The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-07
FEATS OF DARING.
Varied EVoIutions of the
Tournament.
National Guard Night Brings Out the
Militia Boys in Force to Honor
the Occasion.

Last evening was the fourth night of
the grand army and navy tournament at
the Mechanics Pavilion and, although as
on the preceding evening the weather was
not the kind which would allure people to
leave their coy. warm houses, it did net
prevent at least $500 spectators from going
TO see the boys in blue go through their
marvellous eVolutions and featS of daring
Craftsmanship.
From the start 10 the finish the large audi
ence was wrapped up in the events that
were transporting in the tanbark ring, and it
would be safe to wager that not one gave
thought to the pattering rain outside, or
the pros poets of a slushy, wet journey
home. However. the clerk of the weather
was kindly disposed after his mighty eff
forts of the early evening, and when the
audience emerged al the end of the per
formances the moon and stars were
shining brightly through drifting clouds.
1t was National Guard night. and the
militia boys turned out in full force to
honor the occasion. There were many off
GERS present in Uniform, also with fair
ladies by their sides, and they were not
st nted in their applause at the skillful
feats which Uncle Sans boys performed.
The management too, had an extra event
placed on the programme for the evening.
1t was military sketch on horseback en-
titled Contest for fair maiden's hand"
lie CODI6SldDlS were lJt6uLOU du6 d. u.
Muller and Farrier w. Foley OF First
Troop Cavalry, n. G. C.. The fair
maiden was not present in person, but
each trooper wore an American flag,
which was supposed to be the guerdon
which must be won in order that the
maiden might smile upon the winner.
Round and round the two dashed, making
some splendid spurts. dashes and passes
at each other in the effort to grasp the
trophy, while the audience cheered and
applauded, the fair ones especially fairly
splitting their gloves In their demonstra-
lions. They could not have been more
appreciattve had each one of them been
| the damsel WOO was really under contract
| to beStOw her dainty hand upon the victor.
But then it was only make believe, you
| know, and so the two troopers retired
| grateful for the approval of fair femninity
en- masse, in lieu Of the kiss Of the myth
| cal maid for whom they struggled.
Two other features were unusually in
! ;eresting last evening. One WAS the bare
back racing and hurdle racing. Several
| new twists we're introduced by the daring
riders, who display such agility and nerve
| that timid person can hardly look at
| their evolutions without shuddering.
! Lieutenant Smedberg led the trooD last
| night, and such leaplng and hurdle-jump
| ing has not been witnessed since the show
| opened. One trooper succeeded in leaDing
three times back and forth over his horse
! before settling down astride.
! Then the mounted melee was diStin-
! guIshed by vim that made it seem at
| times as if the con testants were really in
earnest, and trying to disrupt each others
anatomy with their swords.
There was no failing off in the fun at
| tending tine comic sketches, and the death
| shots and war whOops mingled thrillingy
| in the struggle between the white and the
red men Oh The banks of the Little Big
! Holm, where the gallant Custer and his
men saw the god of day fade and sink be-
fore them ia crimson sea; then, again.
the volleys ratified and the Calling gun
vomited forth its messengers OF death AS
| lively as ever at the realistic representa-
lion of the Battle of Wounded Knee.
Tonight and tomorrow afternoon and
evening the management will make a new
departure by varying tine programme and
introducing new and special features at
each performance. This evening will be
! University night, and the students from
Berkeley will be out in numbers.
Tomorrow afternoon there will be 8
matinee, and the school children will be
given chance TO see the spectacle at half
price. In the evening there will be a
sword contest between Professor Tronchet,
! fencing master of the Olympic Club, and
one of his pupils, Miss Rosie Walbridge.
There will also be several other fencing
contests between members of the Olympic
Club. 1t will be G. A. r. and Loyal
| ,ppi N NIGHT