Cinder Path Tales

MY FIRST, FOR MONEY 13 drifted soft white clouds, forthere had been showers in the night. There wasthe smell of the moist earth, andwhat littlewind there was blew from the south, and carried the fragrance of the pear-blossomsfrom a young orchard to mywindow asI threw it open. I took my tub and Hacking gave me a right good rub down after; not a very artistic performance, but given with good will and with a strong hand. When it was done he looked me over with a critical eye, pronouncing me very fit, "barring a heavy pound or two; " but as I haddone my work faithfully he could findno fault. He thought me a bit over-confident, and told me so; but I had never for a moment doubted my ability to defeat anything against me, and I paid little attention to his words. I was not con­ ceited, but I knew there were not a half- dozen amateurs in all England in my class, and was sure an Old-Countrycrack must out­ class anything the States could produce. As early as two o'clock the spectators began to arrive, and I, following my own inclination as well as Hacking's suggestion to " get under cover," went upstairs and knocked at the door of Jennie's little sitting- room. She greeted me most cordially with a hand­ shake and a " good day to a good winner."