Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-05-24
CARLOTTA.

I have been at great pains to get 70
the bottom of the whole story. When
first began to trace it by inquiries
among circus managers, performers and
employees, was myself doubter. The
whole thing was so strange romantic
and remarkable that did not give Il
much credence.
1t seemed so improbable, 30 impossi-
BILE, that for a time I thought it absurd.
too ridiculous to investigate.
I myself had seen Carlotta on her
first appearance in America and re-
member her as a great artist, superb
creature, very dark, very beautiful, and
such eyes, so large, so black at the first
look-it seemed as though her face was
all eyes.
do not remember whether Carlotta
was Spanish or Italian. She had many
accomplishments and spoke several Ian.
guages. She had been about everywhere
all over the world, following her pro-
fession, and on account of her splendid
talent commanding the highest of sal
aries.
The manager who induced the black
eyed Carlotta to come to America In
deed secured prize-that rare thing, a
drawing card. The equestrienne came
direct from st. Petersburg to New York,
bringing her own ring stock and accom-
panied by groom.
There was no opportunity at that time
for the company with which the artist
was to appear to open in New York, al
though during the season Philadelphia
and Boston were favored with an oppor-
tunity of seeing real queen of the arena.
From all that l can learn the foreign
artist was exceedingly tractable, or, as
the manager phrased it, "easy to get
along with" Said the senior partner to
me, IF there was ever woman who
minded her own business, it is she."
Corlotta, though, was retioent and
dignifed, and although she was not IA
miliar nor permitted any familiarity on
the part Of the other members Of the
company every attache admired her and
spoke in her praise. 1t was the same
with the ring people, the concert folks
and the working force.
The beautiful rider at this time wore
serious air, and while she was not
pining away or running into decline
smile rarely rose to her lips, except
when the applause rang around the ring
and the peoples plaudits caused her
black eyes to dance with pleasure.
Some surmised that the woman was
homesick and sighed for more familiar
scenes and surroundings, and one sym
pathizing sister, who had herself been
touched by Cupid's dart, remarked:
"Iguess If the truth were known Car.
lotta is in love!" =
That little miss was a good guesser.
She must have been genuine Yankee.
OF course such a beautiful woman
and such an artist had admirers In the
company who would have breathed mat
rimonial aspirations If they had re-
ceived any encouragement.
It is a matter of fact that the senior
manager, a widower, endeavored in
vain to capture the charming equestri-
enne, but in spite of his position and
his solid fortune he received no more
encouragement than the other ambitious
aspirants.
Whatever was the story Of her heart,
the woman had no confidants, and the
season was far advanced before any of
US were any the wiser as to her anteced-
entN
A'performer who had Travelled much
abroad and appeared in foreign circuses
with our lady magnificent visited our
show, and from him 1t was learned that
there was a partA Rllar and peculiar
cause for the presence in America of
Carlotta, the rider.
I was just as hungry for the news as
any of them, and this is what this man
had to say as near as I can recall it:
"As you say, Carlotta is great rider
and as good as she Is great. Why, she
set Europe ablaze, that woman did, and
1t is in the European capitals that an
arenic artist is appreciated. l know
that both by observation and expert
ence."
The man spoke with enthusiasm, and
he could have had no better listener.
was all attention as be continued:
"Now, what I am going to tell you is
sacred. I am not telling all the rest Of
this, but one can't help looking on so
interesting subject. Understand me
that there was no scandal in the matter,
but the secret is out when I tell you that
Carlotta, the circus rider, was loved by
prince!''
repeated, "Carlotta, the circus
rider, was loved by prince!'
"Just so," remarked the relator, re-
suming, land now mark the result.
The princes family on learning the
state of affairs hustled the prince out Of
the way. Over there prince must obey
orders or incur the royal displeasure.
The young fellow was just buried,
and his allowance was cut off. Rough
on the proud prince, was it not?'
I thought it was trough" and said
80 and then asked:
"Did the prince love the circus rider,
the superb, the beautiful Carlotta?''
HE did," was the answer.
"And the rider loved the pr!nce7"
"Without doubt"
"And where is the prince?"
"Oh, suppose he is still under par