The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-12-01

tents of ungodliness, not only twice in
one day, but had gone the following day
to attend two more performances in the
next town, they were appalled, at the
enormity of his crime; but when Ben
not only confessed his guilt, but gratui-
tously offered the information that be
not only loved but was loved by "The
Great Equestrian Female Performer,
Mile. Angela De Leon" and that when
she was ready to renounce her present
occupation, he intended to make her his
wife, the horror, the grief, the despair
of his worthy parents knew no bounds.
His mother with clasped hands and
streaming eyes entreated him to spare
them this disgrace. His father, in
nearly as frantic state, wondered why
such pious parents were afflicted with so
perverse and God-forsaken a son. They
prayed, emplored, and threatened Ben
! by every argument in their power to
torsake his angel, but in vain. He held
to his faith stoutly and said, off they
chose to disinherit him, he would turn
circus rider himself"
Whereupon his mother tainted, and
his father went to seek counsel of the
good old Methodist divine, who wisely
told them not to turn adrift their only
son, but to pray for the prodigal, which
advice old Duncan consented to take,
but commanded Ben never to mention
in their presence the unworthy object
of his affections, nor to let any one hear
of it, for they would die of modification
if the villagers should become aware OF
his folly.
But because Ben was silenced, he
only dreamed the more of his angel.
However, after few weeks despairssat
the separation and the silence of his be-
loved, he regained his spirits, and to all
outward appearances seemed to have
forgotten her. So the time passed on,
and the old people congratulated them
selves that in reality Ben had forgotten
her, and Duncan, Sr., with many words
of good advice and blessings for his som:
future prosperity, resigned the bakery
to his hopeful.
Old Duncan dared not so much as
mention Ben's disgraceful love affail
to that youth to warn him against it.
fearing the mere mention would revive
it might be, forgotten memories. AnC
Ben was therefore formally installed
as his own master, did a famous busi
ness, drove fast horse, and was quite {
"swelr' in the little village. The vii
lage bellies were lavish of their smile.
and glaDces whenever Ben appeared
among them, but he was impervious t
all.
Affairs were thus progressing mos
flourishingly, when one day, as ole
Duncan was walking down the villag,
| street, he deserted man standing be
, fore a tempting high board fence, will
Pail of paste and brush in hand, affixiuI
upon the aforesaid fence flaming cir
f Gus advertisement Poor old Duncan
: Petrified he stood, betwixt fears for Bel
/ and disgust at the whole affair. Blu
= soon, as well as his troubling legs woul
J allow, he hurried home and poured int
the ears of his confiding spouse the tai
of woe However, events must tax
: their course. The circus company nat
: urslly would not forsake the village o.
] Ben's account, and Ben could no longe
| be controlled, and so it came to pas
: that on the eventful day the tents wer
5 pitched on the same old grounds, and
= proved itself to be the veritable com
8 pany of the previous year.
: Ben was among the first to welcOm
the troupe back to the village. Mile
e Angela was nowhere to be seen befoI
r the hour of the performance; but whe
= the gay strains of music struck the ca
r in due course of time Ben's gossamt
t angel again appeared and floated, wit
9 the same angelic grace, through hooI
q and over bars, to the intense delight
= her adorer, who could with difficult
d restrain his inclination to rush from b
d seat and clasp her in his arms as st
floated along. However, he manage
= to control his ecstacies until the close
d the performance, when most affectin
II meeting took place between the lover
: the angel assuring Ben he had new,
v been forgotten, and he, in turn, inform
|, ing her of his improved condition, ar
e begging her now to share the profits
the bakery with him.
n Mile. Angela replied that her circl
IS life was drawing to a close, as she WI
d about to enter upon an engagement
IS drive a chariot in the races at IL
e famous Hippodrome in the city of Ne
b York.
1t Poor Ben was miserable, but no pc
,e suasion could induce her to relinqui;
sr her new engagement.
Ie at will be such fun p she said, 'aI
5, it is but short engagement at best"
g. And at its conclusion she promised
e consent to all he wished. Ben W
J. obliged to be content, but made Ange
j. promise to visit his home before she e
tered upon her new career. Ben kne
ID his parents would almost expire at Il
r idea, but If Angela was to be his Wi
N they might as we'll know her first