Branksome Hall - Slogan Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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24 THE BRANKSOME SLOGAN. THE SOUTHDOWNE RACE JESSIE FERRIEB. The morning of the 24th of May broke bright -and clear in South- downe. The town was in a state of excitement. For it was the one day of the year when everyone turned out to witness an impoTtant event — a horse race. This was to take place on a high and level I i track, at two o clock. But already a great crowd had collected in order to get good positions. It was a curious gathering. All the people in Southdowne were there: lumbermen in their every- fiWp J day clothes; miners, distinguished by their bright red |:f| | Nj bandannas, and here and there an Indian or half- y-f - ' breed. But there was one figure which aroused much curiosity. It was that of an Indian, Red Wing, chief of the Mohawks. An Indian likes nothing better ' than a good, swift horse, and to this passioji Red Wing certainly lived up. He was about twenty years of age, tall, and slim as a pine tree. His features were clear-cut and his swarthy skin was brightened by a pair of black eyes, which sparkled like live coals. With him were two others. One was John Cobbett, known as Cobb, a lithe little fellow with a thatch of yellow hair and a pair of crafty blue eyes. The other was Terence Kelly, a witty little Irishman. His homely features were lighted up by an irrepressible smile and a pair of twinkling eyes. These three were to compete in the race. As they hurried to the stables, not together, however, each felt deep down within him a longing for victory. Red Wing ' s horse, Wild Fire, was a beautiful little roan, sleek and well-groomed. She was a fiery creature, but her owner had complete confidence in her power, if only she did not get her temper up and go too quickly at first. Tally Ho, Cobb ' s horse, a bay, was capable of remarkable endurance. Trained by its master, it could trip a horse quite easily. Wild Fire ' s chief enemy, however, was Bally Brae, Kelly ' s horse. She was not so distinguished in appearance as Tally Ho, but her speed had been proven before, and the merits of her rider were well- known. It was already two o ' clock. By this time the enclosure was packed. All was in readiness for the exciting event. The course was to be twice around a mile track. Across the latter was placed a wooden screen, behind which the riders took their poisition. At the crack

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THE BRANKSOME SLOGAN. 23 to this 1 don ' t believe that more than one of those soldiers discovered tlie trick played on them, and that one wais the captain ! He found out three or four years after because his wife told him, and I don ' t suppose I have to tell you who his wife was ! A LIBRARY TALE The hour was almost midnight, Beside the dying fire In idleness I sat and dreamed Till close beside my ear there seemed A sweet voice to enquire: Did you know that ' Richard Carvel ' And ' The Lady of the Lake With little ' David Copperfield ' And others whom ' The Spy ' revealed, ' A Tramp Abro ' ad ' will take? They are going by ' The Two Faiths ' And along ' The Right of Way, ' But when ' The Crossing ' they approach ' King Lear ' will meet them with his coach. Just at ' The Peep of Day. ' As they draw near the ' Hamlet ' Where ' Evangeline ' resides. Behold ! ' The Crisis ' comes too soon. For ' Tom Brown ' ' Kidnapped ' ' Lorna Doone ' And many more besides. To their ' Deserted Village ' ' The Spoilers ' go, ' twould seem, With booty rare ' To Have and To Hold ' . Our ' Mutual Friend ' then wliispering told, ' Twas all ' A Mid— night ' s Dream. — G. M. M.

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THE BRANKSOME SLOGAN. 25 of the pistol and clang of the bell, the screen was raised and the horses went off like a flash. Red Wing appeared calm and collected. He was holding Wild Fire back with all his strength lest she might weary before the struggle. Tally Ho was following closely, and at her heels was Bally Brae. In a minute Tally Ho was in the lead. A cry went up. When about half way around the track Bally Brae shot for- ward like an arrow, and, in a cloud of dust, reached Tally Ho and rushed ahead. A great shout rose among the spectators. It looks as if Bally Brae is going to leave the others behind her ' said one man. Rubbish ! You don ' t know what Wild Fire ' s made of ! ex- claimed another angrily. But it certainly looked as if Bally Brae was to be the winner and Tally Ho a close ©econd. They little reckoned on the make-up of Wild Fire. Her temper was rising, and her rider, unable to restrain her, loosened rein and let her go, uttering, soothingly, Steady, old girl, steady. On, on she went! A mighty roar came from the crowd, which, too excited to remain sitting, rose and waved her on to victory. Tally Ho attempted to trip Wild Fire, but she fell to the ground with her rider beneath. It was now between Bally Brae and Wild Fire. Bally Brae, at the approach of her rival, at once pricked up her ears and rushed on. Her speed must soon lessen. She cannot keep it up, thought Red Wing. I must now give my horse looser rein. Digging his spurs into her, she shot up into the air. Faster, faster they went, a cloud of dust following them. Clatter, clatter sounded their hoofs upon the ground. They had now but one- third of the course to cover. Bally Brae ' s speed had not lessened. Wild Fire seemed like a thing possessed. With her head erect and quiver- ing nostrils, she advanced, inch by inch, step by step, until, with a mighty bound, she rushed in front of her opponent, and did not stop until pulled up at the goal — the victor.