Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28
RETURN OF DY-GONE GLORIEs
How the Jumping Contest and Stee-
ple-Cbase Impressed n Virginian.
dor the Sunday Dispatch)

CFor the Sunday Dispatch)
Though not member Of tn, Deep Run
Hunt Club I was sent an invitation TO
see the jumping contest and steeple-chase
at Mr.. Handcock's farm, on the Broad
street road. last Wednesday afternoon.
About 3 o'clock an unusual scene greeted
those approaching the city by its western
gate. for throng, all gayly bedight in
holiday attire. was vending Its way along
the well-known thoroughfare towards the
country.
Gallant horsemen, accompanied by fair
and graceful riders: handsome equipages
filled with laughing girls and happy young
men. or bearing stately matrons and
elderly gentlemen, made the scene truly
an interesting one. Happiness and salts
faction Characterized the throng, and ma
ture appeared with even more than her
wonted beauty. filling the air with the
odors OF the apple-blossom, and making
the scene redolent with the glorieS OF
spring.
Upon reaching the field most pleasing
prospect was presented. There upon the
turf, as green as an English paddock.
the crowd came to a stand, and pre-
scented a picture that was indeed idyllic.
Bright costumes and pretty faces appear
ed on all sides. From carriage TO car
riage walked some, greeting friend or
rival, and saying a word OF pleasantly.
or even of more serious import, to ears
apparently so willing as to listen with
equal patience to the language OF all.
Then the business OF the meeting begun
~ the real business was not to gather
together the beauty and !oveliness or
the city and locate it in one green field In
the county,, and the crowd turned to see
b.. This pninEp1
very much. but was tame TO the ex-
pectancy with which the steeple-chase was
awaited. Promptly the signal was given,
and all PARTIES held their breath as the
band OF horsemen started far over the
western hill. bearing down upon the hur-
die before which the excited crowd
waited. \ thrill of delight greeted the
splendid appearance Of the group as they
dashed across the flying jump, and almost
In tbs face OF the on-lookers reached the
hurdle on the left Again a splendid rise
and successful landing brought look
OF satisfaction TO the faces and an eN-
preston Of appreciation to the lips OF all.
But there IL hardly time TO locate each
gallant rider and steed. for of again
they all go. quickening speed at each
stride 1.-THE Liverpool" 'The Pig-Pen'
are safely passed. Field-glasses follow
the speeding train as IL regains the start
inR-pldce, ana iHeIe d iSt44hS VI
delight in the hearts OF all at the thought
that the scene must repeat Itself. one.
two. three the hurdles and all are cleared.
THE brown Is aheadr' 1.-THE sorrel wins"
mo; the brown Splendid" are the
expressions that greet the ear when the
rush 10 the finish begins. The judges
must decide. tits so close. But this Is not
the question | am now discussing. The
club wins. and Last Wednesday was An
event of which as citizen or Virginia
and OF this community am proud.
Ii looked like the return OF one or the
by-gone glories. The scene appeared typl-
cal AS it certainly was ideal. Here were
the beauty and cultivation, the refinement
and dignity of our people. Joining in with
the noblest and most enspiriting OF manly
exercises, and recalling the life and habits
OF a people, the sweetest and best that
ever blessed a nation.
Mr.. Editor, did not mean 20 write so
much, but nothing that can be said can
be too much In praise OF the Deep Run
Hunt Club, which is an honor to the COIN
inunity. and believe. after seeing such
an entertainment, a blessing. too.
A VIRGINIAN.