Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1896-03-28
CLARENCE BUTLER'S RACE.
by BELL BLOSSOM.


height In the handsome city.
For two days the snow had steadily |
descended on the hard, frozen earth and
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
of small boys appeared to "clean off
your walk for a quarter maam."
A few sleigh-bells were heard that
evening, and the next morning 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 aris-
tocratic family sleigh, with beautiful
girls nestled under its elegant snowy
robes, with embroidered monographs;
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
ment grew intense.
Up the street the horses flew, dashine
the snow in showers from their swift
feet, now neck by neck; then, urged by
its driver, one gains little on the other
and steadily pulling away wins the goal
at last by 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 beautiful black
horse, whose every curve and motion
betokened speed and elegance. 1t was
before a light cutter, occupied by two
OfGA WlAOSC AoPo NSAC oPASaO
a snow-white robe, with &C. B." in mono
gram.
&C. B." was Clarence Butler and Clar
ence Butler owned the robe, horse anc
sleigh and was enjoying himself with
them most keenly.
1t was the first winter he had spent
home for three years, having taker
L L.. l.
one of the southern cities, and this visit
was a delightful one to him. He pur
chased the equipments for stylish turn.
out, SO that he might equal anything or
the road.
"'The shades of night are falling fast, .
remarked his brother, as they Leaned
back, watching the long line streaming
past aTshH II about time to face fol
homel I'm 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 te
lame arms, you ought to know how
mine feel with Jet pulling all the after
noon, "Hallol who's that?" looking bacl
at handsome sleigh from whence hs
had a vision of blue feathers, ermine
furs and radiant smiles.
miss Northcote-old Ben's onl,
daughter"
well, Ned, you seem TO know every
pretty girl we meet. l only hope you
are not soft enough to get entangled
with them"
soft enough! Hold on Clarence
your turn will come before long"
Il don't care fig for the best woman
living! But let's have another brush
with old Macy before 1t gets any dark.
err
He wheeled Jet around and waited till
Macy came along side; then off they
started together at break-neck pace
Everybody 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
jingling of bells and scraping of snow,
policemen in vain endeayor to arrest the
men violating the city ordinance against
fast driving, They just missed their
grasp of the horses brides
The gas was lighted in the street
lamps, and the air resonant with gleeful
sounds, when Dora Fem EN- 5ed from
side street and stopped on th5 corner
for an opportunity to cross. She was in
hurry to get home, for she had been
later than usual in giving music lessons,
and knew her mother would feel anx-
Gus about her.
Three, five, eight minutes passed, and
she still waited for chance through the
returning throng. At last, seeing an
opening between two sleighs, she darted
forward, heard sudden cries of warning
USE HEWT.
Novv Hi