The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1854-08-30
BRUIN STARRING"

a frightful scene occurred lately at the
theater at Czerny, In Bohemia, during
the performance of a nelo-drama called
the Bear of the Mountain" the prin-
cipal actor of which was a Bruin of such
wonderful d~ocility and dramatic talent
that for q long succession of nights he
attracted overlooking audiences. On
this occasion, however, something had
put this "star" out of humor, and he
was observed to be wanting in those bril-
liant displays of the histronic which had
previously overwhelmed him with ap-
plause. In the third act, instead of
coming down the mountain by a winding
path, with the slow and solemn step pre-
scribed in the prompter's book. he al
lighted on the stage at one bound, like
the descent Of an eolite. On his re-
turn behind the scenes he received re-
proofs, which instead of improving made
his temper more %sullen, and it was with
difficulty he could be prevailed upon to
go through his part.
In the last scene be was induced to
commence a waltz with a beautiful peas
ant girl, and seemed to take SO much
enjoyment in the dance that the whole
audience gradually rose in their seats,
and standing on the benches drowned
the sound of a powerful orchestra, with
their -acclamations of wonder aud de-
light. In a moment, however, the-joy-
Gus spectacle was changed into a scene
of terror. A piercing shrek was heard
through all the tumult, and the lovely
dancer was hurled round with the vo-
LEFTY of a swift wheel, and discharged
from her partners arms .headforemost
into the pit, where, however, she was
caught by the audience without damage.
The next moment the stage lover of
the peasant girl, who had been coquet-
ing in the dance in the distance with a
group of ballet 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 enough to
deter him, it was evidently unperceived
by the lover. The bear was instantly
on the qui Uire, measuring him from tip
to toe, and, fiinging his legs around him,
began to waltz with such extraordinary
boundings, that the astonished lover
was soon whirled off his feet, and in an
other moment was at the top of a stage
sprecipice, and tossed into the surges be-
low. This establishment now, however,
turned into CONSERVATION. The bear
was seen dancing forward, evidently
pleased with his own exploits, and with
his muzzle broken, the moose hanging
loose around his neck, and roaring fierce
,ly.
The whole audience now started on
their feet, rolled over each other, and in
attempt to escape, choked up the doors
of the pit, boxes, and gallery. The
town police were now called on, formed
q 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 on the audience;
but the bear, though left alone, exhibit
ed the addroitness of education, and the
intrepidity of his nature. A part of his
training had been the platoon exercise,
and suddenly knocking down a corporal
of the guard with one paw, and seizing
Ais musket with the other, he threw his
cross belt over his back, aud proceeded
deliberately to prime and load The
terror of the audience was now extreme,
and shrieks were heard from all sides,
as he pointed the muzzle toward the
crowded pit.
The guard, which had regarded it is a
remarkable effort of the city valor to
have approached him at all, now widened
their circle In all directions, to a respee-
table distance from an antagonist armed
alike with the ferocity of q savage IA
ture and the weapons of civilization
But the bear, already long accustomed
to military maneuvres; and exhibited
lately at st. Petersburg, In the panto-
mine of the battle of Pultowa, palpably
took Swedish captive; and picked out of
ZACH of them from his hiding-place by
q tender Touch at the point of the bayo-
net. In all their fright the collection
were still strong upon him, for he COM
PEELED every man of his captives to kneel
down upon the stage, strip off his accou-
tremen 8, and beg for his life.
A flourish of trumpets should have
followed this unequiVocal victor; but
the orchestra, half terrified out of their
the orchestra, half terrified out of their
lives by the lea neighborhood of the
sepqueror. end forgot this pert Of their
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