The San Francisco call., 1898-01-30


 his walk in the prevailing fashion. In snort, everyone goes about on stilts. 1T a man, woman or child isn't on StlltS Tn Landes everybody turns around to LOOK at him or her as some sort of freak
 In Landes there are fashions in stilts Just the same as there are fashions Tn shoes in the ordinary world. Generally all are of equal length, so that no man nor woman, walking along the streets or Landes, can look down upon his fel- low, but the richest and the poorest must be of the same height. This IS as 1t should be, for when one Landes citizen meets another on the street or ateld he wants to meet him on the level, even if it is high up in the air.
 When on their native heath the long stick carried by the sitter becomes a third leg, fitting into the stilters back and supporting him on a sort of tripod whilst with his disengaged hands he rapidly knits one of the footleSs stock ings peculiar to the Landes. These fellows have great distances to cover; hence the stilts. The bracken and heather are often wet and the plains swampy; hence, again, the st1lts. The sheep are often concealed among the undergrowth; hence-for the third time the Stilts.
 Naturally this daily life on stilts has bred a sort of rivalry in stllt walking, running and jumping, just the same as ordinary foot exercise in ordinary lands has led to six-day walking matches, 100-yard dashes and other kinds of ped al athletics. Anyone who is novice in stick wear and the use of stilts has no idea what man or woman can ac- complish after spending several years reaching over the earth with them. Jack in his seven-league boots would have a hard job trying to keep up with an indiarubber stilt expert trying to get half a dozen refractory hogs into a Landes pen.
 In 1892 the first of the great annual stilt races began. It has grown in popularity ever since, till now the day is an occasion fer a grand fete, and curious outside mortals as well as the excited inhabitants of Landes travel far and eagerly to see 1t. Men, women and children take part in these races, di- vided into the three classes.
 In the eventful and record race of 1892 which has been followed in out line ever since the course for men was from Bordeaux to Bayonne and Biar- ritz and back to Bordeaux (302 miles); and for women, from Bordeaux to Ce- rons and back (S7 miles). The first prize in the big race was 1000 francs and a silver-g gilt medal; the second, 800 francs and medal; and the third. 25O francs and medal. To these must be added any number of class medals and money prizes offered by institutions and clubs, and a vast quantity of mis- cellaneous goods offered by tradesmen with an eye to advertisement.
 The committee decided, first, that the stilts might be as long or as short as the competitor pleased. Second. he might carry stick, clothes, provisions. repairing implements, or a change of stilts. Third, he might dismount now and then, but in such cases he must I1s 1se- mounted on them when he presented himself at the control posts.'
 There were control posts (generally cafes or hotels) established at twenty two villages en route. and each of these stations was manned by cyclist volun- teers belonging to various great clubs. These gentlemen received the Stilters as they passed through, taking sigma lures and recording times. Doctors were in waiting at some of the control posts, and there were also representa- tives of first aid" societies to attend to StilterS with cut or swollen feet
 Owing to the great number of entries it was arranged that each Landais commune should elect its champion and pay his expenses right through. An ex- penSe fund was, however, started later on, so that each competitor was at least sure of receiving his railway fare to and from Bordeaux.
 The interest taken in the race was manifested by the great crowd, who not only filled the streets, but also the bal comics and windows of private houses cafes and hotels.
 Here is an idea of the magnanimous way in which shOpkeepers offered prizes: A tailor on the Cours d'Alsace- Lorraine, announcing himself as a lover of all sports. offered "his finest suit of clothes made to order.' Other sar- torial artists followed suit until at lon !, yAI from the Landes would all return home in new clothes. The municipality of Bordeaux contributed 100 francs and two medals. One Pelala a merchant of Bergerac, offered twelve bottles of my nourishing Anisette." A man at Barsac would give a glass of Haut Sauterne to each stilter, whom he would not detain more than five seconds A bronze medal was offered to all com petitors who, starting off on Thursday. May 26, when the flag fell, returned to the starting point, after having accom- pliShed the journey, on Thursday, June 2, before D. m., Paris time.
 The number of medals offered by va riOuS bodies increased at quite an alarming rate. There was one for the youngest stilter who accomplished the journey in the specified time; and an other for the oldest. There were med alS offered by various towns en route for the first stilter to arrive there; and there were medals for the champion of the Departments of the Landes and Gi- ronde.
 One enterprising firm, not to be out done, offered a prize of 50 francs for the last sitter who should arrive at the post before the closing of the race The keeper of the Anglo-American bar of fered to each competitor two excel lent ham sandwiches" A private en- thusiast placed at the disposal of the winner a gorgeously furnished flat with the use of bathroom and masseur. Watchmakers. perfumers, bootmakers, matters, and, in short, tradesmen of all kinds, sent along or promised speci- mems of their wares to the valiant stilt- CTS.
 There were in all eighty-one entries and sixty-nine starters; thus twelve forfeited the entrance fee. In the in- terval between the first announcement and the race, intending competitors had gone into training. When at length all competitors were marshaled in line pistol was fired, and the queer caval- cade set off leisurely down the beauti- f111 I ID