The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-09-06
THE QUEEN OF THE ARENA

to the consideration of those who would shorten
credits, and increase the sale of goods for cash.
THE QUEEN OF THE ARENA.
-. 1t was strange scene, The wagon was close to
the circus, formed indeed part of it-the poor wo-
man was lying on the low shelf, called the bed, of
the travelling caravan; two or three of the wives of
the men attached to the exhibition were round her.
endeavoring by their eXertons to relieve her mo-
mentarily increasing pain, and helping her to bear
it patiently by their sympathy
"He ought to have been here half an hour ago."
SAID one OF the women "Jim started for him on
the plebald two hours since"
"Did he take the piebald 2" said another tsWhy
L thought he was in the italian Lorers."
"No; he wouldn't run with the spotted mare, so
they've put the blind grey with her, and took the
Pleoald in the quadrille for Dick Gravel TO take
bottom couple with
The explanation seemed satisfactory for silence
ensued.
Presently roar of such laughter as is only
heard in a circus at a country viage-fresh,
genuine, hearty-shook the sides of the fra We
hice.
"Whats that?" said the apparently dying
woman.
"o0nly your Bilrs Quaker story" said one.
90, then he'll soon be here, won't he 2" said
she.
Eyes, he's only got three more points, and then
he'll come; he don't go in the Sylph scene"
Three fainter peas of laughter told that the three
points had hh but not well as the Quaker story;
and then he came in.
''Well,' said he, chow is she now ?'' in a voice
whose anxiety contrasted most strangely with his
tawdry Dress that of tumbling clown at travelling
circus. GLOW is shenow?''
''Pm better, Bill, said the woman "Can YOU
stop little?"
"Ies, don't go in next, its Chapman's turn"
ana so saying the man seated himself by the side of
the woman
She was still young, and, as far as the dim light
hung from the roof would enable Judgment to be
formed, good-looking, the cork k-grmmed eyebrows,
cracked lips and dry cheeks, told that she too had
appeared before the public for its amusement in
deed the traces of rouge were still on parts of the
lace, and told truly that she had lain there but
snort time, only since the last evenings perform
ahce lnueed when during one of her jumps through
the hoop, mans putting on his hat startled the
horse, and so caused false step, which brought
her heavily tc the ground. The experienced ring
master saw she could scarcely stand, and handed
her out, kissing her hand in the usual style, and
few, il any, of the spectators knew that when rap
turously applauding the mcst unparalleled feat, the
leap from the horsc's back through the hoop to the
ground, their applause was unheard by their in
tended object. She had tainted Immediately
reaching the dressing and was at once carried
to the moving chamber where she now lay.
But to return. She took his hand in hers, say
ing: Bill, don't think | shall go round any
more
"Don't say so, lass, it'll be all right when the
doctor comes.'
"No, Bill; feel better, but something tells me
Eve put on the togs for the last time"
NO, lass, nor was all the utterance he could
find. ''DOnt say so!'
After pause, she said: "Bill, you recollect that
London chap, with tho French name that came
down to the Doncaster races?"
ooh, yes, know" said the man, half angrily, as
il wishing to avoid the subject.
'Well, you know you said that time that you
thought there was mtthing between me and
him.
"Well, know it," said the man, "but don't
think of that Nv; don't trouble about that now"
"But must, Bill l think Pm dying Bill, dear,
and should like you to think of me when Pm gone
as | am truly, Bill"
The man made no answer.
"Bill," said the woman, with increasing vehe-
mence of manner, edo you believe I'd tell you lie
now ?'
No answer still.
"Bnl Do you think I'd tell you lie no,o ?"
said she, as though her life depended ON his
answer
'No, no. lass,' said he at last, 81 don't think
you'd tell lie any time-but now" and be
hesitated
''Where's Jenny ?" interrupted the woman.
"Here," said one of the youngest women, stand
ing up so that she might be seen. "What do you
want?"
'Jenny, you'll find the key of the green trunk in
the china mug with Nelly on it, wish you'd look
in the box and get Inc my old Bible OUT
The girl found the key, and asked where the box
go dear, forgot, it's under me,' said the wo-
man.
'There, never mind" said he, ''I don't want any
fuss about it'' =
go, Bill dear, wish you'd lift me up little
and pull it out. You can put the broken chair un-
der to keep me up then"
'No, never mind" said he 'fit'll pain YOU 500
go, Bill, dear, | don't mind, | wish you would"
He did it at last; and, after some trouble and a
few suppressed grOans, the box was pulled out to
the middle of the floor, opened and there wrapped
up in paper and neatly hid, was the Bible; the pa
per greasy, from contact with dsused head-dre
garlands bands, and other small accessories of the
dress of the Queen of the Arena. They gave it to
the woman, who soon asked ''Where's Mary?
go, she is here now," said of the women,
and a girl about five came running in; she had
been performing the part of little fairy in the
just finished scene; her wand still in her hand
and the gauZe wings on her shoulders; she took
them off laid down the silvered stick, and came to
the bed.
'Mary dear, are you there?
eyes, mother, Pm just done, and the people,
clapped so when Julia took me on her shoulder"
'Put her on the box, she can't see her" suggest
ed some one; it was pushed to where the child
Stood and then the mother said:
"Nlary, I'm going away"
go, mother, where top
'But before go | want you to see me and father
friends again" The child stared with wonder; but
the woman, not needing her, continued "Bi
dear, have you got the paper off the Bible? Well
open it at the New Testament"
"Here, one of you women find it. Jenny will
your said the man.
Jenny did it and gave it back.
''Now, Bill, raise me up little
go, never mind" said he, 'I know you'll get
hurt"
She only looked a repetition of her request: and
then, taking the open book from his hands, said:
"Bill, dear, you know you said there was some
thing wrong between that London chap and me. |
told you at the time there not, and you didn't
believe me, though you didn't say so; and you don't
believe it now" she said with increased energy.
"Now, Bill, hear me swear that, as believe | am
dying woman, there was nothing between us, and
this child's your own, much as Mary there, is"
She kissed the book and said, "Do you believe me
now?'
eyes, yes" said the man, ~ do, do!" as though
some spell him had broken. 81 do, Nell, |
do! O., Nell! what fool Eve been, and what
coward not to believe it before! o. Nell! forgive
me, forgive me, Pve done you wrong"
The woman raised herself by great effort to
reach his hand, and, kissing it said: 81 do, Bill l
knew you'd do me justice some day.
go Nell, it's not too late-not too late! You'll
get better, and well be happy as we were before
this
The woman only drew his head to her, and
kissed him; while he, roused kissed her again and
again. ''You do believe me, don't you, dear ?"
sob, forgive me, Nell! Oh, forgive me - were
the only words he could ind in the rush Of his
newly.found trust.
'BilPs wantedl' shouted some one at the door.
"Old Whips called you three times"
"Here's the white, Bill" said Jenny; ''you want
touching;" and she brought it, and stood with the
lamp while he painted out the traces of tears on his
cheeks in front of broken looking glass
''The red will do, Bill go on, or you'll have him
in here, and she won't like that"
Bill went on, and the doctor arrived few min
utes atterward He was a short. stout, good-hu-
mo,ed looking man, with brisk way of speaking
that at once secured obedience.
"Now, them" said he, "whars amiss | could
make nothing of that fellow you sent after me.
All !! said ne, altering his tone his eyes, growing
used to the light took in the woman's face on the
bed.
''What do they call you ?" turning to the young
est of the assembled women
"Jenny, sir"
"Will you stop. All the rest go.
The women grumblingly obeyed, and he stopped
down to examine his patient.
"When did this happen, Jenny?"
"Last night, SIR"
"We did send to one here in the village, but he
wouldn't come, because she belonged to the circus.
He sent her this" handing him paper.
"Umph 'The World and its Amusement on the
Broad Way Just like that sanctimonious Jen-
nings Sends the woman tract, and lets her suffer
all day long"
''Doctor,5' said the sick woman, Chow long can L
liver"
olive, woman why, you're good for another
forty years yet.