Smyrna times., 1875-10-06
Romance in a Circus.

The marriage of w. S. Eldridge, one of
the famous two-horse riders of Barnum's
Hippodrome, to Miss Lulu Lewis, in ST.
Louis, on Monday night, Sept. Goth, was very
romantic in all its details.
While the show was in St. Louis the first
time, Miss Lewis was engaged to perform
prominent part in the Maypole dance"
She accepted permanent engagement and
accompanied the Hippodrome when it left
St. Louis. She was modest and retiring in
her conduct, and consequently slow in for
ming acquaintance. At Rockford, ILL.,,
while Mr.. Eldridge was riding at full speed
around the track in the Hippodrome, one
of his horses fell. The rider was thrown
and crushed beneath the fallen horse. He
was lifted from the ground in apparently a
lifeless condition and conveyed to a hotel,
where surgical aid was summoned. The
surgeon, after careful examination, pro-
nounced Mr.. Eldridge's condition very
critical, and said that careful nursing, in
connection with good medical treatment,
would be necessary to save him. The acci-
dent and Eldridge's condition were gener-
ally discussed among the attaches of the
| Hippodrome, and in this manner Miss Lewis
learned that the services of gentle and
| faithful nurse were required.
Without consulting any one, or even
informing the management of her intention
she repaired to the hotel and took up he1
station by the bedside of the wounded man
She found him entirely helpless, and Will
the spirit of a true and brave woman, sh'
performed every duty required of a faithful
nurse. The second day she reioined til,
Hippodromc, but not to remain. Sh,
sought the manager, Mr. Coup, and ex
planned to him the cause of her absence
and asked permission to return to Rockford
and nurse Eldridge. She described hi
critical condition, and said she was willin
to nurse him without reward. Mr.. Cour
who never considers expense in providin
for the sick and wounded under his care
commended the course pursued by tn
young lady and gave her permission t
remain with Eldridge until he recovered
adding that her salary should not only
allowed, but increased. She returned an
? watched Eldridge night and day until h
! was pronounced by the attending surgeo
/ out of danger and on the road to recover,
/ She then departed as quietly as she ha
0 made her appearance, and rejoined IL
Hippodrome.
: In a few days Eldridge also rejoined I'll
. show and reported for duty Miss Lew
h seemed to avoid him, apparently desirir
Q to make him feel that she had only pc
/ formed her duty and wished neither thanl
: nor reward. In this dilemma Eldrid
sought Capt. Frank Whitaker, one of Il
oldest showmen in the business, who h
immediate control Of all the performe
Eldridge explained to Capt. Whitaker t
10 great service that Miss Lewis had render
m him, acknowledged that to her care
:: 2; owed his life, and asked advice in rega
n. to properly rewarding her.
is The old Captain told him that to of
p money TO a woman who had displayed su
Sc kindness and charity would only offe
bd her, and advised him against taking a
er such step. Eldridge then confessed Il
nd the lady had, while healing numerc
lai wounds, unconsciously inflicted v,
Od Odd serious one; that her unremitting care a
ed modest demeanor had won his heart, q
nd in return for her kindness he would
sx- happy to provide for her for life.
'ur Captain gave him fatherly advice, tell
~ him that if he really loved the lady, {
was able to provide for her, he should s.
dr. her and declare himself.
Eldridge followed this advice with
me me delay, and the lady confessed that the g
as pathy first aroused by his helpless col
ity, ton had ripened into love, and that
would cheerfully commit herself to his
and assume the duty of henceforth nuri
un. him through all illness. The result WI
the wedding in st. Louis, which has alre
TO, been chronicled.