Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-10-30

IN LA, w i ODLn CVs lC
houses, and thought how shabby the foun-
tains looked when they were not playing,
and what miserable gimcrack concerns were
stalactite caves and cosmaramic grottoes,
and all the other attractions whick looked
SO fine by the light Of color red lamps and
fire works.
| Well, just as | was sauntcring on, turn
ing these things over in my mind, whom
should I see in one of the summer houses
but John Grifiths He was lying forward
upon the table, with his head resting upon
his elapsed hands, sound asleep. An empty
ale bottle and glass stood beside him, and
| his stick had fallen near his chair. | could
not be mistaken in him, though his face was
hidden, 50 [ went up and touched him on
the shoulder.
"a fine morning. john" says I. RI
thought was here early, but it seems that
you were before me, after all. !"
He sprang to his feet at the sound of my
voice, as if he had been struck, and then
turned impatiently away.
''What did you wake me for p said he,
sullenly.
because have news to tell you. You
know that the sixth Of August will be our
last night here Well, mate, on the 7th,
please God, I am going to be married,
and"
Course you ~ be Interrupted, turning a
lived face upon me, and an eye that glared
like tigers. Course you! How dare
you come to me with that tale, you smooth
faced hound-to me of all men living 2"
| was so little prepared for this burst of
passion, that had nothing to say; and SO
he went on
why can't you let me alone? What
do you tempt me for? I've kept my hands
off you until now"
He paused and bit his lip, and | saw that
he was trembling from head to foot. / am
no coward it is not likely should be a Pat
agonian Brother if was--but the sight Of
his hatred seemed to turn me, for the mo-
ment, quite sick and giddy.
"My Gody' said I, leaning up against
the table, ."what do you mean? Are you
mad 2" NJ. .M
He made no answer. but looked straight
/
know how it was, but from that moment /
knew all 1t was written somehow in his
face. W . 43
nOh, Ally dear p I said to myself, with
a groan, and sat down on the nearest bench;
/ believe that at that moment I scarcely
knew where [ was or what | was doing
| did not see him again until we met on
the stage, about an hour afterwards to 60
through our scene in the rehearsal. TWAS
a grand Eastern piece, with great deal of
firing and real water, and living camel in
the last act; and Grifiths and were Mo
zambique slaves, performing before the Ra-
jah in the Candelabras. Excepting that it
cost great deal of money, that is all Il ever
knew about the plot. and upon my word, ]
don't believe that anybody knew much more.
BY this time had Of course, recovered my
usual composure; but I could see that Crit
6ths, had been drinking, for his face was
flushed and his balance unsteady. When
the rehearsal was over, Mr. Rice called us
into his private room, and brought out
decanter of sherry, with which, I must
say he was always as liberal as any gentle
man could be.
''Patagonians," says he, for he had a
wonderful merry way with him, and always
called US by that name. II suppose you
would make no objection to little matter
Of extra work and extra pay on the sixth
just to end the season with something stun
ning-hey?"
sNo, no, SIR" replied Grif6ths, in sort
Of hearty manner, that wasn't natural to
him. Were ready for anything. Is it
the flying business you spoke about the
other day?"
ssBetter than that" said the manager
filing up the glasses ''Its new French
feat that has never been done in this coun-
try, and they call it the trapeze. Patagon-
ians your health
So we drank his in return, and Mr., Rice
explained all about it, It was to be an ex-
hibition Of posturing and balloon ascent,
all in one At some distance below the car
was. to be secured triangular wood frame
work called the trapeze. From the lower
pole, or base of the triangle, one of us was
to be suspended with ligature Of strong
leather attached to his ankle, in case Of &C.
cident. Just as the balloon was rising, ano
this man assembled head downwards, the
other was to catch him by the hands and
60 up also, having, if he preferred it, some
band or other to bind him to his companion
In this position we were then to 60 through
our customary performance, continuing
them so long as the balloon remained il
sight.
[ cali this" said Mr.. Rice, sssouuds muct
more dangerous than it really is. The mo-
ton of a balloon through the air is SO steady
and imperceptible, that but for the knowl
edge Of being above housetops, you viii
perform almost as comfortable as in the gar.
dens Besides, I am speaking to brave
men, who know their business, and are moi
to be dashed by a triae-hey; Patagon-
ians p
Grifiths brough bit his hand down on the
table, and made the glasses ring again.
t'Tm ready, sir" said he, with an oath.
''rm ready to do it alone, if any man here
is afraid to 60 with me-"
! He looked at me as he Said CHS with a
sort Of hooking laugh that brought the
blood up into my face.
eff YOU mean that for me, john, said !
quickly, Il am no more afraid than your
self and if that's all about. it, III go up to
night"