Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-02-06
TRAGEDY AND SAWDUST.

cnrlStcneu on the DlllS-could nave
made three times the money. But Bill
preferred to remain with Levants -
and near Rosie.
Leo Corello was the lion tanner. The
man who had held the post ever since
Levants first took the road WAS dead.
Leo came over from the continent after
the vacancy. He gave rehearsal, and
was offered the post on the spot. But
the salary was too low. Leo prepared to
return. Then he saw Iosie-and
stayed. With all the troupe Rosie was
u fayorite. When her mother had died,
leaving her a mere helpless infant, the
company Lad held n solemn meeting to
decide as to her fate. The manager
solved the problem.
"We're none of us rich enough to
ndopt her entirely" said he. well
limit the liability, and collectively act
us her parents. Rosie shall be the
daughter Of the troupe"
AS it was his own idea that had Sc
cured Rosie to the troupe, old Ted Pass
more, the manager, had been informal
ly constituted her guardian. And one
rule that he made was: mo getting
engaged or anything of that sort till
she's 20 and knows her own mind"
1t was on the very day that she at
tanned her score of years that Bill Ber-
rill made his formal application for her
hand. Thankful he was that the time
had arrived. Leo Corello had grown to
be veritable nightmare to him. Not
that he doubted Rosie-the truest little
girl man could love. But the lion
samer's growing admiration was so
very ardent that Bill felt all the easier
when she was promised to him. For,
of course, the application was granted.
That evening Leo Corello was in
grand form. They were performing in
one of the most important towns on
their list, and the circus was packed.
Leo outdid himself. Unarmed, without
even whip or stick, he played with his
lions as II they had been kittens, and
sent cold shivers through his audience
with his intrepidity.
"lsn't he Splendid" 1t was Rosie
herself who said so.
The clown, standing beside her,
frowncd.
Fate has given him better part
than mere fooling to make people
laugh" said he, with touch of bitter
ness in his tones. "Do you admire him
/. 80 very much?"
Rosie turned. Her cheeks REDEEMED
with her Indignation. She held out the
hand on which glistened the ring he had
just given her.
"You haven't much faith in me-" she
+ said, her pretty face looking panied.
1--WE shan't be very happy together after
all II you are jealous because | give
brave man his due"
clown fervcntly, as he kissed her hand,
and, hearing the bell, bounded into the
ring.
Then came Leo's chance. 'Little
Bandy's" turn was long one. AS the
thunders of applause subsidized the lion
tanner moved to where the clown had
stood beside her. His flashing eyes
glowed with excitement as he asked:
mile. Rosie, how was that?"
Splendid" said Rosie, again.
"Do you know why?" asked he, as,
delighted to hear her words, he came
closer to her. 81 was thinking of you,
md love made me laugh at lions"
"Sig. Corello, you must not talk to
me like that"
And, playfully, she held out her hand
once more to show her ring, and point
ed archly to the man in the sawdust
circle.
Ieos face darkencd.
slave yea given yourself to that2"
he snecrcd, looking eontemptuously in
the direction of the grotesque figure
posturing in the ring, and added: II
love you. Twill leave here to make more
money. Soon can have circus Of my
own. You shall be its mistress, with no
need to work, a carriage to ride in, and
everything else your heart can want.
Throw over this clown. Think of all
that I am Offering to you. Mile. Rosie
be my wife!"
Rosie Marion, her eyes shining,
stepped back from him, shaking her
head.
"Thank you very much, Sig. Corello,
for your magnificent offer. / decline
It,"
"You want your tackle left up after
the performance is over, so that you may
practice in the morning? Only mind
what you're doing, Bill Bcrrill. Thia
lofty tumbling that you've taken to is
bit more dangerous than Glowing,
and now it's fixed we don't want your
wedding day postponed"
So said Teddy Passmore. The clown
promised to be cautious, and in the
morning repaired to the circus to have
turn on the ropes.
Rosie was waiting for lin. Profita-
BILE as it was, she had dread of this
new item that her lover had added to his
y repertoire, and so went with him, 80
that he might be safe,' as she said.
"Sig. Corcllo passed me coming
along" remarked she, as the clown let
himself into the great wooden building
with his key. But when they got in.
side and no one appeared both felt
easier. Merely discarding his coat, up
he went on the ropes and in midair
went through his perilous tricks. Rosie
sat on sack of sawdust below, trying
to read newspaper and wishing that
the rehearsal was finished.
Suddenly from above came o shout.
6he started to her feet.