Smyrna times., 1855-11-28
A Tragedy behind the Scenes.
The Paris correspondent of the Boston Post
writes as follows: ..r

e writes as follows: ..r
That piece of rope which has been instr
g mental in hanging somebody, brings the rares
0 and most continual good luck, is somethin
4 which is as firmly believed in by all French
men, as the fact that a bon Dieu exists for thei
especial protection. An entire rope which ha
seen good hanging service would bring its eos
2 SCISSOR fortune IN Paris, for the minutest hit
sure OF obtaining an enormous price if wei
authenticated. Believers are in doubt concern
ing the efficacy of morsels cut from the ron,
after the loss of the object of its extremit,
which conters the virtue, but that under al
circumstances they bring happiness and con.
sunmate luck, there exists not the slightest in
credullty. Alexander Dumas, whose admirers
nave SO slngularly, in many instances, testified
lher unbounded regard, received some wears
age bit of rope of this description from a
husslan OF noble rank, who thought he was
| presenting the talented mulatto with the high
( est testllnonlal which friendship could suggest
and Dumas, in a letter of thanks. expressed
himself SO warmly grateful that it would seem
MS faith equalIed that of the donor. A recent
incident which am about to relate to Won oc.
caslons these observations
During the last monthly appraisement of the
goods and chattels of the grand opera, the an
tnorltles, IN the course Of their VISIT penetrated
lhto the subterranean apartments OF this vast
establishment. While pursuing a remarkably
" winding way" they observed suspended above
theih something resembilnga human figure. At
nlst 1t was presumed to be one OF the manni-
Alhs USED occasionally IN representations, but
upon examination 1t proved TO be The cold. stiff
oody OF machImlst formerly attached to the
working corps, who, following the impulses ma.
lufaI TO the suicidal season, had quietly mi an
end to himself He had been IN ms life anv-
tlIhg but strict teetotaller, and it is sunnosed
the mortal coil was shuffied off under an attack
OF =" delicious remblings." The discovery was
made during the rehearsal of the new ballet
Wnich Is soon TO be presented, and there was
iuii attendance OF coryphees present.
when the news of the circumstance reached
tue Joyer q la defSe 1t Occasloned an universal
hutterlhg IN the large covey OF short skirts.
"hich was soon followed by whizziug flight
towards the locality of the casualty in search
OF talsman's from the fatal rope. The rnsL If
nesh-colored tights and the sudden TEMPEST ofI
tulie completely overwhelmed the force of po.
lice agents who had been summoned to qua ri
me Oody until an inquest could be held: and
"heh they recovered from their surprise the
rope was reduced to a mere shred; and bv this |
time, probably, 1t is circulated all over Paris.
SGT I'D treasured locket, medalions, &c. The |
oouy had evidently been in the position in |
Which II was hist discovered for a number of |
udyS' as II was attached TO a portion of the |
scenery OF the opera of the Prophete. which
had not been IN use during the week. Thus
many performances had taken place: sino-
ing and dancing went on over the dead
man mead loud strains of music, life and ac-
,Vity all about him, and he lteless, balancing
y ghsstiy measure to and fro, his head one
'lue' MS eyeballs ghtless-resting contented-
y on nothlng whatever, and altogether being
very singular and, may say. useless piece of
property for an opera house in the full tide of
successful season. What a succession of re-.
narkable sentences might be worked up ont of
MS clrcumstance-the tinse o. Ia theatre and
ne worthiessness of lite--machinjst and strong
Irlnk-in the midst of Life, &c.-sbiffed his
ast scene (he was a sceDe-shltter)-the mock-
ny and uproar of theatre while human souI {
Nc'' last hight you know, and so on, ad infai.
Um. '''''
FocUs.-A little girl saw her brother plavino )
Flth his burning glass; and heard him talk about
he locus" Not knowing what the word fo- q
us meant she consulted the Dictionary. At 9
inner when the family were assembled, she a
hhouhced, as grand as could be, that she knew h
ne meaning of one hard word. Her father
sked her what it was; she said it was the word
)cus. ... '..r I
Well, Mury," said he, "what does il r
lean!' a
t" Why, 1t means place where they raise O
alves!' she replied, [
ih's, OF course. raised laugh, but she stuck b
her point, and produced her Dictionary TO
rove that she was right.
=" There," said she, triumphantly, Fecus, !
ACE where the rays meet'' Calves are aneat s
nd II they raise meat they raise calves-and y
} I'm right" d
..-ts Ilf