The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-09-12
A Pathetic Story.

A Pathetic Story.
The following is an extract from Ile work
of the late Thomas Haynes Bailey. 1t mar
rates the efforts ofa young man called Hercu-
les, or the strong man of the fair, in going
through his gymnastic exercises az the fair in
Liege:-
Now this same Hercules for so he was
designated, protested 10 raise enormous
weights. This part of the exhibition had no
charms for mo, nor caul understand the en-
thusiasm with which people congregate to
sec n fellow creature shorten his life. Under
some circumstances, when, by taking prodig-
ious leaps, uunaturally distorting the body.
or walking up Il single rope TO terrific
height, he gives his audience cLrnce of see
ing him killed on The spot, the attraction be-
comes doubly great. But horrors have not
charms for me, and Twas tempted into the
strong mans booth by the announcement that
he would give living representation of the
most admired statues ofantiquity
1t was late, and when | entered, the eXhih-
itor was standing on pedestal in the attitude
of Apollo. was surprised TO see Il youth,
apparently scarce twenty-one, formed certain
y in the mould ofa Hercules, but evidently
too youngto undertake the astonishing leuts
ofstrength described in his qBiche. Though
very muscular, his limbs were graceful, his
attitudes free from vulgarity, and his costume
was perfectly delicate.
His symmetrical arms and fine throat were
bare. The expression ofhs handsome couu-
tenance betrayed disquietudc aud anXiety:but
supposed him merely anxious, ns it was the
first day ofthe fair, to make favorable ini-
preston upon the very scanty assembly
This end seemed TO he attained for they were
tumultuous in their applause, especially when,
having left his pedestal he commenced thar
part ofhs task which, though Iitlc to my
taste, had been eagerly expected by thcm.-
The poor boy, for really he looked little more,
proceeded to realize all the promises made in
his bill. Prodigious were the weights he
raised; and some that it was utterly impossi-
bic for him to move from the earth were plac-
ed upon him. His sufferings must have been
acute, but he bore them without flinchng.-
Large q muscular though his frame appear
ed, his fair countenance was that of strip
ling, light hair curled around his forehead NOW
bathed with the dews of over eXertion, and on
his cheek there was the hectic ofill health, or
spot ofrogue lily put on, to initiate youths
roess In every pause there was n short dry
cough, never TO he mistaken by one who has
heard that fatal signal by his own fireside:but
he still proceeded with his task, though each
new effort was more difficult aud painful
THIN the last.
At length but one feat remained TO he per-
formed, but it required more eXerton and
endurance than all the rest. His legs were
to he fastened to an upright pillar, and when
his body was in horizontal position, all the
weights which he had raised singly, were to
be supported by him in one accumulated
mass.
| hastily arose TO leave the booth, hut jus.
as the exhibitor was preparing hinIscftorthe
effort, little boy ran to him on the stage and
whispered something in his ear Tho Young
man clasped his hands, kissed the child, then
looked wildly and wistfully on those around
him; and when the person who had assisted
him prepared to put the fastenings on his
feet, he started back, and heard him say, in
n low voice "a .. "nt 81.
No, no! lean do no more Thcrcse-I
must go and sec herr she will de--she will
die y
His rough companion made some has; an
swer: and he the pressed his hands firmly on
his forehead, and leaned aganst the side Of
tho stage, apparently in state Of exhaustion.
would gladly have seen thecurtain fall, but
those who, like myself had paid their money
at the door expected to have their moneys
worth, and after brief pause loud shouts
were raised, and the last act ofthe exhibition
demanded. | saw the young man rouse him
self with an effort and calling to his assis-
tant cried b. .,. .....t... r-..u-.. ...F ..a-.
'Now-~quick, quick, and let me goto herl'
r To me it appeared that tears were stream
ing from his eyes, l saw him prepare for the
trial, but saw no more; ] leaned forward
and covered my eyes with my cloak. The
shouts of those near me proved
that he had satisfied them; but ere / again
yentured to look up, the curtain had fallen,
was glad to find myselfin the open air n
gain, and turning from the glare and revelry
Of the still busy fair, walked along an almost
deserted street which led towards the ram
parts. Ash proceeded slowly, thinking of
the strained sinews of the poor fellow whose
exertions had JUST painfully Witnessed, two
figures approached me, a man and little
child, and though the figure oftheformer was
closely enveloped in a dark nan,le,I recog-
nized the Hercules and the boy who had in
terrupted the performance,