Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-06-21

at a breakneck speed up the gray
eled walk of the hotel lawn, disap-
pear for moment and again are
seen flying like the wind along the
walk which skirts the plain and
slightly in advance, two abreast,
The horses have gone wild and ran
away with their riders.
The spectators do not realize the
fact for moment, and fancy they
are looking at a race as the three
gray jackets flash in and out of
view through the trees. Then the
faces Of the ladies blench and the
men are nervous.
"What if they should be dashed
against the trees ?" says one.
"That's the only DANGER" re-
spends an officer, "these lads can
not be thrown otherwise"
Clear around the plain skin the
unaways, and, as the troop ride
back at gallop, one of the three
is whisked across their line. Will
he not be carried in the opposite
direction by his fractions and still
unmanageable beast? After fit
ting twice around the plain two of
the horses are brought under sub
lection through the skill of their
riders and rejoin the troop. Cadet
McMartin, who rides the third, has
a harder task before him. With a
mouth hardened by constant riding
and driving, the animal takes the
bit between the teeth and fairly
takes his own way. The stables
are located down beside the river
under the bluff, and in that direc-
ton the plucky cadet is carried at
terrific speed. Just as the animal
reaches the brow of the decliyity,
McMartin, with the agility of an
acrobat smoothly trotting around a
circle, swings himself lightly from
the saddle in the direction the
horse is going and planting his feet
firmly against the turf as he aIghts
he fairly drags the beast to stand
still without himself having re-
ceived a scratch. Meanwhile the
troop is drawn up opposite the bar
racks for another charge.
81 wish they would not have any
more" mutter the ladies.
"Splendid exhibition p exclaim
the gentlemen, "More exhilarating
than champagnep'
Again the long line gallops for
ward, again the bugle orders a
forage charge, and with wilder cries
than before they thunder forward.
A BROKEN GIRTH.
In the midst of the wild rush
Faust, the splendid setter dog OF
Lieutenant Townsend, starts out
from the line of spectators with a
howl, Watching the exhibition
with as intense an interest as any
of his human companions his quick
eyes caught through the dust and
intervening objects a gray coated
form shoot from his horse and lie
PROSTATE on the field, while hia
companions in the rear, unable to
curb their animals, leap over him.
Like a flash the spectators are on
their feet rushing to the unhappy
cadets assistance. Among the first
to reach him are Mr.. Blaine and
Colonel Beaumont, and the others
crowd around, while one of the
troop is dispatched for the doctor.
"What is it?' is the universal
question, and some one says, "Hop-
pin, appointed from New York,
but living III Chicago" At this a
young lady, who tainted dead at the
first sight Of the mishap, opens her
eyes and mutters "Thank God it is
not my brotherl" There is in the
assemblage, however a sister of the
unfortunate cadet and she is frantic.
Inquiries reveal the fact that while
he was cutting the ground and
bending over for that purpose the
girth broke, and his saddle slipping
to one side shot him to the ground,
where he fell upon his shoulder and
head. He bleeds freely, and DR..
Robinson, who is on the spot in a
minute, pronounces him only severe
ly stunned,
ANOTHER EXCITING SCENE.
While everybody is watching and
inquiring about Cadet Hoppin an
other exciting scene has been in
progress close by. When the horse
let his rider fall he darted forward
like cannon ball; in moment he
was at the hedge in front Of the ho-
tel. Without turning a hair he
burst straight through the hedge,
carrying before him the fence run
ming beside it, and plunged up the
lawn. OF the company seated upon
the piazza, two ladies fell in a faint
from fright, Two of HOppin's
companions who were riding be-
side him when he fell pressed on to
catch the horse, one on either side.
They followed through the break
I made in the hedge, and only few
feet behind. The runaway crossed