TOD SLOAN 



the sea. Neither of them had ever seen the ocean or 

 a ship and how they did stare with delight ! I had a 

 place just then down near the course, at Jerome Cottage, 

 and I gave them a whole floor to themselves. 



On the first day after their arrival Sousa's band was 

 playing at the races and I got them two seats just 

 in front of the conductor. They were in raptures. 

 After settling them I had to leave them alone until 

 after the fourth race, but I had been told that they 

 were getting on very well. I had ridden three winners 

 in succession, and I put my overcoat on over the colours 

 I was to wear in the last race of the day and went off 

 to see how they were getting on. To begin with I 

 peeked at them from a distance and saw them beating 

 time to the music with beaming smiles on their faces. 

 I didn't interrupt at once, but when the tune was over 

 I went up and asked how they were getting on. 



" When do you perform ? " asked Aunt Lib, for 

 all the world as if she were on a fair-ground — like 

 Molly Plumb. 



" I've been performing — only three winners — ^and 

 I shall perform again in the last race," I answered, 

 and I opened my coat to show the colours. " All 

 you've got to do is to keep your eye on this jacket. 

 Didn't you see my performances earlier in the after- 

 noon ? " 



" We saw some horses go by," said Aunt Min ; 

 " were you that little feller performing in front ? " 



" That was me, and you must look for me on the 

 track in the race after the next one." 



They promised that they would, but I am sure they 

 were much more impressed with my importance when 

 on leaving them I went up to shake hands with Sousa 

 and several of his leading men. They looked at each 

 other as if to say, " See the people our Tod knows ! " 



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