are.'

"In about ten minutes here comes Skinny at a forty shot.

"'He bets a hundred straight at fifteen-to-one! What do you know about
that?' he hollers.

"'That settles it!' I says. 'Chick, get them two bottles that's hid
under the rub-rags in the trunk! Now, ole Holler-enough,' I says to
the Tramp, 'you may be a imitation hoss, but we're goin' to make you
look so much like the real thing your own mother won't know you! . . .'

"When Trampfast starts fur the paddock, his eyes has begun to roll 'n'
he's walkin' proud.

"'He thinks he's the Zar of Rushy,' says Chick. 'He'll be seein' pink
elephants in a minute.'

"I don't find ole man Sanford till they're at the post. He's standin'
by the fence at the wire.

"The start's bein' held up by the Tramp. He's sure puttin' on a
show--the hop's got him as wild as a eagle. It's too far away fur the
ole man to see good, so I don't put him hep it's his hoss that's
cuttin' the didoes.

"Just then Chick comes up.

"'I hear you get a nice bet down on your hoss, Mr. Sanford,' he says.
'I sure hope he cops.'

"'Thank you, ma boy,' says ole man Sanford. 'I only placed a small
wageh, but at vehy liberal odds. Ah shall profit materially should he
win his race.'

"'If he gets away good he'll roll,' says Chick. 'There's no class to
that bunch, 'n' he's a bear with a shot in him. But he's a bad actor
when he's hopped--look at the fancy stuff he's pullin' now!'

"'You are mistaken, ma boy,' says ole man Sanford. 'This hawss has had
no stimulant _to-day_.'

"Like a nut I've furgot to tell the boys the ole man ain't on. I tries
to give Chick the high sign, but he's watchin' the hosses, 'n' before I
can get to him he belches up the glad news.

"'If _he_ ain't hopped one never was!' he says. 'We put a fierce shot
in him. Look at him act if you don--'

"I kick his shin off right there, but it's too late, ole man Sanford
gets pale as a rag.

"'How dare you--' he says, 'n' stops. 'But Ah shall prevent it!' he
says, 'n' starts fur the judge's stand. He ain't got a chance--just
then they get away, 'n' he turns back to me when he hears the crowd
holler, 'They're off!'

"'Young man,' he says, pointin' at me, 'n' he's shakin' like he's cold.
'What have Ah evah done to you to merit such treatment at yoh hands?'

"I see there's no use to lie to him, so I gives it to him straight.

"'Mr. Sanford,' I says, 'the hoss can't win without it, 'n' I don't
want to see you