The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-03-22
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE QUEEN OF THE ARENA.

1t was strange scene. The wagon was
close to the circus, formed indeed part
of 1.-THE poor woman was lying on
the low shelf, called the bed, of the tray
cling caravan; two or three of the
wives of the men attached to the CNhi-
bition were round her, cndeavoring by
their cXcrtations to relieve momcntari-
ly increasing pain, and helping her to
bear it patiently by their sympathy.
"lle ought to have been here half an
hourago, said one of the women. "Jim
started for him on the piebald two hours
Since?n
"Did lie take the piebald >" said
another. "Why l thought he was in
the HdlidR Lorcrs ~
"No, he wouldn't run with the spot
ted mare, so they've put the blind gray
with her, and took the picbald in the
quadrill for Dick Gravel to bottom cou-
pie with"
The explanation seemed satisfactory
for silence ensued.
Presently IL roor of such laughter as i.
only heard in circus at a country vii.
iage--fresh, genuine, hearty--shook
the sides of the frnil ychichlc.
"What's that ?" said the apparently
dying woman.
"Only your Bill's Quaker story" said
one.
so, then he'll soon be here, won't hc:n
said she.
"Ycs he's only got three more points
and then he'll come; he don't go in the
Sylph scene"
Three fainter pcals OF laughter told
that the three points had hit, but not Il.
well as the Quaker story; and then h(
came in.
"Wcll," said he, show is she now p
in vOcc whose anxiety contrastod most
strangely with his tawdy dress, that o.
tumbiing circus. GLOW is she now"
"I'm better Bill" said the woman
Scan you stop little?"
eyes; | don't 90 in next, it's chap
mans turn" and so saying, the mal
seated himself By the side of the wo
man.
She wa, still young, and, far as the
the dim light hung from the roof would
enable a Judgment to be formed, good
looking; the cork-grimed eyebrows
cracked lips and dry checks, told tha
she too had appeared before the public
for its amusement; indeed the traces 0
rogue We're still On parts of the face, ant
told too truly that She had lain thcr
but short time, only since the las
evening" performance indeed, when
during one Of her jumps through th
hoop, a mans putting on his hat start
led the horse, and so caused Il false step
which brought hcrheavily tothcground
The experienced ring-master saw sh
could scarcely stand, and handed he
out, kissing her hand in the usual style
and few, if any, Of the spectators knew
that when rapturously app!"ddins th
most unparalleled feat, the leap from
the horses back through the hoop t
the ground, their applause was unhoar
bN llltII IlllttllCt ViJN~b' '''i' l''''' '-'4'
ed Immediately on reaching the dress
ing-room, and was at once carried t
the moving chamber where she nov
lay.
But to return she took his hand !
hers, saying: "Bill, | don't think | shal
go round any more"
Don't say so, lass, it'll be all rigI
when the doctor comes"
$40, Bill Il feel better, but som'
thing tells me I've put ON the togs f(
the last time"
"No, lass, no! was all the utteranc
he could find. "pon't say so "
After pause, she said; you reco
lcct that London chap with the Frcnc
: name, that came down to the Doncas
c er races"
so, yes | know" said the man, ha
angrily, as if wishing to avoid the SUI
ject.
"Well, you llnoWyou said that tin
that you thought thero was omethil
between me and him."
"Well, / know it," said the ma
o- "but dom think of that now don't tro
n hle about tiat now"
al But | must. Bill, think I'm dyil