I hands them his papers 'n' they looks up the
description of Friendless in the stud-book, where it shows he's got one
white foot. Then they wire to the breeder of Alcyfras 'n' to the
tracks in California where the dog has started. The answers come back
all proper 'n' to cinch it I produce Elsy as owner. They look Elsy
over while he tells 'em he's bought the hoss.
"'Gentlemen,' says Colonel King to the other judges, 'the mere sight of
Mr. Tuttle has inspired me with full confidence in his entry and
himself.' He bows to Elsy 'n' Elsy bows to him. The rest of the
judges turn 'round 'n' look at somethin' over across the center-field.
"I tells Elsy his hoss is all to the merry, but we don't want him to
win till the odds get right. He's standin' beside me at the race, 'n'
Alcyfras runs next to last.
"'Of course, I realize you are more familiar with horse racing than
myself,' he says; 'but I think you should have allowed him to do a
little better. What method did you employ to make him remain so far in
the rear?'
"'I tells the jock to pull him,' I says. The boy was usin' the bat
half the trip, but Elsy never tumbles.
"'What do you say to a jockey when you desire him to lose?' Elsy asks
me.
"'I just say--"Grab this one,"' I says.
"'What do you say when you require him to win?' he squeaks.
"'I don't say nothin'. I hands him a ticket on the hoss 'n' the jock
wins if he has to get down 'n' carry the dog home,' I says.
"Not long after this, Friendless gets in from Illinois.
Pages:
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39