Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-05
GA MAD GAME, MY MATTERS.

There were some idle words spoken
on the cri cket ground, with just grain
of Intentional ineiviIty in them. l had
lost Cost ywick the match by two runs,
when Mary Arnaid said, in passing,
"ThaDk you, Captain Wood, very
much for losing the match to our side;
did go want that we should win i'll" and
when | answered, Thank you, Miss
ArnaId, for perceiving the extent of my
devotion to you; wouldn't l put my bead
into the lions mouth any day to serve
you? there were some there who did
not care to have mo carry off my unlucky
awkwar6ness even so well as that, and
were rather vicious with their chatf,
But the rash challenge that ensued,
and the conquest rendezvous at Dunbor
ough given for the morrow week, had
no serious place in the thoughts of any
there except myself.
My course was simple enough. l
went up to my brother in law Howe's
carriage, told my sister Edith not to look
for me at Gostywick for good week,
and betook myself by train to Lipswich,
where was Mt this time stationed the
G,and National American Indo Egyp
tian Hippodrome; where was also sta
toned the-th regiment, on visit to
some of the officers of which Edith and
Howe at once assumed me to be going.
But no such reputable company as the
officers Of the -th saw me for the two
days l was in Lipswich Instead, | was
comfortably domesticated with tho mem.
bers of the Grand National American
Indo Egyptian; and it was not so at
Lipswich emily; | went on with them
to MILFORD, Borley-tbe whole weeks
round.
No, can speak TO nothing very ad
mirable in these people: there were three
or four the very scum of the earth, and
the rest made small objection to the pres
ence of these among them. The man
of all of them, for instance, whose &c
quaiDtance most sedulously cultivated
"a greater. more thorough vagabond
you could not find in a days march,
And yet he had, when he needed, GER
tain sharpness, certain precision of
manner, which went for responsibility
with the persons for whom he needed it.
1t imposed on Mr. Arnald and John
Howe, when they came TO speak with
him after the affair at Dunborough: they
thought his title of Lion King not out of
unison with bis ar and character, and
were very greatly interested 10 him.
This, my close acquaintance of one
whole week, wac n long, lean man, with
= white. puffy face. that was yet as leaa
as the rest of him. crafty, vulturish eyes.
a long, mobile mouth, and q patent flex-
ibility of limb, that told at once of the
rractica lgymnast.
/ can speak with con 81 ierabIe knowI.
edge of the man; since, for that one
week, bis every wold and action had
value for me. Nothing either, of his
special aids, the performing lions, did |
Willingly let escape me. We had ele.
plants with US rs we'll as lions, and two
camels A big old lion who, under the
name of Sultan, had been the round
these dozen years past, they had lately
rechristened Theodore. in view of a
then present subject of popular interest.
Of right, his IVES the principal share lin
the blue flame, pistol, and leaping per
Torrance, which was one of our chief
draws: but for some days he had taken
to lying, gowering and sullen, in one
corner of the cage; and only by vigor.
Gus, most determined application of the
whip-what q lion tanners whip is YOU
may know-could he be compelled, and
then but partially, into the required ex.
hibition.
Hell do the mad trick next, You'll
see. Howsomever, we'll try and be
ready for 'im,' said Vsggass, unconcern-
eddy, to me; for that was the unpretend-
ing name the Lion King bore in private
society.
The other occupants Of the cage were
a second lion of larger size. although in.
ferior in that respect 10 Theodore; two
much younger and smaller lions; and a
pums-or Maneless Lion, as we prefer
red to call it, as giving SO much the finer
impression. We spoke of every thing
that we could in capitals.
At weeks end we were come TO
Donborough. Now the Donborouph
evening performance Was to be especially
we'll patronized. A large. parry from
MapIetoft and Gostywick had, | knew,
been formed to attend.
Vaggass and were coming round by
the inclosed space made by tie back pit
seat and the front tier seat as tho first of
the company were dropping in. Two
young fellows of the town, having seated
themselves row or two up, were. as we
passed, discussing the Lion Kings ru-
mored feats.
Hell do il once two often. Get
killed some day, as safe as brandy. For
what reason else should you and / be
sitting here? and the speaker seemed
rather proud of what had been civil
words, were they true.
Come in like sauce to ones dinner.
don't itf said vsggass, grinning almost
ferociously. Il say, mister, how many
hundred ave you on thisf
you know. yaggass, you wouldn't
believe me if did tell you that il won't
be the difference of a shilling to me, ex.
cept the payment to you
Believe youi No, hang me, Sir, il l