Argosy, Vol. 120, No. 1 — page 149: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A FALL FROM GRACE. again. “And putting odds on the mare only showing—” *“ That’s the idee,” said the major, con- fidently. ‘‘ And I bet the old man will bite.” ‘And mebbe we-uns ’ll get bitten.” “Not a chance! _ Not a chance!” de- clared Blithedale airily. — “‘ She’s a pretty good old skate,” objected Garry, remembering his brief brush on the road with Pappy. “So he thinks,” grinned the major. “We couldn’t get his goat and make him bet on a proposition that didn’t seem rea- sonable. But see here! Let’s toss a penny to see which of our hawses is goin’ to win the event. Then give the boy that mounts the loser his instructions, and—”’ The rest of the suggestion he whispered in Garry’s ear. The latter’s mean visage slowly brightened. He chewed faster, and his little eyes twinkled with eagerness. Thus the plan was laid, and the two waited the psychological moment to enmesh Pappy Granger in their web. Both the old man and Enos stayed right by the Rose colt that. night, and both of them were | never asleep at the same time. _ The first day of the meet was a smiling spring day, the breeze cool and odorous from the blossoming woods. There were a couple of tryout events first to whet the appetites of the sports. There was a good crowd, a fast track, and much interest. When the gong sounded for the horses to come to the post in the scrub race there were eleven in the crew; three had forfeited at the last moment, but neither of those were Major Blithedale’s or Mr. Garry’s entry. “You still reckon you got a chance to even show with that old mare, Pappy?” chuckled Blithedale, strolling past the stables, which were strung along beside the home-stretch and not far from the barrier. “ She won’t get once round, I don’t reckon.” “‘ She’s got as much bottom as ever she had,” snapped Pappy, his thin hair behind his ears fairly bristling as he swung him- self into the mare’s saddle. _“ But how ’bout speed?” rejoined the other. “Either Garry’s or my entry is done told you-all. 189 going to win; but where ’ll old Rose be? ’Way back in the ruck, I reckon.” “Money talks, major!” cried Pappy, blazingly. ‘Old Rose ‘ll show, all right, an’ don’t you fergit hit.” ““ Money talks, jes’ like you say, Pappy,” Blitheadle drawled, hauling out his betting- book. ‘ How much does you-all’s money say at three to one the mare runs third?” ~ ‘““I—I got a thousand in the Pawmunkey Bank, major,” stammered Pappy, his with- ered-apple face screwed into a hard kaiot, and with eyes blazing with anger. “ At three to one,”’ said the major, writ- ing coolly, “ that Rose won’t run third—’’ ‘Or better!” snapped the old man. ‘Or better,”’ repeated the major, stiffling his feeling of glee. ‘Yo’ is on, Pappy, There’s the second gong, old man.” He strode away, fearful of showing his satisfaction too soon. Pappy leaned from the saddle, his old face changing expression instantly, and whispered in Enos’s ear: ““Now, we got ’em! ’Member what I It ain’t me an’ the Rose colt what’s a goin’ to win this race. Hit’s ““ Yes, sir, Pappy.” | “J knowed them two was cookin’ sump- in’, And now I got ’em,” repeated the old man in keen delight. “ Now, keep your haid, and ’member, Enos.” «Ds wise to what yo’-all tell me,” said Enos, the freckles shining on his face. ‘When you see us in the stretch,” con- tinued Pappy earnestly. ‘Not the fust time, but the second. Yo’ do like I tole yo’. W’en we-all gets to the haid of the stretch.” His grandson felt as important as any jock on the track, although he was not astride a horse. Pappy’s good money was up. Much depended on Enos, and the boy was determined to be faithful to his charge. © _ The Rose colt ambled out after the other prancing horses. She might have been car- rying her master and a grist to the mill, as she had many times and oft. When the grand stand spied the old man and the rather scrubby looking mare, laughter and applause greeted them. Pappy was not the only rider that rode his own entry; but he was the most bizarre figure in the field. ~+- GO 1TOO S CO@