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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2407, 23 January 1909, Page 12 (Supplement)

‘‘ What-’s - the uso of Lacking him.' if } lie won’t win,- Bill?” I inquired. “Win?” said Bill. “Win? Wiliy lie’ll win in u walk.’’ “Is it a walking race?” I asked. “No, of course not. Come on; come ou out,”- lie said, “and learn. 3low to make money quickly. ’Tiro’s 50 quid waiting ter ibo collected lor ycr.” Tho 50 quid tempted mo and I went out. Wo arrived on the course just boforo tho second race. - Bill took me to soe tho good thing—Latchkey— for tho Oup. It was a. dine looking horse and I was quito satisfied with Bill’s judgment. - After a little while the jockeys got on tho 'horses -for the Oup race. “Who’s tiding Latchkey?” I asked' Bill. -r “Armstrong,” said Bill; “and a good hoy, too, when he .is on it.” “But he’s on it no-w, isn’t he, Bill?’’ I asked." “Didn’t you say he was riding the liorso? so ho must he on it.” 1 “I mean when -iho’s. having a go,” said Bill. ’ " “Isn’t the any good when tho horse is winning in a walk?” I inquired, repeating Bill’s words. “Of course he is,” said Bill. “Como ou; we’ll get on to this horse.” “What (about the jockey? Will lie Jet us?” I asked. “I’m not much of rider.” “L mean we’ll hack it, ,J said Bill, T . with a hopeless look air me. “Here ' giro .u-s .a fiver and I’ll put it' on for ;Vor. Yer can get 5 ter one. That • •means,” said Bill in explanation, “that if Latchkey wins you’ll collect Cthirty quid.” - - I jpis interested. Thirty pounds weak l he very handy. Y/e walked around for a while. The bookies' were yelling “two ter one Latchkey! Two ter one Latchkey!” “The'mob’s gettin’ to ’im? alright,” said Bill. “Somebody’s puttin’ in on it.” I pretended to understand, hut I did not. We still walked about. “Ten ter one, Latchkey,” roared The betting men. “Well, I’m Mowed!” said Bill. “The mob behind him is giving our horse a pull.” “But why doesn’t the jockey tell /“‘Rjhem not to?” I asked. / , “Yer don’t understand,” ..Bill said. “The mob as owns him don’t want ■ him ter win.” I said nothing. The horses were at the post and in a few minutes the}' started to race. Latchkey was in front. “He’s winning, Bill,” I cried. “.He’s winning.” ““Shut up, yer fool,” said Bill. “This is only the first time past.” The horses flashed past with Latchkey a chain in front. As they raced around tho hack of the course .Latchkey galloped less quickly, 'and another horse caught him. Around tho far corner 1 could see Latchkey again in front, hut the other horse galloped fast and -Latchkey was. just beaten by him when the judge’s box was reached.

The crowd yelled and hooted. .Bill loft me. I was bewildered. 'When Bill came back, he sa.nl: “Just us I thought; that Latthxey

was dead.” . * , “Dead! When did lie diet Did tlie crowd kill him?” I asked, excitedly. “No!” said Bill; “but bo was dead alright; the money killed him.” I wondered. I had never heard of money killing anyone. “There goes the jockey,’' said Bill, “Up before tho stewards.” I saw them helping, half carrying Armstrong into a room with “Stewards Only” written on the door. I ' waited outside patiently. Bill again come up. “Is tlie jockey still lying in there?” I asked him. ' “Yes,” said Bill; “lying *or h 9 is worth,” Bill spoke in conundrums. Wo walked about. Bill left me to speak to someone. When lio came 1; 1. 1 10 sa id: “I told yer that horse out.” “Dead, too?” I .asked “He wus on a dead mr, said Bill, “and now the stewards have passed (him, Bill? Vou don’t sav they murdered Jura?” « No ” said Bill, with contempt; “Passed him- out; given him six months.”