The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-08-19

| as to the cause or the non appearance o.
one of the principal acrobats. No excuse
| was given by the managers OF the show,
and the vast audience had to make tic best
of it. The performer was one of the prin
clpal performers in the show and was adj
vertised to perform one of the most diff
cult feats.
INQUIRY
in n casual way, among the managers, fail
ed to result in any explanation. The matter
had been almost forgotten; and probably
would have passed without further. notice,
had it not been for for remark dropped
by certain party at one of the hotels, and
from this clue an ARGUS reporter discover
ed the cause of the failure of the acrobat
to appear.
From the best information to be obtain
ed it appears that about six year ago this
same performer came to Rock Island.
He had been injured by a fall while per
forming in the ring, and was sent to this
city to recuperate under the care of city
physicians. He was located at certain
hotel. and by reason of his injuries, soon
gained the sympathy of certain class of
girls who were more or less captivated by
his vocation as circus performer While
here he managed to get into the good
graces of a girl who was employed as a
domestic, and under false promises, and
pictnring to her the beauties of circus life,
succeeded in accomplishing her ruin.
THE VICTIM
of his lust concealed her sin as long as
possible, but finally had to abandon her call
ing and go home, wheIe her parents cared
for her during her trouble, and with whom
she has since resided. From that time she
has been changed girl, and while before
she was bright and cheerful, she became
respondent and has, it is said, tried to
commit suicide on two occasions.
Within the last year she has been more
cheerful and seemed to be regaining her
old spirits, and probably had the cause of
her trouble not appeared in Rock Island
again, she would have outlined the affair
and become once more a useful woman.
HE RE-APPEARs
But it was not to be, as, who should put
in an appearance but the same man whose
honeyed words she had unthinkiagly listen
ed to six years before. He did not come
direct to her house. for he feared the re-
ception, and was in doubt as to how the
Davenport and arranged for meeting, and
then, not getting reply, came over here
to hunt his victim. The reception ac-
corded him he will probably remem Der, as
the girls home by the irate
parents, and when he learned that war
rant was likely to be issued for his arrest,
he fastened to the other side, and the
great acrobatic feat in which he was
to take part, was not performed because
Of his absence.
IN THE MEANTIME
4 search was made for the missing man
and had he been found, either the law
would have settled his case, or the male
friends of the girl would have given him a
thrashing such as he would not soon for
get. He probable suspected something
Of the sort, for it is known that he had
parties making inquiries here about the
natter, and was kept posted by his fellow
'howmen of all that was being done.
This sketch is not fiction, but collec- |
ion of facts, and but for the pain it would |
cause the girl, and her parents and friends,
names would be published. The
parties viii readily recog- |
lize the truthfulness of this recital