New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-18
WHAT BRET HARTE SAW.

WHAT BRET HARTE SAW.
THE FIRST G1INPsEs OF THE sTRUGGLE-sCENRs
ALONG THE COURsE-THE ART OF wArTING-HOw
YALE WON THE GREAT RACE.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO TRBUNE.l
SPRINGFIELD, July IA broad, still stream,
swinging lazily round a curve-that was our first
glimpse from the car window of the battle ground.
Something on its smooth glistening surface that
moved like an undecided centipede, proved to be a
shell with its exercising crew. Then the fences got
III the way rs usual, and the distant trees waltzed
down, shutting out the view. Then there was a
shrek from the engine and we had another glimpse
this time flash Of water, tremulous and tinted
with sunset blending in its bosom all the colOrs of
to-morrow's contending crews-blue green, red, and
marenta IL is next to impossible to keep from
writing finely on this subject. Indeed some of the
passengers were so much impressed as to put up
their money on the staying color; but inst then the
trees waltzed up again. and we darted into Spring
field, hot and dusty.
How maryelously quiet the town, and how decor
Gus the beribboned crowd beyond. Even tue hack
men did not shout. There was absolutely sign of
that feverish excitement that belongs to these
occasions. Perhaps 1t was the weather, some
blessed influence of the mysterious Providence that
refers all racing wrestling, and trials of physical
skill 10 the hottest season OF tne year. DuJ lDtI6
was also a pleasing absence of that unruly element
whose outward and visible sign is har-dye and dia
Inonds and whose speech is ejaculation. There was
very little Of color but in the badges; there was
nothing spectacular but the array of college athletes
The town went to bed quietly by 10 p. N.
No less notable for its propriety was the multi
tude that this afternoon thronged the river banks
stretching along for two miles to the finish" and
its grand stand. Over the breadth of Long
Meadow gently undulating plain were scattered
vehicles Of every kind and age, and fringing the
bank clusters Of gayly-dressed ladies, in all the
bravery of their favorites' colors looked at
little distance like parti-colored shells left by
the receding tide. The colors were not always har
monious OF effective the depth of woman's con-
stancy was shown by her noble sef-abnegation in
wearing the badge of fidelity, without reference to
its consistency with her complexion or toilette.
Harvard put the loyalty of the fair to its seyerest
test-magenta. The majority Of masculine specta-
tons grouped themselves with that noble disregard
of the picturesque which is characteristic OF the
Anglo Saxon race, and patiently waited.
OF course there was the usual delay; it was ut
tery unmitigated in this instance by any OF those
reckless colaterals that apt to distinguish race
or other great public gathering The people
walked about, smoked, and chatted; there were few
side shows; there was a mark at which few credu-
lous people shot with toy rife, but
the well-regulated collegiate mind passed
il BY At the grand stand there was
thin ascetic lemonade hypOcriticaly colored to
a suggestion Of improperly, but no more. Even the
prize package without which no American is ex-
pected to enjoy himself was absent, and yet, mira
bile dictu the people seemed to be happy, although
the fact thereof was not proclaimed Nociterously
from the lhousetops. Nor did discover any large
hearted Springfield citizen who felt called upon to
bear witness to it by profanity OF prove II lncontes
table by blow.
Presently, the clouds, which had gathered during
INV ride to the finish" put in appearance with a
few drops of rain that sent everybody their car
Tiages. Then there were cheers high up the river,
that brought everybody to their feet and the bank
again Ii was the Freshman race; then
we knew by the peculiar yell from the
bank opposite that Yale was leading, and
then there drifted across our perspective three
centipedes-one with a suggestion Of blue about 1t,
whereby we knew Yale had won, and those OF US
who had been prudent enough to carry variety OF
badges instantly displayed "A blue and looked salts
fed. Yet there was but little enthusiasm. few
Harvard men, more, l think, because it was ex-
pected Of them said Rah" repeatedly and otherwise
initiated with more less success, as their boat
came by, the barking of monotonOus and not over
intelligent dog But, some how, we all accepted the
an effort of pure reason, i'll which only
the intellectual faculties were engaged,
and from which the feelings were
entirely eliminated; and then all waited, which
was after all the real and abiding feature Of the
afternoon. We discussed Sandwiches and the merit
Of the crews, and iced coffee, and the immortality
of the soul and, like the judge in Maud MullerJ
Hooked at the sky and wondered
whether the cloud in the west would
bring foul weather Then shout on the opposite
bank whence band had been playing number Of
things but nothing intelligibly, brought US all 70
our feet. with more or less well simulated excite
ment The great race was coming.
II came with faint tumult, increasing along the
opposite side into the roars of "Rah," and yens Of
yale, ike the Bore on the HOogly River; and then
after straning our eyes to the nttermost, emp
lOOthpck drifed into sight the broad surface OF
the river. At this remarkably and utterly noVe
sight, we all went into cOnVulsODs We were posi-
tive if was Harvard. We would wager our very eA'
istence it was Yale. II there was anything that we
certain of it was Amherst and then the tooth
PICK changed into shadow, and VIC bsld ouI