Worcester daily spy., 1871-12-16

crevices; few shanties have groceries and
liquors" advertised in them, but where the buy
ers come from is mystery. There was not
negro to be seen; degraded looking men and
women came to the low doorways, stared at the
passing train, and slunk back TO dirt and dark
ness; and children played outside with pigs and
hens and were perfectly happy, with all out
doors fer garden and unlimited freedom,
They mnst grow up in utter ignorance, for out
side of the towns we saw no school house or
meeting house, and the cabins are very far
apart. The people raise corn and potatoes
enough 10 eat through the winter, and
the men are successful hunters. The early
twilight hid from us the fine scenery
at Harper's Ferry but gave u instead
a wild and impressive view Of fire on a noun
tain. From the waters edge to the mountain
top blaZed two rude zigZag lines of fire, prOba-
bly, beginning with Virginia fences and spread
ing on each side. The reflection in the river
doubled the length OF these blazing lines, and
they seemed TO reach from the sky to the very
depths of the earth. And that was the last that
we saw, excepting the stars, till midnight
brought us 10 Washington.
UNFORTUNATE PRIsoNER.-Among the vic.
Tins of the Ludlow street jail is contortiOn-
ist, known as Herr Willis, who has gained some
celebrity for his performances at the Olympic
theatre. He has senr TO one Of the New York
papers the following pathetic statement of his
grievances
In consequence of several newspapers of this
city stating that lett the Olympic theater be-
cause could get better payments at other es-
Establishments, | have TO state that Il have been
engaged for the past eighteen years at the ma
jority Of the theaterS and circuses throughout
Europe and have received testimonials in gold
and silver medals for my cndeavors to please.
Never in my life before have broken Il profess
Sional engagement, vet now have been cheated
and dung into Ludlow street Jail without the
slightest shadow of right. MIR. kiralty told me
in London that he was full for the olympic, but
would engage me for his own speculation, and
send me 10 any thealer circus or other estab-
lishmcnt he might select, and pay my fare
from place to place, and make as much money
out of me as possible aud made contract to
that effect. | was engaged on the basis Of En-
glish gold coin, my employer telling me that
eight pounds was equal to forty dollars IN
greenbacks. Nothing was Said about matinees,
and if thele had been should not have come
rs cheap as eight pounds per week. On my ar
rival here was compelled TO perform at matt
nees. Having asceTtained the true value of
a greenback, went to Mr.. kiraliy and
demanded The difference out Of which he
was cheating me, and that | should be paid for
matineeS one-half Of what | was receiving for
performances He refused whereupon |
asked that our contract might be cancelled.
He said | could leave if paid him the salary he
had advanced at the time of nv engagement.
| said would stay until had worked il out. !
did so, and when preparing TO take my depart
ure was Informed by Mr.. Kiralfy that he had
sold our contract to MIR. Hayes, manager of the
Olympic Tor one dollar. Not recognizing his
authority to take such action, | continued my
preparations and in the meantime was served
with an injunction obtained at the instance of
Mr.. Hayes. On Saturday, October 2Sth, an-
nounced that that day would close my perform
ances at the Olympic. On that day was ar
rested while still on the stage, after my matinee
performance, and thrown into Ludlow street
Jail. MIR. Duff, proprietor of the Olympic,
says if it costs him $40 600 he will starve me out
Of the country if | continue contumacious.
have not a dollar in the world and have wife
and two children who are dependent on my
labor, and who live at present by taking the few
things we have gOt to the pawn shop; and if
MeSsrS. Kiralfy, Duff and Hayes keep me here
in jail for one or two weeks more, their re-
vengc will be completed by seeing my wife and
children starve in the streets.