The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-09-06

An Equestrienne from Near Phiiadelphss
Makes the Most Of an Opportunity.


What may be called the circus colony
nj Frankford. says the Philadelphia
Record. contains many most interesting
people. noted for their wonderful skill
Ia their own peculiar direction through
out both America and Europe. Many
of them. who have spent the best part
of their lives In the circus ring. have
been able TO retire upon comfortable
completeness. and the homes wherein
they while away the latter years OF
their lives are among the most attrac-
tive that Frankfort contains. In
handsome brick residence on East
Harrison street lives Mrs. Josie Helms.
one of the most famous of circus eques-
triennes. In her maiden years she was
Miss Josie de Mott. and she comes OF a
royal line in her profession, as her
maternal grandmother is no less per-
son than the famous Nine. Tournaro.
whose achievements in the circus ring
are known the world over.
Mrs. Helms the other day. with
charming grace and modesty. told
some of the interesting incidents of her
recent career in London with Barnum's
great show. Ii was during that period
that she did what probably no other
circus performer has ever done -
captured for the time being Prince
George, the second son of the prince OF
Wales, and grandson OF the naughty
Queen Victoria. While fulfilling her
engagement as principal equestrienne
with the Barnum show she stood one
day near the entrance TO the dressing
room, and while the crowd was surg
-. l.. nI % ha
mencement of the performance. hand
somely dressed young gentleman of
medium size, with close-cut beard and
flowing mustache, stepped gallantly
up. and. lifting his hat from his head
bowed to the little queen Of the ring.
and said in almost apologize tones:
Gould you tell me whore the re-
served seats are?N
The Frankford lady called TO an at
tache TO show the gentleman TO re-
served seat" The ever-alert attend
ant. thinking that some undue pre-
sumption had prompted the visitor. was
about to show him summarily TO n
seat. when, with wave OF her dainty
hand. little Mrs. Helms said ''0h, he
has done nothing wrong"
Another bow from the gentleman
and an extended card with the crown
Of England and Prince George en-
graved upon it revealed TO the aston
ished lady who il was that stood before
her begging that she would but point
out where he should take seat. An
inspiration seized her; she would show
aim TO seat, aud would herself sit be-
side him, aud be the envy of all woman
kind in the audience for that day.
Motioning the prince To a seat close by
where they stood. she took her seat be-
side him. She had not dressed for her
part. and the etiquet of the occasion
forbade that she should be called away
while in conversation with one OF the
royal family The people in the throng
couple--a prince OF the realm and the
queen of the ring. The conversation
drifted to that of nativity.
Where Is your homer" asked the
prince.
II live at Frankfort" she answered.
"Frankford! Frankfordln unused the
prince. where is Frankford?"
1T is a suburb of Philadelphia, and
there arc several members of this com
pany besides myself who live there.
There are also great many English
families living there. and one section
Of the town is called Little Britain"
"Indeedl Why. it must be very
pretty place" said the prince, "and as
| except to visit America some time
shall do myself the honor to call on
you at your home while | am in your
country"
IF you do, said she. 1--WE will give
you royal welcome when you COME"
lnterrupting her the prince said gay
y: will you give me royal well
eome?n
Quick as thought the American lass
responded: mo, prince. not royal.
but real democratic welcome"