The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-03-06
CARLOTTA.

the bottom of the whole story. When
first began to trace it by inquiries
among circus managers, performers and
employees, l was myself doubter. The
whole thing was so strange, romantic
and remarkable that l did not give it
much credence.
1t seemed so improbable, so impossi-
BILE, that for a time | thought it absurd.
too ridiculous to investigate.
| myself had seen Carlotta on her
first appearance in America and re-
member her as a great artist, a superb
creature, very dark. very beautiful, and
such eyes, 50 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-
fcssiOn, 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 a prize-that rare thing, a
drawing card. The cquestrienne came
direct from st. Petersburg to New York,
bringing her own ring stock and accom-
panied by Il groom.
There was nc opportunity at that time
for the 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 a real queen of the arena.
From all that | 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 a woman who
minded her own business, it is She"
Corlotta, though, was reticent and
dignitied, 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
a serious air, and while she was not
pining away or running into a 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 a Cupid's dart, Remarked:
" guess if the truth were known Car
lotta is in lOve!'
That little miss was a good guesser.
She must have been a 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-
celved any encouragement.
1t 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,
Llc "OLldA III Collllndlts, dutl IL
!. season was far advanced before any OF
US were any the wiser as to her anteced-
ents.
A performer who had travelled much
abroad and appeared in foreign c%ircuses
with our lady magnificent visited oul
. show, and from him it was learned that
l there was a particular and peculiar
roy1sa for tho fraconon in A narioa ~
! CarlOtta, the rider.
! l was just as hungry for the news az
any of them, and this is what this mar
had to say as near as l can recall it:
4 las you say, Carlotta is a great rider
and as good as she is great. Why, she
-. set Europe ablaze, that m did, ant
it is in the European capitals that al
arenic artist is appreciated. l know
= that both by observation and expert
= ence.'
The man spoke with enthusiasm, ant
he could have had no better listener.
was all attention as be continued:
Now, what l am going to tell you j
sacred. l am not telling all the rest O
this, but one can't help looking on S,
e interesting a subject. Understand III,
that there was no scandal in the matter
but the secret is out when tell you tina
Carlotta. the circus rider, was loved b,
o a prince"
l repeated, "Carlotta, the circu
rider, was loved by a prince!'
Just so,' remarked the ~relator, re
Stunning, land now mark the result
The princes family on learning tn
state of affairs hustled the prince out O
\ the way. Over there a prince must ODE,
q orders or incur the royal displeasure
The young fellow was just buried,
= and his allowance was cut off. Rougl
{ on the proud prince, was it not;'
II l thought it was rough and sai'
II 90 and hen asked: "s-
IS Did the prince love the circus rider
the superb, the beautiful Carlotta:" ,
He did" was the answer.
And the rider loved the princei"
without a doubt