davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-29

carved M gilded wood, full two fee, high
in front and on the ends. but not more than
six inches at the back. The three compart-
ments into which the cage was divided
were readily thrown into one by his swing.
ing back the W partitions as he entered
the center one, inhabited by the lion. The
tiger roomed in one end space, the leopard
in the other. and three finer animals OF
their respective kinds than those were |
have never seen. They were young, vigor-
Gus i'll fine condition and did not seem to
me any too we'll broken, but he did not
seem to be any more afraid of them than if
they had been rabbits. noticed, however,
that always before he entered the cage a
couple of long iron rods We're heated white
hot at a charcoal brazier in the wings and
kept i'll readiness there until he left the
den" 1t was nc small job at each per-
formance TO roll that huge structure with
its heavy and dangerous freight in from
the old warehouse AT the back-temporarily
engaged for the circus troops use-through
the long, low, narrow passageway, under
the flies and out to its place on the stage.
That afternoon Dubosc sprang in among
his savage pets looking his best and in high
spirits. They greeted him with their usual
demonstration of snarls, grOwls and menac-
ing displays Of formidable teeth and claws,
but a few sharp cuts with his heavy hippo.
potamus hide whip quickly set them scamp.
ing around him and leaping over his head
in terror of his mastery. Presently they
quoted down and went through the ordi.
nary programme of exercises in unwilling
obedience to his orders. All went well un-
til Il certain point where he was in his
worst position for ,!efense in case of their
attacking him. He sat upon the PROSTATE
lion, with the leopard ON one side and the
tiger on the other, each resting one forcpaw
on the lion and the other on one of his
shoulders, with their f%erocious jaws only a
few inches from his head and back of his
fear compelling eyes. 1t was IL highly ef-
tective group, but one to make you shudder
if you happened to think what might easily
happen.
At that moment something extraordina-
~ happened. The sharpcst eyes among
the spectators could not determine with
certainty whether there was IL sudden
shower of blood thrown into the cage from
behind and above Dubosc's head, or wlletl.
er his blood spursed up and over the group
like a fountain from wounds made by the
claws on his shoulders. Whicl.everit was.
the blood was there, and the sight and
smell Of it instantaneously f~renzicl the
beasts, etfacing all the lessons of their
training and bringing out their savage in
stincts.
With the suddenness of a flash of light.
ming, far more quickly than any human
eye could follow in detail their movements
Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-29

down by dissipation and rheumatism was
at this time simply a banner holder, a SUI
pernumerary-a hanger on kept for old
times sake He was jealous of his sis
ter's professional standing, her good salary,
her fine clothes. her applause-everything
and she despised him, a feeling she took
no care to conceal. 1t was consequently IA
fine chance for him to do a mean. spiteful
thing to wound her by telling her of the
little interview between the man she loved
and the girl he loved, and the malicious sot
improved it, even going so far as to deco
rate his recital with mention of kisses.
which may or may not lave been true. He
showed devilish cunning about it, too, in
waiting 70 tell her until she was just going
on the stage for her trapeze act. when she
could not Immediately free her mind bv
speech, which is a great relief to a woman
but would have to hold herself in check,
getting all the time hotter and hotter in
side, while facially smiling to the public
and doing her airy fipflaps.
by the time she got down to terra firma
again both Alphonse and Babette had left
the theater, and she had 70 pros pect of see
ing either of them again that night if the
tale told by her brother Francois was true
that they had gone away together. 1t
was a lie, but as Alphonse, who went with
a party of merry Frenchnlen to see the old
year out, did not return to his hotel until
much too late for her to see him she be-
lieved it. Probably there was not in the
city a more unhappy woman that New
Years eve than Nanine, and in her exas-
peration she determined upon and prepared
for a savage revenge. TO it she made sac
rifice of her old, ugly lapdos, which she
had lugged about the country for years.
Apostrophizing the poor little beast as a
witness That her vengeance was just, she
cut its throat and carefully saved it's blood
in a big. Wild mouthed pomatum jar.
Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-29
NANINE.
copyright, 1888, by American Press Associa-
lion
By j. II. %CONNELLY.

copyright, 1888, by American Press Associa-
ton.
CHAPTER l.
The most exciting New Years l ever
spent, said the old manager owed its en-
livenment altogether to a woman, yet she
was no more to me than Adams grand
mother, supposing he ever had one, and l
had no more personal interest in her affairs
than l have in the domestic concerns of the
man in the moon.
1t was the winter l put the French Cir
Gus troop from New Orleans on the stage of
the old National theater. The company
was a very fine one, times were good. a
winter circus proved a profitable novelty
for the public, but l never repeated the en-
pertinent. The possibilities involved in cir
Gus life are a little too stirring for my blood.
\ strong feature in our programme, up
to and including New Years day, was the
Wild Beast Den act, by NJ. .Alphonse
Dubosc, but after the date l have specified
it was omitted. NJ. Dubosc used to go in
among his lion, tiger and leopard-all in
one big cage-and toy with them. thinking
no more apparently Of the probability of
their lunching upon him than if they had
been spaniels. All the wild beast tanners l
have ever seen have been fine looking fell
lows, powerful and handsome. as l suppose
they have to be to command the respect of
Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-29

tracted the attention of so persons within
hearing, and following with their ewes the
direction he was looking all saw the figure
OF a woman in ring costume of trunk and
tights leaping up from the roof of the cage
and clutching a dangling. rope climb up it
and disappear in the flies. She was reco.-
nized at once-Nanine Lascelies!
a score of men dashed up the stairs to
the fly gallery" chased her to the bridge.
captured her and dragged her down to the
stage, where Dubosc was lying, awaiting.
the verdict of life or death from the sur
geon. Blood was upon her right hand. and
a man who clambered to the roof of the
cage found there the bloody pomatum lar,
Francois met her, and looking ut him with
scorn and hate she Missed venomouslv.
"Spied upon and betrayed by-my broth
"Murderess!' he retorted, with a gesture
that directed her sight to her victim. He
was conscious, and no doubt suffering hor-
rlbly, but bearing his pain like a stole and
rapidly bleeding to death.
I'VE have caught her!!' shouted her cap.
tors to him. 1T was her work." Helookel
sharply at her, cOldly at them, as if not I'M
Outstanding.
she had hidden herself on the Gag con-
cealcd by lis top" they explained to him.
"and threw in the blood to set the beasts
crazy. She meant they should kill you."
Nanine. looking down at the CORY wreck
OF a man at her feet, trembled like a Peat in
the wind, her features worked convulsiyely.
and she seemed sutfocating.
Family, gasping, but with distiuctness
Dubosc replied: You are mistaken. Ma
nine was there by my request. No blood
was thrown upon me but my own when the
leopard attacked me. Nanine would not
harm me. Let her CO."
They understood him and released her
but shook their heads. Exhausted by tn.
effort OF speaking, he sank into a swoon.
Nitnlne, with Il shrek, fell upon her knees
beside him, crying:
NO! No: Alphonse. You are too good!
Your forgiveness overwhelms me. am Il
wretch. did it. Oh, yes! did it, and
should die for it. My God! Would | NOT
have died? Did not mean to: swcart to
you l did. But, oh, Alphonse! Could yo,l
hho" my relnorse; to see you so, and know
it is my accursed work. My God! | shall
80 mad. Wretch that l ami"
III you don't want to finish this man up
at once, you will stop this excitement
around him; stand back and give him a
chance to breathe" interposed the surgeon,
a gruf but skillful man called in from I'm.
auditorium.
Nanlne moved aside, sobbing, and no one
sought to restrain her. All lost sight of
her. After some deliberation, the surgeon
announced that Dubosc's injuries were Sc
we're, but only superficial, and in two or
three months he would be as good as new,
out he would need careful nursing.
Atthat Nanine came forward again, lead
ing Babette by the hand, and said to AL
phonse: IL bring her to you as my atone
ment. l an not worthy to nurse you.
Farewell. May you be as happy together
as | deserve to be wrctched alone" !.
she rushed out, and we saw no more of
bette.
Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-29

when the pot finally boiled over l naturally
made some pretty close inquiries as to how
the fire got under it. and so obtained the
whole story.
On New Years eve Nanine and Dubosc
had quite a lively scene in the wings. She
had just learned of his having given a very
handsome little watch as u Christmas pres
ent to a girl naihed Babette Paillarl, who
was OF no particular account from u pro-
fessional point Of view-being simply one
of the grand entree equestriennes and fig
urantes-but exceedingly pretty. Babette
was one of those milk and roses complex
Toned little girls, plump as y partridge,
golden haired, and had the daintiest little
hands and feet imaginable.
One would hardly think to see the saucy
pout of her lips and roguish sparkle in her
eyes that she was such Il very good girl as ev-
erybody said she was. but Dubosc doubtless
knew it, for he WAS so thoroughly III love
with her that he purposed marriage, and
she was quite as fond of him. And the first
thing Nanine knew of it all was when some
mischief maker told her about the watch.
That set her flaming. and she attacked him
with reproaches, regardless of who might
hear her, denouncing his 'faithlessness"
and threatening to be revenged upon him
If he proved false'' to her. OF course
don't know what right she had to talk TO
him in that fashion, and it's none OF my
business. I'm simply stating the facts.
He quieted her down as we'll as he could,
but unhappily she was lot SO amenable to
the discipline of his eyes rs the cat animals
in h cage We're, and her subjugation was
far from complete. He and she knew best
what promises he made, if any. and what
excuses. Doubtless he said anything that
suggested itself as temporarily soothing, for
a man naturally wants to put a stop 70 a
scene OF that sort. But an hour later a good
opportunity occurred for a little tender chat
and lovemaking with Mile. Babette in a
dark corner of the stage. Perhaps she
purposely made the opportunity. for even
the gentlest woman loves to triumph over
. rival, but she would hardly nave been so
%lmprudent, l imagine. had she fora moment
dreamed of the tragic possibilities she III
voked.
Nanine had a brother in the troop, a
drunken fellow, past middle age, who had
been a good clown in his day, but broken
Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-29
II.

At the matinee performance the next
day, Nanine was as smiling and gracious as
ever, up to the time she went to her dress
ing ROOM. She was amiable to Alphonse
and SO pleasant to Babette that the inno-
cent little fool thought they would prob.
ably be very good friends after all.
The house was we'll filled, no%twithstand-
jpg it was New Years day and calls" had
not then gone out of fashion. In the popu-
lation of a big city there are always many
persons who have no one to visit, even upon
New Years, lonely men, to whom a matt
nee on a holiday is an inestimable boon al
a decent and sober means for killing time
necessarily distracted from business. Then,
too, not a few 'callers"-more or less inco.
herent, but all happy-fnd it pleasant to
drop in, if only for a few minutes, as a va
Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-29

view of the past year showed him plenty of
room for improvement. Silence might be
golden in the spelling book, but Jack found
it would be impossible to have his wife's
assistance in carrying out his resolve I'M
less he broke it. His heart leaped within
him as lie drew near to his home and saw
the welcome light in the window.
1t needed all his pride to keep his mouth
shut as he stepped into the cozy dining
room. 1t seemed that the fascinating fates
had all arrayed themselves against him,
for Mollie had dressed herself in the dark
maroon which set off her brunette complex
ion to such advantage and which Jack adj
mired so much. Upon the table were all
the dishes that tickled his palate. 1t seemed
to Jack that the biscuit, fresh from the
oven, had never been so faky and tooth
some before. Mollie served his tea with
her usual grace. Once she caught his eye
with'a questioning glance, but she did not
speak. When her back wa turned, Jack S
eyes followed her figure as he thought to
himself:
"This is the biggest contract l ever un-
dertoOk."
But man is a complex animal swayed by
varying emotions. Pride came to his relief,
10 save himself from showing the weak
ness which threatened to sweep him off his
feet like Il food, he hastily drank his tea
and left the house, closing the door very
gently behind him this time, however.
"Well, WE'LL" he muttered, "Mollie is
evidently bent on getting the best of me.
Pm afraid I'll have to blindfold myself if I
VIM"
Jack e down to the grocery and played
a game of checkers. He couldn't get his
mind Oh the game, and he was beaten in a
most thorough manner. Then he tried bill
lizards with no better result, the reproach-
full questioning glance of his wife seeming
to follow him everywhere.
Pm afraid the little woman has hoo
dooed me-" he muttered as he walked
homeward under the starlit sky. Perhaps,
after all, he had been wrong. Night after
night he had left Mollie alone in the house
and had gone away seeking his own graft
fication. He was filled with contrition as
he opened che door with his night key and
stepped into the hall. If Mollie had been
there to meet him with her accustomed ca
ress, he certainly would nave ended the
suspense. But the hall was dark and ST.
lent. Jack Thought he heard a light foot
Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-29

the savage animals, who doubtless have an
innate sense of Il standard of physical per-
lection; but Dubosc was by long odds the
the most magnificent specimen of a man
ever saw in the business. He was big for
a Frenchman, but so finely proportional
that you would not realize his size unless
you stood beside him. And a strange thing
in him was that, though his complexion
was dark and his hair and mustache black
as jet-natural, too, not dyed-his large
eyes were of a light blue, with steely gray
glints, and he seemed able to Hash fire from
them when he was reused.
In our own circus companies as a rule,
except those which in late years produce
heavy spectacles, women are in the minor
fty, but the French system, in the organi-
zatlon OF all entertainments meant to catch
the popular fancy. is to put on plenty of
women-the more the merrier-and that
holds good in their circuses as we'll as ev-
erything else. There were more handsome
girls aud women in that French troop
than would have been thought necessary in
any three American circuses of that day
not simply performers of special acts,
though there were a good many of them, but
awhole raft full who seemed to be under sal
AIRY for no other earthly use than standing
around and looking pretty, which | must
say they did to perfection.
One of the most striking of the whole lot
was a trapeze performer, billed as Mile.
Nanine Lascelles-a large limbed, voluptu.
ous looking creature, with glorious black
eyes and lips as red as blood in the sun
shine. She and Dubosc made a splendid
pair and seemed to be together a good deal,
more because she wanted it that way than
from any effort of his. A man, you know,
is often injudiciously enthusiastic in dem.
Onstrating his interest in a woman whose
appearance attracts him, and it is her ma
ture then to STAND him of and affect indif-
ference, but after a time he is liable to re-
lax his ardor and show a disposition to give
up the game. Then it is a hundred chances
to one that the woman's natural contra,i-
ness will assert itself and instead of letting
him go she holds on all the tighter, and US
he cools off she heats, 80 that the general
average of fervor is maintained and per.
haps even raised.
That is about the point to which Al
phonse and Nanine had got. OF course |
did not know anything about all this from
my own observation at the time, for there
were too many Of them, and they were q
good deal too lively, for me to take any
particular notice Of their goings on; but
Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-29
AHAeMS1a
NEW YEARS AMONG THE GREEKS.
A Season of General Rejoicing and Gift
Making-SOme Ancient Customs.

A Season of General Rejoicing and Gift
Making-SOme Ancient Customs.
Among the Greeks, which means all
those who belong to the orthodox Greek
church, among which are the Russians,
Bulgarians and Hellenic Greeks, Christmas
Is Il solemn religious ceremony at which
there is no merrymaking nor social pleas
ure, but New Years day is observed as a
day of general rejoicing.
New Years among them is what Christ
mas is to us. Wives, sisters and daughters
give their parents and Husbands various
articles of their own handiwork, generally
a very elegantly embroidered tobacco pouch
or something OF that sort. But the father
of Il family, however poor he may be, must
give his wife and children a present Of
money. That which is given the children
is placed in a little earthen pot and kept,
so that when II child is grown there is
a snug little sum for his start in life. Tie
giving of money is obligatory, and no mat
Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-29

ter how man months the head of the far
lily may be getting together his presents.
must do it.
There are few toys bought, and those fey
are of the cheapest, most p%erishable kind
Thu day before New Years the streets arr
lined with little booths, where toys, drieo
fruits and candle are sold, and they drive
a thriving trade. There is u watch service
in the church, where nearly all the family
go-tle men down stairs and the wOmen liz
the gallery, which is shut from view by
close lattice work. After The service is
over, the people return, and the head of the
family breaks /; pOmegranate o II the fOorto
insure good fortune and health, and then
the family gather round Il table, upon
which are nuts of every kind, calIdlei
fruits, figs, dates and rnisins. Some nut
shells are thrown into each of the four cor
ners of the room to blind the evil one. and
then everybody eats some of each article OH
the table. rn
The gentlemen of the weather. classes
make calls upon their lady friends, and to
each they must take a gift. Some of the
presents are very valuable, some are simple
and more sentimental. 1t costs much
money to get through New Years day, but
each man has the satisfaction of knowing
that il he gives u present to a friends wife
that friend is also obliged to give one to his
wife, and 50 1t balances, though the women
get the benefit of it all. This holiday is
especially for the benefit of the women.
When u gentleman calls upon a lady he
il offered sweetmeats, u glass of water ana
Il cup Of Turkish coffee, out no wine or
liquor of any kind, aud when he leaves he
finds all the servants drawn up in line, and
he must 'remcmber" them all, and this IS
repeated in every house he visits, and he
must visit all his friends or forever after
ward be deprived Of their friendship. lie
must also give his own servants presents Of
money.
After the c~cremOnious visiting Of the day
il over, the families, whether rich or. poor,
gather together in the evening, when an
immense cake, in which have been baked
two coins, either gold, silver or copper, is
vet upon the table. This cake is divided
into az many pieces us there are guests
present, and the persons who get the money
are elected king and queen Of the feast anu
are crowned with much bur!esq,le cerc-
mOny.
The young girls bite of u piece OF their
cake, which they wrap in u bit Of blu pn-
per and put it under their pillows todreal'l
over, and the man they dream Of Will pe
the husband designed by fate for them.
After this coronation they have many
noisy, r0llicking games, some of them q''te
new and others resembling some OF ours,
and some Of them show u good deal ol
sprightly wit, all the family from oldest "
youngest joining with great zest.
MATE LEROY.
Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-29
A FAMILY MATTER.
BY SHNker JAEi;Ol.D.

"!As we cannot get along together with
out quarreling," said Jack Manly us he
arose from the breakfast table. 1--WE had bet
ter not speak"
''Just Us you please, SIR" said his wife,
with u bright spot on each cheek and IN
angry glitter in her eyes. jack buttonel
his overcoat and slammed the door vicious.
~ behind him. Thus began the most mis-.
cradle days the young couple had ever
known. Jack Manly was II dry goods
clerk in the village of b. He had beer:
married for three years and loved his wife
devotedly, but had contracted Il habit Of
passing his evenings away from home
Mollie had borne her husbands neglect
bravely for II time. Then she lost patience
and chided him. Hence the quarrel. 1t
was the first serious rupture that had oc-
CURED in their married life.
"Mollie will have to give in before l do"
said Jack to himself rs he walked quickly
along in the direction of the store, while
the snow cracked under his feet. "Of course
III forgive her as soon as she opens her
mouth, but she began the quarrel, and she
must finish it. There's nothing like i'm
pressing IL w0mam with your strength of
character. !. brief lesson in the virtue Of
silence will do Mollie good"
This reasoning was sufficient to sustain
Jack during the day, when his work kept
him from deeper reflection, but when the
time for closing the store came and his
thoughts turned toward the usual CHEEKY
and sympathetic words awaiting him at
home from his little ~woMan"-as he low
inSly called his ~wife-afrairs began to as
sumo a different aspect. Besides, Jack re-
1ected, New Years day was only u few
hours distant. He had calculated on max
ing a few resolutions. A most cursory re-
Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-12-29
-36-
WASSAlL RQWl 6

That rare old gossip, Mr.. Pepys, tells us
in his diary how on New Years day. 1851.
he was offered the wassail bowl by one OF
those damsels who sang for him "very
sweetly," it being often customary for these
wassail lassies to sing appropriate songs
while the wassail was being qliaffed. The
wassail bowls which these girls carried
were often prettily adorned with ribbons
and ~garlands. Wharton, the %antiauary.
says that the wassnil bowl WAS identical
with the gossip bowl mentioned by Shakes
Deare In his "Mihsnmmpr NIGHTS Dream ("