The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-10-09
THE AGEOBAT's REVENGE.

1S45, when an acrobat, with his wife
were seen plodding along the road to
ward the next market town.
They we're weary and sad. The acrobat
himself was man about thirty, OF darl
complexion, with raven black hair curl
ing over his forehead. His eyes wers
black and piercing, and there was some Se
thing in his look which bespoke nature
above that of mountebank.
His wife was some years younger, ano
carried an infant child on her breast
She too had the appearance Of person
superior to her lot, and her face was
comedy TO look upon.
Their life was hard one, but they bore
il well. Nor, as yet, had all the harj
ships which poverty had brought into
their door sent love, as the proverh has it
flying out of the window.
They were now journeying to the mar,
ket town of Maldon, and as tomorrow
would be market day, Duval thought he
might come in for portion of the money
that would be changing hands. But as
it was very desirable that he and his wife
should have supper after q long days
journey, and Il place to sleep in, he was
anxious to earn q few pence in the town
or before reaching it, and presently an
opportunity arose by which,as he thought,
he might 40 50. 49,. ss.5
Almost opposite to him, at two or three
hundred yards distance, was the lodge
and noble gateway Of gentlemen's park.
As DIVA! approaced it he heard voices
sounding high and mirthful in the air
the voices of children makidg merry, with
their light, young hearts, and their clear,
ringing laughter.
AS he came nearer and looked through
the gate, he saw between twenty and
thirty children, in holiday attire, playing
upon The lawn before an old and spacious
mansion, which had belonged to the Win
dus family for many generations, and
was now in the possession OF Sir Wlndus,
the tenth baronet and it was the birth
day of his little daughter which the chill
dren were celebrating. sa, s@
The acrobat's eyes kindled as he looked
in at the bevy Of holiday-makers, Here
was grand chance tor him. Surely it
would delight the children to see him
flash his golden balls in the air, whirling
them up and down, like the ever-spring-
ing stream of a fountain. Surely all the
other wonderful things. he sould do
would be the very thing for them. Surely
the great and wealthy parents would pay
handsomely for the amusement of the lit
tie ladies and gentlemen. He paused for
moment, then slowly pushed open the
gate, and walked in toward the lawn, fol
lowed by his wife. tr.. ....-s. T..
Had there been any one there whose
permission he could have asked, he
would no doubt have done so. But there
was no one but the children themselves
and, therefore, addressing one of the old
est, he asked her if they would like to
see some Of his feats. The girl snlillngly
replied that they would; and all the little
faces, with their great eyes, were turned
upon the acrobat and the wonderful box
which he took from his shoulders and
laid upon the ground.
And now the eyes of wonder opened as
far as they could go. And 50 intent was
his little audience in watching the aero
bat, and so intent was Duval in catching
his brass balls, that none of them per-
ceived that Sir William Windus was ap-
preaching with his gamekeeper. He
came forward with rapid strides, and
when within few PAGES of Duval, he
called out to him, in voice OF thunder
"Vagabond how dare you enter here9'
For moment Duval stood astounded
and dumb at this sudden interruption.
He saw before him gentleman much
taller than himself, in shooting coat and
boots, with a felt hat, morrow shouldered,
fair, with shaven lip and chin, but bushy
whiskers OF deep tawny hue; his eyes, Of
a blush gray, large and bright, and his
bearing that Of an aristocrat, with strong
dash Of the pully.
"Come, pack up your trumpery and be
gone!'' said the baronet, seeing that Duval
stood looking at him.
But the acrobat had recovered his self
possession, and now said, with firm
voice:
II meant no ofense, your honor, nor
to harm any one or anything belonging
to you. / saw the children, and made
bold to enter, thinking it would please
them to see my"---
2 sOh, that's very old story" said tie
bsronet. "When thieves and gypsies
prowl about gentlemen's parks we all
know that their intentions are perfectly
innocent"
"Do you call me theft, sir9" said
Duval, his dark cheek coloring and his
eyes flashing fire
q 'tScoundrelr' exclaimed Sir William
his blood rushing into his face and max
ing it in moment red with rage; 'sdc
you think I would chat logic with s
strolling vagabond like youa I told you
to pack up and be off. Do so at once"
And as the baronet uttered his com.
mand he raised the hand in which be
held the whip as if about to strike thu
acrobat.
Duval looked at him with a savage
glare of his keen dark eyes, and slowly
in deep voice trembling suppressed
rage, said:
''You had better not"
"Duyal, said his wife, gently pulling
him by the sleeve, and in a tone Of mingl
ed pathos and humility, 'never mind Thu
gentleman We shouldn't have come ii
! without his leave. We humbly ask you
pardon, slr. Come, Duval, let us go."'
Take your wife's advice, my man.
no ~, oa,,a,. si,~.ca