Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-12-07

inmates, rumbled along in the evening,
with the last rays of the dying sun
glinting on the gnarled window panes
Brigantina!
Obi how distinctly see that dark
gypsy girl with the supple, panther
like form, the attraction of the stroll
ing circus of Belli," who, at the time of
this story was 'doing" the southern
provinces of Holland.
Her equestrian feats were the most
striking. Why she remained with the
small circus proprietor for the paltry
salary she was receiving, when she
might have had splendid remunerative
engagements in the largest and most
renowned circuses, was mystery to
Inc at first
But then / saw later on that Brigan.
tina cherished n desire to become Mime.
Belli.
Belli was young man of not more
than five and twenty years of age, hav-
ing inherited the circus not long before
this from his parents, who had both
died suddenly one after the other.
The circus was composed of half Il
dozen green caravans and couple Of
dozen of tolerably good horses.
The pride of the circus, however, was
n really well-trained elephant, "Moffa,"
which was brought into the ring by
Bcli and Brigantina in turns.
The proprietor, with his Roman nose,
coal-black mustache and athletic, we'll
built figure, was II prototype of brut-
al, masculine beau of the annual fair
"a highway Apollo, self-conccited and
overbearing in his treatment with his
subordinates.
Brigantina always rode in Indian
dress-a short skirt, edged with
feathers and shells, with string Of
coral beads around her neck, and at
her side a blue silk pouch, containing
small, gilded juggling balls.
With one leap she vaulted on to the
bare back of her gray horse, and with
..at-lilxe agility bent forward, pitching
the balls high up into the air, catching
them as they fell, and once more send
ing them flying into space, the mean
while posing herself gracefully, and
with the utmost adroitness, on her
horse's back while he continued to gal
Hop round and round the ring.
AIbcF Jhio "a shiNh bodtp
.yas placed in the middle of the ring,
Gpop which small circle of not moro
than one foot in diameter had been de-
scribed. and then Brigantina was
banded half dozen small, glistening.
sharp-edged batehets, which flew from
her hands like arrows from "A bow, one
aftor the other, without touching or
ever failing to enter the circle.
During this exhibition of skill tho
rudience held its breath and gave
sigh OF relief as Drigantina dismounted
and the board with the axes sticking
in it was removed.
They then chall<ed the girls shoe
coles and away she went again to tho
Wild strains of the music Wilder and
svilder played the music, and ever moro
daring became her postures, more We.
tosrept her urging of the stecd, until
Mc broae into mad gallop. She flew
Nv like ths wind.
jvc held the barriers-on, two, three,
>rye barriers-+ogcr which she went
ucrched on the smooth back of her
horse. With upraised arms. pressing
with her dainty feet, she incitcd the
:.,orsc TO still greater efforts, shouting
all the time: "Heidoncl En- avantl
eCaesari Amino! Animop
flcr switch whisked through the air.
aler eyes flashed, her long, blue-black
r,ajr touched the tent-poIes us she ca.
reered past. Swift as an arrow tho
.maddened beast rushed East with his
daring rider holding on by the toes Of
pI.c foot ~ ~ .r1