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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