The hydraulic press., 1860-08-18
The Jealous Dancers.


The Jealous Dancers. .s.
Miska Hauser, the German violinist, who
was IN California several years ago, gives the
following Australian "reminiscences:
was performing in the orchestra of a
Theater at Melbourne. The curtain rose A
French dancer, an elegant. supple young
lady, OF no great beauty, but full of express
sion in face and motion, and apparently on
very good terms with herself, appeared in
the scene, in her short lace skirt, and was
received by an enthusiastic outburst of ap-
plause, and by the brayings of the martial
trumpets of the orchestra. moment after,
from the other side of the stage, youthful
Spanish creole, with beautiful eyes, rosy
complexion and finely formed limbs, bound
ed In. She was the very impersonation of
Terpsichore. The applause was increased
and prolonged by the audience. She bowed
modestly. 1t was her first appearance at
Melbourne. Her rare beauty surprised every
one, and the delight experienced at so agree
able surprise, led every one to join in the
raptures with which she was greeted.
A struggle at once commenced between
the two dancers, to outdo each other in the
grace and brilliancy of their performances
Like two glittering butterflies they whirled
around, keeping fautless time to the swell
ling music. The mercurial Partisan made
use of her most seductive wiies-of her best
practiced and most refined pirouettes-
her mos. enchanting attitudes: but the sem
sation produced on the audience was by no
means commensurate with her splendid eff
forts. The lovely creole seemed patronised
by the Graces. Thunders of applause shook
the house; and as often as she advanced
with sylph-like motion to the foot-lights, a
flood of boQuets, wreaths, rings and bracelets
were showered~upon her.
This was more than the jealous heart of
the French woman could bear. She made
desperate struggle for victory, and failing in
the attempt, fell exhausted upon the stage
The beautiful creole sinking all feeling of
rivalry, hastened to her relief. Her touch
enraged the Partisan to such an extent, that
like a wounded serpent, she darted suddenly
up and struck the creole a stunning blow
upon the side of the head. The anger and
disgust of the audience at this exhibition of
malignant temper, was soon made apparent
in volley of denunciations and Kisses.
The Partisan felt the awakwardness of her
situation, and with view to justify her con-
duct, declared aloud that ssthe wretch (mean-
ing the creole) had tripped herp
This insnuation was scornfuly and indig-
nantly denied by the fair rival, who appeared
indisposed in any other manner to resent
the gross injury done her. But the impetu-
Gus temper of the French woman led her to
use vulgar expression of reproach towards
the creole. This aroused her. In an instant
she showed the anger of an infuriated til
gress. She rushed upon the French woman,
who seemed entirely willing for the combat
Then commenced scene which beggars
description. The exasperated rivals scratch
ed, gouged, pummeled and pulled each 9TH
ers' hair. They rolled over the stage together,
and in their short dresses, which, even during
the perpendicular attitude, are not too mod
estly secretive, produced an excitement in
every part of the theatre, which manifested
itself according to the feeling of delight or
disgust with which various persons were
actuated. Finally, the creole, proving the
weaker of the combatants, was rescued By
some of the performers, and carried away,
fainting and bleeding from the scene. a
The police were sent for to arrest the Pa
risian but her friends gathered around her
and resisted their attempts. A riot ensued.
One portion of the audience rushed upon the
stage. Fiddles, horns, viols and other musi-
cal instruments of the orchestra were broken
in the tumult; and taking hint from these
disorderly proceedings, seized my hat in
one hand, held my violin in the other, took
to my heels, passed out of one Of the back
doors of the theatre, and did not stop until
] fonnd myself safely sheltered under the
hospitable roof.o my hotel
A FuSNY BET--On the day before the
late municipal election in Chicago Illinois,
q Water street merchant bet Ned Osborne, of
the fremont House, that if Wentworth was
elected mayor, Osborne should have the
privilege of kicking him (the merchant from
the fremont to Springer street, and vice
versa. Wentworth was elected, and conse-
quently, the merchant lost. lie went direct
ly to Osborne, and presented his posterior to
be kicked.
Osborne had been training his right leg
all the previous day, and provided his right
foot with heavy cowhide boot, having soes
as thick as clapboards. Ned being ready,
the merchant started, and the kicking COM
menced. The first kick propelled the mer-
chant forward alarmingly. The second
caused him to perpetrate kind of hop, skip
and jump. At the third, his countenance
was contorted into spasms. Springer street
was nearly a mile off yet, and though the
parties were hurrying forward in tandem
style at pretty rapid speed, there was no
telling how much punishment the merchant
might not yet receive before reaching it, so
he cried PEccAyIl. and wilted.
II Was arranged that the merchant should
be let off at this stage of proceedings, on
condition that he paid the wine, to which he
willingly assented, and for the next hour
there was such'a popping of corks, aud flow
of sparkling Heidsiecl1 rs mighthaye delight
ed the heart of any man who could INDULGE
the privilege of drinking it free of expense.