Smyrna times., 1885-10-07
THE GREATEST BAREBACK RIDER

James Robinson was probably the
king of the trade. Joseph Wheelock.
the actor, who was the boon companion
OF the rider once told me the incidents
IN the career of his friend during a visit
he paid to England about fifteen years
ago. Robinson had been engaged at a
salary of $4,000 q week to ride in
Astley's Royal Amphitheatre in London.
For weeks before he arrived he was
heralded as the greatest bareback eques-
trian of the age. To amuse himself he
took over with him team of American
trotting horses and a light buggy, but
neglected to bring such horses as he
would need to ride. This oversight
rather astonished the English managers,
who thought their contract, of course,
included the furnishing of horses. Rob-
inson made light of the matter, and said
he could break the animals to his liking
IN the fortnight intervening between
his arrival and the date of his debut.
There was nothing left for the managers
to do than to swallow their disappoint-
ment and provide him with horses.
These he rehearsed day after day at the
circus with skill and assiduity, but to
find at last that they were beasts far
inferior in intelligence to the Kentucky
thOroughbreds with which he was ac-
customed to deal.
The night of the first appearance of
the American champion arrived. The
great building bearing the historical
name of Ashley was packed to suffoca-
ton to see the performance of the reck-
less rider from over the sea- Robinson
had, however, in the short time allowed
been utterly unable to train the English
horses to his acts and as n consequence
was at a sad disadvantage in what he
attempted. The best features of his
acts, including the vaulting, he failed
IN. The audience hurried his exit from
the ring with Kisses. A more dismal
tiasco could not have awaited an artist.
The Englishmen naturally took keen
delight in the failure of the American.
whom it was announced would eclipse
the best exploits in horsemanship as
illustrated by English and French
riders. The disgrace Inundated Rob-
insOn to the dust.
That very night he went to the man.
ager of the circus to release him from
his contract. "All I ask" he said, lis
that l may be retained in the establish
ment on the salary of the tumblers with |
whom I will appear at each performance
unannOunced. Then 1 want the privi-
lege of practicing in the morning" The
manager, glad enough to be relieved |
from the heavy cost of the bargain, |
accepted the conditions. The next day |
Robinson had disposed of his trotting
horses and vehicle, as well as other traps |
and jewelry, until he had enough to
purchase six horses of the best blood
none of which had ever been
ridden i'll a ring. The selection of the
animals occupied some time. When at
last the troupe was completed he began
breaking them to his business, a task
which required great patience and an
absolute insight into the nature of the
beast.
Weeks passed. James Robinson, who
had in the meantime been the butt of
was forgotten. Nightly he was
turning flip fops in the sawdust with
pack OF mOuntebanks, some of whom
did not know that among their number
was the best rider i'll the world. About
the time that the menials about the
circus establishment began to whisper
that they guessed that "blarsted Yam
kee could ride a little bit after all,
Robinson called on the manager. Il
wish, he said, THAT you would bill me
to re-appear next next Monday night. I
would like to try to redeem my reputa-
lion. If 1 don't succeed, I'll pack up
and go home"
With more than a misgiving the post
7rs We're pasted mp over LondOn's dead
walls Again, there was an unusual
thrOng to have their sneer at the pre-
sumptious fellow, whom everybody
thought had long before gone back.
But the dashing American made them
laugh on the other side of their mouths.
The display of equestrianism which he
gave threw the house into an ecstacy of
ielight The way he vaulted on and
1ff the backs Of the flying steeds electri-
led the frigid hearts before him. Recall
after recall made him famous in Lon
lon town. The newspapers rang with
lis praise, and spoke of his previors ,
allure as a remarkable reminiscence.
The Ashley people were glad enough to {
'enew the original contract to retain the ,
American rider, who returned home two
7ears later with = European reputation |
md fifty thousand dollars to boot. !