The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-09-17
MINIS REVENGE.

It was the 18th of November, the Mar
tinmas Fair, the last festival before Christ
mas. The little German town was filled
to its remotest nook and corner with the
motley. eager throng.
A heavy rain had fallen; it ceased about
noon, and all went as merry as marriage
bell. Trade was brisk, schnapps flowed
freely, all sorts OF side shows enhanced
the jollity of that hour. Humblest among
these was a small tent with a loud voiced
owner, who proclaimed to all and sundry
the SURPRISING merit of the troupe In
vain! A woman with a hand organ had
Stationed hers elf right before her door,
and this blousy muse, with her shrill
songs Of love and murder and her rasping
organ notes, proved more entlcing to tile
pleasant throng than the feats of our old
man in worsted tights and his company.
a bow Of ten, poodle dog and, monkey.
The boy Arthur, who also wore tights,
was the old mans son. He was well
versed in grotesque antics Of his trade,
but his face had pinched, worn look
that told of hunger and suffering. He
had eaten almost nothing to-day, his last
bit Of bread having been shared with the
poodle and ape, his fellow gymnasts and
comedians, who were dear to him as
brothers. +-- .-.
Poor strolling players-father, son, ape
and poodle! They have been many sea-
sons together in fair weather and foul,
and now their fortunes were at the low
est ebb. The old man, Hermann, had
months before fallen from the tight-rope
and broken his leg. A long illness fol-
lowed and when he rose from his sick
bed the last kreutzer of his little hoard
had gone for food and doctors bills.
Schutt and Mimi, the poodle and the
ape, had shared their masters better days.
They were now his comrades in misfor-
tune. The dog and the boy had grown
up together, and the ape, who had been
purchased of a Hamburg sailor for five
thalers, had entered into the new life
with the pride of new artist. Mimi
was born comic actor and mimic; her
plquant Turkish costume and her funny
antics had won much applause for her
and some money for her owner. Her ac-
complishmcnts were many. She could
ride splendidly on the poodle's back,
shoot off a five barreled revolver and do
many wonderful things. ,.t4~
Night came on. The Hermann troupe
had taken no money. They repaired
sad and hungry to their inn, to their bare
attic and bed of straw, with only an old
soldiers cloak for covering.
"Father, please buy me Hermann s
ape and POODLE" pleaded the landlord 8
little son, down stairs in the taproom.
"If you will manage to secure them for
me l will give you twenty thalars," said
a guest. a A.#, +a@ + .#S !
"Done" returned Sharper, the host.
The next morning Hermann went down
to the kitchen after a bit Of food for HIM
self and family. The landlord met him
at the door, and declared that he could
have nothing until he had paid the three
thalers already due for three days. lodg-
ings. Hermann replied that his business
had been dull through the fair, that he
had no money; but he designed to give
performances before the public houses to-
day, and hoped to pay the reckoning up
on his return at night "
y. "The ape and the dog remain here I'M
til you pay me-" said Sharper.
Hermann begged that the two lead
ing members OF his troupe might not
be taken from him, as without them he
could do nothing; but the landlord was
memorable. The father and son left the
inn, beggared and hopeless, while Mimi
and Schultz remained behind rs surety
tor the debt. A good breakfast was Civ
en- them, and then they were slut up in
an out-of-the-way room, where it was sup
posed they could do no mischief.
They were prisoners, but MINI, who
always looked on the bright side of