Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1881-01-20
HERNIA. THE LION-TAMER.
A Story Of High Life in the Capital Of WalIa
CHA Twenty Years Ago
Translated from Sacher MaSoch

when the famous Harsberg menagerie came
to Bucharest for the first time. All the town
was in state of great excitement about the
number and rarity of the animals, the beau
ty of the lions, and above all about the tam
er, who performed some remarkable feats of
strength. HERNIA Dalstrem was her name;
she was young Swede, beautiful, distin-
guished, bold andinapproachable. 1t is true
that she was supposed to be the mistress OF
the owner of the 1nenagerle; but the rich
Boyards who la ,ished homage upon her in
order to win her good graces were met only
by cold politeness and sarcastic haugh-
tiness which drove them away. She lived
with the Harsberg family at the first hotel
in the town, went to the menagerie and re-
turned from it in a carriage like lady of
high degree, received no visits and was new
er seen alone either in the street or anywhere
else. This vestal severity puzzled the gal
lants as well as the ordinary mortals, so that
the Swedish lion tanner soon became as pop
ular at Bucharest as La Catalan and Lola
MonteZ.
One night Prince Maniasko, the spoiled
child of the ladies of Bucharest, who had
Just returned from an excursion to Paris,
came to the menagerie. He reviewed the
different animals in company with some
friends, was highly amused by the explana-
tons and by the feeding, and at last stop
ped before the lions cage awaiting the AZ
rival of the celebrated Swede with a skepti-
cal smile on his lips. Suddenly a little door
opened in the back wall of the cage and
HERNIA appeared in the midst of frentic ap-
plause She threw off with an indescribable
movement of pride the large silk cloak that
covered her, and advanced into the cage
dressed in a costume of white satin hordered
with ermine, whip in her hand, tall, slen-
der, with the noblest face in the world, to
which her golden curls and her fresh color
impaired an irresistible grace. The Prince
was at once fascinated; he followed each of
her movements with feverish agitation. His
heart beat when she placed her pretty head
in the terrible lions mouth, and he trembled,
half for pleasure, half for fear, when she
began to harangue the disobedient animals
and kick and fog them.
Hardly had HERNIA left the cage when the
Prince Maniasko was bowling down before
her while she put ON her cloak with the aid
of Edgar, Harsbergs son, a young man of
remarkable beauty. She fixed her blue eyes,
astonished and almost frightened, upon the
ideal of beautiful, almost feminine figure,
she did not reply to his questions proudly
and coldly, but with embarrassment and
with smile of understandable sweetness.
The Prince came every night, and HERNIA
received him not only with affability, but
she even looked for him with rapid glance
as soon as she entered the cage, and when
she left it she stamped her foot if the Prince
was not there to help her on with her
cloak.
But that was all the Prince could obtain,
and the more untractable she showed her
self to his prayers, the more he was urged
on by diabolic desire to possess her. An
unexpected rival came to his aid. Edgar
said to HERNIA one night with a trembling
voice before she entered the cage, up till
now I thought you were my fathers mis-
tress, and have not spoken; now 1 tell you
love you, and I will never consent to your
lowering yourself with that Boyard who is
already afianced to Princess, and who is
only making sport of you" When the
Prince came to see her after the performance
she said to him in whisper, is it true
that you have Gancee?"
1T is true, !" he replied, ''but as soon as
you please will put an end to that tire.
some romance and PROSTATE myself at YOU
feet as your slave"
But you do not love me-"
"How must prove that love you?"
She drew herself up before him.
Come an hour before midnight to the
little door of the menagrie," she said in 8
low voice and with courageous resolution
81 will come" was the reply.
And he came, and when he left the me-
nagerie in the midst of the shades of night
two straining arms were round his neck
and two burning lips were pressed against
his own.
Soon the talk in the clubs was of nothing
but the strange iaison, of Maniasko with
the beautiful lion tanner, and the youne
Princes father, anxious for the future Of
his son, fastened as much as possible his
marriage with the Princess Argafne Slobu.
da, to whom he had been ATTAINED when he
was child. A violent scene took place
between the father and the son; at last the
latter yielded, and one night he did not ap.
pear at the menagrie.
HERNIA passed night of anguish Two
evenings she again waited in vain for hel
lover; then she wrote to him and received
no answer.
The fourth night, as she was coming out
of the cage and wrapping herself in he1
cloak, Edgar said to her: HERNIA, shall
tell you why the wretch comes no longer?'
"Ten me" she said, in smothered voice
Il am ready for every thing"
He will be married in three days."
"You lie."
why should lie?"
"What is the name of his bride?"
Princess Agrafne Slobuda."
"Is she pretty?"
Beautiful, young and rich"
A strident and hideous laugh escaped
from Herma's lips.
will you shed tear for me, only one, il
I die for you" said Edgar, and if avenge
you and kill him"
0No Edoor rronrt not conr-i yo11r.
self, not you"
Must that villain be Left unpunished?"
Certainly not" she replied TRANQUILITY
and firmly.
"Then let me kill him, !" said Edgar, with
trembling lips.
No." said HERNIA, "leave him TO me-"
The next day Prince Maniasko was sit.
ting in the charming little boudoir of hif
bride and rolling cigarette from her, wher
the princess, with knocking smile, express.
ed her wish to see once the celebrated lion.
tanner who was SO much admired by every.
body.
"How can such an idea come into YOU
head," said the Prince, and the cigarette
trembled in his hands, and the yellow to.
bacco slipped from between his white fin.
gers.
II have heard SO many marvels abou
this person that have taken it into m,
head to be present at one of the perform.
aces, and that, too, this evening, and in
your company, Prince" When HERNIA en-.
tered the cage that evening she saw Mani
asko, and at his side ravishing creature
who fixed her opera glass upon her in
provoking manner. She felt it and started
but only for single moment, and then be-
gan her feats with the lions with her &C
customed GOODNESS. When, after success
. ful feat. she reclined on the back of one o.
the big lions, while the others walked
round her in procession, the princess criet
loudly, bravo and threw purse of golt
into the cage. A murmer Of disapprova