Frederick citizen., 1895-02-08

you VINO have honored US by your
presence here tonight we appeal to
ask OF your kindness a great favor.
Inc renowned lion tanner, the Signor
Gugllelmo Cordovino, will now go
wrought his unique performance in the
mons den. His power over them is
such that he can go in, handle them
IKE dogs, lie down with his head on
the shoulder OF the gigantic African
monarch, Dion. But 1 must venture to
point out to you that to ensure the
absolute safety of our famous perform
er. profound silence on the part of
the audience is not only desirable, but
essential. Ladies and gentlemen, deep
ly as we value your applause. until this
performance is at an end we beg that
you will manifest no sign of feeling.
In some cases, where the lions are
miserable cowed brutes, this precau-
ton may not be necessary, but 1t is
not so with our lions. They are verit-
able desert monarchs, the mighty kings
Of the forest; they are powerful as in
their native freedom-in their might
!ness only to be constrained by the su-
perior will OF man."
With a profound bow the manager
withdrew. and a breathless silence
reigned in the whole vast arena.
The huge cages filled the space. The
audience were faithful, with bated
breath they stared and made no sign
Of applause. There were five lions al
together, two Of them seemed asleep.
two restlessly roamed from side to side
backwards and forwards, with a we'll
learnt experience of the limits of their
space, and the spot on which 1t be-
hoved them to turn. One huge fellow
lay close to the bars. his great head
between his paws, the only sign of
life about him being in the gleam Of
his eye.
Lucy Brandreth shrank closer to her
husband. There was no one to see, so
he put his arm round her and held her
hand fast, for she was trembling.
Sir Maxwell Bede was leaning for
ward. his eyes fixed on the opening
through which the lion tanner must
come.
Ali eyes were strained on the same
spot, when lightly, easily, moving with
the grace of perfect form and propo--
ton, VIII Condor appeared. He no.
ticed no one, made no bow to the au-
dience, only walked quickly to the
cage. opened the door and went in.
There was a breathless hush, not a
sound was heard, but kind Of snort
Ing and purring as the lions circled
round him, pushing against him as
! they passed in their swinging walk to
and fro. Backwards and forwards he
walked among them, stepping care
fully from place to place; then advanc-
ing to old Dion he lay quietly down
and put his head on his shoulder. Old
Dion was still sleepy. he did not move;
the others went rubbing past him. ut
tering snariing noises.
1t was perhaps not three minutes
that he lay there. but to the audience
| 1t seemed an eternity. an awful eter-
nifty, and a thrill of horror rushed
through them when Condor rose to his
feet, for old Dion rose also with a
bound, but Condor was outside and
fastening the great iron bolts, and
Dion looked after him with low. dull
roar.
The workmen rushed in, the machin-
cry acted well. the cages were rolled
away, and Will Condor stood alone In
the midst of the arena.
The applause began slowly, fitfully:
the people were not sure yet that they
The clown tumbled In again. making
fun, causing the excited audience to
roar with wild laughter, and in the
middle of it the riders poured in.
Mrs. Brandreth rose and prepared to
go; she was as white as a sheet. Sir
Maxwell gave her his arm; they went
out together without speaking.
The rain was falling now in torrents;
the riders were swarming in and out of
their dressing-room, so it was no place
for the poor fairy.
Condor was wanted there; he
could seldom go home before the
whole performance was at an
end, he might be called for.
he was always ready to make himself
useful; the gentlemen used to come
round and ask to see him; and last of
all, he must give the lions some dain-
ties, some scraps of meat as a reward
and bribe.
Elsie had gone into the women's par
tition. she looked very white, but there
was a strange look of determination on
her face. One of the female riders, a
tall handsome girl in Amazon costume,
asked her If she was tired
You have lost your color, my dear"
! she said, 81 used to lose my color once,
1t Is all a matter of feeling, II you care
much for anyone employed at our
game it's all up with you. Look how
| much better I work now. am twice
as good as was since"
| She turned away. Elses eyes follow
| ed her wistfully-the summons had
come; the girl ran off on to the arena,
making a quicker. moro brilliant entree
than usual.
She and her brother Tom used to do
wonderful things on the trapeze, years
ago. Her foot slipped. she failed him
once. There was a tragedy column in
the Times the next day. Poor Tom died
! that night, holding her hand fast, and
after that the Queen OF the Amazons
disappeared. The company paid for her
sojourn in Bedlam for a time, and well
| coined her when she came back. She
worked all the better for having no one
to care for. at least so she said
Elsie put on her big waterproof cloak,
drawing the hood over her head. The
women were all busy. and she stole out
unobserved. On one side OF the enclo-
+ sure occupied by the circus. the lions
cage had been placed, great wooden
| and tarpaulin shed sheltered them, and
in one corner Of the shed burnt a small
fire, over which two of the keepers
crouched. their blankets drawn round
| them.
Elsie came swiftly up to them--"I am
| ready" she said. See. here Is your
money"
One of the keepers rose heavily to his
feet. you know your own business.
missus," he said. stay, I'll light the
| lamps. 1t amt no business of mine,"