The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-05-24
Tho LILO OF an Eau estrisnne.

j
ing such enthusiasm by hor daring
horsemanship at Forepaugh's Mepa-
gerte; and considering it q favorable
opportunity to learn something of q
life'whicho very few people know much
about, he asked number Of questions,
which were answered with much appa-
rent .frankness. The lady is q young
and pretty girl, with innocent, artless
manner, and was dressed very ele.
gantly, I'M black velvet basque and silk
dress, made In the finest style, but had
very little iewelry about her. There
was nothing b old oriunlady like in her
manner, but quiet CONSEQUENCES that
she Was able to take care of herself.
Reporter-Have you been long con-
nected with the show business?
Queen OF the Arena-Ever since T
was born, sir. My father, my mother,
and all my people before me, so far as
l know. have been in the same line.
Reporter--Tou, then, should GER
tainly Anow all about it?
Queen Of the Arena-I can't remem-
Der when I was frat with a circus nor
when I learned to ride.
Reporter-What particula. line of
business did your parents follow?
Queen Of the Arena-My father was
John Cook, the great rider, and my
mother was both fine rider and q
rope dancer. Father was MANY wears
With, Aseley's Great London Company
and Sanger's Travelling Circus. He is
with Banger's Company now.
Rsportsr-Did your father train you
In your present profession?
Queen OF the Arena-Oh, no. I
served ran apprenticeship of seven
years with the celebrated Pablo
FrapcQ, who stands! at tho head OF bis
profession in Europe, When I was
through my apprenticeship I remained
with him ten months, and had good
success at the leading towns in Eng.
land, Ireland. Scotland aud Wales. T
then ives engaged By Ar. Cook, and
travelled IN his company over two
years. We fnally appeared before i'm.
mense audiences at Chester. Manches.
tex Liverpool and London, At Lon
don I was engaged By Mr.. Wolcott to
come TO this cQnntry and travel as q
mcmbef OF NE. Barnum's great COM
pany., II YAA NTH Mr. Baxnqm tvslye
months. and then went to Oaliforpsa
with Wilson's circus. I had great sue.
cess IA California. From there I came
Eaats under an engagement with Mr..
Forepapgh. We exhibited in Phila.
delphia. and then came here.
ReporseE-sIs circus business hard
Queen 'oi-tHbeolAn d, tHbeeo o,lAnrenaa-pre.t,yr tt,rlh hard.
There is the fatigue Of travelling. and
performing is not always easy. 1t is
difficult to change horses, and one can t
ride aq we'll as one wishes until you
know we'll, and are accustomed to 20, +
horse.
Repor.er-Do you get many falls?
Queen Of the Arena-.Plenty, when
learning. I am pretty lucky now. I
have in nineteen months only fallen
twice. and the people then scarcely
knew but 1 had jumped of. Long
ago 1 had an arm twice broken by nv
being thrown. One has to have good
many falls when learning our business.
Reporter suppose that your Gle.
CANT wardrobe, like that Of other per
formers, wan bought from London
costumer?
Queen OF the Arena-No, indeed: I
NAAsAAo OLA ny O"u vi 6hSSS, AOu, what IS
better, they are all my own ideas. The
Greek dress that T wore yesterday was
my own design. You don't see any
other lady performer who wears ono.
l like It, because it is pretty and mo-
dest.
Reporter-Do you see salary to
Jostify the purchase of such dresses?
Queen OF the Arena-Mr. Forepaugh
pays me $3.50 week
Reporter-Whnt do the other per.
formers get?
Queen of the Arena-Iudced, don't
know.
Reporter-How mauy other ladies
are there with this company?
Queen Of the Arena-L can't saw.
exactly. You see, I do my business
when the time comes. and don't know
much about anybody else. have
enongh to do, sometimes.
Reporter-What nation produces the
best circus eqnestriennes?
Queen OF the Arena-French cones.
triennes. as class, have the most
reckless abandon; English women, most
endurance, Grace and skill depend
upon individual character and train.
ing.
Reporter-Have circus people any
religious feeling?
Queen of the Arena - Certainly: why
not? You don't suppose that riding
on horse or jumping through hoop