(Written for "The Free Lance" Christmas Number.)

Free Lance, 15 December 1902, Page 30

(Written for "The Free Lance" Christmas Number.)

SHE was got b\ Duntroon out of an Arab mare She was reaied on the grass of the plains of Morven Hills Station, and was foui years old before being haltered. Jim Swan, the station rough-rider, broke hei in, and, in doing so, broke a couple ot ribs. That was notlune for Jim — he had often been broke, in more wa\ s tilian one. She was christened Morven Maid faDa^ Ray, the runholder's dauo-hter, who was a lover of the thoroughbred, and an expert horsewoman. I will never forget that rollicking lass, with short auburn looks, laughing blue eves, and pouting cherry-red lips, with dimples on her cheeks and ohm. She was such a pert little miss, and how her father doted on her! Her every wish was gratified by the genial old sport, who was often heard to express the wish that Daisy had been a boy. Ray was a, real John Bull — a lover of sport, a judge of roast beef, and a breeder of prize sheep. The Morven Hills homestead was noted for its hospitality, and its host for his philanthropy. He used to race a bit in his time and some of his nominations had secured substantal stakes but, after has beloved wife's death, he threw up the sport of kings, and paid more attention to the management of his run. His private training track, which was in the centre of a forty-acre paddock, all laid down in English grass, had foi three years lain idle, and the luxuriant growth of herbage had almost blotted it out, but, Morven Maid was such a promising mare that the old infatuation was revived, with the result that old Giles was commissioned to make the "going;" good straight away. Jim Swan was instructed to put the mare into training, in view of the Squatters' Handicap, worth 200sovs., to say nothing of the liberal odds always obtainable on the event, for the race referred to drew large nominations, and the owners of the respective steeds planked their money down in earnest on their neddies. It was October when Jim started working Morven Maid, and, as the races did not take place until New Year's Day. it was thought that ample time would be afforded to get her fit to do the mile and a-half. Watty Dodd. a jockey with a shady reputation, happened to come along at shearing time, to do duty as a pickerup and, at Jim's request, Ray found another lad to take his place on the shed boards, and got Watty to assist Jim in the preparation of the mare. In the early morn, when the dew glistened on the grass, and the skylarks soared hoavenw ards, w arblino- their son^s of praise, the bay mare would be seer 7 putting in a couple of miles, swinging like a piece of machinery witched by Ray on his sturdy cob, and Daisy, on her favourite hunter. In the month of November fast woik was meted out to Morven Maid, the resrlt of which was plainly viable in her muselos and elos^ coat. On Boxine Night, the nominations were received for the principal events of the meeting no less than sixteen beins; entered for the Squatters' Handicap, amoii'T them beinn; such well-known performers aa McKenna's Playboy, Kenny s Starlight (imported from Melbourne), whose sire claimed a Melbourne Cup and other big Australian events Roy's Tiger, and Lawsons Blackboy. The weights duly appeared three days later and the various runholders with horses entered began to back their respective nominations, with a visour quite unknown since the advent of the totalisator. Drake, the leviathan would lay them "till the cows came home," and lesser lie-libs in ulie bookmakine: world laid l'ho- 1 odds

Ray, with lus old gambling instincts stiong within him, had what he termed '"a mild nutter," and supported the Majd to win him a thousand, at odds w hioh shoitened from 20 to 1 to fours Kemv's Starlight was made a redhot ' pot" foi the event, and plenty of money was forthcoming atoout his chance at evens. The o« ncr of Starlight and Ray, although neighbours, were bitter enemies, having; quarielled over land, and for tw o years had not spoken to> each other Their enmity entered with extieme bitterness into their racine, and both longed to beat the other. The night prior to the races, Ray entertained a party of four gentlemen from Dunedin, and, after dinner, whilst discussing the wine, they discussed the Squatters' Handicap. "I think mv mare will win, but it is no moral," said Ray, "for I am told Kennys horse is going great guns I have had nothing fast enough to work the mare with, but one or tv, o trials she has given us against the watch have been very satisfactory. I stand to win a thousand, so fill your glasses to the brim and drink to Morven Maid'" The glasses clinked together, and the best of wishes were expressed for the mare's success. Daisy entered the room at this sta^e, and suggested a retirement to the draw - ing-room for a little music. Her lequest was readily acceded to, and a jolly hour or two were spent in song and story, the two Lunn girls, who were very musically inclined, having come over to spend the evening. At 11 o'clock they departed for their home half-a-mile distant, Daisy accompanying them as far as the slip-panel The full moon rose up from behind Moiven Hill, casting shadows through the firs that bounded the carnage drive It was a glorious night, betokening a good day on the morrow After chaffing the Lunn girls for ha\ - ing refused the escort offered bv the young gentlemen of the house party, she bade them good-niglit, and leaning over the rails, watched them till a bend m the road hid them from view. Daisy then, became lost in meditation Standing in the shadow of the big bluegum she thought of her dead mother, whom she had dearly loved. The advent of another year has such

an effect on most people. Thoughts of by-gone clays and departed tnends are awakened, and a soriow seems lo fall on them as they part with the dear old dying year. Such w as Daisy's mood that night, but she was aioused from her reverie by the sound of approaching footsteps, and the voices of two men in low conversation. The girl drew closer to the gum tree, and this is what she saw and heaid : A tall, well-dressed man, upon whose white waistcoat sparkled a gold watchguard, walked arm-in-arm with "Watty Dodd, the jockey. Opposite the gate, within a lew ieet ot Dais} , they stopped. The bookmaker, Louden — for such it pro\ed to be, relinquished his hold of the lad s aim, and, placing his hand on his shoulder, said : " Well, you will not forget, Watty, if you take hold of her in the race to-mor-row, I'll give you a hundred at the Shamrock Hotel to-morrow night. After that trial of hers over a mile and a^-half , the other morning, she must win, and I have laid a deuce of a lot about her. Don't play me false, or you will regret it all your days."

"It's a wager. Hang it al' you've been told by me a dozen, times I'll do it , but I don't like it, all the same. Old Ray ain't a bad sort. Kenny has promised me £50 pounds as well to stiffen her, so with that money I'll clear to the other side. My bolt's shot over here. I must get now, or that boss of mine will smell a rat. He's going to watch the

mare all night. He's red-hot, is old Jim. Good-night!" and then the men parted. Daisy stood for a moment transfixed. Then, woman-like, she acted promptly, amd, as usual, correctly. She entered the house and sent one of the servants for the trainer, to whom she told what she had heard. Old Jim scratched his head, and said, "Well, I'm d d. Oh, beg pardon, Miss Daisy, I forgot you was there." Daisy could not help laughing at the old man's dilerama, and assured him that he was quite forgiven. "Whatever you do, Miss Daisy, don't say a word to your father about it. I'll sat up ail night with the mare, and by morning I will have fixed a cross for these two lovelies," said Jim, as he left the house to return to the stable. "Very well," said Daisy, as she closed the door after him. On entering the billiard-room, she found her father surrounded by his friends, displacing his racing colours — green and gold. The gleam of the silken costume shone brightly in the brilliantly-lighted room, and Ray smoothed out u ne wrinkles with pride, as he thought of days of yore. He had two seits of colours, the only difference being in the caps — one being white, and the other black. At this iuncture, the clock struck the hour of midmerht. and the new year was welcomed in with ...e shaking of hands and good wshes. "Bring in the cecanters, Daisy, darling'" said Itav, as he kissed his daughter fondly, "and let us drink to the colours and then to bed, for we have am exciting day before us." The colours having been toasted, the party retired to rest. Not so old Jim Swan. When the clock struck the hour of midnight, he

was standing in the loose-box, with his arms round the mare's neck, and muttering m her ear, "They'd stop you, my beauty, would they? Well, if they do old Jim Swan ain't worth his salt. Go to sleep, my pet, and you'll give 'em all they want and a bit more, when it comes to racing." After tightening up the rug-band a hole, Jim sat down in the corner of the box, stuck a straw in his mouth, and chewed it vigorously. He always did that when he deeply thought. New Year's Day broke gloriously fine. Not a cloud in the sky, and just the semblance of a breeze to temper the rays of the sun. The course was- two miles distant from the homestead. At 11.30, after an early luncheon the party drove off to the races, the spanking bays passing all sorts and conditions of vehicles on the road, all laden with happy, healthy folk, on pleasure bent. Half-a-mile from the course, Morven Maid, in clothing, with Watty Dodd on her back, was passed. Jogging alongside was Jim Swan on a staid cob. He politely raised his hat to the occupants of the carriage, his salute being returned with a friendly nod by Bay, and a wave of Daisy's handkerchief. After the carriage had proceeded a little distance, Swan remarked : "Well, Wat, if we cet home to-day the boss will be a proud man. Ride to win, lad. That's the motter, not only in racine but in this world's battle. What I want you to do to-day. is 1 to cret well away, secure a comfortable DO&ition, and let the mare run along on her own. Don't make the pace a cracker, but solid. Half-a-mile from home send her along. She'll stay it right out, and don't raise that whro until you are pinched, aad it will only be Kennys Starlieht that can pinch her." Watty Dodd's face was crimson A tumult was raging within him. He was

almost on the verge of divulging all, but the £150 proved too big a temptation, and he blurted out, in a dazed soit of way, "Right you are." The course piesented quite a gay appearance, the varied colouied di esses of the ladies on law n and stand presenting a kaleidoscopic picture of gieat beauty. The starting bell rang out for the Maiden Plate, and Kennys filly Atalanta won that event in great style, and put that gentleman and his followers in great humour, so much so that they planked their dollars dow n on Starlight to such an extent as to bring the horse s position to an odds-on favourite The leather-lunged Louden yelled, "10 to 1 against Morven Maid." "I'll take a couple of hundred at that nee," said Ray, rather chagrined at what he considered a slur against his mare. "I'll take a century, too," said one of the house party, and, after booking the bets, again Louden yelled, "10 to 1 against Morven Maid." Other bookmakers took up the cry, for well they knew Louden must have a trump card up his sleeve. The station-hands in Ray's employ had their "little bit ' on the Maid, the Chinese cook even investing a couple of sovereigns on the mare. Of the sixteen nominated, eleven figured on the card, and, as the horses were being saddled up, each one had its ring of admirers. Morven Maid was rather fretful whilst being saddled, and gavotted about a bit as Dodd was hoisted into the saddle. The roars of the layers or the odds were deafening, and. above them all, could be heard Loudens J.O to 1 Morven Maid." Dodd heard it, as he passed from the enclosure on to the course proper and he took a tighter grip of the saddle with his knees. In tihe preliminary, the Maid won many admirers by her taking style of eraUotuna;, and the tempting odds were freely accepted. The startin? post was at the back ot the course, and, after the preliminaries, the contestants proceeded to the nost Jim Swan, had walked across the course after seeing the mare saddled ,and was at the starting post when Dodd rode up. Beside him stood a slim youth, with an overcoat on.

"Jump off a minute, and lead the maro over te the ditoh," said Swan to the rider. Dodd obeyed, and, on. reaching the side of the ditch, was surprised to perceive a saddle and rubbers, lying in it "Remove that saddle from off the mare as quick as you like," said Swan, in a bitter manner. The lad obeyed, and the other saddle was placed on the Maid's back, and, as soon as she was properly girthed the slim lad threw off his overcoat, and stood revealed in the green and gold colours of Ray. Swan, snatched the black can from off Dodd's head, hajided it to the other lad,

at the same time saying to Dodd, "Go, you young scoundrel. Louden is laying 10 to 1. Sn" the odds, and get some of your hundred and fifty back I" The fresh rider was legged up and hastened to the post, for the atarteir was becoming impatient. Dodd, in his rage, threw himself on the grassi, and, clenching his hands, cursed the fates and Louden for all he was worth. "They're off'" "Yes, the field of eleven were on their The thud of the hoofs, and the rustle of the silk — music to aj sportsman's ear — could be plainly heard. Theiv weae not gomg at top yet. They were

settling into their stride, and riders were foxxng for places. A quarter of a mile gone saw Starlight striding along at the head of affairs in great style his rider having great difficulty in restraining him. Kenny, on the stand, wore a self-satisfied air, and shot a glance of scorn at Ray, whose eye he happened to catch. As the field passed the stand, Waddells Rangatira, with the owner up, had deprived Starlight of the lead, Mulligan's Briny Breeze was on hie girths, and Morven Maid was lying fourtih, gradually improving her position. Blaokboy was putting in a run that took him right through the field, gladdening the hearts of those who had taken 20 to 1 about him. On they swept, the first six being now closely bunched. On the turn into the straight Ray's hopes went down — MMo- n yen Maid faltered, and a length of daylight mad© its appearance between her and the leaders. Starlight came out by himself. His rider was sitting at ease. Blackbov ahot his bolt, and fell back beaten. Rangatira held on with bull-dog tenacity, but he hadn't the foot for Starlight. "Starlight!" "Starlight!" "Starlight wins!" yelled the excited crowd, as the distance post was reached. "Look at Morven Maid!" cried an excited individual. "How she is coming?" cried another. Well out, on the outside, the Maid was making her run. Her rider was at her with heels and hands, and the gallant Maid responded gamely. Only a few more strides. Can she get up? She has causrht and passed Rangatira — half a length, a quarter of a length, a neck within reach of Starlight. A flash of the whix> a lift of the hands, a response from the same animal, and all is over. Ah, but who has won? The two leading horses are brought up to the judge's box and the verdict is : "Morven Maid by a nose!" Ray was beside himself with joy — so much so that, when he went into the enclosure, and took hold of his Horse's head until weight was declared, he had not noticed his rider, but, when the lad came out, he shook his hand, and then stood aghast when he heard him say : "Pretty close shave, Dad." It was his own Daisy'

And, bedad, he is looking the pictuie of health. He is dhressed in the style of the Imirald Isle, Though instead of a caubeen, he's weaung a tile." o'J2B 2 Dick's funny get-up r "caused His Worship to shtare, For he looked loike the Shaughraun at Donnybrook Fair : Knee breeches and stockings, A red velvet vest, A short coat, of green, He was stoilishly dhressed. Inthrojuced to the Mayor, and refreshed wid potheen, He warbled, quite swately, the " Wearing of the Green" ; They drank the King's health in a very long swig, And danced wid much vigor an ould insn Jig-

The Wellington Citizens' Banquet. The tables were laid in the Empire Hotel, The divil a banquet was iver so swell ; Such scrumptious kai-kai no one iver knew, Wid its Frenchified names in the showy maynoo. Potages, poisson, delicious entrees, All kinds of removes and of fresh legumes, Made by artistes de cuisine of wurrld-wide renown, And the best brands of liquors to wash it all down. There had niver been seen such a timpting display Since the annual blow-out on Lord Mayor's Day.

Mayor Aitken in the chair wid a dignified air, On his right the Pumeer in the midst of good cheer. Sir James Prindergast, of judicial repute, Ensconced on his left, looking clever and cute ;

Hall-Jones, Walkei, Duncan, and Sir J. G. Ward, Ministayrial guests at the social board ; Judge Edwards, the cuminals look on wid awe, Charley Skerrett, who bosses the limbs of the law; Tolhurst, the banker — a veiy noice gint he is — Who belongs to the ould Impire City Idintities ; T. Kay Macdonald, the famed auctioneer,

Macarthy, and othei big bieweis of beer ; The Dwans, who sell pubs at such great sacrifices, Barber and Izaid, and young Tolhurst, the Vices ;

Malet and Bradey, and Fitchett and others,

Hobnobbing togethei loike cronies and brothe)s, The beak Haselden, John Plimmer and Owen,

Loike legular epicures, the grub away stowin', As if it were St. Pawthric's Day or in ould Garryowen ; Jaynial Beauchamp, the Harbour Boord Boss,

Westbrook, whose absence would be a great loss —

Thousands of voters he now riprisints, As one of the Labor and Thrades Prisidints. There's spruce Misther Gee, of the swell bankers' corps, In all public gatherings he's to the fore. And the Cameron clansmin are here in galore, McDougall and Baldwin and W. Gill,

Townsend and Collins and old Charlie Hill.

J. A. Plimmer, C. Montefiore, Bashful Bob Bannister not looking at all pouri, Watson, M. Kennedy, all in their glory,

Dresden Brookes, whose pianeys are not to be bate, Fred Haybittle and Ritchey, both highly elate

At the wonderful success that's attinding the fete, In all their arrangemmts the divil of a flaw, But their efforts were ci owned wid the greatest eclat.

King Eichard's Oration. Thin Dick, in raysponse to the toasht of hia health, Delivered a spache that astonished himself' Such thundhering cheers, Applause and " Hear, hears " Had niver been heard in the city for years, " Ry the cinsus," said he, "we have got on the rowls Some eight hundhred thousand or more human sowls, What counthry on earth wid a people so sbmall Sivin thousand could sind at the Empire's call 9 Or whin throuble arose Through the plotting of foes, And faster and faster We mit wid disasther To Britain wud say ' Take your armies away And we'll finish the work widout any delay.' '•

The Coksteknation of De la Bet. Dick's stinthorian tones were dhrowned in applause, Which for a brief space mcd the orathor pause, But reshuming his spache whin the cheers died away, He asked, " Did yez hear what occurred on that day Whin the facts were related to ould Dilarey? ' Mem Gott,' said the Boer, ' De game is all oop, Whativor we do we'll fall into the soup, Thim verdommed rooineeks We've sint in their treks, And, bedad, hundhreds of thim have sint in their checks. But New Zaylanders led on By Gin'ral Dick Seddon, My poor little burghers will soon put a head on. If we don't want to die we must alther our habits And hide ourselves close in our burrows like rabbits.' But why need I dwell on succeeding evints ? The songs and the spaches and divertisemints Prolonged till the small hours and nearly sunshine, Winding up wid the singing of Ould Lang Syne. • • •

The Contingent Banquet, The banquet was spread in the spacious Drillshed, Where lashings of beer and wine and good cheer Were prepared for the feast to the mm in khaki, King Dick's guard of honor from over the sea, Coronation Contingent, in discipline stringent, Admired by the fair Of Grosvenor Square, Intertained by the crame of nobility there, All wearing a sort of patrician air. One hundhred colonels And three scores of majors, Forty-foive captains, All very old stagers, Liftinants and sarjints were there in galore, And throopers, all counted, about fifty more, All sthrictly O.K. in their martial array, Wondhering how long they must wait for their pay.

The Thravels in Ireland. The throops were regaled on luxurious fare, And the loyal toashts were proposed from the chair. Sir Robert Stout and Sir Joseph Ward, Welcomed at lvery social board, Delivered foine spayches All warmly encored. Whin Seddon riz up he received aa ovation, And the guests settled down for & two hour's oration Thin Eichard discoorsed on his thravels through Ireland ; How he rushed through the bog and the valley and mireland ; How he visited Blarney, Killarney, and Shannon, {Continued on page 34.)

self levised all the gags and comic Bangs, dipped mto poetry himself, helped to conooct funny scenes, and went occasionally on the stage to help forward a proper Imperial sentimmt by singing "Soldiers of the King," "Sons of the Sea," and various other ditties that he had added to his repertoire. Asked how State Socialism had so quickly come into vogue, King Dick said things ripened quickly after the general election of 1902. State coal mines led fco State flour-mills and bakeries, State abattoirs to State butcheries, dairies, grocery stores, and so-on, until eaoh month some new field of private enterprise was absorbed by the State. National prohibition was accomplished by the solid feminine vote, and then, finally through the referendum, and chiefly by the agency of the women, who were impatient of the plums of society being.", reserved for the Upper Ten, the Annual Grand Lottery was brought into existence, whereby every year all positions in the community (with some few necessary exceptions) were put into a kind of gigantic lucky bag, and bad to be drawn for. The -consequence was startling changes every year, and a constant state of topsyturvy- , -i x-u r 4"Still, it was popular, and the tact that the working hours were restricted to four a day, and that everybody, both high and low, received the same remuneration, made the conditions of life very easy. "Making the telephone free- was anotiher popular move. We fitted up little sentry offices at convenient intervals in the streets, and furnished each with a telephone for general use. "Then, after the State Law Bureau had been set up, and was in smooth working order, we got Dr. Anson to organise the doctors into a department under the State. They were told off in four-hours sihifts to the various sections of the city, and the State became responsible for their salaries. Of course, this became immensely popular with the profession, for the doctors previously had not known what time to caill their own.

And whiat has become of Dr. Anson ? "What! don't you know? Why, he took to politics, and made such a hit that he is now Speaker of the Upper House, and Sir George Alison. His Majesty included him among the last batch of Birtl day honours !" The bell rang for the curtain to go up, and, as King Dick had to sing The Wearing of the Green" (by special request) in the first part, there was no time for further parley. He pressed us to take a seat in his private box, and stay for supper, but. hearing that Lord Ward (once Sir Joseph) was performing; at the National Opera House, we said we should just rush over there first, and return to the Gaiety later on. The National Opera House was a pretensious structure, quite worthy its name, and like the Gaiety, was crowded. Here, Sir Robert Parker reigned as State impresario. Ample funds were placed at his disposal by Parliament, and he maintained a regular chorus and orchestra, besides engaging artists of the highest reputation Professor Alfred Hill was permanent conr duotor, and, just at present, his ooe<ra of "Hiniemota " developed and elaborated unto perf eot lyric form from the cantata, was all the rage. It had run for a hundred nights, and was still ~oing strongly. The performance had started when we arrived. Lord Ward, as leading tenor, was sustaining tihe part of Tutaamekai, Miss Phoebei Parsons (now in the zeni' h of her powers) filled the title role, and Mr. John Prouse was the baritone Lord Ward wasi costumed correctly for the part of Tutanekaa, and when hie came out under the lowered lights, to stajnd at the margin of the lake and play his "tender, thrilline flute," and sing his passionate love-song, our pleasure at the dulcet music was mingled with surprise at the change* in his figure. When we saw him last there was an amplitude of girth about him that hardly accorded with one's notion of a stage lover, but now he presented a graceful, well-proportdoned, youthful figure.

We mentioned the matter to Sir Robert. "Ah'" he replied, " a course of Sandow altered all that, and Lord Joseph sweaj-s by Sanidow now." Just then the aria finished, and the audience broke into tumults of applause.

Such wildness of enthusiasm I never before witnessed. The bouse shook violently, as if an earthquake tossed it too iand fro. Oh, ihorror! it must be an earthquake indeed, for, with a deafening orasih, the entire fabric of the family cdrole, with its hundreds of soreaming occupants, oaane tumbling down,. Esoaroe was hopeless, and I sjhiriieked in the excess of my terror at tih© impending doom

"Here, what on eairtih's the matter with you? You're not hurt. Don't raise the whole blooming neighbourhood. By Jove, your lungs are sound enough in. all conscience!" And, them I realised what had happened, and felt inclined to kick myself. The afternoon, being stall and warm, and, oiur Christmas dinner having been very satisfying, I had slung a hammock under the shade of a tree in the little garden attached to our boarding-house, and taken a siesta. That possibly accounted for the aimsMp. And, then, some of my bachelor comradles, with' their incurable bias for practical joking, had severed the ropes of the hammock to the last hair, and let me down. — orashh— on the broad of my back. It was an awful drop from the clouds of fancy.