The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-09-24
A BATTLE OF GIANTS.

| ss@ ~ &sEsN Ss
| 1t was battle of giants! The like o
IL never before had been seen within the
limits of civilization--matchle il
sinew, mu sole and force, aud the wildes
tumult OF fierce passions.
Two rival concerns had for some time
floated their gaudy paper before the
eyes OF the public, and from the mosl
ragged gamin to the best dressed OF the
citizens of the inland town all were upon
the qui vive to see the reality OF the
shadows depicted by the cunning hand
OF the engraver and the most brilliant
colors of the printer. Little else had
been talked of tor days, and when the
companies marched into town, with great
flourish of trumpets and banners, the
enthusiasm rose 10 furore, and the de.
sire to see both threatened the beggary
OF many purse.
| BY some strange fatality, or it might
have been from premeditated rivalry, The
rings were formed of canvas, stretched
side by side-almost touching each other,
though ample space for one hundred
could have been found without any sucn
proximity.
This was commented upon, especially
by the employers. They had learned by
bitter experience that it WAS not safe
thing to bring intense rivalry into such
close quarters; the passions Of the men
were easily infiamed-could not readily
be controled-they were not all as
"swcet-tempered as lambs" and to a
battle once commenced it would be very
difficult to tell the ending.
But il the arrangement pleased not
those who had the most at stake in the
matter, 1t certainly did two of the em-
ployes of the rival companies-a man
and woman--the premier eques trian OF
one, and the beautiful 'tqueen Part de
monter a cheval," as blazUned upon The
| hills and streamers of the other.
Amid the wandering and vicissitudes
Of their professional life, they had found
time to fall passionately in love with
each other. And though bound by con-
tract to be separate during the summer
| months or only meet at rare intervals J,
each looked forward longingly to the
time when the tenting season would be
over and they could be united for life, as
they already were in heart. Conse-
ouentIy they were very glad to improve
the opportunity unexpectedly given
them, and at the first possible moment
sought each others side and poured into
each others ears the words of gold to
which Ito hearts SO fraught with pas
siOnl all others in the vocabulary Of
mankind are yet as dross-the words so
tuned to harmony that it seems impious
to ever have their sweet cadences broken
by dlscord.
A tall, strong man he-a slender, deli
cate woman she. The one with masses
of thickly curling black hair-the other
with long curls of the finest spun and
most shining gold. An almost match
less pair OF man and womanhood-
young, ardent, and loving. All! how
many maiden had secretly sighed for
the one, and how many a man had
cursed the tate that kept from him the
possession of the beauty OF the other,
enhanced into more than mortal lowell
ness by gas.light and dress and graceful
movementsl
With nothing of the glamour of artist
life thrown around them, they loved SIM
ply as man and woman love-as those of
strong feelings bow down to their appo-
site, and their meeting, after long sep
aration. was doubly sweet from knowl-
edge of its brieiness. In tact, it was
nearly akin to stolen pleasure, for bold
in and proud OF his love as was the man,
the girl shrank with the true modesty Of
nature from having any eye rest upon
their interview or possessing the slight
knowledge of the honeyed caresses given
and received.
With the arrangement of all within the
canvas and the disappearance of the
loungers upon the customary sight-see-
ing Journey about the town, the lovers
met beneath the sheitering folds OF the
canvas, where the fair girl was wont to
thrill the brood OF the audience and make
their hearts leap TO their very throats
with her daring riding and breathless
swing. And secure, Tor a time at least,
from interruption, they seated them
selves side by side, hand in hand. soul
beating sponsive to soul, and talked as
lovers have and will of the dismal past,
the rosy present, and planned Tor a
golden future, when
"The happiest Of their kind,
When gentle stars nte, and in one fate
Their hearts, their fortunes, and their beings
blend"
= ga few more months ahead" whis-
pered he to the blushing girl, ''and this
life for you will be at an end. Though l
can not see, yet l know, feel, you are
nightly risking life and limb"
"And you, Charleyf" she questioned,
with SO bright smile that "a summer
radiance was upon her beautiful lace.
"It is nothing for man." he answered,
evaslvely.
Nothing?" she again questioned, and
this time reproachfuily." an othingl do you
think you are ever out of my mind? The
little risks take are mere bagatelles to
what you do and dare. All! my dear
Charley, since you taught me to loye--a
most willing (with another witching
smile )-you have never been out'of my
thoughts by day or dreams by night"
'sIhe assurance Of being thus remem-
bered by you, Maud, is very sweet and
dear to me-" he interrupted.
'But that does not lessen you danger
in the least, Charley"
"You magnify it altogether too much,
my darling. Besides, am ten-fold as
careful as / once was-do not take any
toolisb sbcnances now-am always guard
ing against danger"
aFor my sake, CharleyW
"For you and your love, Maud"
Sand will he to the endp
"Aye, and that end will be soon. The
few remaining months of the season will
swiftly glide away, and never more will
you witch any circle save that of home.
70 that end have become very saving,
even misery, that I may buy a gilded
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