94 My First Steeple-chaser. 



been Tom's wife long ago, if he had only been tolerably steady j 

 but the old man her father not exactly approving of Master Tom's 

 goings-on, had peremptorily forbidden him his house, and threatened 

 his daughter with penalties far worse than those of a convent, if she 

 ever spoke to him again. The girl obeyed her father at the price of 

 a broken heart, but she silently registered a vow in heaven, that if 

 she could not become Tom's wife she would never become the wife 

 of another man j and this vow she solemnly kept, perhaps living on 

 in hope, but gradually dying of despair. The old uncle wound up 

 his little history with " Mind you, her father's an old fool, for if the 

 girl had married Tom she might have kept him straight ; anyhow, 

 she could never have been more miserable than she is now. There's 

 many worse-looking fellows than Tom - } and if he is a little wild, 

 all I can say is, there is not a more straightforward chap or a better 

 rider in our hunt." The old gentleman evidently thought it 

 impossible to say more in his favour. 



After the steeple-chase came a hurdle-race, but although two of 

 the steeple-chase horses went for it, one of them winning, the old 

 gentleman would not enter our horse, as he had a better plan in his 

 head, which he brought about in the evening. All left the course 

 well pleased with their day's fun. Many went home that night, 

 but we all stayed j and Sam had strict injunctions to see after the 

 old horse, as he might be wanted again in the morning. The 

 owner of the chestnut was not half satisfied with his defeat, and his 

 son, the jockey, was very sore at having been out-ridden by Tom. 

 In the course of the evening party-feeling waxed high, for both 

 horses had their supporters, and after a great deal of personal chaft 

 a match was made for ^o/. a-side, to come off next morning at 

 eleven, over the steeple-chase course. As Tom quietly closed a 

 io/. bet with his rival rider, his sarcastic remark of " Just see what 

 an example I'll make of you in the morning, young man. You 

 shall ride a waiting race to-morrow, whether you like it or not," 

 raised the hopes of our party ; and he kept his word. 



The match came off as agreed. Tom jumped away with the 

 lead, and kept it the whole way round, gradually improving it up 



