The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1896-04-02
CE BUTLER'S RACE.
BY BELL BLOSSOM.

laid the foundation for good, steady
sleighing for long time.
Late in the afternoon the flakes grew
smaller. and presently stopped entirely.
Then the sound of shovel and spade
was heard. The housewife came out
and swept away the pile Of drifted snow
from the front door, and the whole force
of small boys appeared to "clean off
your walk for a quarter ma'am."
A few sleigh-bells were heard that
evening, and the next morning a num-
Der of sleigh's appeared on the scene,
but the grand reserve was for afternoon.
At an early hour the carnival folks
came out In full force, and South ave
nue. was soon filled. Every description
of sleigh and sled was there. The arts
tocratic family sleigh, with beautiful
girls nestled under Its elegant snowy
ROBES, with embroidered monograms;
the huge old-fashioned affair, with back
high enough to conceal Its occupants
from a rear view; the dashing little cut
ter, driven by an owner fond of hand
ling the ribbons, sometimes with pretty
girl beside him; the big spring wagon
on runners; the long stage sleigh, with
crowds of boys hanging on its sides and
stepS-all these moved up and down
like an unending panorama.
Hundreds of spectators lined the side
walks, gazing on the animated scene,
and when the racing began, the excite
merit grew intense.
Up the street the horses flew, dashing
the snow in showers from their swift
feet, now neck by neck; then, urged by
It's driver, one gains little on the other
and steadily pulling away wins the goal
at last by a single length.
Then, turning back, they walk slowly
down the avenue, their sides smoking
with steam, their drivers making ready
for another brush
Among the most conspicuous races
on this afternoon was a beautiful black
horse, whose every curve and motion
betokened speed and elegance. 1t was
be fore light cutter, occupied by two
gentlemen, over whose laps were spread
a snow-white robe, with &c. B." in mono
gram.
&c. B." was Clarence Butler and Clar-
ence Butler owned the robe, horse and
sleigh and was enjoying himself with
them most keenly.
1t was the first winter he had spent
home for three years, having taken
charge of his fathers branch office In
one of the southern cities, and this visit
was delightful one to him. He pur.
chased the equipments for stylish turn.
out, so that he might equal anything on
the road.
"'The shades of light are falling fast, -
remarked his brother, as they leaned
back, watching the long line streaming
past. "Isn't 1t about time to face for
homer Pm getting lame in the arm from
raising my hat, about three times every
minute, on an average"
Serves you right! Wear a cap like
mine, and you are not expected to take
it off to the young ladies. But, as to
lame arms, you ought to know how
mine feel with Jet pulling all the after
noon "Hallo! who's thatw looking back
at handsome sleigh from whence he
had vision of blue feathers, ermine
furs and radiant smiles.
"Miss Northcote-old Ben's only
daughter"
"Well, Ned, you seem to know every
pretty girl we meet. l only hope you
are not soft enough to get entangled
it'll them"
"Soft enough! Hold on Clarence
your turn will come before long"
81 don't care a fig for the best woman
livingl But let's have another brush
With old Macy before it gets any dark.
err
!, He wheeled Jet around and waited till
Macy came along side; then off they
started together at break-neck pace.
Every body got out of the way and the
shouts and cheers grew intense.
Women about to cross the streets ran
frantically back; old gentlemen called
vociferously for the police; small boys
rushed right under the horses heels
and above all the noise and screams, the
jngling of bells and scraping of snow
policemen in vain endeavor to arrest the
men violating the city ordinance agains
/ fast driving. They Just missed theil
grasp of the horses brides.
, The gas was lighted in the street
lamps, and the air resonant with gleefu
sounds, when Dora Fem emerged from
side street and stopped on the corner
for an opportunity to cross. She was ir
hurry to get home, for she had beer
T later than usual in giving music lessons
and knew her mother would feel anx
, Gus about her
Three, FIVE, eight minutes passed, anc
! she still waited for chance through the
returning throng. At last, seeing al
+ opening between two sleighs, she daIteC
forward, heard sudden cries of warming
and the next thing she knew was lying
in drug store. with her head agains
the shoulder of very handsome mar
andan other one bathing her face.
She looked up startled and met pail
of bright black eyes, whose glance sen
the blood all quiverihg through the fac
it had lately forsaken.