Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-03-01
MISC f LII A N Y.
Bruin "Starrimg."


A f;ightful scene occurred lately at the
Theatre at Czerny, in Bohemia, during the
performance of melodrama called the
Bear of the Mountain, the principal actor
of which was bear of such wonderful do
cilitv and dramatic talent that for long
succession of nights he attracted overflow
ing audiences. On this occasion, however,
something had put this "star" out of hu-
NOR, and he was observed to be wanting in
those brilliant displays of the histrionic
which had previously overwhelmed him
with applause. In the third act, instead of
coming down the mountain by winding
path, with slow and solemn step, prescrib-
ed in the prompter's book, he alighted on
the stage at one bound, like the descent of
an aerolte. On his return behind the
scene he received reproofs, which, instead
of improving, made hts temper more sullen,
and it was with difficulty he could be pre-
vailed upon to 90 through his part.
In the last scene the bear was Induced
to commence a waltz with young and
beautiful peasant girl. aud seemed to take
so much enjoyment in the dance that the
whole audience gradually rose from their
seats, and, standing on the benches, drown
ed the sound of powerful orchestra with
their acclamatious of wonder and delight.
In a moment, however the joyous specta-
Gle was changed into a scene of terror. A
piercing shrek was heard through all the
tumulf, and the lovely dancer was hurled
round with the velocity of swift wheel,
and discharged from her partners arms
head foremost into the pit, where, howev-
er, she was caught by the audience without
damage.
The next moment the stage lover of the
peasant girl, who had been coqnetting in a
dance in the distance with group of bal
let dancers, advanced, in the performance
OF his part, to waltz with the bear. The
former catastrophe had been so rapid that,
though his danger was fully perceived by
the audience, whose cries were quite loud
to deter him, it was evidently unperceived
by the lover. The bear was instantly on
the gui Uiue, measuring him from top to toe,
and, finging his legs around him, he began
to waltz with such extraordinary boundlngs
that the astonlshed lover was soon whirled
off his feet, aud in another moment was at
the top of stage precipice and tossed into
the surges below. The astonishmsnt now,
however, had turned into consternaton.-
The bear was seen dancing forward, evi-
IDENTIFY pleased with his own exploits, and
with his muzzle broken, the mask hanging
loose around his neck, and roaring iercely
The whole audience now started on their
feet, rolled over each other, and in the at
tempt to escape choked up the doors of the
pit, boxes, and gallery. The town police
were now called in, formed circle, and
charged the bear with fixed bayonets. FL
ring was out Of the question, as the bullets
which missed the bear must take effect up-
or the audience but the hero though left
alone, exhibited at once the adroitness of
education and the intrepidity of his nature.
A part of his training had been the platoon
exercise, aud, suddenly knocking down a
corporal of the guard with one paw, and
seizing his musket with the other, he threw
has crossbelt over his back and proceeded
deliberately TO prime and load. The terror
Of the audience was now extreme. and
shrieks were heard from every side, as he
pointed the muzzle towards the crowded pit.
The guard, which had regarded it as a
remarkable effort of city valor to have ap-
preached him at ALL now widened their
circle in all directions 10 a respectable
position from an antagonist armed alike
with the ferocity Of savage nature and
the weapons Of civilization. But the bear.
already long accustomed to military ma
n1uvres, and who had exhibited lately at St.
Petersburg, in the pantomime of the battle
of Pultowa, pal lpably took the Swedish can
iives, aud picked out each of them from his
hiding place by tender touch at the point
of the bayonet. In all their fright the
audience roared with laughter; it was evil
dent that his pantomimical recollections
were still strong upon him, for he compelled
every mar Of his caphves to kneel down
upon the stage, strip off his accoutrements,
and beg for his life.
A flourish of trumpets should have fol-
loved this unequivocal victory but the
orchestra, half terrified out of their lives by