isa-normaladvance-1914-00199

Description:	THE NORMAL ADVANCE199Now you must know dear reader, that it was only in jest that I was led to praise my horse for while I loved her-I knew nothing of her merits having never ridden her faster than a trot so much of an amateur was I. However, I had heard indirectly when I bought her that she had once been in a race and won but I was really boastful of her because she was such a beauty.Now, where is that grand pony you speak of? asked the Indian woman.Over there, browsing on the grass, I re¬ plied.That your pony If my Bawley couldnt beat that horse I would kill him! she said with some emphasis.Lets try them out! the listeners cried.By this time the little group had gradually changed into a crowd of interested spectators.Ho! for a race! a race! came in unison.Oh, no, I didnt intend that, I replied. I could never ride so fast. Why, this lady is a skilled rider and I could never think of doing that.Yes you can. Oh! for a little excitement. If your pony runs too fast you can hold her back.Yes, I said, but if she could run it would be my fault if she didnt win.The Indian woman got back into her buggy, cracked her whip and called over her shoulder: I will bring the pony if you will run. I answered No to the fast disappearing vehicle which, I must confess, sounded mighty faint above the rattle of wheels and general whir of excitement.About six oclock that evening a circle of us were sitting in the dining room when two or three persons dashed into the room exclaiming, They are back with the pony and now you have to race. Seeing that it was folly to re¬ sist any longer when I went out the boys led my pony to me and mounting I rode over to the Indian woman and together we searched for a flat unbroken place.Golddust seemed to understand that some¬thing unusual was going to happen and the way she pricked up her ears and showed her ginger I half believed that perhaps she could run, if only I could ride.Lets go over to Joes pasture, called the Indian woman, I am afraid of these holes.By this time several other riders had joined the contest so we turned toward the flat. The rest of the crowd climbed in wagons, buggies, and carts, while others walked. All following in the rear.Reaching the place, the appointed judges showed us the starting place and then where the crowd stopped three-quarters of a mile away would be the deciding point of the race.Six of us side by side made ready for the race. The Indian woman and I being placed together on the outside. We were to have a running start.Crouched like a grasshopper head forward and clutching the saddle pommel the signal came Go! How wildly my heart beat but Golddust was on to her job. Away she dashed with ears laid back and crowding ahead of the Indian pony. I felt as if I were being carried by the wind and the horse coming up to meet me only now and then. Oh! how exhilarating it was! On and on we went, finally reaching the goal and Golddust a length ahead!So excited was I that I scarcely knew what had happened until cheers of approval came close to my ears and friends rushing out to¬ ward me.Noticing the Indian woman and her little squad of admirers grouped to one side I in¬ quired what the trouble was.They are angry. They say your pony crowded. Race again and prove that it was not so.This is not worth any bitterness of feeling, I said. Ill see what can be done.Riding over to the Indian woman we agreed to repeat the race, this time we would be the only contestants and I should take the right side of the road.Silently I decided to give her the advantage
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/32663
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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