The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-02-20
CARLOTTA.

employees, was myself n doubter. The
Whole thlng was SO strange, romantic
and remarkable that did not giyo it
much credence
1t seemed SO improbable, SO impossi-
Die, that for time thought it absurd,
TOO ridiculous to investigate.
L myself had seen Carlotta on her
hrst appearance in America and re-
member her as Il great artist, n superb
creature, very dark, very beautiful, and
such eyes, SO large, so black ut the first
look-it seemed as though her face was
all eyes.
l do not remember whether Carlotta
was Spanish or Italian. She had many
accomplishments and spoke several Ian
Buages. 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 tho black
eyed Carlotta to come to America in
deed secured Il prize-that rare thing, n
drawing card. The cquestricnnc came
direct from st. Petersburg to New York,
bringing her own ring stock and accom-
panied by a groom.
There was no opportunity at that time
Tor the company with which tho artist
was to appear to open in New York, al
though during the season Philadelphia
ana Boston were favored with an oppor-
tunity of seeing u real queen of the arena.
From all that l can learn the foreign
artist was exceedingly tractahlc, or, as
tho 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 She "
Corlotta, though, was rcticcnt and
dignified. and although sho was not IA
miliar nor permitted any familiarity on
the 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 tho working force.
The beautiful rider at this time wore
q serious air, and while sho was not
plning away or running into decline
a 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 Il Cupid's dart, remarked:
"Igucss if the truth were known Car
lotta is in love-
That little miss was good gucsscr.
She must have been genuine Yankee.
Of course such q beautiful Woman
and such an artist had admirers in The
company who would havo brcathed mat
rimonial aspirations if they had re-
celvcd any encouragement
1t Is matter of fact that the senior
manager, Il widower. endeavored in
vain to capture tho charming equcstri-
emo, but in spite of his position and
his solid fortune he received no more
encouragement than the other ambitious
aspirants.
Whatever was tho story of her heart,
the woman had no confidants, and the
season was far advanced before any of
us were any tho wiser as TO her antcced-
ents.
n performer who had Travelled much
abroad and appeared in foreign circuscs
with our lady magnificent visited orr
show, and from him it was learned that
there was particular and peculiar
cause for tho presence in America OF
Carlotta, tho rider
was just rs hungry for tho news as
any of them, and this is what this man
had to say rs near as | 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 i'll the European capitals that an
Qrpuic artist 10 npnrafintoJ 1,,o,,,
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 continues:
Now, what 1 am going to tell you is
sacred. am not telling all the rest of
this, but one can't help looking OH SC
Interesting a 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
prince!'
l repeated, "Carlotta, tho circus
rider, was loved by prince"
Just SO, )" remarked tho 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 Il prince must obey
orders or incur tho royal displeasure.
Tho young fellow was just buried,
and his allowance was cut off. Rough
on the proud prince, was it not:'
l thought 1t was rough and said
go and then asked:
Did the prince love the circus rider,
"a f,,I 4