Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-08-14
TIE GREATEST BAREBACK RIDER.

Wheelock, the actor, who was the
boon companion OF the rider cnce
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 salary of $4,000 a week to
ride in Astley's Royal Amphlthe-
atre in London. For weeks before
he arrived he was heralded as
the greatest bareback equestrian
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 rs he would need to
ride. This oversight rather AS
tonshed the English managers,
who thought their contract. OF
course, included the furnishing Of
horses. Robinson 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 disappointment and provide
him with horses. These he re-
hearsed 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 accustomed to deal.
The night Of the first appear
ance of the American champion
arrived. The great building bear
inc the historical name of Ashley
Z was packed to suflOcatiOn to see
the performance OF the reckless
rider from over the sea. Rob-
inson had, however, in the short
time allowed been utterly unable
, to tram the English horses to his
acts. and as a consequence was at
, a sad disadvantage in what he at
tempted. The best features OF his
acts, including the vaultlng, he
failed in. The audience hurried
: his exit from the ring with hisSes.
A more dismal fasco could not
have awaited an artist. The
Englishmen naturally took keen
r delight in the failure of the Ameri-
can. who it was announced would
| eclipse the best exploits in horse
, manship as illustrated by English
Y and French riders. The disgrace
t Inundated Robinson to the dust.
0 That very night he went to tue
+ manager Of the circus to release
@ him from his contract. "All
n ask he said, sis that ! may be
Y retained in the establishment on
c the salary of the tumblerS with
4 whom will appear at each per
n formance unannOunced. Then
e want the privilege Of practlclng II
= the morning" The manager, glad
If enough to bc relieved from th'
is heavy cost OF the bargain, accept
:, ed the conditions. The next dal
Is Robinson had disposed OF hl'
Ic trotting horses and vehicle, as wei
Ie AS other traps and jewelry, nhtI
D. he had enough to purchase 81
Y horses of the best blood attainable
le none of which had ever been riddcl
r. in a ring. The selection of tn
is animals occupied some time. Whel
G. at last the troupe was complcte'
he began breaking them to IN
al business. task which requires
lg great patience and an absolute IN
sicht into the nature of the beast.
or Weeks passed. James Robin
Of son. who had in the meantime bee
~ the butt of ridicule, was forgotten
at Nightly he was turning flip Hops /
the sawdust with a pack of monte
banks. some of whom did not kno
that among their number was til
he best rider in the world. AboI
nc. the time that the menlals aOor
he the circus establishment began
se whisper that they guessed th;
ve "blarsted Yankee could ride Il i
nd tie bit after all, Robinson called {
in. the manager 81 wish,' he sal
I'D "that you will bill me to re-appe'
let next Monday night. ! would III
,rk to try to redeem my rcputatlo
ld. If don't succeed, I'll pack up al
I'd, 60 home"
in With more than a misgivlng Il
D a posters were pasted up over LoI
10. don's dead walls. Again, the
ON was an unusual throng to ha'
nd their sneer ut the presumptio
he fellow, whom everybody thong
OF had long before gone back. L
in the dashing American made the
ter laugh on the other side OF th'
vi. mouths. The display OF eQn'
cd trianism which he gave tire
"a the house intoan ecstacy OF dellgl
,er The way he vaulted on and oil I
ned backs of the flying steeds electrIh
md the frigid hearts before him. Il
nm call after recall made him tano
oil, in London town. The newspape
, If rang with his praise, and spoke
his his previous failure as Il remark
rv; ble reminiscencc. The Ashley p'
IN. ple were glad enough to renew t
ses. original contract to retain q
IN American rider, who return
,ob home two years later with Il i
can ropean reputation and fifty thor