Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-06-15
THE QUEEN OF THE CIRCUS.


deed, part of 1.-THE poor woman was
lying on the low shelf, called the bed,
OF the travelling caravan; two or three
wives Of the men attached to the ex-
hibition were round her, endeavoring
by their exertions to relieve moment
arily increasing pain, and helping her
to bear it patiently by their sym2athy.
Gle ought TO have been here half an
hour ago." said one Of the women.
"Jim started for him on the piebald
two hours SINCE"
"Did he take the piebald2" said an
other. "Why, / thought he was in the
Italian Lovers?"
mo, he wouldn't run with the spot
ted mare, so they've put the blind gray
with her, and took the piebald in the
tom couple with"
The explanation seemed satisfactory,
for silence ensued.
Presently roar of such laughter as
is only heard in a circus at a country
village-fresh, genuine, hearty-shook
the sides Of the frail vehicle.
whats that?" said the apparently
dying woman.
"Only your Bills Quaker story" said
one.
"Oh, then he'll soon be here, won't
he?" said she.
eyes, he's only got three more
points, and then he'll come he don't 60
in the Sylpa scene"
Thee fainter peals Of laughter told
that the points had hit, but not 30 well
Az the Quaker story; and then he came
in.
"Wel," said he, chow is she now?"
"Pm better, Bill, said the woman.
"Cnn you stop little?'
eyes; don't 20 in next, it's Chap
mans turn" and SO saying, tho man
seated himself by the side of the wo-
man.
She waa still young, and, as far as
The dim light hung from the roof would
enable Il judgment to be formed, good
looking; the cork-grimed eyebrows,
cracked lips, and dry checks, told that
she too had appeared before the public
for its amusement; indeed the traces
Of rouge were still on parts Of the face,
and told too truly that she had lain
there but short time only since the
last evening performance; indeed,
when, during one of her jumps through
the hoop, a mans putting on his hat
startled the horse, and 80 caused a
false step, which brought her heavily
too the ground. The experienced
ring master saw she could scarcely
stan I, and handed her cat, kissing her
hand III the usual style; aud ( W; if
amy, of the spectators knew that when
raptuIously "pplauding the most I'M
paralleled feat-the feet from the
horses back through the hoop to the
ground--thoir applause was unheard
by their intended object. She had
tainted Immediately on reaching the
dressing and was ut once carried
To the moving chamber where she now
Ivy.
But to return. Sac took his hand in
hers, saying: "Bill, | don't think /
shall go rould any more"
"Don't say SO, lass; it'll be all right
when the doctor comes"
''No, Bill; | feel better, but something
tells me Pvo put ON the toys for the
last time
After pause, she said. "Bill, you
rocollect that London chap with the
French name that came down to the
Doucastcr races?'
"Oh, yes, | know, said the man, half
angrily, rs If wishing to avoid the sub.
jeCt.
"Well, you know that you said that
time that you thought there was some
thlrA between me and him."
nNN,n I l.,,,,,, Al 49,.
don't think of that now; don't trouble
about that now"
But | must, Bill. think I'm dying,
Bill, dear, and Ishould like you to think
of mo when Pm gone, rs | am truly,
Bill"
Tho man made no answer.
"Blll," said the woman, with increas-
ing ychcmeuCe Of manner, "do you be-
lieve Ia tell you q lie now2'
No answer still.
"Bdl 10 you think I'd tell you a
lie neW? said she, rs though her life
depended on his answer.
"No, no, lass" said lac, at last, 81
dom't think you'd tell Il lie any time
bit now" ana he hesi,atsd.
"Where's Jennie" interrupted the
woman.
Here" said one of tho youngest
women, standing up, so she might be
seen. "WhSt do you want"
Jennie, you'll find the key of the
green trunk in the china mug With
Nelly on it. wish you'd look in the
box and get me my old Bible out"
The girl found the key and asked
where the box was.
"Oh, dear, l forgot; it's under me"
said the woman.
There, never mind" said be, Il
don't want any fuss about it."
ooh, Bill, dear, | wish you'd lift me
up little and pull it out. You can
put the broken chair under to keep me
under them"
mo, never mind" said he, eth pain
you So"
"Oh, Bill, dear, don't mind, / wish
you would"
He did it vt last; and, after some
trouble, and few suppressed grosns,
the box was pulled out to the middle of
the floor, opened, and there, wrapped up
in paper and neatly hid, was the Bible;
the paper greasy, from contact with dis
used head-dresses, garlands, brands, and
other small accessories Of the dress of
the Queen OF the circus. They gave it
to the woman, who soon asked,
"Where's Mary?'
"Oh, s&e is here now" said one of
the women; and girl about FIVE came
running in: she had only been perform
ing the part of little fairy in the Just
finished scene; her wand was still in
her hand, and the gsuze wings on her
shoulders; she took them oti, laid down
the silvered stick, and came to the
beo.
"Msry, dear, are you there?"
"Ies, mother. I'm just done, snd the
people clspped SO when julia took me
on her shoulders"
Put her on the box, she can't see
her. suggested some one; it was push
ed to where the child stood, and then
the mother said:
"Mary, I'm going away"
"Oh, mother, where tor
"But before go, want you to see
father and my friends again" The
child started with wonder; but the wom-
an, not needing her, continued: "Bnl,
dear; have you got the paper off the
Bible2 Well, opSn it at the New Tesla
ment."
"Here, one of you women find it.
Jennie, will your" said the man.
Jennie did it, aud gave it back.
"Now, Bill, raise me up u little"