IV.—RACE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 2130, 20 December 1894, Page 12

IV.— RACE WEEK.

It is a we«k prior to the races.

The Biyd family have jus*, finished a game o* v/Mnt, when tha patftr h^tp, "Now, girls, to bed, for you'll Imvo to be up to-morrow morning by 5 o'clock to faeo Pica do bib trial against the watch. Mr Boyd load In hin young clays been apprenticed to the printing tr?de, nnd in toemcry thereof bo had mimed his Derby colfe "Pica"— a pUxe of type. "But, papa," eaid Lilly, "we must take a vote as to the ooloura to be worn by the rider of Pica."

"Well said, Lilly 1 I had forgotten that most important detail," said Mr Boyd. " I Nvill be ohi'.irman, and am prepared to re-c-e'.ve a motion on the subjeot." " I propose that it be a e;reen jacket with gold Bcsh and cvp," said Lilly. "Very well, Mi*s Boyd. Will anyone seooadthe proposition?" said the chair-

" 111 Pernod it pro forma, my dear," said Mrs Boyd. " Vf.ry w if, mother; but please not to be co tu'-fliiiar in r,ddreßsing the chair," rsEaaikfid Mr Boyd. " Very wall, Mr Ohairmnn ; but please do not addrefcs me as • mother ' iv opeii meetings," whereat the m&stiug roared with laughter at the tables being turned on the ohairraarc.

"Is tbcra any amendment?" asked tho cbnirman.

" I propose as an amendment that the colours be chocolate and salmon," f-aid Polly. "I'll second tbj>t," said little Beatrice Boyd. Oo being put to the meeting thero voted for tijc? amendment, the proposer and seconder, ana p gainst it Mr;, and Liilj Boyd. Tha chairman gave bis casting vo'Q in favour of the amendment, and the colour fixed upon was thus ohocolata and e&lraon. And then all retired to re**.

At 5 o'clock all were astir. When I say all, I mean Mr Boyd, Lilly, and Polly ; and as thsy drove out to the course on that delightful morning— a diftaxico of amilcfiorn tbe hemeitead — they chatted and laughed gaily. Ofl their arrival at the course they found the trainer, a typical Irishman, bitting on the step* of the stand tmcbir.g his welleeasoned cUy. The stable boy rode up and down tho BtrAigtit on Pica, awaitisg the Brriv&l of the station party. As the drgoaxt drew up in front of the efeond Miks Foley, the trainer, placed his pipe in hla poo Vet, raised his hat, and then placing his fingers to hia mouth, whistled to the lad on Pica.

Wbl'.e waiting his coming Mr Boyd atked the irß'ner how the oolt was doing. " Tip-top, sur. He was off his oats for a day Ust week, but he'B doiDg grand now ; and shure whin ye see him sthripped yell be plazsd. Bemove the clothing, Tim." The lad removed the clothing, and as he did bo the t,r*i«er gave a boastful-like wave of hi 3 haad, and said : " Look at him ! Ain't ho a beauty ? "

And so ha was. He w&s a dark bay, and stood over 16hds high. As ho stood with hia tirched neck, trembling with suppressed excitement, the sun broke through the fog bank that overhung the mountain tops, and his coat shone like eatin. " What a beauty 1 " broke simultaneously from the lips of all.

"What distance shall I send him, sur ?" asked Foley.

" Eettsr ser.d him the mile and a-half, Mike," Bai^i Mr Boyd, and oontinned, " It'a a pity we haven't something to brief? him home witb, Mike."

"Well, there's old Bnsbman. sur; I rode out en him, and he's not a bad un for half a mile ; but I'm too heavy." " Let me have a ride on my old favourite, Mr Boyd." "Very well, Polly," said Mr Boyd. " Can you accommodate yourself on a man's saddle 1 "

" Yes, rather," replied Polly, as eha threw the stirrup leather to "t'other" side, and in the twinkling of an eye she was in the saddle.

The boy on Pica cantered round to the mile and a-half post, and on a sign from tho judge's box he shot off at a groat pace. " Aiu't he a dandy ? " queried Mike. " By Jovo 1 he's a goer all right/ responded Mr Boyd. The colt tupped for his head tho first threaqn&rtorF, nnd then he got it. lie shot out like f. ycclret, and as ho approachr-d the laat half mile Polly tncUed up old Bu'^hmaa's reins ond prepared for a chip in. Here he oomes 1 Old Bushman champs the bit, and with a grunt as of satisfaction he joins the Derby colt. Turning iuto tho stiaight, the horses are racing ncok and neok ; but the boy on Pica sits down, and, driving him along, he passes the po&t half a dozsn lengths in. front of. old

"What time, sur?" asked Mike in an excited tone. " Two thirty-six," replied Mr Boyd. " He's a go&r, and no mistake." "I was sorry to beat you, Miss Hsrper, bub I wanted to eiiow the bosa the Btnff Pica was made of," said tha lad who had ridden the colt. " That's all right, ray boy. Old Baahman met a foarnan worthy of his steel, and if I'm any judge of pace the Ddrby ia all over," replied Polly. The two ladies and Mr Boyd stood and watched the trainer rub the colt down, and when that had been accomplished to Trainer Mike's *atidfaction the clothing was put on, and the stable lad mounted Pica and set off to Rive him some walking exsroise. As the party drove home Mr Boyd went into ecstaoies over his colt's performance, and the ladies joined in the praise.