The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-09-25
The ,Equestrienne.

-, The ,Equestrfenne.
a9ermain, will you give me employment
in your Circus2" suddenly asked rather
handsome. beautifully formed girl, of tho
class SO Justly designated as unfortunate te
somely Furnished and this man, proprietor,
ofa1iayelling Troupe was, for the time be.
in94her lover.
The girl we'll educated, uhcommonly
CITED and very fascinating in manners,
had obtained "a hold on his affections,
which surprised himself Though rather
course, he was much of man, as ho did
not langh at her earnest face and manner,
but merely asked If she was dissatisfied with
her present life. {, Turning her large eyes
full upon him, as she stood. in front Of him,
she said !:
s"You know what am now, but not
what Twas six months ago, ere left my
home. / was miserably deceived, and at
'lastI came .bither. Reflection drives me
mad. With a temper proud as Lucifer, I
kept my misery to myself I.cannot drink
down sorrow rs the rest do, 30 l must
change or die. In any employment where
they require character or reference, Of
course, have no chance but with you,
hope to amend my most miserable life"
"And yet" said he, Gyou are young,
handsome, rich, for one like you; adored
by all; with US you would have hard
work poor pay, and would be as i'll thought
ofas you are now"
Pshaw J" said she, know all that. l
am as you say, saught after for my youth,
ahdsny appearance attracts, while my
sprighfliness amuses. 81 can as get, choose
:, my company Madame does wittily term
me, ..Thss light Of lei, Heaven" and men,
fsensibla hen too3 sometimes converse with
me, as Though I had sopl But do not
seethe finger Of scorn pointed at me wher-
eyer.I gol do I not hear the whisper
"The Belle Cora" as I pass Do not
modest women shrink from contact, even
WITH the hem of my garment and men
who are my servils creatures, ignore me in
the streetss Do I not see the laugh, the
wink, the sncer ,ssnot concealed Of those
who have made aud kept US what we are {?
No, Germain, no !! my mind is made up
l have long kept by me the means of
death, and must make use of it.
@Perhaps you may have wife. or mis-
tress whom you fear should hear of our
connection, though mean to be honest"
(tben fancying with fearful earnestness) II
swear I mean to be honest, even with you."
My girl," said he, kindly and gravely,
II will deal frankly with you, as think
3 you deserve and in, the first place, let me
assure you, there is no woman who has
any4elaim on me, paramount to yours, and
1kneyer saw ono before iiassny class I loved
aswell, although I may be fool for SC do
tnn, t1,atoe o.,
become in this short acquaintance, that, if
You believe yourself capable of fulfilling
your new resolution, will marry you, and
You shalfjoin my Troupe as lady Eques-
ttienne if you choose. know shall have
to bear some laughter on the subject, but
an, pretty good bruiser as we'll as rider,
and NO man will laugh twice at me, and
no ohuman being shall abuse or insult you.
Only be sure of yourself, for though know
what you are now, look upon it as for
tune, and henceforth twill be as it had nev.
or happened but for your future, 1 shall
hold yog stfi6tIy to account"
aIf the meaneot ana the poorest of your
company had offered me his hard, honest
hand; sand wepld have lifted me from this
$inire, Iwould have worked, toiled, begged
for him. But that you, 80 handsome, so
bravasso manly should offer me this grace
Inever dreamed or hoped ; but inasmuch
dis you have done \, you have made me
: your loving slave for life. Your will shall
be my law. Your pleasure, my happiness,
and will cleaye to you only, SO long as
we both shaliaive. $50 help me God I"
When we next met the Belle Cora, she
had been for some time Madame Ger,nain,
andso-night makes her debut in the ring
I, She has been carefully trained by her hus-
husband, and he'has been her constant at
tendant at rehearsal, and as they are now
very, far from home the spot where they
were married few know'her in any other
!; tbaracter than the one she now sustains
Reports Off beauty and horsenfsnship
have got abroad, so tonight every seat in
filed Ehtrees for ..feats of dexterity or
strength; assaAlher hnrriedIy performed, TO
make way for the oingle-horse act by Mad
He leads her in himself. Sheis array
ed 10 q rich green satin dress, trimmed
with silver, very becoDingly made, with
just enough display OF the shoulder and
arms that 9 Sculptor might copy, and
Queen might envy. The purple black hair
in its massive abundance, knotted classical
ly, behind, and fastened with large silver
Arrow no other ornament. How grace
fully she cotrtesied to the overwhelming
9pplause that greeted her appearance, and
how beautiful she looked, will, one slender
hand laid on her heart, while German held
the other Again and again, ere she was
permitted TO mount was she obliged to an
j ;pMeE tumuifby her .pracefua motion.
At 1ast, with g bound, sbe is on the
shossss back and 70 fall career, and with as
Inndh pparen1 unconesrn as though she
Md dden from childhood. So falL Of
eopsciegs power was every motion, that
SfatUss6alt 5easyin her ease. Now
she 6bda erect and firm as a statue,
46y kneeiS, now floats, poisons on toe,
sHpH scarf 81 panze sprinkled with silver