Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1901-07-11

without the gates were those who,
lacking the price, lived in the hope
that some philanthropist would sud-
denly happen along and invite them
all inside.
Failing that, there was always the
noise of the shooting, and the year be-
fore three clay pigeons had fallen out
side the fence and portions had been
cherished in pocket museums Of small
boys for weeks thereafter as an offset
to the cartridge shells obtained by the
fortunate ones who had seen the show.
In box, affording an unobstructed
view of the field, sat the Peyton fami-
ly, from Grandpa PeytOn to Harry the
four-year-old.
The younger ones were allimpatlent
for the performance to commence. The
band was something, but bands were
more common than cowboys, even
though this was cowboy band. What
they wanted were men who rode horses.
Harry, in particular, was on the rag
ged edge, and his nurse had difficulty
in keeping him from breaking away
in search of his hero. The year be-
fore he had been adjudged too young
to attend.
The first band of Indians came
dashing into the arena, turning the
upper curve just beyond the Peyton
box, and wheeling smartly into place.
Harry was transported. Here were
the Indians at last, and their painted,
half-naked bodies were even more fas-
cinating than the images he had been
able to conjure up during his sleepless
moments in the dimly lighted nursery.
Band after band came on, each fol-
lowed by its chief, and each succeed
ing body drew Harry nearer to the
front of the box. The nurse, fresh |
from Irish soil, was too much inter-
ested to watch her charge; the others
trusted to the nurse.
At last came the cowboys, better
mounted even than their associates.
Six abreast they swept into the arena
and came tearing down the stretch.
Suddenly groan went up, a great
volume of tone like the voice Of one
mighty man. There, directly in the
path of the riders, stood fair-halred |
child. The sun glanced from his
dainty white dress and lit up the
long aaxen curls. till they seemed to
form halo about its head.
Alicia sprang up with a fearful
scream.
Harry !" she cried, 90, my darling,
come to sister" Then she covered |
her eyes, not daring to face the awful
horror she knew must come.
The instant she did so, some impulse
compelled her to look again, and ray |
of hope lit up her strained face.
The riders on the inside had turned |
aside. The one nearer the child |
stopped and caught him up, and as a
mighty shout went up from the crowd,
he swung the little fellow to the pom
mel of the saddle. The six moved
on. They drew into their places, and
the child shouted with delight at the
novelty of its position, never giving
thought to the danger he had faced.
As the horseman stood there, wait
ing for the end of the entree, Alicia
sought his face, her eyes dimmed
with grateful tears. Like his fellows
he wore the regulation blue shirt with |
its scarlet 'kerchief. The brown
leather chaps were much like those
worn by the others, and a huge SOM
brero threw the face in shadow. He |
was in no wise different from his fel-
lows, yet it seemed to Alicia as if
there was something familiar in the
figure - something that suggested |
someone she had known.
1t was absurd to imagine that she
numbered a Elainsman among her ac-
quaintances, yet try as she would she
could not take her eyes from him.
Even when Col. Cody passed on his
fine horse, the graceful, well-built
figure and the tiny white form Of her
brother were all she saw.
The colonel had made speech. !
he had introduced his congress Of
rough riders of the world WIKI a
sweep Of his hat all inclusive. The
riders had advanced to the barrier,
had retreated, and were beginning |
the musical ride which finished the
entrance.
At first the cowboys were within
the circle. Gradually, however, the
ranks thinned out, and on the last cir
cult they would have to pass the box.
Harry's rescuer reined up as the box