The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-12-21
BELFAST, MAINE, THURSDAY DECEMBER 21, 1871.

in fancy the whole performance as l lay
with the whole programme before me,
and the well-known airs to guide me. At
last, with q quickened beating Of my
heart, | felt that the time was come for
Nlnette's appearance. | knew the very
tune with which the band would greet
her. Ah there it was; but drowned al
most in loud prolonged applause. Then
knowing she was pertorming-I lay
there quivering in every limb.
1t was Just as one of the hospital ply
| slcians and a nurse came into my room,
that great shout rose on the other side
OF the river, and rolled .ioyously across to
me. My blood burned i'll my veins
''That is to greet her after her leap,n |
said, speaking aloud and rapidly in my
intense relief Thank God; it is over.'
II, too, am glad it is over,'' said the
physician gravely ''such a feat should
never have been attempted"
| 'And yet every one has gone to see it,
| answered passionately, as the nurse
turned my pillow. "Why did they en-
| courage herr"
'Such things would be done in any
case" he answered, s'at least we Judge so
though perhaps we do not try it: for GER
tainly every one has gone to see this leap
tonight; all our own household, like
every one else's. Yet how can we help
: disapproving such dangerous act, per-
formed too by a young and beautiful girl,
whose life must be one long temptation to
display-if to nothing worse p
''Listen Y I cried in sudden terror,
pushing away the nurse and starting up
with painting breath ''Did the band stoI
then--suddenly? Hark it is all silent )
remember faltering incoherent ap-
peals to be taken to the circus; and I re-
member how they tried to soothe me, Law
ing me back upon the bed; and drawing
down the blind before my wild and star.
ing eyes. But in that hush across the
river | knew that [ had had nv death
blow
They brought me no tidings for days
They kept me in darkness within and
without. But when at last my bralr was
calm again, and my eyes had lost theil
restless fever; they told me some few
particulars Of that fearful night.
"'Nnette had performed her dauntles;
feat with dauntless success. While she
stood daintily upon his neck, Black Hawk
took his leap smoothly and safely. But
the astonished crowd had not been salts
tied with this; with persistent cry they
had summoned her in my name.
''As the seats for tonight have beer
taken at double price" she had saic
laughingly, to Monsieur, 81 owe the au
dience double appearance.
And so she had ridden in again trirm
phantly, and springing lightly upon the
neck OF her horse, had prepared again fo
her wonderful leap.
Then came the hush-though no one
ever could tell me exactly how it had oc
cured; some saying Ninette was unusual
ly excited by her brilliant feat; and some
that She was tired. She fell-tell with
light, sudden fall, which would not hay,
hurt her, perhaps, but that her temple
struck the boards which separated tn,
front row of spectators from The ring.
Thank God that there had been n,
struggle There was one deep red stail
upon the soft, fair curls; but no anguish
on the young dead face when they liftet
it so gently.
In the rare, sweet dreams which visi
me as | lie here, | always see Ninette Jus
as saw her frst-iust as saw her last
And when | awake, am almost glad t,
see, in the faces round me, that the tim
IS drawing very near when | shall see he
once again. London Society.