Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 6, Number 6, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 7 August 1875 — Page 2

THE MAIL

A PAPER FOR THE PEOPLE.

SOUL UNION.

*Now the romance is over, The wooing Md wedding past, The tryating tree forsaken,

How long will the honeymoon lost* «he said, "Till the day of Judgment Will live in Its silver light -Till our earthly love shall merge, hesalu,

In love that Is infinite."

BEFORE I DIE.

BY MART HARTWKIX,

(Author of "a Woman In Armor.")

CHAPTER Vin.

*BOY AND OIRLI CHATTKRTON. One-hair the set of rooms on the floor directly under Earnhardt were taken by new tenants, and for some time a bustling could be heard in the hall, also the .^goand of driving tucks and of tenor and treble voices calling to each other, and of stampedes from one part of the floor to another. Jacqueline, being attracted by these youthful sounds, could not forebear slipping down stairs a little distance to discern what manner of stran gers these might be, who so evidently "were fellow-citTsens of hers in the Land of Life's Early Dawn.

They were quite a young pair. By "bobbing her head she could see them Tjetweori the balustrades without challenging their notice and they made as inuch ado about furnishing their four looms and settling therein as two lively rrobins will make over a very eligible building «*pot in an apple tree. They were a young man ana a young girl. The boy wa& perhaps twenty—a lithe, toll, shapely fellow, with deep blue eyes and very dark hair, and smooth curves, yet lingering about his cheeks, whose velvet lawn was yet virgin ground from the razor. He had his coat off, and lifted and carried with a good will. His companion was near his own age, and a general likeness to him indicated that she was his close relation, but her individuality was very marked. Her brother seemed incarnate earnestness she seemed incarnate fire. He was strong and white—a fancy picture for a Norseman with darkened hair she was brown, ripe, and vivid. She handled articles delicately, as if coquetting with them but under her light manner tilery evidently ran a vein of determination equal to that expressed by a firmer carriage of the boy.

Somo such notes as these did Jacqueline take, in that mental sbort-nand which we are never at the trouble of translating into words.

Tho two were placing thoir furniture without aid or service from any bands except their own, and evidently enjoying it, too. The young girl had her dress tucked back, her sleeves pushed ardently above her elbows, and lier mouth so full of tacks as to shockingly mutilate her language and thus disprove Pemosthenes's theory about the pebbles and tho boy stalked about with ends of hammers" protruding from his trousers pockets and smudges of smut onhisn«go while pails of suds and a oouple of brushes, in the distant perspective afforded by opon doors, testified to th fact that these homo-builders had done their own "house cleaning."

They so attracted Jacqueline that she proceeded down to welcome them with her usual cosmopolitan freedom. "Shall I put this table lioreT" the girl was crying, when the attitude of her brother turned her attention toward the door.

How do vou do?" hailed Jacqueline from tho threshold "I'm glad you're moving in her®. Do you think you shall llkoitr"

Very much," replied the tall boy. "Will you come in. We aren't in shipshape vet.''

Hut it looks nice already," exclaimed their visitor, stepping over the sill and sweeping her eye around on their simple arrangements—the car pot of green and wood-browna, the few heavy chairs and quaintly framed pictures, the various articles breathing a life from some remote country place. Jacauellne the cltlaen of the world, recognized at onco that a moss and fern and blue sky and freshness from the bills' existence had dewiended Into the heated city block. The very guileless kindliness of the brother and sister savored of breeding far from Babel, but the verdancy of the rustic was nowhere discernible hi them. These be strangers in the land, but princess in their own country—two drops of the inundating wave which gathers its vigor and its salt from the mid-ocean of tho continent and breaks periodically dver the great city, with salvation in its wash. For the strength of the hills and the brecse of the plains, which develop men and women fit to people towns, we thank Thee, O God, our fathers' (Jod1

My name if Jacqueline,'* continued tho invader, by way of introduction. "I live in the upper flat. What's your name?" "Chatterton," replied the girl. "We are both named Chatterlon. 1 am that big boy's slater, and ir he were regarding his duty to me now instead of mooning he'd offer you a seat and then oome ana help tno hang this bookcase."

Young Chatterton, In whom Jacqueline excited both interest and amusement, sprang at once to render the services required but Jacqueline felt solioItude In the matter of hanging the bookerne also, and Instated on stretching up on tiptoe and balancing the shelves on flnger-tins, while the two Chattertons, mounted on a table, Axed the cord over a nail and then all three stood oil to oritlHee the effect, and made rushes to tip the shelves to this side and that Mid had much ado In sattefying tbemselvea about the true balance.

Then Jacqueline was eager to help carry In the furniture yet remaining In the Damage, and so wrapped up In these newly discovered human Uvea did abe become that abe forgot for a time the plaster creation waiting on laer toveh up stairs.

The three grew quite friendly as their young bands worked together, aod their young foreheads sent oat the honey-dew of eflbrt to cetefc bright aadaneaspeotlag ring* of hair.

But toe eon's atant on a wall reminded Jacqueline, by eoeae association, of the studio, and abe hurried awavae impalslvw eeebe earn*, leaving the Ctiat* Uetona animated aver the oossplrilon of their house.

say,

"remarked the yeuag man. di-

^fgUng hie pocket of hammers and pnfrUHM his cost, "that's a ewNdag Httie gift tan* iir hew odSKshe la SSeR^iraSieft M*

mw* flannel sailor dtow te •Mnwwert

"Don't get to raving about her!' checked Girl Chatterton. "You're always finding angels and standing with mouth open before them I And we've to work now, Eddie! We havent me to waste Mplnnlng tod* over our »or iSnclea el them we must sell I"

Well, I don't think I shall rush up and down this great, cltv with anything to sell—at present. Peddling manuscript' poor business. I'm going to feel about. If there's any publisher wanta a fresh fellow, with not too much verdancy In the eye, to whirl a quill for him, I'm ardent for office. If there no pla* for me I'll just keep on with those articles for the monthly magazine. We re both sure of steady work In its columns, If the pay is poor. If I get put on soni® editorial staff our way Is dear, but if I can't we must just write and sell all we can, through the

usual*

dignified medi­

um of the post office. I don't think I ve that siren's oountenance, Paulin, which would draw an editor to me if I held a rocky reef of manuscript between us.

Yet you've a splendid face." You're pleased to say so. You and I may both think we have a sufficient stook of oheek. pluck, and talent to make a successful experiment of coming to New York and living by literature, but other folks may Took at us with a different kind of speculation In their eyes. I tell you, Paulin, we must not make fools of ourselves in the start, nor necessity-mongers, either 1 If a man wants our manuscript, and we choose to carry It to him—all right. But If he is perfectly indifferent, and a stranger to us and our efforts, we arnen going to lead them to him—as if they couldn't stand alone—and throw a personal appeal In the scale with them to balance their debts. I don't like the idea. By George, if I were an editor and any fellow came peddling to me Id throw a chair at him, and say, "Look here, old fellow, if you pretend to be an author send in your work like one, and stand or, fall by its merit! But il you really mean to carry a subscription paper, and appeal to my humanity for its favorable consideration, don't call it printing copy and claim that you belong to the fraternity of the world's thought-shape rs!' And if it were a woman—well—if a woman came to me weeping and proffering her sorrows to the public in verse, or mawkish story— I'd—well, I'd "You'a bo a very hard-hearted editor," said Mary, smoothing the lapel of bis coat and drawing his nervous arm around her neck. "And then you'd pull out your own portemonnaie and push every cent you had into her hands, and your big blue eyes would All with tears—whether for the woman's sake or for the sake of the profession of authorship which she profaned I can't decide."

Well, now, look here, little sister!" cried Chatterton, throwing back bis fine head and transfixing the laughing water under her eyellas while he declaimed "everybody everywhere is taking up his pen without a bit of right ever to dip ft in ink! My own brief connection with our little magazine at home proved that to me, and Gidney, who is on the Herald, will tell you the same thing. If a woman loees her husband andTs left with children to support, and hears printing presses in her neighborhood, she tries writing. Men dabble in literature as a sort of recreation from, tkeir real business. School children compose rhymes, and very cheekily send them to print

You used to do it!" put in Mary. And I ought to have had my jacket dusted for it," said Boy Chattertou, hotly '-and so ought every little ninny who is struck with his own ideas!"

But you were a smart little ninny!" put in Mary again. Boy Chatterton smiled down upon her with the shamed-faced pleasure peculiar to the faces of nervous people when they receive compliments. "Time will show," said he, "whether I had a call or not. And meantime I needn't have made myself a fool experimenting on the public. But what I was going to say is, that authorship is a big, an ennobling craft.* which demands tho best and most and all of anybody undertaking It, and whoever thinks to get its rewards without apprehenticeehTp—without sacrifice—without love for it—deserves disappointment and shame! Yes, and I will say further—whoover will bo content to bungle at it, and take money at inferior ahope for slip-shod work, is no craftsman at all, and nothing but a chip-gatherer." "Well?" aald Mary, laughing and kissing him.

Well," said Chatterton, cooling and returning her kiss with langhing llpa "from this exposition it follows that I'm going out to the literary lion's den to nee if they want a fresh Daniel to eat—but not to aak any favors."

I don't want you to ask any. You needn't have preached at me so!" I know It, dear. But, you see, I wanted to fire off a declaration of inde-

Enow*

sndence In time—for Providence only what shifts we may be put to yet. We pulled up stakes from the old place, haviug nobody there to detain us, and came to this big heart of the continent to try authorship, didnt we it Yon," "And we've only good health, fair culture for our years, a strong d&are to see the requirements of the day and write up to and above them, and a little over a hundred dollars between us, haventwe?1*' "Yea."

And a little holdon one or twopuolications which took kindly to us?" "Yea."

And we both love this profession we adopt,wo both mean to progress, and we're ready to bear hardship tor it and take the ulm chances It grant* begin* nera fbr bread, because we love it?"

Yea. we are!" assented Girl Chatterton, lifting her head with the fin* force «oo

may

see In a jet of flame.

"Here's oar motto, then 1" cried the boy, whirling hl« hat and flinging It above the door, where «m a* certain illuminated worda brought into their new home with mtT «Heellher1taM» hie fete loajnoefc,

"Wan,

BOW, wetete h»ve —««•»,

comrnwited Obettwtoa, etarttng oat aader the door which waa crowned to toy-

"At any sale, wa're not whine, whatever cornea," aald

ertedf

aald Oiler

bright head above that dark gror Aid ehe hae aoeh odd, teak vmgp I*

••'ilN'r"

uag eyaa,

SMg8& tO I ohTlMdler aba

vuMateg Into tho paosaga, "be w*ts7*Mk. Ill bavetCea*-

bred New Yorker, I've heard

elther.for

neighbors—no* "lem we must a— Right, alwras erted Boy ton, patting tie head his sister leaned against his arili "And now that we've stocked our fort we'd better feel the enemy with shot, hadn't we "What are you going to take, dear?

hundred tlmea—though why Halt should make him better than other folks I can aee. But be*a used all kinds of high living, and oouiaes at table, and so on, and we're Juat going to have-—

Oh, pahaw, Paulle, now he isn'ti any auoh thing! Jack Gidnoy is the

Oh, that's all right," cried Boy Chatterton, bounding down-stairs with a boy's contempt for domestic care "the cold tongue will suit him well enough —If he doesn't And it in your mouth, Paulle! 'Most anything will do for a hot night like this.''

Girl Chatterton then turned about to her painstaking for this possible guest: she looked with eves in which rue and pride commingled around her parlor, changed the position of several articles of furniture, and pulled down tho win-dow-shades to cool it. She next proceeded into the tiny laboratory fenced off ingeniously from the apartment devoted to dining purposes, and dignified by the name of kitchen, and here took an inventory of her stock. A very little bit of a stove, with a liliputian assortment of pots, kettles, and pans, a barrel of wood, somo flour, meal, eggs, cured meat, and baker's rolls, a loaf or cake, and a basket of berries, were all that -were to be found in this magazine, and with such supplies she was to meet an enemy of the other sex, make fine military displav, and take bis good-will captive! Wily Mary Chatterton! She began by making herself as pretty as possible she made a cool white toilet in her own convenient chamber while the sticks were rousing themselves in her stove to set the kettle singing, and then spread her table at one side of her parlor, as white and cool as herself.

Tnere were three plates and three sifc ver forks (saved from old household store) and three little white-handled knives three napkins, white, fine, and faultlessly square, three egg-like cups in threo translucent saucers, and three littlo butter-leaves yellow and pat beside the plates—all exactly like the table were set for three fairy dwarfs, or for any of the dainty folks who liveinstorv! There wero sugar and cream in crystal vessels, a dish of rounds of tongue garnished with leaves, a platter of rolls artistically pilqd, big blocks of cake, and a basket of raspberries set in a green border of grape-tendrils and leaves, whereof every berry looked as if it held the sun condensed into a very vegetable ruby! In short, if it was not a sumptuous feast, it was a very coquettish one, calculated to rouse the aesthetic delight in the beholder which food appealing only to the palate never does. It looked so pretty and at the same time so unsubstantial—measured by Mary Chatterton's bounteous ideas of good cheerthat she was reminded of tho story of that man who wanted to be considered a god, and had a feast-giving friend who set nothing but inceifcte before him,'and connecting the thought with ber fears of Chatterton's friena, she burst into a laugh just as her brother, heated by climbing the stairs, and with Gidney at his heels, barst into the room.

Bursting into a laugh is not as fatal as bursting up in a steamboat explosion, however, and Chatterton's sister Instantly collected herself and stood to receive his friend.

I didn't stov out as long as I expected, Paulle," cried Chatterton, flinging his hat under a table, and stopping to breathe. "I met Gidney first thing,and he thinks we'd bottertalk matters over and get our bearings before we strike out. Gidney, my sister. This is the old fellow, Paulin. Isn't he a jolly one

Ho was rather a heated one than a Jolly one, and Ciiatterton's sisUr waa as refteshing to his eyes as a snow bank. He waa a well-cusllioned, good-natured follow, shorter than Chatterton, quick of eye but slow of gesture, with a wonderful tinted moustache blooming from his upper lip, and just enough of indeacribable essence called "style" In hla dress and boating to awe the country girl. However she gave him her hand and a hearty and graceful welcome, and hurried to bring In the tea.

Well, vou'vo a cosy plaoe," commented Jack Gidney, slowly, marching around the room at the heels of Chatterton, who galloped excitedly from one apot of interest to another, bent on showing hla entire establlahment to hla friend.

Here's my desk—eee?" cried Chatterton. "And here's Paulle's—quite on oppoaite sides of the room, so we ait with our backs to each other writing, for if we sit looking at each other ahe has such ways or disturbing a fellowrunning to kisa him or tie his necktie up freeh, and ao on."

I should think audi 'disturbing' aa that would be Uke the purest kind of In-

Seeye*

I ration I" said Gldnev, laughing Into of Cbatterionra irfatar as ahe brought the tea In. "And here," proceeded Chatterton, •is some of the old tarniture we had in our boaae—we boxed and- aeatall that weooold. I tell yoo, OWnoy, a fellow Ukea aa many of tie aawodattona of his youth around him aa be con gather When be atarta o«t In the raaLWh boafnew of bread-getting" exdaknad pMttciton with the air of an aged and

It

QtdMQT the

ObotSettoo, naW on the

at Us state**-any —-HI doruhciag

etfad Mary

TERRE "FT A UTE aAl tTRDAY EVEN IN MAIL.

Why, he's born and

jrou

eay a

plainest

kind of a fellow." But I've heard you call him'nobby,' and though I don't think that'a any credit to him, whatever It may be, I don't want him to bring in hla 'nobbiness' and patronage here to dishearten us In the very outset." "Sow, PauliQ." defended Boy fbf£ terton, coming back a step, "you don know what you're talking about. Why, you've never seen Gidney, don't know anything about him. He'a the most unpretending fellow In the world—didn't know him at school for three years? —he'd just enjoy a set-out like we have, and he is the jolliest, best fellow! He's known what It Is to be put to shifts— more than we ever have yet. Why, before he got his position on his paper be had it hard, I tell you—going without dinner and pawning his shirts waiting for his manuscripts to be accepted. Why you ought to be glad and proud to gi vo a handshake to such a fellow—andT he my friend, too!" "Well, I don't care If you bring him, then. But you'd better tell him, Eddie, that he's not to expect any style or flne apartments or table elegances, for we've only got dishes enough for three, to say uothing of just cold tongne for supper.1'

JS

table, with theeapperon It. ymr haaU to alww Mr.

be would like

to «aLfr

^fa^SieoB QMtaoy/'aett CSiat uianB nhalrt at th* labia awUo iMi hla gued at the right afbleaiatcr. "Paulle wm almo* afraid to have yoa came and take eupper witfc na becaoaeahe tbooght you wuo oppiab hot I told her yoa ware the ptata** fellow ta the wortd." .. Gldnej/^bope you didn't meantodl^

That bojr," remarked CbaOmtoa'a aaodly, aa aa she handed Mr. OkhMar trie tea, "^a flnomeaaory and

qualltlea which go to make up the aooceeaftil Journalist." ^3Gidney waa pleeeed with Chatterton "a

every fcalljfe^id an Wtwfd e**

wouldn't have hiatea lcfed for the world, alnoe iccame warm and fragrant from Chattenfi^HMr'a hand! When Chatterton cafflpfaPthe subject of journallam and launched out into hw plana, Gidney Waa intereated In everything

and observation. They grew eloqueht with literary enthualaam around the tea-table Gidney took hla third and fourth cup of tea from Chattertonle sister's band, though in general be cared nothing for that beverage: and being warmed around the heart .and cooled and refreshed bodily by such frieudly communion as he waa enjoying, he became confidential and scrupled not to unfold the hardsbipa he had endured and finding that Chatterton's sister regarded him with increasing interest aa ne increased his sufferings, he threw quite a glamour over them and brought himself out in her eyes as a very Othello of the quill! So that Chatterton's sister could not help admiring bim and his suocess, or refrain from congratulating herself that Chatterton had such a friena to counsel him in the beginning of his career.

When tbey arose from the table and Chatterton's sister began to withdraw the tea-thinga quietly and carrv them back to the little laboratory of a kitchen she could not even find it In her heart to be indignant at her brother for collaring Gidney and ahowing him every corner of their domain, for Gidney was so pleased with tho dining-room, and so struck with astonishment bv the cora-

Sellghted

ressed resources of the kitchen, and so with Chatterton's own apartment, and so evidently appreciative of ber as the centre and inspiration of thia novel and hearty housekeeping, that she did not In the least mind his examining it. And when he told Chatterton that a fellow as snugly and happily situated aa he was ought to do wonders in the way of qulll-pushlng she could not help flushing wjtb pleasure, and flushing more as Mr. Gidney emphasized his remarks by fixing his eyes on her.

As it was by this time quite dark, without even a flush of sunset lingering in the air, they lighted two jets of gas in the large room, and sat down to further conferring—Chatterton with hands locked behind his reared head and his eyes scintillating with eagerness, his sister very industrious over a little workbasket, and Gidney seated half-way between them dividing his attention like a pendulum. ".He would fain have remained longer, but he had an article to finish for the next issue of this paper, so he went away at nine o'clock with Chatterton's hearty invitation to consider that place his own thereafter, and Chatterton's sister's pretty permission "to come and see my brother again," leaving them pleasantly elated on the eve of their great experiment.

Let's write awhile," suggested Chatterton "I feel as if I could finish that paper to night."

Well, let us write," assented Girl Chatterton. "I've caugnt a brand-new Idea, and would like to put it down."

They turned off the gas—they meant to be very economical of gas—and each lighted a small student lamp, and took their places at their respective desks.

The room became silent, except that there was a labored breathing of quill% "I say, Paulie," exclaimed Chatterton whirling upon his chair, "Gidney is a nice fellow, isn't he?"

Keep still," retorted Paulie. "Yon told him I disturbed you when we were writing."

Weil, I'll take it back. How are you getting on?" Very well, only you break my web." "Let'it go. Come here! I want to talk to you!"

The girl dropped her quill, ran and threw herself on Chatterton's lap, and pressed his faco between her hanaa.

Ain't this jolly!" said the boy. Splendid! responded the girl. Lota better than it could nave been for us dragging on and teaching in that old acadomy!"

The girl made a wrv face indicative of her disgust for that old academy. "But we bad many friends back there." said the boy.

We'll make more doing what we're best fitted for," responded the girl. "If we get Into any tight placea, Paulle, will you ever feel mad at me for drawing you into thia?" urged Chatterton, with some misgivings founded on his knowledge of the volatile nature •fthe feminine disposition.

If we ever get into any tight placea," retorted his sister, "won't I Just put you through them!"

Well, you area plucky girl. And it ia jolly! And I'm glad we dared!"

CHAPTER IX. RNOX DIKFKRKXT

SOTTRCST.

On a hot summer night—auch a night aa oppresses even sojourners at seaside and on the mountain, and is cruel to thoee still inhabiting the city—the sculptor and his disciple sat in their atudlo as if too exhausted by the double demanda of heat and labor to atir until their fleeh rebuilt ita wasted tissues by that waking sleep which we call rest. Barnbardt leaned heavily in hla chair. Jacqueline waa encamped in ber favorite attitude on the floor. It waa a proud day to her, lor some of her plaster figurea had found a market theoccaaion was ao solemn and impresaive that she gave herself a oouple of hour* to read up on tbecarea of successful sculptors, and ber little future loomed up in vast proportions before ber eyes.

While they sat In a very swoon of languor a sudden chill struck abroad, aa if some monatroua iceberg were precipitated into the seething sea of the atmosphere: the elnr drew on Ita dark hood a stiff wind going before a summer storm began to whiaUe through the open windows, and the lightning threw up its

*IBan»Catdt closed the Inner Minds, and aa he did so eaugbt gUmpneaiof folks hurrying on the street, while tbey looked up gladly to greet the coming freshening of the rstn.

Tbealr hnaame easy to breaths es hto VMMNWM

WvHWSVSIV scaqrtar.

dashed with wet. He and

his mmil roussd from their ISMMMF* PeofS&SSVTpUnta. It th^qod«w^towa^^ei«i^

bjftotae^oandandS

palnfttl that ratalji her ma In the folds of his Mwnatevet Wash andatanm* th«et» him wlfli her anas at every revar. baratkHL. "Itfctak I ehaB fknlek Ftp** la the plaster to-wwrow!" heaaaeuaeed. "Ob!" abe cried with immediate

tereet and joy, turning toward the figure on ite treaties "and then—r" And then aytulphurousflJah aad deaf-

beaformigteiit ItpfmSFhla im-

lite yoa,"

he ...

ter of aln

grew

steady on

a'little girl With nerves sq

cushioned in healthy flesh, to let get so terrified when the His lightning abroad! poae watcbee evei fust where to send it

good God sends Don't you supflaahand knows Tt la more beau­

tiful than anything else if you teach yotfrself fo'be still and look at it." "Butl'aaw it kill a man onoe!"aobbed Jacqueline '!he waa killed dead! It was an afternoon performance and the pavllhou was crowded the storm came on while I was finishing my act. He went up ou the bars next. I had juat reached the dressing-room door and turned my head to see mm, when a dagger of lightning slit the centre-pole and glanced off on him—far he waa near it— and then the world seemed* to cave in and fall on us. Ill never forget how he came down, with that blaek streak from hla ear to his heel, Juat before the whole tent wavered and amaahed us! Then, oh, what veils there were I Some of the cages broite up and the animate crept out and were found afterwards under wagons hanging to the bars of other cages, spitting fire and trying to tear the animals inside. Many people were hurt some cut their way out through the canvas but no one was killed except the performer struck with lightning and whenever the lightning comes I see itall over again!"

You never have tola me about your wandering life," suggested the sculptor. "The lightning is gone now. Suppose you stop crying ana tell what you can remember about yourself."

Jacqueline sat up, polished ber faoe with her large apron, and quieted hereelf. She assured the sculptor, while thus clearing away traces of her own storm, that she never meant to behave so bad, and begged to be forgiven. Bernhardt could not helpamiling at ber smeared and Innocent countenance, as she pressed her suit. The sin- of wellfounded terror which she had sinned against his comfort Waa not a great one so he presently had her in a tranquil frame of mind.

All that I can remember about myself?" Inquired Jacqueline, as she prepared to begin ber autobiography..

All that you can remember." The very first thing that I can re member is being in a dark room in a bed beside a pretty woman. I am sure she was pretty. She had long hair scattered over the pillow, and her face was the kind of fiice I couldn't keep my eyes off of, though its looks almost scared me. I believe she must have been dying then,and I know she was my mother. She had one arm around me and kept looking at me and moaning, while William ski, who stood beside the bed, tried to comfort ber and said, "Don't cry, poor girl!' I tried to comfort ber, too. and repeated after Wllliamski, "Don't cry, poer girl!' She talked'to Williamski and looked at me, and finally she made me lie down on her arm and, I think, went to sleep. There is nothing more I can remember about her, but Willlamski often told me my mother left me In her care, and died when I was less than four years old. She said, too. that my mother was a lady, and baa run away and married a star actor, who used her badly, and broke his own neck in a ikll. I think," remarked Jacqueline, "that if I'd ever seen him abuse my mother I should have hit him! He was mv father," she added, contemplatively.

Did Willlamski know notbiug about your mother's family inquired Bernhardt.

Not much. She said they were stuckup folks, and wouldn't have anything to do with mv mother after she ran away, and turned her off when she came back with me in her arms, sorry for what she had done. She had to go into the ring herself to set a living for us. I never tried to find them out," said the waif with somo asperity. "If my mother wasn't good enough for them to take up with when she was their own I wasn't good enough, Iwing only part their own. And I'd starved before evet taking a favor from the bands that turned her away. She was so young to be used like that," cried Jacqueline. "Why.Willlamski said she wasn't twenty when she died."

That Jacqueline came of good blood was evident to Bernhardt. He had sometimes suspected she was a stolen child. He now began to speculate about ber estranged kin, when the child's resuming her story reminded him to ask, "Who was Willuunskl

Why, she was an actross in the c'rcus my mother had to travel with. I was ft of her and she grew very fond and proud of me. They used tocall me Willlamski's Poppet, and I wore spangled dresses in the ring and learned to balance myself with her as nbo rode and to kiss my band to tho ladles. I never was afraid to ride and soon learned to do It alone, and thev put me on the bills as Baby Jacqueline, the Great Inffcnt Equestrienne. I didn't know what equeetrienne meant, butauppoeed it was questioner, for I waa taught to aak tho clowna saucy questions and provoke their jokee while I reeted. They used to praise and pet me from the proprietor down to the drivers but Willlamski kept me much to hersolf, for sbe used to say ahe promised my mother not to bring me up in the circus.

Sne put me at a school for little glrla, where I stayed one winter while sbe waa traveling In the aoutb. My name was Jacqueline Williams there. I had lote of fun at that school. The two ladlee who kept it were the two Miaeee Pease. About twenty little glrla boarded with them. We slept in two Isrg* dormitories, and at nlgnt I used to perform for the glrle. Then the glrla In my room formed tbemselvee Into a dreas. and I taught them all the tricks I had learned. One big girl was my trickand abe used to gallop on all fours

I balanced on one foot opon ber

back. I woe ao little and light that It didnt hart ber. AH,"

alghed Jacquel­

ine, "I tboaght It wss fan then, bat I didnt know what the circus was bringIn' to me 1 "We had to be very etill for ftorof the girls took tome tt oat If any

INTnightwo

adledi a menagerie

to our drcaeT I penned six or seven girts aroand the wells with chairs. One afesanKakay,aadahebedketltebsiid gtia aod chatter anelher was a jioa, oaotherwaeabear, and wahada uap0f tartly of a vooeter, a eat, andapg. WiflQIWIIfllY WIMMVVBI mw* OMSO the girts had seeae woedea Wntwhich ehe exhibited. The

walking

A a a

hieuatami stale 1 Ho ssfltthis tho flMask and will lash hla tall and

roarr Tba

girl that waa the lioo woald •Andthis Is the woodorfW polar

the •am BorasUsl Get op,

there, and dance for the ladies,' And the girl who played bear would ewliag from one foot to the other and grin. (She put a pair of fbr gloves on her feet, and and it was soch *. fanny sight we almoet choled THen the keeper would ia the agile man-

Kon

and Sej,

y, brought front the &fer regions of South A merles. It skipa from ovaccb to branch.' And the monkey had to eklp around lively. "I was ringmaster, and was whipping the performers around the ring, ana the girl with the wooden snakes was makIng them squirm and singing out, 'Here, ladies and gentlemen, are the neat cobra and boa Mnetrictor, tamea to know thefr master, man!' And two girls in one corner were, blowing through combe and being the brass band and au the pupile who eiept In the other dormitory were with as enjoying it— when" the aooi* opone# ami the two Misses Pease walked in! Tbey had been Uatening in the hall.- The girl that was to put out the'light didn't see them neither did the Happy Family. They were so Interested that the rooster kept on crowing and the pig grunted his loudest ana the cat outmewed any cat I ever heard! The Misses Pease stood looking around aa if they were turned to stone. My trick pony was just jumping a bar (one of the bed-slats fixed across chairs,} and when she came down the Missee Pease's teeth chattered In their heads.

I stopped," cried Jacqueline, laughing at the adventure with something of her first wild delight In It, "for I saw tbey wore going to load the next performance, and waited to see what that: WAS I

We all stopped. The monkey crept under a chair, ecared half to death the rooster stopped crowing and looked whipped the cat mewea on the other aide other mouth:and as for the polar bear and the wild African lion, they were tamer than cows! The band stop-1 ped right in the middle of 'Pop Goes the Weasel,' and hid their combs under the edge of the carpet. And tho ladies and gentlemen who were escorting each other around the circus stood stock still like an array of ghosts with parasols over their heads. 'Young ladies,' said one of the Misses Pease, as if her teeth had just beenfiled and were on edge,'who is the ringleader of this disgraceral riot?'

I am the ringleader,' says I, standing up before her with my whip in my band. "'Do you mean to say, Miss Williams,' said Miss Pease, 'that you have taught these young-ladies these shocking performances

I had to own it. Where did you learn them she asked, glaring at me with her spectacles. "4 In the circus,' I answered. And I thought she would surely turn to stone then. None of us breathed. You could hear the Misses Pease's watches tick. It sotmcd as if they had paralysed us that way a long time, when Littlo Pinkv Morse broke out and began to snivel. Then they said, 'Young ladies, you will all retire at once—except Miss Williams.' With that ono of them took mo by one ear and the other took mo by tho other oar, and they walked mo downstairs between 'em and questioned-me. Willlamski had not told them I was a'| circus young ono—she wanted me brought up a lady. And when they found it out they put mo in kind of quarrantine and wrote to Willlamski to come and take me away. She couldn't come for along while, though so they had to keep me. They tried to separate me from the girls, giving me lessons to do in their sitting-room and having mo sleep on a cot in ono of their chambers under tho eve of one or both. The girls were good to me when tbey got a chanco to be. But I didn't have much more tun after the Peases broke up my circus, so I was rather glad wheu Willlamski took me away.

I don't remember what I learned at that school we bad sums to do andstudied lessons, but I've forgotten tbem.

Wben Willlamski came for me I be-

Kd

to have a hard time. You see she got married and had left tho old: circus and was traveling with tho Poppisons. "There were twoPoppisons, brothers. The old Popplson owned most of the show. He was a wicked, wicked man, and used his actors so that they rarely stayed with them mora than one season. Tho young Popplson waa Willlamski's husband, and he was kind, but gave up to his brother in everything. Willlamski often begged him to leave and sacrifice all be owned, but he was afraid to. He promised Wllliamski that I should be brought Hp outside tho, circus but the minute his brother saw me be put me in training for the trapexe."

When the Poppisons bad no right to you at ail?" aald Barnbardt. "Just none! And I hated the old' Popplson from the first moment. I hit bim with ray flat wben he tried to pat my head, and he never lost acbanoe afterward to pay back that blow with Intereet.

I waa too old to begin training for the trapese, and, besides, I was afraid of It always. So be whipped me for that if I got on fast he whipped me because I didnt get ou feater and if 1 fell ho whipped me for hurting myself and for not being more supple. If over I get a good chance at that man," said Jacqueline, in low and resolute tones, "I shall hit him a hundred times as bard as did at first, and I hope I shall break bis head!

And be would porform with me In the ring as if he kept me like gold. And all the little boys and girls whowe parents brought tbem there to the circus used to wave their handkerchief and cheer, and, thiuk, maybe, that I was tho happiest and moet wonderful little girl In the world.

We went everywhere, from one town to another. All places seemed alike to me. I guess I performed In moet of the Statea but all the years that* the Poppisons kept me seem just ono big tent with me in it, going up to rnyi trspess praying I might get through that time, and coining down trembling all over,

BO

glad I had! There waa differ­

ent acenery, I e'pose, bat I wss si wsys so tired I slept In a wegon on the ward-* robe when w* were on the road, and when we made oar parade through the stiaete I hadtoelt on a big gilt cage^ with aa old toothless leoponfst my ML pretending 1 held bim chained, ami I noticed Oe fhess of the people staring mors than I did the towns. "Poppleen was very mean, and wssr always complaining ot losing money. He lodged us In the cheopeet hotels, end never bad a carriage for anybody except MosMtr. If any of tbe acton got alck and iales»d performance he took a week's or a month's salary from them. At flrat be paid tne nothing but that gave bim sadb a bad name among aoto» for one would toll another—that the laat two yoara be bad to allow me "^KorWllllamskf used to be always erring aboat me, especially wbeo I unsawtbe bruises I got In

tottva thetwsy ill the flme, excepting few months whan the ebow wa*dtoefoojrrurvsD on taup rio*.^