I look him
over in the car 'n' I see he's not ready. He's not near ready.
"'What kind of shoemakers give this hoss his prep.?' I asks Harms.
"'What's wrong with him?' he says. 'He looks good to me.'
"'He ain't ready,' I says. 'Look at him 'n' feel him! He'll need ten
days more work 'n' a race under his belt 'fore he's safe to bet real
money on.'
"Harms buys some stuff at a drug store, 'n' gets busy with the white
fore-foot.
"'Only God A'mighty can make as good a sorrel as that!' he says when
he's through. 'Here's the can of dope. Don't let her fade.'
"'What are you goin' to do about this Elsy person?' I says. 'While I
ain't sayin' it's pure joy to have him around, I ain't got the heart to
hand it to him. I don't mind trimmin' boobs--that's what they're
for--but this Elsy thing is too soft. He must be in quite a wad on
this bum hoss of his'n.'
"'Who's Elsy?' says Harms.
"I tells him, 'n' he laughs.
"'Is that what you call him?' he says. 'What's bitin' you--ain't
Friendless goin' to win a nice purse for him?'
"About ten o'clock that night Alcyfras goes out one gate 'n' Friendless
comes in another. I keeps the foot stained good, 'n' shuts the stall
door whenever Duckfoot shows up. In ten days the hoss is right on edge
'n' one race'll put the finish on him, so I enter him, in a bunch of
skates, as Alcyfras. I gives the mount to Lou Smith--he ain't much of
a jock, but he'll ride to orders. Just before the race I has a heart
to heart talk with Lou.
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