'He's felt real good to me
fur the last week.'
"Ole man Sanford's standin' there listenin'. When the work-out starts
he ketches the time with a big gold stop-clock that he fishes out of
his shiny ole vest. The clock's old, too--it winds with a key--but at
that she's a peach!
"'That's a fine clock,' I says to him. He don't take his eyes off the
hoss comin' round the bend.
"'He's running with freedom and well within himself,' he says. 'That
quatah was in twenty-foh flat! Yes, suh, this watch was presented to
me by membahs of the Breedah's Association to commemorate the victory
of Sweet Alice in the tenth renewal of our classic. You have heard me
speak of Sweet Alice?'
"'Yes, you told me about her, Mr. Sanford,' I says. 'That's sure some
clock.'
"'If he does not faltah in the stretch, suh,' says ole man Sanford, 'I
will presently show you the one minute and fohteen seconds you desiah
upon its face.'
"The ole man's a good judge of pace,--Trampfast comes home bang in the
fourteen notch.
"When Pete gets down at the stalls, ole man Sanford walks up to him.
"'Hyah is a dollah foh you, boy,' he says, 'n' hands Pete a buck.
'That was a well-rated trial.'
"Pete looks at the silver buck 'n' then at ole man Sanford 'n' then at
me.
"'What the hell--' he says.
"'You rough neck!' I says to Pete. Don't you know how to act when a
gentleman slips you somethin'?'
"'But look a-here,' says Pete. 'He ain't got--' I gives Pete a poke
in the slats.
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