National Republican., 1873-10-03
ON THE TRAMP.

iWh only clown-a painted, grlnnlng
oiown-attached, on small salary, to o
theatre In tho capital Of one Of the little
duchies Into which Germany was divided be-
fore the genius and ambition Of Bismark had
effected its consolidation into the empire.
My role was popular, because everybody
likes TO laugh, and likes one who puts them
In laughing mood. Ny makeup was con-
sidcred marvel Of perfection. Ny songs
always took, and my gestures and grimaces
never failed 10 elicit the most rapturous up
plausc. II used TO bc said that my face must
be made Of Indiarubber, II could be twisted
and distorted Into such strange expressions.
But hated the life, and my success made II
more and moro dstastcfui.
One night went home completely worn
out In body and mind. My little sister Ada,
fifteen years old, and light and graceful as a
sylph, who was engaged rs q danseuse In the
same theatre, also seemed dispiritcd and
worn. Tho play had been running forty
nights, and the whole company was heartily
sick Of Il. But II was not this alone which
exertcd depressing influence on my spirits
that evening. For many weeks l had been
losing my heart to Fraulein Dora, the princi-
pal danscuse OF the theatre, who was no less
lovely In mind and heart than In person. She
was tho most beautiful woman ! had ever
seen; tall, well formed, graceful, with step
like fairy queen; large, thoughtful eyes,
and sweet, winning smile. What first drew
me TO her was her kindness to my sister,
whom she took every opportunity to bcfriend
and assist In her profession. This was the
more surprising because Ada promised to be-
come dangerous rival, and, In the theatrical
profession, Jealousy Ia the rule and generosity
the exception. 30 l learned 70 like Dora,
and then to love her. But so did everybody
esS All The gentry 81 she place isI IN
dancing In a way that nearly drove mo wild
with jealousy. ! was In love the old-fash-
ioned way we read OF In noyels-I am not
ashamed TO confess it--eagcr to kiss the
ground on which she trod, and would not be-
Ileve that any one else could love and wor-
ship her with the same devotion. must not
omit to say that Dora, In The midst OF all this
adulation, displayed the most discreet and
modest behavior. She was always attended
to and from the theatre by her mother, and
always returned the rich presents which were
showered upon her.
Among al who paid court 70 Dora feared
only one, the young, rich, handsome and ac-
complished Count Ernest Won Walters, who
pressed his suit with unremitting ardor. What
chance had the poor clown against this mann
Yet fancied II he were only out Of the way
need not despair Of winning her. Did she
not love my sister, and had sho not often
spoken kindly to me, and praised my acting
and siuging1 But this day learned the
worst-that her kindness to me sprang only
from q gentle and friendly feeling for the
brother OF the girl she had learned to love
like sister, aud that she had promised to
become the wife Of Count Won Walters. What
wonder that went to my lodgings with de-
spair In my heart
Ny little sister cxcrtcd herself to make
things cheerful In our quiet sitting-room: She
suspected nothing Of tho real cause OF my
downheartedncss, for she, my coniidant In
everything else, had never been lntrustcd
with the secret Of my love for Dora; and, In
the hope Of drawing nc out OF my moody
silence, prattled on about number OF unini-
portant matters. She was interrupted by a
knock at the door, followed by the entrance
Of our landlady. The good soul apologizcd
for coming In al so late an hour, but the post
man had brought q letter for me just after we
had left for the theatre, and as II bore q for
eign postmark, she thought II must be impor.
tant should get II that evening. thanked
| her mechanically, but q glance at the post
TX caused me to tear tho letter open with
eager and trembling fingers, for had often
heard my father speak OF an only brother
who had settled In England In early youth,
and from whom vague reports from time u
| time came Of successful mercantile career.
The letter was postmarked London, and the
heavy black border lines told the story before
the seal was broken. My uncle was dead.
| He had never married, and on his death bed,
remembering his only brother, left all his
wealth to him or his children. For moment
felt stunned and faint, and Ada, throwing
her arms about my neck, begged me to tell
her what bad news was In my letter TO make
me look so strange and pale. l took her on
| my knee and told her VIC were rich, and
would no more need to act In the theatre. We
would leave this little town and go TO Berlin.
To my surprise Ada again put her arms
about my neck, and whispered softly, Need
we leave the theatre Immediately, dear bro
thcr Z"
"No, child" said /, wondering what she
could mean "but tell me why you should
want to stay another day, when you can
leave at once and be free from the slavery 2"
because, dear brother" she answered,
hcsitating and blushing, "Fraulein Dora told
me was q great deal pretticr than she was,
and better dancer, aud that i should have
the first place In the new dance they arc to
put on next week. oh, would like to have
such triumph once! 1t would be such q
pleasant way TO say good-by to the stage"
could deny her nothing, my little sister
and though for me 1t was like going into the
torture-room OF the Inquisition to enter the
theatre and see Count Ernest on such familiar
terms with Dora, consented for the present
to conceal my good fortune from our friends,
and 20 on just the same as If nothing had
happened. ,.,, IT.,
play was interspersed with ballet dancing,
and was to end with great transformation
scene In which Ada and Dora were to rise o.
sca-nymphs, In o shell-like car, from the
waters Of mimic lake. II so happened that,
Just before the last scene, went into the
room underneath the stage where the ma
chinery for raising the car was placed, i'm
PEELED by q strange foreboding OF Impending
misfortune, to assure myself that everything
was In order, and that no precaution againsl
accident had been neglected. There ] found
the master machlnest, dark and gloomy
visaged man, standing by the car, muttering
to himself In an undcrtonc; Better she
should die than marry the count He has
bewitched her, as he does all women. lit-
tie slit would"
"What arc you muttering to yourselfi" !
asked him, suddenly; 'and what do you
mean by these mysterious words ?"
He faced me "a II struck by IN unexpected
blow.
~ was only examining tho machinery to
see that everything was all right, he an
| swcred sullenly, and turned away.
l carefully examined the cords by which
the car was raised. Everything appeared to
be secure and In good order; and ! went back
to my place trying TO laugh myself out Of my
uppftneubiOns. Dut tnOuBu ~ was cuby W
| argue that all was right, and that my fears
arose from exphcable disorder Of the brain /
could not feel secure. was positive that
some frightful misadventure would occur be-
fore the play was over; and every nerve was
strained In the effort TO maintain calm ex-
terror.
The play progressed. The curtain rose
spon the magnificent transformation scene;
and the plaudits Of the audience grew more
tumultuous as the splendors unrolled before
them. At length the car began to rise slowly
and majestically, ro low, sweet strains Of mli-
sic. watched, with scarcely beating heart
and bated breath, the first appearance Of the
beautiful yision-f0r like q vision II looked,
rising and still rising, the car resplendcnt
with all the tlnsel, which shone like gold and
silver and diamonds. A sound, as Of many
tinkling fountains, mingled with the strains
OF delicious music; fairy land seemed open.
ing upon the sight, with arching bowers and
far-reachng yistas, and myriads of elm
forms dlsporting on the ground and In the
air. For moment was fascinated, when
Ada and Dora, In all their beauty, rose above
the lake, their stately car seemingly lifted BY
invisible hands. ! forgot my apprehension
and once more breathed freely.
Suddenly there was dreadful crash, and a
wild cry hlled the house. The car had fallen.
For an instant felt rooted 10 the spot where
i was standing, and then recovering my
senses, rushed forward to learn tho worst.
As made my way through the narrow pas