The St. Louis Republic., 1901-09-01

as tnougn ne were leading Bedouin charge
and the dust of the park road was Arabian
desert sand. Miss Jarbeau pulled on the
lines and shouted Whoa until her voice
became husky. but the white steed needed
1t not. AS long as he WAS in the confines
of the park he ran fast as his slender
legs would carry him-and that was tolera-
bly, fast. But as soon as he had passed out
OF the park he slowed down to a mild gal
lop.
And every time he gets into Central PARK
he wants to run. Rules and regulations are
as nothing to him; the feel of the park
roads is enough to set his nlmble feet In
rapid motion. and his path from entrance to
exit is marked by streak of white.
But that Is not part OF the stage work.
which Is the most interesting part of his
present history. Any horse can run. more
or less, but it is not every horse that can be
taught the role Of 1.-The Wild Horse of Tar
tary," which is the title that Byron gave
to the equine hero Of "Mazeppa." Miss
Blanche Bates had comparatively easy
job Of stage equestrianism. in Under Two
Flags; so had Miss Laura Burt in TN Old
Kentucky" and in THE Kings Carnival"
About all they had to do was to ride q
horse upon the stage. But Miss Jarbeau
will have a different job. As sIazeppa, she
will be strapped on her back to The wild
Horse Of Tartary," and that supposedly un-
tamable brute will be supposed to dash
away with her. Should the horse become
imbued with a sudden desire to leap over
the footlights or to go tearing through the
wings, she would be entirely at his mercy,
for the chances would be against any num-
ber OF attendants being able to catch or
stop him before damage had been done to
the rider.
Miss Jarbeau Is not running any risks She
Is at daily exercise with her horse, becom-
ing thoroughly acquainted with him and
famiifarizins him with her. and at the same
time having him grow accustomed to all
kinds Of strange and uncouth noises, those
Of the street as well as those he would be
expected to listen to with equanimity in
the theater
The finding of suitable animal was not
an easy task. Lord Byron's poem speaks Of
a snow-white Arabian steed. and it was
such that Miss Fisher. Miss Menken and
others famous in ''Mazeppa'' rode. Miss
Jarbeau's managers desired to be true 70
tradition and the facts. and Instituted wide
search for such an animal. They found hira
in GAINESVILLE, o.
On arrival Of the new wild Horse Of
Tartary" in New York Miss Jarbeau's first
step was to receive introduction to him and
spend formal few minutes with him. &C.
ing through the caresses ana saying In
tremulous voice the soft nothings which
are apparently sweet to equine ears Sim
liar visits were made at frequent Intervals
for two days. and then the actress began
-
days. and then the white steed was given
his first stage rehearsal This was In the
establishment Of a veterinary trainer who
has achieved prominence in breaking fl
horses for footlisht purposes. On the big
second floor Of his stable is an improyised
stage, where scenery is set and hauled
about. where mSsicians play and where 9TH.
er noises incidental to theatrical prohuc-
tions are possible.
First 1t was only light music that Tho
Wild Horse OF Tartary'' was asked to calm
ly listen to. He expressed no more perturba-
ton than putting forward his cars ard exc
cutting a few graceful waltz steps. Then
the volume of sound was increased until IL
became a crash Of brass. drum and eymbais.
At first the big white steed could not un-
derstand II. and saw no reason why he
should remain and have his car drums
rasped and shattered. He reared and kicked
tugging so hard upon the halter that the
combined efforts OF two mel, were necessary
70 restrain him. But now he has come to
like it, and only shakes his head app-oy-
Ingir.
The supreme noise test was made ten DAYS
ago. and was highly successful. The stage
was cleared and the brute led out by two
men with a strong curb bride
At signal the thunder-and-lightring ao-
paratus was worked Mt its mcst aeafeuinc
speed. the wind machine was given fall
play. pistols were fired. a dozen men yelled
their loudest and boxes were thrown about
and hammered.
The Arab looked about him 1uestioningly.
as IL wondering how superior rnan could be
50 idiotic as to make such unnecessary and
unaccountabie racket. But he neither took
part in ths general racket nor trernbietI at
the sound. erd It was decided that he
would do.
Miss Jarbeau took her first rides strapped
to his back last week. For two days previ-
ously she led him up and down the runway.
similar to the one along which he is TO bear
her on tho real stage. teaching him the
turns and when to stop at the top. One
step too much when the end OF the plat.
form is reached UP in the lower flies wouil
mean that horse and woman would fall
twenty-five feet to the stage below
The new Mazeppa is taking example from
Cigarette. and is teaching her horse how to
be polite to the audience. Nlzs Bates's
horse Cochise made one CT the largest hits
in ''Under Two Flags by the very cogrte-
Gus and appreciative manner In which Ie
acknowledged curtain calls. bowling with
great vtgor and understanding. The white
horse is already learning the trick. and may
be counted upon to delight his audiences.
particularly the feminine part Of them,
Uith this display Of intelligence.