Butte record., 1854-04-15
HRuIN "srARRINc.o y

y
ing the performance Of a melo1rama
called the Bear Of the Mountain, the
principal actor of which was a bear of
such wonderful docility and dramatic
talent that for long succession of nights
he attracted overfowing audiences. On
this occasion, however, somthing had put
this "star" out of humor, and he was
observed to be wanting in those brilliant
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, as prescribed in the
prompter's book, he alighted on the stage
at one bound, like the descent of an ac-
rolite. On his return behind the scene
he received reproofs, which, instead Of
improving, made his temper more sullen,
and it was with difficulty he could be
prevailed upon to 60 through his part
In the last scene the bear was induced
to commence waltz with young and
beautiful peasant girl, and seemed to
take so much enjoyment in the dance
that the whole audience gradually rose
from their seats, and, standing on the
benches, drowned the sound of power
full orchestra with their acclamatinns of
wonder and delight Iu moment, how
ever, the joyous spectacle was changed
into scene of terror. A piercing shrek
was heard through all the tumult, and
the lovely dancer was hurled round with
the velocity of "a swift wheel, and dis
charged from her partners arms head
foremost into the pit, where, however,
she was caught by the audience without
damage.
The next moment che stage lover Of
the peasant girl, who had beon coquet-
ting in dance in the distance with IL
group of ballet dancers, advanced, in
the performance of his part, to waltz
with the bear The former catastrophe
had been 50 rapid that, though his dam
ger 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 qt5 rire,
measuring him from top to toe, and,
finging his legs around him, he began to
waltz with such extraordinary boundings
that the astonished lover was soon
whirled off bis feet, and in another mo
ment was at the top Of the stage preci-
pice and tossed into the surge below.
The nstonishment now, however, was
turned into CONSERVATION. The bear
was seen dancing forward, evidently
pleased with his own exploits, and with
his muzzle broken, the mask hanging
loose around his neck, and roaring fierce
ly.
The whole audience now startled on
their feet, rolled over each other, and in
the attempt to escape choked up the
doors of the pit, boxes, and gallery. The
town police were now called in, formed
a circle, and charged the bear with fixed
bayonets. Firing was out of the ques-
tion, as the bullets which missed the bear
must take effect upon 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,
and. suddenly knocking down corporal
of the guard with one paw, and seizing
his musket with the other, he threw his
cross-belt over his back and proceeded
deliberately to prime and load. The
terror or 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
remarkable effort Of city valor to have
approached him at all, now widened their
circle in all directions to respectable
position from an antagonist armed alike
with the ferocity of a savage nature and
the weapons of civilization. But the
bear, long accustomed to military ma
neuvres, and who had exhibited lately at
St. Petersburgh, in the pantomime of
the battle of Pultowa, palpably took the
Swedish captives, and picked out each
of them from his hiding place by ten
der touch at the point of the bayonet.-
In all their fright, the audience roared
with laughter; it was evident that his
pantomimical recollections were still
strong upon him, for he compelled every
man of his captives to kneel down upon
the stage, strip off his accoutrements and
beg for his life
A flourish of trumpets should have
followed thiS unaouivoeal vietoru. hut