The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1911-07-25
The Racing
Maiden
She Would Many No Man
Who Could Not Out
run Her

Copyright BY American Press Asso-
citation. 1871

IN the vatican museum at AytAiF
there is a statue Of d Greek girl dress
ed for running a race. Her body IS
covered BY a single knit garment
while her limbs are bare. The statue
takes one who gazes upon Il far back
toward the dawn Of our civilization
In the Csgecian archipelago at time
when this running maid Of the Vatican
lived was an island governed by King
Arfarones. He had 20 sons 10 sue
coed him. but daughter, Thesbia. had
been born to him. who grew up very
shapely woman From childhood she
evinced deep interest in athletics and
Notwithstanding her royal birth took
part in games which We're open 70
women. When she was eighteen years
old she captured many prizes in those
athletic contests that were instituted
by the king. her fatter. and was de-
clared the champion runner.
Her sv2cess WAS a sad blow to the
king. fci it put into Der head a fancy
that became a fixed resolution which
seriously interfered with his arrange
ment for the succession There were
several princes among the neighboring
Islands who were sultors for the priu
cess hand. any one Of whom would
have been acceptable 70 her father
but she announced that she would
marry no man who could not outrun
her. The strongest one OF them SC
cepfed the condition. and a day was
set for the trial The king was pres
ent, and bis subjects thronged the
stadium The prince was known %
be well built for spen encounters. and
the princess was regarded inyincible
even by the strongest
When the two stood on the starting
line It was seen that the prince was far
better developed above than below tie
waist. while The princess possessed a
feature that was both mark OF
beauty In a woman and an element for
success in a foot race. She was very
long or limb between the knee and the
thigh As soon as they started this
superiority became evident. Her
strides were longer than those Of her
competitor and slowly but surely car.
ried her away from him. She easily
won the goal. ard the prince lost bis
suit as well as the race. 81.
This result discouraged other royal
suitors. and King Artagones was much
troubled IN the matter Of marriage
for his daughter. He begged her 10
change The condition so that the
aeefest among her suitors Of royal
blood might take the prize. but she
would not consent She would marry
10 man who could not beat her IN a
race. but she would marry any man
who could ourrun her. She was con
sidered to be safe from uatrimony on
these terms. for she had come 70 be a
marvel Of fieetness. But the king was
much concerned lest some herdsman Or
artisan or soldier in the ranks should
enter the lists and carry of the prize
One day there appeared In the mar
ket place OF the capital young man
dressed in a loose costume never seen
there before. who. taking position near
a statue Of Minerva. began TO dis
course on philosophy. At first be talk
ed to vacancy. but one passing stopped
to listen. then another and another till
a crowd stood rapt in the strangers
eloquently expressed ideas. Every day
he spoke. each day attracting q large
crowd and exciting more attention til
the whole city was interested IN bis
discourses. OF course the reports oi
what was going on reached the ears
Of the king. and the stranger WAS sum
moned to the palace. He was received
in the audience bali by the king. th'
royal family and the court aud or
dered to ezpound bis philosophy. Al
we're deeply impressed with his ideas
When be had finished be was intro
duced to those psesent. including th'
Princess Thesbia. who found him o.
engaging IN conversation as he was OF
the rostrum.
From this time the strangers dis
courses Ia the market place grew les
and his conversations at the palace
more frequent Among bis audience
at the latter place the Princess Thes
bla was always 70 be found and lis
tened 10 bis words with rapt atfen
ton. Later he was summoned to lee
ture to her and her suit
There was great curiosity to know
whence the stranger hailed and wha
was bis name. But on this subject b
would give no satisfaction. Some sal
that be was from Athens. but 0
many persons who bad visited tba
city none could be fonnd who ha
ever heard him discourse or had eve
eeen him there Others aFerred tha
he was the son Of a slave. who hea u
vcloped a remarkable gift 1or orator.
The stranger neither confirmed %
denied any Of these supp0sitions, col
tlnuiRg to devote himself TO instruct
Ing the people and instilling into thel
higher motives for their living.
ii becnme known that be was ofte
at the palace. and II began 10 be whii
pered that the princess was comm
under dts Influence. Every one woI
dernd what wonld happen II 81
should IAN ID love With him. Sine