Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-10-02

tiles.
Ipiloted my frey Bucephalus safely
down the aristocratic regions of Bel
grayia, and fiattered myself that many
a fair one looked admiringly at my still
budding form, that had not then quite
done growing, without. however, con-
Meeting its owner with any such very
snobbish name as that of Dabchuck.
"Now, here" thought, rs arrived
abreast of the statue of the Iron Duke,
whose fine chiseled face seemed to
frown down upon me, 'Pll try my
spurs. Won't they wake my Arab steed
upP"
And didn't it with vengeance
that's all! First it put its back up, and
Strengthened its cars-what it did with
its tail Ican't say, not having the faculty
of seeing backwards; then it wheeled
around in circle, as if dancing the
whirlwind gallop, and then like an ar
row from bow it shot down the road
in the direction of Kensington, l with
out my hat and in the bluest funk it
has ever been my lot to experience. 1t
was wonderful what n commotion |
made in that aristocratic neighbOrhood
and how obsequious people were in get
ting out of my way; if | had been sui
tan they could not have avoided me
more than they did.
just before | got TO Chelsea bridge |
managed to get the brute Il little better
in hand, and was thinking OF saving
away at his mouth, when, oh! horror,
advancing toward me was the name of
Dabchuck in large gilt letters, and
seated in the front of the cart was my
respected parent, who thank goodness.
was somewhat shortsighted, and not
good at making out objects at long dis
tances.
To have hesitated at this supreme
juncture would be to be lost. so in
sheer desperation plunged my reek-
ing spurs-this expression is used as
simife, of course - into my horse
fanks, and flew by my pator like
flash of lightning.
1t will be seen from this that [ was
able to keep myself in saddle, and
when Mr. Manly-how I envied him
his name-proposed that l should join
his troupe, as sort of utility young
man. jumped at the offer and was
forthwith enrolled among the company,
having first lent my master half sov-
ereigr. which he promised faithfully to
return to me, but never did from that
| day to this.
Up to this period was as far off the
wanted thousand pounds as ever; in
fact, metaphorically speaking, 1 was
| on the rocks. rs far as coin was con-
cerned, having just one sovereign,
three-penny bit, two halfpence and Il
farthing in my possession.
Ride, indeed! How all the conceit
was taken out of me! Why. l knew no
more of the business | had taken in
hand than baby, but was willing to
learn, which in Manly's eyes was ev-
erything-at least, so he averred, and
l believed him.
What q guy 1 must have looked,
swinging from revolving crane, with
a large leathern belt fastened around
my waist, vainly trying to keep my
footing on an ambling horse, now dan
Cling behind his tail, anon pirouetting
before his eyes, which, however, did not
blink. The brute was used to these
kind of exhibitions, and, no doubt,
could he have spoken, would have ex-
pressed his contempt for my perform
ance.
However, took kindly enough to
the life, which suited my somewhat
Bohemian propensities, and got on we'll
with my comrades, with all of whom |
was great favorite.
We were doing grand tour, week
at this place and that. sometimes to
full houses-canvas-ato others to slack
ones.
Now came the turning point in my
life. fell desperately in love with as
beautiful creature as Heaven ever
! created-a being tall, fair as lily,
graceful as q gazelle, eyes liquid blue,
hair golden, and the sweetest of faces,
angelic in expression.
Our company had pitched their tent
at Bournemouth. that queen of Hamp-
shire watering places, and we were do
ing right down good business, some.
times to quite fashionable audiences,
for the upper as well as the middle and
lower classes like to attend circus,
the elders going on q plea of taking
the children.
1t was at one of these performances
that first set eyes on my divinity, in
my character of a French chasseur, on
his faithful horse.
Her face haunted me at night, and
when she did not come to our show I
felt quite respondent; the world, in
fact, at such times seemed altogether
out of joint
admit it was the height Of pre-
sumption in me, q poor professional,
earning bare subsistence, to dare to
raise my eyes to such loveliness; but,
after all, love is universal, and does
not stop to ask permission upon whom
it shall be bestowed, for it laughs at
locks, bolts and bars, and is, excepting
death, the one thing common to the
highest and lowest of Heavens crea-
lures.
followed her home surreptitiously
after one of the performances, and
found she lived with her father, re-
tired merchant, in a pretty villa in the
suburbs. where roses grew in wild pro-
fusion, and climbing clematis and
spreading honeysuckle perfumed the
air.
But was rs far off from her as was
Of, obtaining my thousand pounds
which 1 wanted before l could obtain
my just inheritance.
Fortune, or fate-call it what you
will-came to my aid, however, in q
most unlocked for way, aptly illustrat-
ing the famous lines of the Immortal
Shakespeare: "There is divinity that