The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-11-29

Park has always been a favorile re-
sort of amateur pedestrians, the broad.
level walk which surrounds the whole
Enclosure presenting all the features
desirable as a walking track. Dur
ing toe past t~o weeks a new seusa-
ton has been afforded whereabouts
by the appearance on the track of =
pedestrian of the fair sex. and the
usual frequenters OF the place forget
to do their s%elf.set task in their
eagerness to watch the gait, pace and
style of the new conner. About G:3O
each Day, be the weather foul or fair,
a little group is gathered on the
bridge leading over the bride path
near the southern par. Of the reser-
yoir. The central figure is a woman
of medium height, clothed in thick
garments, for the mornings are raw,
and the breeze setting across the sur
face of the reservoir calls for brisk
movement.
A word or two with the gentle.
man who accompanies her, a pleas
ant morning greeting as she passes
the little group Of interested specta-
tors, and Miss Bertha Won Hillern,
with q brisk step, passes beyond and
takes Der position by a mark set 10
the walk near the railing. a quick
movement of the arms, and the heavy
outside coverings are removed aud
flung carelesslv over the railing.
One of the attendants pulls out bis
chronograph, and, with somewhat OF
impotence 10 her look, Miss Won
Hillern places her right foot on the
line and leans slightly for ward, all in
readiness for the start. A moment
or TWO OF waiting is improved by the
World reporter ln obtaining u better
view. Her face is not a handsome
one, but is far from being uuattrac.
live. The features are somewhat
large, but well shaped, and a pair OF
good, honest gray eyes give life and
expression to her face. Her hair is
luxuriant, almost golden, and is twist
ed in a neat coil, firmly fastened on
the back of the head. The figure is
almost what might be called stocky,
so firmly are muscles and bones aud
flesh knit together. She is, indeed,
evidently "a woman of great physical
strength and endurance, with an an
limited amount OF nerve to bring that
strength into full play. She is dress
ed in a neat-itting walking suit OF
dark blue serge, short enough to
give a glimpse of the stalwart ankles
and fully exposing a by no means
unsbapely pair OF feet. On her head
is a low-crowned black Derby" hat
trimmed with a small cocks feather,
aud around her neck is tied in loose
folds a white and blue silk hand.
kerchief. As the word go is given
she starts off at a steady, even pace
walking slowly at first, but gradually
striking a good gait as she passes
around the turn. 1t is $500 feet
around the reservoir, or a little ovel
a mile and a half
Ia February of this year Miss
Mary Marshall and Miss Won Hill
lern, who had both attained consid
cradle reputation in Illinois, were
matched to walk a six days race for
q purse OF 1000. The match tool
place at the Armory at Chicago, but
after walking for. five days Mis-:
Won Hillerns friends persuaded her
to leave the track on account Of bad
treatment iD the attendance, and al
lodged unfsirness on the part of the
referee Miss Won Hillern felt she
was fully a match for her opponent
and q correspondence was opened
decidedly original in its style, and
peculiarly feminine in its character.
%lsties. At length the passage-at
arms between the two contestant;
reached a decisive point, and Mis-;
Miss Won Hillern forwarded a direct
challenge to walk Miss Marshall any,
where outside Of Chicago for a stake
of $500 a side, which was promptly
accepted, and by the advice of mutu.
al friends, New York was chosen as
the arena for the settlement of the
contest. On Monday next at five
minutes past midnight they will start
upon a SIX days walk at the Central
Park Garden, the one making the
most miles in the six days to be ad.
Judged the winner. Miss Marshall
has been training near Chicago, aud
lett there on Monday night for New
York. She will walk, it is said, al
Fleetwood for practice each day afi e.
her arrival up To the time of the
match. Miss Won Hiliern has been
training here for The past three or
four weeks. She rises at ) a. NJ, and
is cared for by her female attendant
at her hotel. After a breakfast Of
eggs and toast she starts for Central
Park where she puts in from twenty
To twenty-five miles without rest.
She then returns to her hotel, and
after another course of rubbing and
bathing, eats a good. hearty noon
day meal of meats, toast, potatoes,
oatmeal, and stale bread. She takes
q little gymnasuc exercise in her
room, and goes to the park at 3 p. No.,
where she walks fifteen miles. This
is followed by the usual refreshments,
and at 9 a. m she retires for the
night, sleeping well aud easily.