The morning news., 1897-01-03
THE PRINCE L0sT ms HORSE.
william A. shOwIes Won Him on "A
Curious Wager.

From the New York Sun.
William A. Showles. the circus rider
who accidentally shot and killed his friend
Ansel Croft, in the barroom Of the Union
hotel of Red Bank, N. j., early Saturday
morning. was released on 5000 bail on
Saturday night at II o'clock. John B.
Morris and Jacob Showles. his stepfather,
signed his bond. Showles received per-
sonal and telegraphic offers from several
persons TO go on his bond. One of these
offers came from James H. Bailey the
proprietor of the Barnum & Bailey show,
with which Showles has been travelling for
several years.
The following story was told of Showles
by another Snowman:
when the Barnum & Bailey show went
to London few years ago Showles went
with it, Shortly after the show opened
the Prince of Wales and party Of friends
attended one of the afternoon perform
ances. Wales was so much interested in
Showles' riding that he commanded MIN
to give private exhibition of his riding
a the royal stock farm at Sandringham.
Showles was only too delighted to obey
the command.
ION the day appointed Showles, with
two of his horses, appeared "a Ssndring-
ham and gave an exhibition before large
number of Wales friends. He turned
somersaults, backward and forward. while
the horse was at a canter and all the
other tricks he knew. When the eXhibi
ton was.sVsraa1Y alas expressed himself as
greatly pleased, but remarked that he
thought much of the skill of the rider de-
pended on the training of the horse.
That's true, your highness,' said
Showles, but ! can do some of these acts
on the back of one of your own thorough
breds, If you'll leave me alone with the
beast for two hours.
That's absurd talk. my man. said
Wales. Such thing would be impossi-
BILE if you were left alone with one of my
thoroughbreds for two months
We'll your highness, it may seem bold
in me, but, at the risk of your disfavor,
I'll make you a proposition Put one of
your horses at my disposal and leave me
TO get acquainted with him here in the pad
dock. You and your friends shall with
draw and at the end of two hours you are
to return. If at the end of that time l am
not able to perform some of my tricks
from the back of your horse / will leave
the show and become one of your stud
grooms. IF I am able to do what 1 say
l can, you are to give me the horse"
Done said Wales.
cone of the thoroughbreds was led from
a box and turned over to Showles. Ev-
erybody else withdrew from the paddock
ing at once. He petted the thoroughbred,
gave him Jumps of sugar. talked to him
as lie would to a human being and final
ly brldled him and frightened the surcn-
gle about him Then. with one hand on
the bride and the other on the loop in
the surcingle Showles mounted to the
animals back The thoroughbred did not
know what to make of such liberties and
plunged and reared and then started to
break into a wild run. Showles was mas
ter of the situation, though. With his
legs tightly hugging' the fanks of the
horse, he steadied him with the bride and
soon had him standing quite sull. This
was repeated several times until the horse
was quite used to it. When the animal
ceased to plunge ana rear, Showles gave
him several Jumps of sugar.
This slow, patient work continued until
the two hours had passed and Wales and
his friends returned to the paddock. AS
the party came in the Prince said:
Wei, my man, how do you think you
shall like to be my stud groom?'
1t will not give me nearly so much
pleasure, your highness. as it will to use
your thoroughbred in America for a sad
die horse. If your highness is ready,
/ am
Proceed with the show said Wales.
smiling in a self-satshed way.
"Showles did proceed. He proceeded
with great caution at first, giving the
thoroughbred frequent bites of sugar. AT
length the rider grew more bold and did
many of the tricks which he himself did
not dream he would try when the royal
party returned TO see the exhibition At
length the exhibition was over and
Showles asked:
Shall ] serve your highness as a stud
groom or shall your thoroughbred serve
me as a saddle horse?'
Take the horse and welcome ex-
claimed Wales. If you are ever in need
of work come to me ana you shall have
it, and good pay to go with it,"
When the Barnum & Bailey show left
England and returned to the states. Wales
thoroughbred occupied a stall on the
steamer beside Showles' own horses. II,
was landed safely on this side and wher
ever the Barnum d Bailey show travels
that horse went along. Showles broke
him as he had his other horses. and under
the name of his royal highness, he ap-
peaied with Showles in many a circus ring
in this country. Two or three winters ago
the horse took cold at Long Branch. con-
tractcd pneumonia and died. Showles was
heartbroken when the horse died. and he
felt the loss the more keenly because he
had not so much as a photograph of him
SEowles, although a free spender of his
money has laid by good sum for a rainy
cay de could easily do this. unless he
was especially prodigal, since he receives
the highest salary, IL is said, ever paid
to a ciIcus rider. II is not known Just