The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-29

AAhSS ~"HHiCS Iuo L ct VI L0C LaQleS ~
but as Popsey is the cause of all the mis-
chief-for mind you, 1t is mischief tbot r
have to tell-you must bear in mind that
she was really and truly d bright, pretty
girl, with o coquettish manner, free from
boldness, and had kind little heart of her
own-one that she used to own was so ten
der that she didn't like to give it into anv
ones keeping, for fear of his breaking Il. :.
The next and last on my list are Messieurs
les Freres ElaStiques, Leon ct Leopardl.
alias Arthur Joy and William Walters.
These We're my acrobats; and very clever
they were, too, and such nice fellows They
had studied gymnastics together-fought
tho hard battle Of life side by side. When
one was down the other fought for him.
They shared the same purse, the same lodg-
ing: had the same tastes; cared little for
any society except their own and were as
the tail from the head of a penny.
Such was the company in which was the
"star." You will perceive I looked after
number one by not having another " gen.
tleman " comic in the troupe.
After this somewhat lengthy, but, I trust,
not wearisome, introduction, will plunge
headlong into my narrowing narrative.
4 - r..
We were playing at Birmingham for a
week, commencing December 10Th, and as
we had been doing famous business since
we left London, we were looking forward
to Christmas Eve with an unusual amount
Of plcaSure-trst, because we had arranged
to have little supper and dance after the
performance, and secondly, Madame Le-
ticia had accepted an engagement some
where far away in the Highlands to open
on Boxing Night. One day forget what
day-Popsey was seated at her window
doing something to her dress-sewing on
bows, / believe-and / was pretending to
be writing at the table, but in reality in.
tently looking at the dear little girl. She
was so beautiful, as she sat there warbling
in an under-tone her last new and sue
cessful song, called "Handsome Joe, in
the Crockery Line," that mans heart
must have been as cold as stone not to
have warmed at the sight of her. was
thinking what couple we should make.
I pictured to myself ourselves on our honey
moon, going from town to town, and leav-
ing our announcement bills with the genial
host and hostess. How happy we might
be How well "The Funny Couple (!
Merry Dony and Topsey Terraville (the
Princess of Serio-comiques), for this night
only" would read-when my reverie was
cut short by knock at the door, and the
entrance of MIR. Britton Bold. He hesi-
tated when he saw me, coughed, and was
about to retire, when Popsey cried
"Come in, Brit, my lad. What's the
matter? Not been sent for to Droory-
lane ?"
Mot so bad as that but I have letter
for you from young Joy. He asked me to
deliver it into your own hands,"
She took the note, read it carefully over
twice, laughed, and said she would give Joy
his answer. Brit, after q short time, left
the room. When the door had closed,
Popsey burst out laughing, and cried
ooh, Tony such fun Pve been fell in
love with by the Elastic Brothers !"
"What, by both of them?" shouted.
eyes, both of them"
"Popsey! dear Popsey don't jest with
me !" cried, rushing to her side. "What
is the meaning of this mystery? Why this
daring attempt at bigamy? knew the fell
and so on but, confound it all, they must
have separate wives !"
When she had ceased laughing, which
was not for consideraUlo Cls5, .l----:l.
"Three hours ago, just before you came
in, Mr.. Tony, I received similar proposal
from William Walters. They both urge me
to lose no time, but accept or refuse, and
release them respectively from their rseveral
agonies. Now, mean to have some tun.
am going to make them jealous Oh an
other, for do love to see a man jealous
it's as good as seeing the lions fed at tne
Geological Gardens"
And She was as good as her word: for
the cruel little creature granted Joy an in
teryiew. and showed him his friends let
ter. A cloud came over the young mans
face, and he said little, but, mumbEng
some indistinct words, such as "Wish you
ali happiness. A time will come when
some one will repent and some one trem-
ble," took his leave.
From That moment I observed a great
change come over this young acrobat. he
Stunned the society OF his brother atnlete
as much as possible, and was more IN the
public houses than was his wont. asked
him OH one occasion if anything allied him,
but he always replied that he "was we'll
enough"
Time went on, and the morning of the
day before Christmas Day dawned brightly
and pleasantly. We were certain of bump
inc house; for not only had advertised a
new and original song for myself, entitled,
7 believe, ss The Brummagem GEN." but
Popsey was to appear in an entirely new
creation, called "Cupid, the Boy with the
Bow / was seated in box in dining
place which was frequented good deaf,
when overheard the following conversa-
ton between Les Freres Elastiques
"Arthur," said Walters, "we've been
chums for many long year, and never had
penny or secret but what we didn't
haiye. Eve noticed, for the last week or
so that you are considerably changed.
Your spirits are low, your appetite am :
GOOD. and you don't sleep well at night
What ails your.
walters asked this question in most
solemn manner, and paused for reply.
"Well, Bill" answered Arthur Joy, al
for little hesitation, the fact IS, am
ont Of sorts-depressed-k over.".
What's up?" May be you are IN
''oDSi !" Worse than that, partner" sighed Joy.
s. Pm in 1oye-deeply, passionately, nope
lesslv in love with the fairest, brightest
most amiable OF her sex" -,
g And is YOUR suit smiled uponr' gloom
ily. vet with forced air OF carelessness'
asked the other. ,oo,
"I believe SOL trust 50. 1 am to heai M
nv doom on Christmas EVe-thls evening
after the performance"
"After the performance en-, Arthur =
And the young Iady's name 7"
Ponsey Terraville." was the reply.
"Good,h said the other of the athletes,
" Here's wishing you joy, and spesa!
union of all fond hearts. We will pledge
her health in RUNNER"
The health was drunk in silence.
| .e... -
The doors of the Royal Gresham Musl
hall were opened at 6H in the evening
| and long before not seat was to be Oh
tanned for money, let alone love.$ Such
! good-humored audience such mass Q
happy, smiling faces !-all having evidentl.
made up their minds to enjoy themselves
The overture was rapturously applauded
"The Bay of Biscay" never was receive