Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-01-11
T HREE TIM ES.
Br The AUTHOR OF LADY AuDLEr's SEC


lively the last night For the benefit of Herr
Rudolph Prusinowsk. Under the distinguished
patronage of their Majesties Queen Victoria,
the Emperor of China, the Cham of TartAry,
his Serene Highness the Grand Duke Of Baden,
Simeon Muddiebrain, esq. NJ. p, the mavor
and corporation of Spinllecum, and other au-
early. Positively the last time. Come and see
the lions. Herr Rudolph Prusinowski, the fav-
orite OF crowned heads and the elite of Europe.
the honor Of performing before the MiIsdS Of
Jspan. The world-renowned Prusinowski has
been decorated with the order of Rouge ct Noir
by the Grand Duchess Of Selzerwasserburg.
The above sentences. and many others of the
same character-in which a picturesque fancy
sided by the experience of a public career,
tvified with the sobrieties Of fact and tripped
lightly across the Wonderland of fictiou-ap-
peared IN gigantiy black letters upon a yellow
poster on the sidcwail Of the Queens Theater
Spindlecum, and in the streets and market
place, upon the quays, and in the back slums of
the same town. Spindlecum was O large manu-
featuring tOwn-a town that did q good bushes.
In the export way, ard had much commerce bv
land and sea, and Spinalecum could boast of
two the sterS-the ROYAL, an elegantly appointed
edifce in q side-street of the quay. with stone
house about which elderly inhabitants Of Spin
diecum cherished traditions or Edmund Kean,
and where Macready and Harley were remem-
bered As stock actors, but house which had
never paid manager within the memory of
man; and the Queens. vast barn-like build
isg. with a lofty roof supported by iron Orders,
three tiers Of boxes, and Alpine heights in the
way of galleries. which, contemplated from the
broad valley of the pit, seemed inaccessible TO
the foot OF men, The Queens was making n
fortune for Its managers There WAS a six penny
pit, ana there was threepenny gallery, where
by the house was never empty, and on Mondays
and Saturdays overlooked with noisy human
life The audience at the Queens was critical,
but on the whole goosl-natured; requiring plenty
OF lite and movement in the pieces, and what
may he called snowy action in the performers.
The Greens liked stars, and was toiers ably uni
versal in its appreciation OF these luminares-
this week clsmOrOus in their applause of some
stalwart OthellO OF loud-voiced Hamlet; next
week gaping entranced upon the contortiOns OF
Reginald MOntmorency and his celebrated mare
Black Bess in the grand spectacular drama of
'-Diek Turpin, or the Ride to York. anon rush
ing 90 behold Signor Poloni and his striped Ze-
bra OF the Prairie. fe-
A man with Q pale, sallow face, blue chin.
and close-eut hair, sat in a lOunging attitude
upon lowiwa opposite the stage-door OF til.
queens, smoking a medtatiye pipe, and con-
tcmpiating the big yellow poster with dreamy
fondness. He had a little group of satellite,
about him, also 'ciose-cropped. blue chinned,
dramatic heaven, the stock company Of the
Queens, who were thrown a little into the back
ground by the lions, shutting through q preIm-
mary mele-dramas nightly. before an audience
who beheld them with impatiepce. and bear,I
them sometimes with derison, eager for the
grand business of the evening.
tnink tnat ought 10 mt EN- said the
Herr. thoughtfully. (he spoke excellent English
for a foreigner, but seemed scarcely to have ac-
quired the language i'm the most aristocratic or
aesthetic circles.) 1.-The Mikaio looks well,
doesn't he?'
s.First rate" replied Mr. de Ia Zouche, the
walking gentleman; "Was he nice Kind VI
chap, the Mikado?''
Herr Pru>inowski turned his communicative
ewes upon the inquirer with a look OF placid
,corn.
..You amt so jolly green "a to suppose ever
set ewes upon him, F" he said, Knocking the ashes
ont of his pipe. 81 was never in Japan in nv
life; never nearer than n japan candiestick.
The Mikado Is a safe card, he II; who's TO ask
any questions about kims And SOS the Cham of
last night. Queen yictorias legitimate bust
ness. did perform once before the royal ser
wants, and got flyer from the royal seckitary
That is immediate patronage"
81 expect you'll have a clipping house, Gull
w." remarked Mr.. Tid.liEins. .ae lSw Comedian.
a small man with falsetto voice.
81 look forward to it, Tiddikins; and IL II goes
over eighr; III stand a supper, mind that
Therr was a sub,lued murmur of applause.
POT or coli?" inquired Mr.. de Ia Zouche.
HHot,S replied the lion-tamer. None of
tiSh. for me. A sirloin OF beef at top, and a
prime goose at bottom, veal pie and stewed
steak at the sides, and plenty Of smoking-h hot
vegetables; prime old StitOn, and bowl OF
salad to wind up with, and As much champagne
sS yOu can swallow. with brandy and water to
settle IL on your stOmachs- That's what Ill do,
NJ the Lion and Lamb, il the house goes over
Eighty when the half-price TO the boxes Is in"
This time the applause was louder.
81 alwsSs said You were a jolly good fellow,
Bill" said Mr.. Tiddikins, "and don't mind
bow often say il again.
IL i 10 be observed that Mr. Tid.ikins adj
dressed the distinguished Rudolph by the sim
pier cognomen of Bill, one of the playful Ii
censes OF friendship, no donbt.
sits wonderful how those animals draw
said Nr. de la Zouche, thoughtiuliy. as he were
the feasibility OF setting-up on
his own account as a lion-tarner. you've been
people amt tired of 'em yet. They seem as
eager as ever. One would suppose they liked Ia
zee POOR besgsr hazard his fife every night
'If it wasps for the danger, the wild-beast bus
mess would be as fat as ditch-water."
"were Won ever frightened:" asked the walk
ing gentleman. 81 know what a plucky fellow
you are, and that You handle those three brutes
rs IL they were 50 many tabby cats; but still
YOU know, a mans nerve must fail.
Come, now, Prusinowski, were you never fright
eneds'' - 81 . - |
s.Never hut once answered the lion-tamer
sand then I thought n was all over with me-
He grew suddenly grave. gieomy even, At the
mere recollection walked up by the walking gem
Never but once, - ne repeatesl. sand Col
grant 7 never may be 20 again. When msnin
INV trades loses his head it's all mp with hjm."
How did /. happen, old feilowy' asked MIR.
Herr PTusinowskl stopped torll his pipe be-
fore answering the question. 1t vas O'Clock
upon 4 blafihg July afternoon, rehearsal was
over. her Msiesty's servants Of the Queen 3 The
alter, Spindfecum, had dined In the intervals OF
y DAYS work at their several lodgings, and had !
nothing particularly % do with themselves until
trs-tinne. An actor % this class has aeneraHys
rvote,i aversiSn 90 gong home. 'bsTlsi AL
s.weE, You see,' the lion-tamer hogan in q
leisurely way, stopping 70 take n few preiinin-
ary whihs after tho>e three worsR of prell}ie,
ri was at NanehcsteK nigh npons i've years 40
and 10 was my last might. ADD nv .bea,eaS ~
might be tonight A pause and q fesW more
puffs. <We-~es- doing firSt-rate busin 50. hz-
siaG. and aoo't think was aver m such high
spirits in NY life. My pockets were stu fed with
money tbot I'd been tak ng about the town 70
tickets, and i hsdn'ta Hlace 10 bet in my dress
ssWhy, Bxll :. saSs my-isftie woman! chen
kept running In and ont Of our lodgings between
whites ~ EeheWsAl--we WAS Close agen thu slum
taking hsr in Q hanslfal Of usney every q Ipe, \
You sc % a. IL you was bewitohesl; den't Tx
10 see you Ike that. had Q Scotch friend pace !
ss ,s,d ~ s was esd Sign sign Of soneth'ns
|" Lord love. your little foolish heart, An
swered, sitsa sign or hothing ,except that rm
going TO have screaming house to-niQht Ides
not suppose therein be q corner you can screw
yourself into II you want 10 see me- For She n
: rare one for going h front Of . night, you
Mr.. de La Zouche and Mr. fsdfikfns murr,rr-
pd their acquaintance With this domestic fat
H. =