The Osceola times., 1880-02-28
THE PUPPET-SHOw.

sallow, hollow heeted, dark-eycd. da'k
hoirea man, in a thread-bare garment
who rlided out of the penumbra of my
dim room into the full rays OF the candle
like a midnight phantom. The figure
bowed. and handed me card on which
was printed, in capital letters, "Zaion-
eek"
His deep-set eyes were fixed upon me
wistfuly.
|Will you take a seat Mr.. -
"Yaionczek. l have called on you"
said the stranger speaking dramatically,
but with marked Teutonlc accent. DE
cause have found out that you were
connected with the press, and | wish TO
solicit your assistance. l have just
completed work that has occupied my
whole life. am now 60. viii you do
me the honor to visit INV exhibition
room? Yours will be the first human
eyes, besides my own, to enjoy sight of
nv wonderful work"
NV curiosity was now fairly excited.
threw my cloak around me, donned
nv cay, and bade the stranger lead on.
He glided noisclessly down the stairs,
and out before men into the busy street
swiftly and deXtrously he threaded the
crowd along Chatham street, pausing, at
last, before o two-story brick building,
which he entered by narrow passage.
way. ! felt cold, clainmy hand grasp
mine, and was led, with many a gentle
- caution, mp a tight of steps, through a
doorway, and INTO hall of tolerable
size, furnished with benches, as per-
ceived by the dull, red glare of an old
cast-iron stove. My guide kindled q
Z. 10 ti.a door e L..
stove, End applied it TO the gas.burner
A dazzling Jet OF flame leaped out, and
then saw befort me sort of procen-
tum, rudely painted in fresco, framing a
small curtain of green baize. Behind
this Eleusinian drapery my strange
friend, after seeing me seated, disap-
peared.
After while the curtain rose, display.
ing a miniature ring, covered with saw
dust, and lighted by half dozen little
lusters. A little tinkling band, all un-
seen, discoursed a popular overture.
Then a small gate was thrown open, and
one. two, three four horses, about six
inches high, ridden by ladies and gentle
men of appropriate size, bounded into
the ring. They swept round the circle,
and then drawing up in line before
me, salutcd with their tiny riding. whips
The band struck up new air, and away
dashed the little equeslrians. Various
evoluions they performed most credita-
bly,, and then dashed on swiftly, one
after another, vanishing into the stables
whence they had appeared. ltwas truly
wonderful. Then came q clown, with "A
boisterous chs! hal" actually uttered by
his own little lungs and riding master
who ran after the little clown, and
cracked his little whip about his leg,;
and a beautiful little lady, on piebald
pony, who performed extraordinary leats
indeed. There was tightrope dancer,
and performance on the sldckrope; and
then little pyrotechnjst came forward
and threw up some little rockets, and
then the curtain fell.
Zaionczek appeared at length, and |
was lavish OF my praises, and told him
thought the exhibition would succeed
TO a charm His wan check flushed with
the ROSY hue Of pleasure.
81 think | SHAH succeed" said he
"The little folks for whom | have labored
cannot fail 10 be enchanted; and the
great folks must certainly acknowledge
my mechanical genius. We shall hit
New York; We shall please Boston; We
shall charm Philadelphia; We snail elec.
tniy the Houses OF Congress; We shall
facinate New Orleans. We shall play be-
fore Queen Victoria and LOUIS Philippe,
and the Emperor of Russia, and then,
my friend"
"What then?'
"Then, sir, shall buy some pleasant
place; and | shall set down with these
little people and enjoy myself"
Then you have no iamily?"
"No finilyl Oh, l understand you,
sir. have no wife-but these are my
children. Miss Celina, the youngest, Is
three days old. | finished her last
Wednesday--it was only screwing on
her legs. The riding master was little
rheuraatic to-night-didn't you notice it,
sir2 I'll oil his joints before ! 90 TO bed
but they'n be all right by Monday,
when we open"
This sin gular being had expended
nearly all his means in bringing his pup
pets to perfection, and had little to be-
stow upon the press A few of US per-
f, formed a labor of love in bringing his
exhibition before the public, but in such
city as New York, with thousand
strange sights pressing for patronage, it
requires capital to obtain audience and
command attention.
The puppet-show opened TO poor
house. The artist consoled himself with
the hope of better fortune the next
night. A few people dropped in. a
Wednesdays exhibition attracted some
school children, but the figures were 20
small, they were seen to 80 little advant-
age, the lights were so inadequate, that
the troupe did moi make that impression
on the mass they were calculated tc pro-
duce on an individual. As IN exhibition
twas failure.
saw the artist daily. Sometimes he
spoke checrfully Of his prospects. One
night he had taken five dollars, the
next six; and he flattered himself his re-
ceipts wJuld keep on increasing; tut,
alas, they dwindlcd away to nothing. A
few of us forced loans Of triiling sums
upon poor Zaionczek-he never asked
assistance, but all hope of the exhlbi-
ton supporting him was entirely out OF
the question,
Once suggested to him the idea of
selling his figures TO jewellers, TO beuscd
rs an attraction to show windows. L
shall never forget his indignant and clo-
quent refusal;
"What?" nc exclaimed, "sell them
my children. the creatures Of my brain,
my fancy and my toll! Sir, they are n
part OF my lifcl love them better than
| do myself. How do YOU think | could
bear to see Miss CoIina pass into other
hands and wear cut her beautiful hands
at the bidding OF hard taskmaster.
who would keep her in the saddle till
she WAS utterly exhaused2 And the
merry little clown; how could endure