Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-09-17
WOMAN AND A CIRCUS.
BY W. H. L. ATKINSON.

overgrown affair as it now is. A
bvering one wing, with few modest
ovs, formed the entire paraphernalia
the days of "Triple-Allied- Masto-
bows, with three separate rings, three
performers, and three bands!"
[nty-fve years ago I was a middle
man and q doctor, but I venture to
ut knew almost as much about the
cement Of a circus as I did of pills
descriptions. I resided in consider
hllage in Ohio, and for twenty years
listed every circus which had come
fifty miles.
wonder why? Well, I will tell you.
EN- a very young man, just after re-
e my diploma and while the mystic
NJ. D. tackled to the end of my name
till a pleasing novelty, I became en-
to the prettiest girl in the village.
said she was little wild, but she
seemed so to me. 1 knew she was
# animal spirits; I knew that she
little, but, though 1 loved her
was not in the least jealous.
ink loved Annette too we'll to mis-
Der. always believed in girls, and
DO, having lots of fun, SO long as
was no wickedness back of it. Thus
e to pass that Annette went where
18th whom she pleased, with no word
difference from me.
pye said that we became engaged to be
led. We were to wait two years, dur
hch time I hoped to build up a prac-
which should warrant me in taking to
f a wife and home of my own. The
Fears flew by. Everything prospered
me, and within three months I ex-
b to marry Annette.
but that time very small, "one-ho
visited our village and made two
stand. Among the performers was q
back rider, roughly handsome-of
Spanish gypsy type-but totally I'M
ftel, He succeeded, however, in
hating Annette.
Ter the show left town Annette and
b" doubtless correspondent, though I
knew it. Three months later, in the
bf the year and within week of the
! ct for our wedding, the circus once
came to town. When it left, Annette
DO. I was terribly grievcd. Was so
led that became physically sick. But
proud, too, and would not assist in
Pleasures for bringing the runaway
Indeed, had she came back right
| do not think I would ever have
ped her. My pride was hurt, and when
pride is wounded the sore is very sore.
Pried to put Annette out of my mind.
Pspered in my profession, but I never
ped. Yet think I always yearned for
fild, lost love; for, as the years rolled
/, an uncomfortable impulse sent me
fery circus that came within reach of
But never saw Annette, nor Leon,
p, although l must have visited over q
p shows every summer.
Eenty years passed away, and l was a
" man on the shady side of forty. "The
# Monster Imperial Circus, fresh from
pmphal tour through Europe" was adj
lsed to make stand in Cornville.
course went. There was no printed
FAMINE, but toward the end of the per-
Pance the ring master announced with q
voice, "Mademoiselle ANNETTE, the
san prodigy, champion lady bareback
OF the world!"
y ears could not have deceived me. He
say "Annette;;" but, then, q thousand
ICES to one it was not my Annette. She
"a be forty years old now-not q likely
Tor woman to show herself off as q
hack rider. Still, for second OF
was in suspense.
y! the curtain across the entrance il
aed back, the ringmaster cracks his
with great and sounding crack, and
mIlk-white steeds canter into and
md the ring.
nen the apology for band starts up
} as the horses near the entrance to the
once more, a gaudily though scantily
Gu girl rushes out, and, amid crack
VI whips, "hurrahs" from the circus
) and a shrill "houp-la!" from herself
D ~ bound to the back of one of the
les.
~ 1t is not Annette-at least not my
' ne. This is quite young girl; I car
mat, used as am to the makeup" OF
US fairies, etc.
'oelnoiselle goes through the hundred
,,1 Ine tricks in which q circus-ride1
ny shows off her powers. Her last
i IS TO bound through rings of fire
q ny STEPPING iron rings in coal-oil o,
y ~; o,ler lnfammable liquid. / suppose
1 s'l' mad done the trick thousand
=, = oetore, but this time was once too
Ir nlmsy dress caught fire. and, missing
'ndId51ses, she fell heavily to the ground
,ualed head of burning silk and gauze
~ It1%%lng that my professional services
NJ oe required, I was in the ring in au
'I ~. l n fire was speedily extinguished
ls.l e imp, crushed form was carried
MY ,,i1s 70 the "dressing-room, where
~ girl must have been q favorite, judg.
wo um the eagerness with which mer
wa vn'ea crowded around to know how
s s,ls women inside and the men al
b y Of the so.called dressing.