"'I has bet on him,' he says, 'to ma fullest reso'ses.'
"'How much you got on?' I says.
"'Foh dollahs,' says ole man Johnson.
"Just then the telegraph begins to click.
"'They're off at New Orle-e-e-ns!' sings the operator. 'King Ja-a-ames first! Eldorado-o-o second! Anvil-l-l third!'
"The telegraph keeps a stutterin' 'n' a stutterin'.
"'Eldorado-o-o at the quarter a length! Anvil-l-l second a length! King Ja-a-ames third!' sings the operator.
"I looks at ole man Johnson. He looks at me.
"'Eldorado-o-o at the half by three lengths! Anvil-l-l second by two lengths! King Ja-a-ames third!' sings the operator.
"I looks at ole man Johnson. He don't look at me. He looks up at the ceilin' 'n' his lips is goin' like he's prayin'. Me? I'm wipin' the sweat off my face.