The suburban citizen., 1902-07-05

in the ring, were signed "L0rence DE
La vielle" in an angular, school girlish
hand; but her real name was Louise
Bolton.
she Joined Maddox & Lanes circus a
year after did, and remained with 1t
eight months, but she attained fame
in that brief time. Although fortune
did not come to her from the circus, 1t
did come as a direct result Of her skill
in riding.
have said in a previous article that
Hezekiah POtters exploit with the
lions seemed to me at the moment
the bravest deed had ever seen. But
his courage was based on ignorance.
On the other hand, Lorences feat was
performed with full knowledge Of the
peril involved, 1t was as unselish as
it was daring, and the hundreds who
saw and applauded the act fully appre-
ciated it.
We We're in Kentucky, the State
most noted for its horses and horse
manship, when Louise joined u.s. She
was not Lorence then; that was the
invention Of Collins, the ringmaster,
and very proud he was OF it.
Her family had been small farmers
for many generations-with a special
love for horses. But reverses had
come; her father died after q long i'll
ness, and with an invalid mother sle
had been forced to seek home in The
family Of a close-hsted uncle. The
girl, who was in her nineteenth year
and exceptionally bright, although not
exactly pretty, was bidden to seek do
mestic service in the neighDoring city
of Maysville.
Louise walked to Maysville and our
circus arrived there that same morn
ing. An inspiration came to her when
she saw the white tents. She sought
the proprietors, resolved upon securing
an engagement as a bareback rider ii
modest boldness and determination
couid bring it about.
my dear young lady" said Mr.. Lane
politely but rather patronlzingly, "thls
is a circus, not riding school. Our
performers have TO spend months and
even years in learning difficult feats
before we engage them. There would
be no time to teach you on the road"
"Sir," Louise replied firmly. II, too,
have been trained, though not in a rid.
ing school. When was only so high"
indicating the stature appropriate to
a babe in arms-"I could ride, and
have ridden ever since-that is'-and
her lip qulvered-"up to last spring,
when papa died and we were sold out
Just give me trial; will show you
what / can do"
Il have no doubt that you are an ac-
complished horSewoman-most Ken
tucky ladies are-but we require much
more than that. You see
But Louise cut him short. 81 am
much more than that" she said. "Wny,
/ broke Black Prince, that even papa
was afraid to ride! Please let me show
you! Pm sure | have all the essen
tials; the mere tricks 1 can learn"
"You haven't got TO learn self-con-
fidence, anyway" said Mr.. Maddox,
smiling.
There are reasons, sir, why l must
have self-cOnfdence," she answered.
soberly. Il will convince you that it
isn't mere conceit. Everybody knows
something, 1 suppose-has some spe-
cialty, l mean. Well, riding is mine"
A quiet old ring-horse was brought
around. 1t was late in the forenoon,
just after the street parade, and the
big tent contained only a handful of
circus people.
II like your grit" Collins. the ring
MASTER whispered, as he tightened the
glrths of the ridng-pad. This horse
is safe; do your best!"
She wore al ordinary walking dress
Of light woolen goods, and did not even
stop to remove her sailor hat. l doubt
If she had ever seen a performing
pad before, and ali the conditions We're
new to her. To make a good showing
in such circumstances seemed impos.
sible; but only her heightened color
showed that she was embarrassed OF
i'll at ease.
She waved me aside when / stepped
AOA " tliA anu bAlNlf fh " lake utF LOOl
and assist her 10 mount. with q
spring she alighted on her knees on the
pad, and there she clung somehow. as
Turks sit, while the old horse started
round the ring in the familiar swinging
lope.
Then followed an exhibition Of rid
ing that, in its way, was unequaled
Urging the old white horse to a faster
pace, she rose to her feet and danced
about his back. maintaining her bal
ance as easily as if she had been upoI
a floor
Suddenly she sprang lightly TO tht
ground. The trained animal slackene(
his pace, prepared to stop. but sht
chirruped to him AS he broke into
rocking gallop, with three quick step
she ran lightly to his side and vaulteC
upon his back, only to spring down anC
the other side and repeat the perform
ance This she did three times in on,
circuit Of the ring.
The strength, skill and endurance in
i