Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1879-11-12
Winning the Race.

ton as driver" to one of the four-in hand
Roman chariots was fine looking young
girl OF eighteen, about medium height
with lovely blonde complexion, light
brown hair fecked with gold. and blue
eyes. She attracted MIR. Barnum's atten
ton at once, though more even for hen
| manners than appearance, which were
very modest and lady-like. On being
questioned, she refused to say any thing
about herself, and when finding she was a
tar musician and good German scholar,
she was asked why she did not teach. or
get position as companion to some lady,
she replied that no one would take her
without references, and these she could not
furnish. After giving some specimens of
her skill in driving she was engaged and
Joined the company.
AS Is generally known, hippodrome
racing Is q dangerous amusement, and,
while there is great excitement in watching
these charlots OF crimson and gold, drawn
oy TOUR spirited steeds, and driven by young
women standing erect and urging them on
with voice and whip, more than once
spectators, when thrilled with interest at
the contest, have heard a dreadful crash,
seen the horses roll over in the dirt, and
plunge about in mad confusion, listened to
oaths and wild screams, and watched the
form OF woman extricated and carried
away
These fearful accidents usually result
from the wild state of excitement into
which both horses anu drivers get when
entered for race and striving for prize
which is usually offered. Knowing their
risk, it is with difficulty that women with
sufficient nerve and physical strength can
be found to drive, and when they are thew
command high wages. When, then. this
young girl, who was known in the ring as
NJ lie Louise, offered her services, it was
with surprise that they saw the courage and
skill with which she handled the crib
bons"
Night after night she went through her
part trumphantly, and grew to be a great
iavorlte with the public, especially as she
frequently came out ahead, the horses un.
derstandlng her so perfectly that they
ooeyed every infection Of her voice.
On certain memorable evening there
was present among the spectators a prom.
lnent young lawyer of the city, man Of
good looks, bearing and means, and who at
mat time was conducting a lawsuit of the
company, which led him frequently to the
once OF the business manager, which was
In the building. On this occasion the two
were chatting together when Mile Louise
entered. The lawyer remarked upon her
good looks. YES" said the MANAGER
but she is more than good.looking. She
IS thoroughly good, and lives like a nun.
There has never been one word of scandal
connected with her name. She gets moro
flowers and love letters than anv othAr
woman in the company, but she never
takes notice of either and won't even take
them home with her."
Where does she come from?" asked the
lawyer" ''N
That is more than any one has found
out yet. She is lady, Of that | am sure
and | have heard her speak in both French
and German; but don't cast your eve in
that direction, my young friend. or Won
will get skipped like the rest"
Nevertheless the man of legal lore became
anxious to know what manner of woman
this was, and finally got into the habit of
dropping i'll nearly every evening to take
look at her. For a long time she seemed
obllvlous to his presence, though she
could not help noticing him, as he always
stood IN the same place; but one evening
as she drove into the green-room. and
Jumped out of her chariot her dress caught
IN the wheel; he released it, She thanked
MN, and so the acquaintance began. For
time she was only coldly polite. but
gradually acquiring confidence in him.
became more laxative and cordial, though
she refused his repeated requests to call.
Ono evening Mr.. Barnum offered a laurel
wreath to the winner of the race, and Mile
Louise declared she would win it, but new
ertheless, through some trife, she came in
second. Seeing her disappointment the
gallant young lawyer told her she should
nave another chance, and forthwith he had
made an elegant gold-mounted riding whip.
"hen the evening came the prize was an.
nounced oy the manager, and quite flutter
of excitement ensued.
AS Mile Louise mounted her chariot. ber
admirer noticed she was very pale. and ba
said (half laughing and half in earnest(.
killed in riding for that whip" At this
she shrugged her shoulders disdainfulIv.
and replied: "Do you suppose that am
afraid? No, it is not that; but | hone
shall never leave that track alive"
That is dreadful speech to make.n
Is it2 Well, it needn't make anv diff.
terence to any one that know off,
Before he could reply, the signal was
given and the eight glittering chariots,
drawn by thirty-two magnificent horses.
adorned with golden harness and fving
ribbons, started. Every driver wore her
own color, and Mile Louise had chosen
naring garments of pale-blue, and helmet
OF silver. Down the track flew the char.
iots and riders, the steeds seeming to have
a human understanding of the struggle
the band burst into loud martial stroins
the people cheered, and now red passed
oiue; then came yellow to the front: but
cleaning blue and silver shot by; with
tense faces and erect figures the three
women urged on their horses. and Tho
young lawyer watched with chill at his
heart, this desperate race.
The goal was almost reached, and with
her fair hair flying over her blue mantle. n
burning flush on either cheek, and clench.
ed teeth, Louise cheered on her borses
only length more, when the woman in
red pulled her steeds slightly to the right
"a fearful crash followed, the wild neigh
OF horse in agony-a woman's groans. and
a crowd OF Mortified attendants rushed TO
the rescue, separated the horses, and drew
from under their feet the form of Louise.
she had been thrown over the front of the
chariot under their very hoofs.
litter was brought. She was laid upon
II, and, midst the mprmurs and exclama.
tlons OF the bystanders, was carried out.
almost the first at her side was the young
lawyer, who gazed with terror in her cold,
Figld form, with its white agonized face,
upon which was the imprint of hoof,
and the staring eyes which saw nothing.
SEEING her hand to feel beF pulse, her
fingers closed like vice on his, and with
convulsive effort she murmured, "That was
terrible WISH" and relapsed into uncon.
seriousness. Doctors were sent for, and, on
az - -.