Allerton and Axtell

by Gary Lee Martinson

  “Good-bye,” Clara said.

  “Bye,” returned Katie.

  “Are you all right!” Clara called out.

  Katie turned and gave a weak smile, “I’m fine.”

  At the end of June, Allerton was taken to the track to stretch his legs and get an idea of the condition he was in. Mr. Williams easily jogged him in the time of 2:27 around the mile track.

  There was a matinee for local racing held on August 6th, 1891. It would be a great test for many of the locals to prepare their horses. The matinee proved to have much faster times than anticipated.

  The first race was the 2:50 class that was won in a time of 2:26 ½ by Esche. The 2:27 pacer race, had a small gray mare named Lillie Banks, by Major Edsall, outclass the rest of the field and in the second heat paced a respectable 2:22. Mr. McHenry’s horse, Reserve Fund, by Nutwood, set his personal record of 2:31 1/4.

  A black stallion, Louis T, by Mambrino Boy, owned by O. A. E. Laurer of Jesup, attempted to beat the 3:00 mark and was able to trot the mile in 2:37. The stallion was cooled down and trotted again. The second attempt lowered his time to 2:31 ½.

  Charles Terbush wasn’t going to be left out of the days activities. He entered his bay stallion, Idolf, to beat his own record, that was set on July 4th, of 2:21 1/4. It took just one attempt to break that mark and lower his record to 2:20.

  An outstanding two year filly named Crete, by Onmore, was trotted against her personal best of 2:40 3/4. She had trouble in the first attempt breaking several times, but in the second attempt she was able to come under the wire at 2:35.

  The surrounding area had never seen local breeders with horses that could produce such great times.

  Mr. Williams took the opportunity to show his promising horses. First he brought out Mary Marshal to beat her best time. The starting Judge Howard, determined that since there was such a strong wind she would be trotted not against her best time of 2:15, but the time of 2:18. She was frisky and ready for the challenge. The daughter of Billy Wilkes was certainly living up to the Wilkes fame as she easily trotted a steady mile in the time of 2:14 3/4. She was taken back to the barn for a half hour to cool down and repeated the trot in an even better time of 2:14 ½.

  As they brought her back to the barn the crowd was chanting her name. Gilbert, Mr. Hussey, Mr. McHenry and even Mr. Williams were jubilantly excited about her performance. Everyone was anxious for her to participate in future free-for-all’s around the country.

  Finally, Mr. Williams and company led Allerton out of the barn for his attempt to beat the time of 2:15. Mr. Hussey would be using a runner to push Allerton along. Mr. Williams nodded for the word on the first score and was given it. Allerton had to buck the strong south wind for the first 1/3 mile before the gradual turn to the east. He finished the first half-mile in a slow time for him of 1:08 1/4. Gilbert hoped the wind may help push him the final stretch to make up for the slow start.

  Mr. Hussey brought up the runner as both men could be heard yelling encouragement to Allerton to push harder. Allerton’s pace was strong and the beating of his hooves couldn’t be heard, but could be felt in the hearts of all who were at the track. The crowd’s cheer, that had been deafening at the start of the race had gone quiet while they rounded the long turn. When they came down the final stretch there was a ear splitting cry from the crowd.

  The third quarter had been completed in :33 seconds. He would have to do the last quarter in only :31 3/4 seconds to match his best time. He technically only had to beat 2:15, but even to beat that time he would have to trot the last quarter in :33 3/4 seconds. His speed seemed to be strong, but was it strong enough? When Allerton flew under the wire, doing the last quarter in :31 1/4 seconds. He was able to beat his best time ever by ½ second to make his mark at 2:12 ½.

  It was exciting for the crowd to see Allerton still in form to compete for great records and races in the future. Mr. Williams was satisfied enough to enter Allerton in a race for five-year-old’s in the upcoming August meeting. The tension everyone had been feeling over the past year about Allerton’s injury was put to rest on this fine day.

  After the races there was a flurry of activity for Barney and Gilbert to get chores done before they got ready for the big dance. They took quick cold baths before getting dressed in their best suits and string bow ties. Their hair was oiled down neatly to their heads. Gilbert was going alone, but had plans to spend time with Clara somehow. He agreed to act as driver for Barney and Katie. Barney was suppose to pick Katie up at her home before the dance. They borrowed a buggy from Mr. Williams and Gilbert hitched Ginger to it.

  “Well, my good friend,” Gilbert said as Barney stepped aboard, “let’s go.”

  Gilbert flipped the reins and the buggy’s wheels began to turn. They were both very happy and looking forward to the evening out. They went through town slowly so buggy wouldn’t kick up dust. The city was full of well dressed people. Barney lost his footing getting out of the buggy at Katie’s home, but caught himself gracefully. Katie greeted him before he could get to the door. Her devastating beauty, stunned the two men who froze to stare at her.

  She wore a beautifully fit light flowery patterned green dress showing her fine figure. The dress had fluffy ventilating white long sleeves. Her dress had a deep green felt collar and the hem went to her ankles. She had a deep green felt bow on the left side of her partially tucked up hair. Barney was speechless, but was still able to assist her into the buggy.

  Nobody said anything for a few blocks. Then Katie said modestly, “Isn’t anyone going to say how beautiful I look?”

  The three of them laughed at her comment, while they passed the Groober family walking to the dance. Gilbert caught Clara’s eyes for a moment, but he didn’t react to her.

  Gilbert hitched the carriage near the Congressional Church across the street from Kings Hall. Kings Hall was transformed from an opera house to a dance hall for the night. They entered Kings Hall while a band from Dubuque was playing a slow sweeping tune. There were patriotic bunting’s along the walls. There were balloons of many colors hanging on looping strings from one corner of the hall to the other. Tables were set up on the sides, leaving a large open area for dancing. There were a few couples dancing, but most people were sitting at tables.

  Gilbert led his friends across the open floor to an empty table. They politely nudged through a few people and sat down on chairs around the table away from the main stream of people. They surveyed the hall as Gilbert started the conversation. “When Clara gets here, I will move away in somewhere so you three can enjoy yourselves. After a half hour or so, I will come back and join you, while Clara goes back to her family. This is the plan to continue throughout the evening, unless things happen.”

  Katie looked disappointed. “That sounds so ridiculous. I hate having to do it this way.” Then a small sinister smile creased her face, “But it may not be so bad.” There was a group of teenagers a few tables down looking at them. One of the boys was Ebb Longfellow and one of the girls was Beverly Stimp. Their stares were interpreted by Katie as benevolent in nature, so she tried to avoid eye contact. Gilbert and Barney were not aware of Katie’s observation, and she had no intention of telling them. A few moments later, Ebb strolled over to the three of them.

  “Evening, Ebb,” Gilbert offered out mockingly politely. Ebb nodded back to Gilbert in a half hearted manner. Katie looked at him with reservations.

  “Katie,” Ebb said in a swaggering manner, “If you wish to join us, we won’t think any less of you. I hope to have a night filled with dances with you.”

  “Maybe later, Ebb, Thank you.” Katie said politely.

  “I see that these,” he looked to Barney and Gilbert, “gentlemen have not offered to acquire a fine punch for the lady. May I do the honors?”

  “On the contrary,” Katie said, “Barney asked me a few minutes ago and I told him I didn’t want any right now. I do beli
eve these gentlemen would like some, but knowing them as I do, I believe they will not get any for themselves until I am ready.” Katie smiled proudly. “Thank you just the same. You are certainly,” she paused, “a gentleman.”

  Ebb was a bit put out by the events, but could not resist an attempt to embarrass Barney. “B-B-Barney, you know that you don’t have to ask for punch, you can just get it yourself. You won’t have to b-b-be embarrassed.”

  Katie’s expression instantly turned into great anger, but before she could speak Barney spoke loud and clear without a stutter. “I might be able to help you with that stuttering problem. Come see me sometime.” Katie was amused and impressed by Barney’s comment. Ebb sneered and walk back to his friends.

  Barney, Gilbert and Katie all overheard a comment that came from Beverly as Ebb returned. “You’re not serious. Katie is really with the horse manure boys?”

  Gilbert and Barney were used to hearing insults thrown at them. Katie, on the other hand, was not. She was not embarrassed to be with Gilbert and Barney, but furious at some of her friends’s reaction. She now understood what Clara meant by fake friends. She thought, for a moment, about her course of friendship with the two young men she was with. It only took a few seconds to decide she was in the right place.

  Katie soon asked for some punch and Barney got it for his date. Gilbert got some punch as well for himself. Clara and her family entered the hall, including the Morton’s. Gilbert was glad to see Clara, knowing he could not converse with her in the hall. Gilbert, as planned, waited a few minutes before moving off to sit on his own. Clara joined Katie and Barney. Barney offered to get some punch for Clara, in which she accepted.

  Ebb was not aware Gilbert was close by, when he made a comment to one of the other gentleman with him. He was looking at Barney, “Who does stupid think he is?”

  “He is actually very intelligent,” Gilbert stated casually.

  “Shut up,” Ebb said, “Or I’ll dunk your runt-ness in the holes of the little barn. Then you can collect more of the cologne you use.” Ebb and his friend walked away chuckling.

  “It’s the smell of money.” He wasn’t sure if they heard him and he wasn’t sure he wanted them to hear him.

  Many of the girls around town liked Gilbert and Barney because of their participation with horses. Katie got in a conversation with Minnie Schintzel, who’s family moved to America from Austria a few years earlier. She had not met Barney before, but told Katie she was lucky to be escorted by such a big good looking man. This made Katie proud of Barney, but she also felt jealousy brush over her.

  Gilbert, after several attempts, signaled to Barney to ask Katie to dance. Barney shyly asked her. Katie quickly popped up ready to go. They were lucky because the dance was a waltz which had become Barney’s best dance. They extravagantly flowed around the dance floor together. Gilbert even noticed surprised looks from some of the older couples there. Mr. and Mrs. Leytze nodded their approval as they swung close to them. Eva stopped her dance with Mr. Jaworski for a moment just to watch them dance. He glanced over to Ebb, who was completely green with envy.

  Soon it was time for Clara to leave the little group to join her family. Gilbert then returned to the table with his friends. There were two girls that had joined the little group. A younger girl Gilbert had met once, approached him to ask him to dance. He politely declined and the girl walked away heartbroken. Clara was also approached several times by some outstanding young men and asked to dance. She turned them all down, until her father began to question her reluctance. She ended up dancing with a few boys she was sure Gilbert wouldn’t be jealous of. Gilbert was amused by the sight.

  As the night went on things seemed to be dragging along, until Katie pulled Gilbert aside. “Now, don’t be alarmed at what is about to happen. I’ll instruct you on what to do at the right time.” She said this in such a quiet, serious manner it woke Gilbert up out of his bored state of mind.

  “What’s going on?” He asked her

  “Eva has a plan.”

  “Oh, no,” Gilbert’s stomach lurched with both excitement and fear.

  It was just a few minutes later he observed Clara and Eva approaching the punch bowl. Things looked pretty normal until Eva comically tripped and threw her punch onto the front of Clara’s dress. The white dress she was wearing was dreadfully soaked with the red punch. Clara started crying uncontrollably. Eva was in tears with apologies. The hall went completely silent with onlookers surveying the situation. Clara’s mother made her way through the crowd to her daughter.

  Eva between sobs was able to speak surprisingly clear, “Come on, deary. Let’s get ya into another dress.” The two scurried out the back door of the hall. Mrs. Groober, was sure Eva was capable of taking care of the situation retreated back to her husband.

  Katie moved up behind Gilbert and spoke softly, “Wait five minutes, then go to Willet’s Stables back shed. Knock three times on the door.” She moved on.

  Gilbert patiently waited four and one half minutes, before he slipped out quietly through the side door. He couldn’t believe they would ruin a nice dress just for an opportunity for he and Clara to spend some private time together. He approached the shed hearing hushed laughing from inside the shed. He knocked three times softly on the door. The laughter stopped immediately. He looked at a small window near the door, he saw the unmistakable face of Eva peering out at him.

  “It’s ’im,” he heard her say. “It will be just a moment laddie.”

  There was more scuttling around then he heard Clara, “How do I look?”

  “Fine, dear. Hard to tell in the dark,” Eva said.

  Clara opened the door, wearing a beautiful dark colored dress with light colored collar and sleeves. It was hard to tell in the moonlight, what the actual colors were. The moonlight did shine in her eyes and he noticed her lips had a glisten to them. They kissed for a moment as Eva slipped out of the shed silently and walked back toward the hall. She didn’t get very far when she met up with Mr. Jaworski and the two walked away from the hall toward the river.

  Clara spoke first, “We figure we have about forty-five minutes, no more than an hour.” They slowly walked away from the hall hand in hand. The night was dreamy with stars and a bright moon.

  “Someday we will not have to hide our love for each other,” Gilbert said, “I was very impressed with the scene you two put on to get out of the hall.”

  “I was at my best,” she responded. “It was Eva’s idea to get me out of the hall for a while, so we could enjoy some time together.”

  “It still isn’t the same as if we were able to enjoy the dance like the rest of the people.” Gilbert said, “I think I should talk to your father.”

  “Don’t even think that.” Clara sternly spoke. “He will tighten his resolve even more and make it more difficult for us. He may refuse to let me come to Independence for the summers.”

  “I know,” he hung his head, “it just irritates me.”

  “Someday, I will stand up to my father and we’ll run away together, like Wapsi and Pinicon.” She appeased his feelings, “Without the river getting involved.”

  Gilbert smiled in response, “We won’t go anywhere near a river.” Then he changed the subject, “I hated to see you ruin a nice dress, though.”

  “Oh, that old thing,” Clara smiled slightly, “It was one of my favorite dresses, but it was too small for me. Besides, it is well worth it’s sacrifice.”

  Gilbert, in his mind, wanted to tell her to quit growing. She was already three inches taller than he was and he really didn’t expect to grow anymore.

  They eventually found a nice garden across from the hall, where they sat on a small bench. The hall’s side doors were open and they could hear the music. They danced together for a few slower songs. They sat down on the small bench once again holding hands.

  Gilbert leaned toward Clara to check out a smudge
on her face. She turned her head toward him and before he knew it they were engaged in a lip curling, tongue twisting, battle of passion he had never experienced before. He had kissed Clara passionately before, but this was different. Gilbert did not want to appear unable to match Clara’s lust for passion, so he aggressively joined in. The two of them did not speak as Gilbert felt a growing sensation in his privates. He was embarrassed with this feeling of hormonal growth. Afraid it will be noticed backed away from the kisses.

  “What’s wrong?” Clara asked.

  “Nothing,” Gilbert answered.

  “You look scared,” she said. Gilbert suddenly got more uncomfortable at the thought she noticed his fears. “Did I scare you?”

  There was silence before he answered, “No.” Gilbert decided to continue on, no matter what was happening to him. He felt he had to get through this. He moved his lips back to hers. They were again locked in passionate kisses. He pulled his lips away from hers and started to kiss her neck. He had been caressing her neck before and now he had to find a place to put his hand. He thought to himself, “the shoulder, the arm, the breast, oh god, what am I thinking.” He shook his head and decided the waist would be a good place to go.” He slid his hand down toward her waist just as she shifted and his hand slid over her breast.

  He pulled away from her quickly, “I am, so sorry, I didn’t mean too.”

  “I know you didn’t. Just don’t do it again.” She said without much thought. She moved her head toward him to continue their kissing escapade.

  Soon they heard strange yelling of excitement coming from the hall. They listened intently. Gilbert heard a man’s voice yell out, “Ebb! Barney! Not here! Stop it!”