Cinder Path Tales

MY FIRST, FOR MONEY 23 that acontestant must be off with the pistol, or steal on it if he can. But if he gets away before the shot, he is brought back and penalized a yard foreach offence. Knowing that the pistol would be a bit quick was a decided advantage to me, as I could start without fearof being set back. As I got in position, I had made up my mind to the following facts: First, thatI had the best side of the track. It was the west or farthest from the house, and well I knew every inch of the brown cinder-path that stretched before me. For thefirst fifty yards there was nothing to choose; but on the east side, which Simmons had taken, just before the finish was a soft spot whichwould trouble him. Second, the rain of the pre­ vious night hadmade thetrack quite heavy, which should also help me, as my greater strength must push me through. Third, my appearance had not been without its effect on the crowd, and I had heard a word or two of approval of my "get-up," also of the quiet and business-like way in which I had met Simmons' tirade. We were on our marks and waiting forthe word when suddenly my opponent discovered my running-shoes, and insisted that I must run in smooth soles like himself. He kept up a wordy warfarewith Hacking