretched me
half a point about the mare. He and
Langdon are In the same boat."
"But that won't win the race," remon
strated Danby. "Lauzanne is a maiden and
Porter doesn't often make a mistake about
any of hla own stock."
"I thought I'd come back and tell you,"
said Bob Lewis, apologetically.
"And you did right, but If the mare wins
and I'm not on, after getting it atralght
from Porter, I'd want to go out and kick
myself good snd hard. But put it nn
atralght and place, then If Laueanne'a the
goods we'll save."
Lewie was gone about four minutes.
"You're on," he said when he returned.
"I've two hundred on the chestnut for my
self." "Lauzenne?"
"It's booked that way. but I'm baekln
the trainer, Langdon. I went on my up
pers two years ago backing horses; I'm
following men now."
"Bsd business," objected his - atout
friend. "It s bad business to back any
thing that talks."
When John Porter reached the saddling
paddock hla brown mare, Lueretla, waa
being led around tn a circle tn tbe lower
corner. As he walked down toward her
hla trainer, Andy Dixon, came forward a
few paces to meet htm.
"Are they hammerin Crane's horse in
the ring, sir?" he aaked, smoothing down
tbe grass with the toe of one foot, watch
ing this physical process with .extreme In
terest, i
"Just what you'd notice," replied Por
ter. "Why?"
"Well, I don't like the look of it a lit
tle bit. Here's this Lausanne, runs- like
a dog the last time out Isst by the length
of a atreet and now I've got it pretty
atralght they're out tor tbe stuff."
"They'd a stable boy up on him that
time."
"That's Just it." erled Dixon. "Grant
comes to me that day you know Orant;
he worka the commission tor Dick Langdon
and tells me to leave the horse alone,
and today he come and", he hesitated.
"And what?"
"Tells me to go light on our mare."
"Isn't Grant broker asked Porter, with
seeming irrelevance.
"He'a close next it," answered tbe
trainer.
"Aren't his friend that follow him all
broke?"
"A good many of them have their address
In Queer street."
"Look here, Andy," said the owner,
"there isn't a man with a horsa in this
stake that doesn't think he'a going to
win, and when It'a all over we'll aee'
Lucretta'a number go up. Orant'a a fool,"
he sdded viciously. "Didn't he break
Fisher didn't he break every other man
that ever stuck to him?"
"It'a not Orant at all," replied Dixon,
rubbing the palms of bis hands together
thoughtfully a way he had when he
wished to concentrate in concrete form the
result of some deep cogitation "it's Lang
don an' he'a several blocka away from an
asylum."
"Langdon makes mistakes, too."
"He oashes In often when he's credited
with a mistake," retorted the other.
"Well. I've played' the little mare," as
serted Porter.
"Much, air?" asked Dixon solicitously.
"All I can stand and a bit more," he
added falteringly. "I need a win. a good
win," he offered in an explanatory voice.
"I want to clear Ringwood but ' never
mind about that. Andy. The mare' well,
ain't shs? There can't be anything doing
with McKay we've only put him up a few
times, but he seems all right."
"I think we'll win." answered the
trainer. " didn't get anything straight
Juat that there seemed a deuced strong
tip on Lauzanne, conslderln that he'd
never ahowed any form to warrant it.
Yonder he is, air, In No. 6 go and have
a look at him."
As John Porter walked across the pad-1
dock a horseman touched the fingers ot
hla right hand to hla cap. There waa a
half-concealed look ot interest in the man'a
eye that Porter knew by experience meant
something.
"What do you know, Mike?" he asked
careleasly, only half baiting in bis stride.
"Notttn. sir, but dere's something in de
know dls trip. Your mare's a good little
filly Wen ahe,e right, but you;re up against
it." I
Porter stopped and looked at the horse
man. He was Mike Gaynor, a trainer, and
more than once Porter bad stood his
friend. Mike alwaya had on hand three or
four horeea of Inconceivable slowness and
uncertainty of wind and limb; conssquently
there was an ever-recurring Inability to
pay feed bills, so he had every ehance to
know Just who wss his friend and who
was not, for he tried them most aorely.
Porter knew all this quite well, also that
in spite of Mike'e ehronlo impecunloslty be
was honest and true as steel to a benefactor.
He waited, feeling aure that Gaynor had
something to tell.
"There's a strong play on Lauzanne, ain't
there, sir?"
Porter nodded.
"Sure t'lng. That Langdon's a crook. I
knowed him when he was rtdlo' on freight
ears; now he' a awell. though he'a a long
sprint from beln' a gentleman. I got da tip
dat der was a klllln' on, an' I axed Dick
langc'oo it dee was anyt log doln, and
Dick says to me, cays he, puttln' bot'
thumbs up" and Mike held both hands out
horizontally with the thumb stiff and
vertical to II uatrate this form of oath
" 'there's nottln' doln', Mike,' says he. What
d'ye fink of that, sir, an' me knowtn' there
was?" asked Mike tragically.
It's tte biggest tip that always fall
down, Oaynor, aad they've got to be pretty
swift to beat Lueretla."'
"That filly's all right; she's worked out
wsll enough to do up that field of stiffs. I
ain't no rail bird, but I've had m eye on
her. But I ain't doln' no stunt about borses.
Mister Porter; I'm tslklng about men. Th'
filly'a honest and you're honest, sir, but
you don't rolde th' mare you'self, do you?"
"You think. Mike." began Mr. Porter,
queetlonlngly, but Oaynor Interrupted blm
with: "I don't think nottln', sir, an- I ain't
sayln' nottln'. I ain't nsver been up oefore
the afeward yet for crooked work or
crooked talk, but tbere'a a boy rt'jln' In
that bunch today w'at got six hundred tor
t rowing me down once, see? S'lp me Ood!
he pulled Blue Smoke to a stsndstlll on me,
koowln' that it would brssk me. That waa
at Consy Island two years ago."
"And you don't remember bis nsme, I
suppose, Mike?"
"I don't remember nottln' but that J got
It la tbe neck. But you keep your eye open,
sir. You t'ibk thst none of the b'ys would
t'row you down 'cauae you've been good te
them, but some ot 'em are that mean they'd
steal th' sugar from a fly. I knows 'em. I
bears 'em talk, 'cause they don't mind roe
t'ink I'm one of th' gang."
"Thank you very much, Gaynor; 1 appreci
ate your klDdly warning, but I hope you're
mistaken all tbe same," said Portsr. Then
hs proceeded on his way toward stall five,
In which was Lausanne.
"How do. Mister Porter.
It was Philip Crass, standing Just out
side of the stall, who thua addressed blm.
"Oot something running today? he contin
ajed with vague Innocence.
Langdon, Juat Instds of the box, chuckled
softly. Surely Crane was a past master la
duplicity.
"-'I'm starting Lueretla in this race." re
plied Honest John.
"Oh!" Then Orsne took Porter gently by
the aleeve and drew hlra half within the
stall. "Mr. Langdon, who trains a horse
or two for me, say this one'll win," and
he Indicated the big chestnut colt that the
trainer was binding tight to a light racing
aaddle. "You'd . better have a bit oa, Mr.
Porter." Crane added.
"Lueretla carries my money," answered
Porter In loyslty.
Langdon looked upi having cinched tbe
girth tight, and took a atep toward the two
men.
"Well, we both can't win." he said, halt
insolently, 'an' I don't think there's any
thing out today'll beat Lausanne."
"The mare'll beat him." retorted, Por
ter, curtly, nettled by the other's cock
aureness. "I'll bet yon one horse against the ether,
the winner to take both," cried Langdon, la
a sneering, defisnt tone.
"I've made my bet." said LuerVla'a
owner, quietly.
"I hear you had an offer of five thousand
for your Ally, Mr. Porter," half queried
Crane. '
, "I did and I refused it."
"And here's the one that'll beat her to
day an' I'll aell htm. tor half that." as
serted the trainer, putting his hand on
Lauzanne's neck.
Exasperated by the persistent, boastful
nes of Langdon, Porter was angered into
saying, "If he beats my mare I'll give yon
that tor him myeelf."
"Done!" snapped Langdon. "I've said It
and TH stick to It."
"I don't want the horse," began Porters
but Langdon Interrupted him.
"Oh, if you want to crawl"
"I never crawl," said Porter fiercely. "I
don't want your horse, but Just to show you
what I think of your chance of winning, I'll
give you two thousand and a half if you
beat my mare,, no matter what wins the
race."
"I think you'd better call this bargain
off, Mr. Porter," remonstrated Crane.
"Oh, the bargain will be off." answered
John Porter; "If I'm any Judge, Lausanne'
running his race right here In the stall."
His practiced eye had summed up Lau
zanne as a chicken-hearted one; the aweat
was running In little stream down the big
chestnut's legs and dripping from hi belly
into the drinking earth spit-spat, drip-drip;
bis head was high held In nervous appre
hension, his lips twitched, his flanks trem
bled like wind-distressed water and the
white of his eye was showing ominously.
Langdon cast a quick, significant, cau
tioning look at Crane aa Porter spoke of
the horse; then he said, "You're a fair
Judge an' if you're right you get all the
stuff an' no horse."
"I stand to my bargain, whatever hap
pens, Porter retorted.
At tbat instant a bugle Bounded.
"Get up, Westley," Langdon said to hla
Jockey, "they're going out."
Aa he lifted tbe boy to the saddle the
trainer whispered a tew concise directions.
"Hold him steady at the post," he mut
tered; "I've got him a bit on edge today.
Get off In front and stay there; he's feel In
good enough to leave tbe earth. Thls'll be
a matter of a couple of hundred if you win."
"All out! all out!" called the voice of
the paddock official. "Number one!" then,
"Como on you, Westley! they're all out."
The ten starters passed In stately proces
sion from the green awarded paddock,
through an opened gate, to the soft-harrowed
earth, gleaming pink-brown In the
sunlight of tbe .course.
How conscientiously beautiful the thor
oughbred looked. The long, sweeping step,
the supple bend of the fetlock aa it gave
like a wire spring under the weight of
great broad quarters, all sinewy strength
and tapered perfection; tbe stretch of
gentle-curved neck, sweet lined as a grey
hound's, bearing a lean, bony head aet with
two great Jewels of eyes, In which were
honesty and courage and eager longing for
the battle of strength and stamina and
stoutness of heart; even the nostrils, with
a red transparency as of silk, spread and
drank eagerly the warm summer air tbat
was full of the perfume of new-crowing
clover and green pasture land.
Surely tbe spectacle of these lovely
creatures, nearest to man In their thoughts
and their desires, and superior In their
honesty and truth, waa a sight to gladden
the heart ot kings. Of a great certainty
It was a aport of kings; and also most cer
tainly had it at times come into the hands
of highway robber.
Some such bitter thought at this came
Into tbe heart of John Porter as he atood
and watched his beautiful brown mare, Lu
eretla, trailing with stately step behind tbe
others. He loved good horses with all tbe
fervor of his own strong, simple, honest
nature. Their walk was a delight to him,
their roaring gallop a frenzy ot eager sensa
tion. There waa nothing tn the world be
loved so well. Ye his daughter, Allls. '
But Just now hs was thinking only ot Lu
eretla Lueretla and her rival, tbe golden
haired chestnut, Lauzanne.
(To Be Contlnel.) ,
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IHEBHtl M'tO.KIX DHIO CO.,
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W 1
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Buy The Sunday Bee
LET US REASON
TOGETHER.
Con b orv n t i ve iiess is
Commendable.
And it is to Such that We
Desire to Talk.
During the Past Week
Many ol Omaha's
Best Judges of
Piano Values
Have Availed Them
selves ol the Money
Saving Opportunity
Presented by
The Marked Down Sale
Now in Progress at
Schmoller &
, Mueller's.
You May Be Interested in
Learning that This Sale
Affords the Op-
portunity
To Save from $75 to $150
on the Purchase of
a Piano.
By Reason of Our Purchase of
Nearly 500 Pianos at About
30 Per Cent Less Than
Jobbing Prices, We Have Deter
mined U Dispose of Our En
tire Stock on Hand.
Prices Are Being Made that Can.
net Fail to Interest the Most
Conservative.
This Sale Is Distinctly a Sale of
Strictly Artistic, High Grade
Instruments.
You Are Invited to Investigate.
It la extremely gratifying to us to know
tbat the people of Omaha. Nebraska and the
surrounding state appreciate the oppor
tunity offered by this marked-down sale,
which presents th best chance to obtain a
piano of sterling worth and national repu
tation at price that do not admit of re
tall profits.
During the past week many of Omaha's
shrewdest buyers, people who have a busi
ness as well a an artistic side to their
makeup, people who, while having an eye
for the beautiful, also know the value of a
dollar, have availed themselves of this ex
ceptional opportunity to save from 10 to SO
per cent.
Then, again, the quality of the Instru
ments offered at this sale 1 quite out of
the order of sale goods. Surely no on
can call In question the artistic standing ,
of such celebrated pianos a 8TEINWAY,
VOSB A SONS. HARDMAN, MASON ft
HAMLIN, EMERSON. STEOER ft SONS.
A. B. CHASE, OEO. BTECK and about 20
other well known, makes. Remember, thr re
Is nothing reserved. Every Instrument In
the house goes In. SURELY THIS 13
YOUR PIANO OPPORTUNITY. Such price
a are being made at this sale could not b
made only on account of the clreumstanco.
We might put It something like this: Her
we are with an Immense stock of 800 In
strument, embracing the choicest product
ot over 30 different factories, many of th
oldest and moat reputable makes. The sea
son ha been backward, owing to tbe ex
cesslve rainy spell. '
Then here cornea up this opportunity t
buy these half a thousand Instruments at
price that wss st least 80 per eent lee)
than the closest prices we were ever able
to get before. We just figured it this
way: Nail this big deal ourselves; then
glvs the people a chance at the stock now
on hand. Ws figure we can afford to aell
our present stock without profit, to make
room to take care of the others. What
we los on one w make on the other, be
sides getting the advertisements. We are
not unmindful of the beneficial effect of tbe
Influence of a satisfied customer.
This week we shall expect to clear th
floor of from 60 to 75 pianos, and to that
end prices will be made to win your pa
tronage. Odds and ends, such aa aquare plaaos,
used uprights, organs, new and ussd, will
be sold at price that will make tbem move.
About 20 squsres will be sold at from I10.OO
up to $50.00, on payment to suit. Organ
at almost any price. Used uprights on
tertos of f 160 per week. Then any ef the
SO different make of brand new piano wlU
b sold on th closest possible margin.
The most economical and hardest bar
gala driver in tbe land will be Interested
in the absolutely bona fide bargains to be
secured at this sale.
Then, remember Schmoller ft Muller offer
you tbe:r popular payment plan. You are not
required to pay anything In advance, but
while enjoying the use et th piano you will
ha allowed to Dtr In small amounts of 11 SO
j S2 00, $2.60 ind $3.00 per week, Juat accord-
lug to your convenience and tb price of
the piano. The only requirement Is thai
yon have a god reputation and ability t
meet your payments thereafter.
An Immediate Investigation Is advisable.
Schmoller & Mueller,
Manufacturers, Wholesale snd Retail
Peelers.
1311 FARNAM STREET. OMAHA.
Ma BROADWAY. COUNCIL BLUFFS.