Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1894-05-24
LESTRE'S MASCOT.

Two actresses belonging 10 an Amer
lean troupe were at a hotel window in
the city of Berlin when they first saw
her hisohed beside a dog to a cart,
upon which beet roots and cabbage
were piled high, while upon the pin
nacle of the pile Herr Lausberg was
seated, smoking quietly, and over
seeing things when the cart stopped.
and the dog lay down to rest, while
the young girl, Freda, went to the
back doors of the residences and sold
vegetables, or, if she did not sell
them, received a sharp reprimand and
blow on her return to the cart from
Herr Lausberg.
''Byrsa,'' cried Lestre, the star
actress of the troupe, edo you see
that? Isn't it too dreadful? What
can the authorities be doing to allow
such a.thing? 1t makes one shudder. F"
Thus called upon, Byrsa. alternate
" string man and low comedian upon
the boards, came slowly across the
parlor. and insinuating his burly head
and shoulders between the two ac-
tresses, gazed out into the street.
The fellow must be the snapper to
mighty poor whiplash,n ne said at
last. ''But ! don't suppose we can
do anything to help her; the man is
most likely the girls father, and if we
should bring him up before the au-
thorities the judge would shut his
eyes three thicknesses upon us. and
give us polite notice to quit the en-
pire or take the cold pisen' Of its dis
pleasure. "
Il will do something!" replied
Lestre, stamping her foot decidedly.
Il win not gaze upon such a sight and
be silent. | shall speak to the old
wretch concerning his brutality, and
speak sharply, too"
BE careful; we are in Berlin and
not in New York continued Byrsa.
but Of course my warning is useless.
You will do as YOU like even if the re-
suit is a cell in German prison. he
added bitterly
Los4o understood every working
of that faithful heart, but sac Slipped
perycrsely from the window and
turned her back upon him while she
nestled into her cap and long cloak Of
swansdown and left the apartment.
Byrsa. after thinking q few seconds,
drew on his fur-lined overcoat and
warm Russian cap and FASTENED down
the hall to the side door of the great
hotel, determined, if possible, to deter
Lestrc from her object
He was too late He met her at the
door with the young German girl in
tow, while a little way down the
street Herr Lausberg was hustling
away behind his cart. having descend
cd from his throne to give the dog a
better chance to draw his load along.
Il have got her cried Lestre, tri-
umphantly. ''She is mine now, my
mascot, Byrsa"
.'How did you manage" asked he,
curiously.
"Oh, knew better than to pitch
into him MS should have done into
you, smiled Lestre II simply
bought her for f5 He is her step
father, and seemed to be glad to be
rid Of her"
The little actress did not mean to
enact the part Of heavenly being to
the little Freda; She only meant to
act toward her rs her Lew Mortscript |
toward herself when she had been in
straits which she never could have
gotten out of had it not been for him. |
He had educated her. and had given /
her money to 20 upon the stage re-
specially, all ON account Of her pretty I
face, a promise some time 10 marry |
him; and il this were not acting the |
part of an "angel Lestre had no
idea what was.
True, she disliked him, and shud- |
dered even when she saw him in her
audiences smiling upon her; and there
was some one else who, if he only had
the money
Here, with great sigh, lestre
checked herself. Mr.. Mortscript was
in Paris now, but he had telegraphed |
that he would join the troupe soon.
How could her thoughts lead into
such disloyalty towards him?
Lestre has salary enough for six
now, and she would eNpend some of it
upon Freda.
Zone seldom hears Of feminine
angels on the stage, she thought.
put il viii he better for Freda. can |
never importune her TO marry me.
TIE young Germaa girl thought |
her bencfaetress veritable angel as
the years went by, and She grew from
clumsy little waiting maid into a
successful young concert singer under