Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-03-26
Selected aflistellanp:
THE HOOP OF DAGGERs.
BY VIM II. BUSHNELL.


That is dangerous pastime," said
the clown, Chough out of motley now,
and in the ordinary citizens dress a good
looking man, as he watched a particular
point in rehearsal.
Yes" replied the manager but a
decidedly attractive feature, one that
draws aud pays, even though the salary
is high. 1t is the first thing of the kind
attempted in this country--at least by
one of her sex, and that makes it more
striking"
" Still, hold to the danger, and no
relative of mine should take such risk .
:. Nor mine, for that matter. But it
is 10 the danger that the attraction lies.
Only manage to thrill the public, make
them hold their breath, and you are sure
Of patronage. The more the danger,
the greater the charm verify believe
that if it could be known that the girl
would certainly fall upon some given
night and be smashed to pieces, the can
vas wouldn't hold one hundredth part that
would try to force their way in, even at
double prices. All ! but it would be a
golden harvest for me-" and he rubbed
his hands together as il already lingering
the money.
" And death to her J" responded Mr..
Merryman, with an involuntary shudder
. Yes, yes, so it would But one
who performs such acts takes the chances
and charges accordingly. We have to
pay high rates, sir, high rates, for that
kind of talent"
And it matters not how many are
killed p was responded with sigh
1--WE are nothing but poor circus riders,
after all. Onr places can easily be
filled. and the public must be amused
no matter at what cost of life or limb "
TO have seen the speaker then, with
almost fearful eyes, and few hours
later joking in the ring and making light
of the same thing, one never would have
believed him to be the same person.
But there was more in it than met the
eve. The heart must have been interest
ed. for he was young. called handsome
and so, too, was the girl they were dis
cussing.
She was known upon the bills as "La
Sylphid," had but recently joined the
concert, and at once created furore -
indeed, the like of it had never been
been known in the great Southern city
where they were playing; and in place
of remaining ''for one week only" it
appeared the entire winter would be
passed there the manager being too
wise to exchange certainty for uncer-
tainty.
This had given better opportunity
Of becoming acquainted with the girl
than constant travelling could have done.
And one, at least, who had the eatree
into cher right royal presence availed
himself Of it. 1t was the Mr.. Mer-
ryman Of the concert--in homcspun,
plain John Scott
The two we're strikingly unlike 10 APP
pearance, he having the light curling
hair, blonde complexion and blue eyes of
the North while she the daughter Of Cuba
was Of much lighter mould of wilowy sup
pleness, rich olive skin, delicately arched,
dark, almoDd-shaped eyes, nose that
just missed being classical, and possess
ing an abundance Of glossy. blue-black
hair But perhaps this decided differ
ence formed magetisD that made their
spirits en- rapport. Certainly she smiled
the most graciously upon him, and be
was her most faithful attendant, and
looked the most carefully to her interests
and safety.
Bot this state of although it
might simply shadow the future, might
be merely the natural gallantry Of the
man to beautiful and almost unpro-
tected girl--was a subject of remark.
and caused the green-eyed serpent Of
jealousy to hiss within one heart
With her had come from the Queen
of the Antilles" one of about her own
age-a very distant relative of her moth
or (who attended her, and who longed
not alone for possession Of her person, but
also for the money her efforts produced.
And had his objects been obtained the