The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-09-04


in the career of his friend during visit
he paid to England about fifteen years
ago. Robinson had been engaged ct q
salary of $4,000 o 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. 10 amuse himself he
took over with him team of American
trotting horses and 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 90
customed to deal.
The night of the first appearance Of
tho 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 IS consequence
was ct sad disadvantage in what he
attempted. Tho best features of his
acts, including the vaulting, he failed
in. The audience hurried his exit from
the ring with Kisses. A more dismal
hasco could not have awaited an artist.
The Engishmen naturally took keen
delight i'll tho failure of the American,
whom it Was announced would eclipse
the best exploits in horsemanship IS
by English and French
riders. The disgrace Inundated Rob-
inson to the dust.
That very night he went to the mani
ager of the circus to release him from
his contract. "All I ask, he said, sis
that may be retained in the establish
ment on the salary of the tumblers with
whom I will appear ut each performance
unannounced Then I want the privi-
lege of practicing in the morning" The
glad enough to be relieved
from tho heavy cost Of the bargain,
the conditions. The next day
Robinson had disposed of his trotting
horses and vehicle, as we'll rs other traps
and jewelry, until he had enough to
purchase six horses of the best blood
attAinable, none of which had ever been
ridden in ring. The selection OF the
animals occupied some time. When at
last the troupe was completed he began
breaking hem to his business, task
which required great patience and an
insight into the nature of the
beast.
Weeks passed. James Robinson, who
had i'll the meantime been the butt Of
was forgotten. Nightly he was
turning flip fops in the sawdust with q
pack of mountebanks some of whom
did not know that among their number
was the best rider in the world. About
The time that the menials about the
circus establishment began to whisper
that they guessed that "blarsted Yam
kce could ride little bit after all,
Robinson called ON the manager. II
wish, he said, "that you would bill me
to re-appear next next Monday night. I
would like to try to redeem my reputa-
ton. If l don't succeed I'll pack up
and so home"
With more than misgiving the post
ers We're pasted up over London's dead
walls. Again, there was an unusual
throng to have their sheer at the pre-
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 oquestrianism which he
gave threw the house into an ecstacy Of
delight. The way he vaulted on and
off the backs Of the flying steeds electri-
fed the f,igid hearts before him. Recall
after recall made him famous in Lon