The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-02-16
CARLOTTA.

among CIRCUS managers, performers and
employees, l was myself doubter. The
whole thing was SO strange, romantic
and remarkable that did not give it
much credence
1t seemed SO improbable, SO impossi-
BILE, that for time thought it absurd,
too ridiculous to investigate.
myself had seen Carlotta on her
first appearance in America and re-
member her rs great artist, n superb
creature, very dark, very beautiful, and
such eyes, SO large, so black ut the first
look-it seemed us 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 tho highest of sal
aries.
The manager who induced the black
eyed Carlotta to como to America III
deed secured n prize-that rare thing, n
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 tho company with which tho 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 II real queen of the arena
From all that can learn the foreign
artist was exceedingly tractablc, or, rs
the manager phrascd it, easy to get
along with. Said the senior partner to
me, IF there was ever Il woman who
minded her own business it is shc.'
Corlotta, though, was rcticent and
dignificd, and although sho was not ia
millar nor permitted any familiarity on
tho part of the other members of the
company every attache admired her and
spoke i'll 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:
"lguess If the truth were known Car
lotta is i'll love-"
That little miss was Il good guesser
She must have been genuine Yankee
OF course such beautiful woman
nd ct,o us H.:
company who would have breathcd mat
rimonial aspirations if they had re-
ceivcd amy encouragement
1t is matter of fact that the senior
manager, a widower cndeavorcd in
vain to capture tho charming cuuestri-
ennc, but in spite of his position and
his solid fortune he received no more
encouragement than the other ambitions
aspirants.
Whatever was tho story of her heart
the woman had no confidants, and the
season was far advanced before anv OF
us were any tho wiser us to her antcced-
ents.
A performer who had Travelled much
abroad and appeared i'll foreign circuses
with our lady magnificent visited our
there was particular and peculiar
cause for the presence in America of
Carlotta, the rider.
was just rs hungry for the news as
any of them, and this is what This man
had to say as near us | can recall it,
AS you say, Carlotta is Il 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 | 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 he continued:
Now, what am going to tell you is
sacred. 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 ont when tell you that
Carlotta. the circus rider, was loved by
princel'
repeated, "Carlotta, the circus
rider, was loved by prince"
Just So" remarked the relator, re-
Stunning, 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?"
l thought it was rough" and said
go and then asked:
Did the prince love the circus rider,
thu Ii tho I'll L .,