The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-12-25

"Roast beef at the top. roast goose at tn
bottom said the Herr absently.
ut is a bird which, on the supper,table,
replied the walking gentleman. "Au reser
yoir."
BE departed, wondering at the silence ant
gravity OF q man who could draw N eighty
pound house.
Herr Prusinowski left the tavern and stroll
ed listlessIy along the street. 1t WAS not quit.
eleven. BE had o clear hour before him, il
which be could do what he pleased with him
self. Under ordinary circumstances he nigh
have gone home, to have a few words with hi
sIittle woman and make some amendment II
his toilet; but tonight he hardly cared to fact
his wife, she would see that something wal
wong, and question him.. The impression
was o subject he did not want to talk about
not even with her. He turned out Of the busy
t~horoughfare in which the Queens Theatre wai
situated presently into o broad, quiet, old
acknowledging street leading down to the
quay-a street. of broad square red-brick houses
Of the Georgian era, grim and respectable
with 8 shop only here and there, and then
street at this time Of night. The summer
moon was shining full upon the broad pave
ment and empty road. and there was just q
| eIimpse of moonlIt water at the end Of the
street where it opened on the quay.
There was only one shop open ct this hour,
q tobacoonist's at q corner. Prusinowsk fell
in bis coat pocket. with q dim recollection Of
tobacco pouch that evening, and then strolled
across the road towards the tobacoorist'a shop,
While he was in the act OF orosaiIg, = man
came ont of the shop, and walked slowly away
toward the quay. The liop-tamer recognized
him at q glance and darted after him. 1t was
the occupant OF the stalls, atall angular figure
In the moonlight, With more or less the air Of q
gentleman.
II beg your pardol,n he said, at the strau-
gers shoulder; "I believe You we're in front to-
night in the stalls at the Queen's?"
The man turced and faced him. It was not
q prepossessing countenRnce py any meansi
that long cadaverous visage, with the pale
prominent eyes and lank sandy hair. The
moonlight made it look moro thar usually o.
dsverous.
Yes he sMd, ."I hsv, been at the Queens
Theatre this evening. Dear me you are the
liou-tamer, T believe. This is really curious"
he spoke in q formal deliberate way, that
was strangely irritating to Herr Prusinowskl's
nerves.
s.You have some kind Of business with me,
Herr P%rusinowski ?" the stranger said inferno
g~atively, the lion-tamer standing for the mo-
ment staring at him, utterly lost and helpless.
II wanted TO ask you = ! question" he said
abruptly, roustng himself with an effort This
isn't the first time I've seen you. lou Eok q
private box at Manchester five years ago for
my benefit"
II did" replied the stranger. II ~oongratu.
late you on the possession o. an excellent
memory, Mr.. P%rusinowski. You had q narrow
escape that night at Manchester, ! imagine.
Yes said the lion-tamer, modify, THAT
brute Robinson cut up rough; I lost my nerve,
and he saw it. It was q narrow escape--a dis.
appointment for you, wasn't iii" /.
Excuse me, l hardly catch your meaning"
s.You thought it was Ill over with me, dldp't
you2 Come now, ! want to know ypgr mo-
ave. for ooming to see me that timeEl want
to know your motive for coming to see me to-
"Motivear repeated the stranger. II should
suppose the motive must be sufficiently, OBJ
yIous. People generally attend that sort of en-
tertaiument, aud every sort OF entertainment,
in search Of amusement"
"Other people perhaps-not you. I know
what q mans face means, and l watched yours
me. 1t wasn't the face OF q man that came TO
be amused" :
You seem to have q peculiar way OF looking
at things. Mr.. PrusinowskI," replied the stfani
ger, rubbing his hopY plose,shaVen ohm
thoughttully. !.However, to be candid with
you, / am somewhat interested IN ion-tam1ng.
I am an idle man, you see. MY means enable
me to live pretty much as I plesse and where l
please, and q man without occupation is 10 q
manner compelled to create an interest for
himself in things outside his own lie. ! am
IN amateur OF Wild-bsast sho 80: There was a
man called Grsen-you may have heard OF him
perhaps. I saw that mar Green perform sew
enteen consecutive tim ss. was peculiarly IN
terested in him."
Green. He was killed-killed by a tiger that
he'd made q good deal OF money out Of"
"He was" answered the stranger; II saw
it."
Herr Prusinowski shqddeEed,
Il thought 90" he;said; II thought as much.
You've tasted blood y
Upon my honor that is q very unpleasant
way OF putting it." replied the stranger. u
look at these things entirely nom on artistic
point Of view. I have heard it asserted that
men of your profession always do meet with
some fatal accident sooner or later. Since You
push me 80 closely, I am bound to adm,t that
this kind of performance. ! can understand
the delight Of the Roman people, lom the En-
peror down to the humblest freedman, in their
gISdiatorial shows" -.gf
II don't understand half that pslsver," said
Herr Prqsinowski, rudelyi shut I trust in God
I may never see your face again."
'Really, nowl but why 2"
"Because you are a cold.blooded scoupdreL
snd you would like to see me killed.
"My dear Mr, PrusinoWski, that ia q style oil
language which, il Iwere an iIl.tempered man.
I might. resent. BUT il you are destined to
meet your death in that manner, which it Is to
be hoped You ore not, I freely admit that
should WISH to bs q spectator Of the c~stastro-
phe. II would not make the smallest differ
ence to you, and it would be highly interesting
to ME. Is this your way0 MOI In that case,
good night"
he lifted his hat tremendously, and depart
ed toward the patch OF moonIit water at the
end of the street, leaving the lion.talner stand
ing on the pavement, transa1ed and brooding.
It was Just "a be had imagined-the mall
was an amateur OF sudden death.
The supper at the Lion and Lamb public.
houses snug little hostelry, Ave doors from
the theatre, and much affected by the actors
Was a gastronomic success, but not q social