Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-17
An Episode in Miss Kate Bayard's
Life.
From the NetO YORK. Times.

A letter from Delaware tells me a pretfy
story of Kate Bayard. the beautiful
daughter whom death took so latedy from
our Secretary of State. Six or Seven years
ago her phaeton was a familiar sight in
Wilmington and on the R6adways there
about; she was already Known among her
friends as daring rider, and there were
stories abundant 81 heroic exploits and
dangers braved liz the saddle. The horse
that she used t5f her phaetOn was spirit
ed, but nobody ever worried for the fair
drivers safety; she had too often shown
ser power TO license thought OF danger.
Inc nor sc seemed to know her; vicious
ness tnat was shown when others ap.
preached melted into gentleness at once
When she took up the reins; people who
Believed in the intelligence of brute crea-
ton pointed out this horses actions as
proof OF their correct faith.
One summer evening as Miss Bayard
was driving alone on the outskirts of
West Wilmington her attention was at
tracted toward lively group of boys at
the side OF the roadway. In their centre
was a man most forlOrn in appearance,
his face the picture of misery, his clothes
all in tatters. The boys in their silly
thoughtlessness were prosecuting him.
The girls sympathies we're enlisted ut
once. Her carriage came TO a standstilk
and her voice rebuked the boys, who, star
ing one moment agape with astonish-
ment, fell back a little, but they did nos
cease their taunts. ThepOor man gainst
the roadside looked up as much amazed as
had been his prosecutors. 1t wasn't an
inviting countenance, and yet there was
something in il not wholly bad. Pebbles
were fired at him by the retreating lads,
and then as he tried TO move he revealed
to the good Samaritan who had come TO
his rescue that he was a cripple. This
brought her from her phaeton in a trice.
A word TO her horse, a pat upon it's neck,
and shH LETT it to 60 within touching dis
tss of the poor hopeless fellow de-
spairing in this by-street of towns SUI
burb.
F'What was the matterP' "Why was he
thereY" "HOw had he fallen into suen a
plight?" These were questions that she
asked in quick succession. And the re-
ply that came was; ~ am only atramp."
She didn't draw back. That wasn't the
way Of Kate Bsyard. "But you are q
mani" she said. He looked asif he we're half
afraid TO assert that he could claim even
this, and he drew back with visible
shudder as the brave girl said;
"You must have somebody to care for
you. Let me take you b the hospital"
tie smiled halt thankfully, half doubt
fully, and though no words were uttered
his eyes, taking on new light, seemed to
sparkle out, "YOu mock me-" He did not
know Kate Bayard any better than the
world knows many another woman who
for her own hearts sake does good deeds
in secret. She bent and helped him TO
rise. One leg would not bear bis body's
weight and be had hard work to mufiis the
grOan that half escaped him in the pain
OF m)ving; but beroically, his ragged coat
sleeve running through the arm of as
lovely girl as ever lived, he hobbled step
by step to the phaeton's side and was lift
ed-yirtually lifted as a mother tenoerly
would lift her infant--in through the
wheels TO the Garage seat.
Then came an exciting experience. She
was hall between the vehicles wheels,
when the horse, that had been standing
quietly enough while be could watch his
mistress, became angry. The boys. who
had scattered, had not drawn out OF
sight, aud their sport was being continued
by showers of missiles thrown promiscu-
Ously in the CARRIAGES direction. and they
were hoOting and crying more loudly than
ever. This IL was that had unstrung the
horses nerves, and he prauced and
reared, though be did not start % run. The
wheels OF the carriage caught the girl in
their clasp and hugged her fercely one
moment, and then released her only for a
second, WHOM she rushed forward TO the
frightened horses bridal. The alarm of
the animal was intensified. Now be
dashed away on a full run, whirling the
light phaetOn hther and thither over the
roadway In a manner that BODIED speedy
destruction. TIE boodlums parted as the
runaway cut through their ranks, but not
one was big enough or brave enough TO
try 10 stop the wild horse. On aud on he
plunged. but all the time the brave-heart-
ed Kate Bayard chung to the bride rein,
and she swung through the air like bird
at the flying animals side. Nor did she
lose her selt-c0nsciOusness She called
her horse by name, and her tone was az
atfecuOnate aud calm as though be were
standing still for caresses. A long time
he paid no attention 10 this, ana dangers
were encountered and passed through till
finally, halt exhausted perhaps, the stall
wart creature turned his head, neighed,
and quickly came 10 standstlll. No
body had been hurt, the carriage was
whole, some harness had boon strained
and ripped. the man ia the phaeion had
fainted-his suffcrings and Excitement
had conquered him.
That man was tenderly cared Tor BY