Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 152

This 1880 Beadle and Adams pulp weekly presents "Black Bess, Will Wildfire's Racer: Winning Against Odds" by Charles Morris, a serial continuing the author's character. The opening establishes the Blue Bell Inn near Philadelphia, where sporting gentlemen gather to discuss upcoming races. Will Wildfire, a charismatic young horseman, enters with his horse Black Bess, confidently entering it in the October races despite skeptics like Pierce Browning doubting the horse's quality. At the bar, Will dismisses an old drunk named Jake with cruel indifference. The narrative then shifts to Mark Preston and Luke, two schemers plotting revenge against Wildfire over past grievances—Preston claims Wildfire wrongfully holds Wildflower Hall while Luke suffered financial ruin from an earlier conflict. They agree to exploit any opportunity against Wildfire, suggesting his involvement in horse racing may provide their opening.