"'Make it a tall one,' I says to the barkeep.
"While I'm lappin' up the drink, a guy walks in 'n' goes through a door at the other end of the booze parlor.
"'Where does that door go to?' I says to the barkeep.
"'It's nothin' but an exit,' he says.
"'That's right in my line,' I says. 'I'll take a chance at it.'
"When I opens the door I hears a telegraph machine goin'.
"'Just like mother used to make,' I says out loud, 'n' follows down a dark hall to the poolroom.
"I watches the New Awlins entries chalked up 'n' I sees a hoss called Tea Kettle in the third race. Now this Tea Kettle ain't a bad pup. He's owned by a couple of wise Ikes who never let him win till the odds are right. Eddie Murphy has this hoss 'n' Duckfoot Johnson's swipin' him.'
"'I wish I knew what they're doin' with that Tea Kettle to-day,' I says to myself, when I've looked 'em all over.
"I've been settin' there fur quite a while when a nigger comes in. I don't pay no attention to him at first, but I happen to see him fish a telegram out of his pocket 'n' look at it.