A Peep Behind the Scenes | Page 6

large swing passed by, then the show of the giant and
dwarf; these were followed by a pea-boiling establishment and the
marionettes. And, a few minutes afterwards, the show of the blue horse
and the performing seal set out on its way to the next feast,
accompanied by the shows of the fat boy and of the lady without arms,

who performed wonders with her toes in the ways of tea-making and
other household business, and whose very infirmities and deformities
were thus made into gain, and exposed to the gaze of curious crowds by
her own relations.
All these rattled past, and Rosalie watched them out of sight. Then
Toby returned with the horses; they were yoked to the waggons and to
the caravans, and the little cavalcade set forth. The jolting over the
rough ground was very great, and much tried the poor sick woman,
who was shaken from side to side of her wretched bed. Then outside
the field they had to wait a long time, for the road was completely filled
by the numerous caravans of the wild-beast show, and no one could
pass until they were gone.
The elephants were standing close to the pavement, now and again
twisting their long trunks into the trees of the small gardens in front of
the neighbouring houses; and they would undoubtedly have broken the
branches to atoms had not their keeper driven them off with his whip.
A crowd of children was gathered round them, feeding them with bread
and biscuit, and enjoying the delay of the show.
But Augustus became very impatient, for he had a long journey before
him; so, after pacing up and down and chafing against the stoppage for
some time, he went up to the manager of the wild-beast show, and
addressed him in such violent and passionate language, that a
policeman was obliged to interfere, and desired him to keep the peace.
At length the huge yellow caravans, each drawn by six strong
cart-horses, moved slowly on, led by a procession of elephants and
camels, and followed by a large crowd of children, who accompanied
them to the outskirts of the town. Here, by turning down a by-street, the
theatre party was able to pass them, and thus get the start of them on
their journey.
Rosalie was glad to leave the town, and feel the fresh country air
blowing upon her face. It was so very refreshing after the close,
stagnant air of the fair. She opened the upper part of the door, and stood
looking out, watching Toby, who was driving, and talking to him from

time to time of the objects which they passed by the way; it was a new
road to Rosalie and to her mother.
At length, about twelve o'clock, they came to a little village, where they
halted for a short time, that the horses might rest before going farther.
The country children were just leaving the village school, and they
gathered round the caravans with open eyes and mouths, staring
curiously at the smoke coming from the small chimneys, and at Rosalie,
who was peeping out from between the muslin curtains. But, after
satisfying their curiosity, they moved away in little groups to their
various homes, that they might be in time to get their dinner done
before afternoon school.
Then the village street was quite quiet, and Rosalie stood at the door,
watching the birds hopping from tree to tree, and the bees gathering
honey from the flowers in the gardens. Her mother was better to-day,
and was dressing herself slowly, for she thought that a breath of
country air might revive and strengthen her.
Augustus, Toby, and the other men of the company had gone into the
small inn for refreshment, and Toby was sent back to the caravan with
large slices of bread and cheese for Rosalie and her mother. The child
ate of it eagerly--the fresh air had given her an appetite--but the poor
woman could not touch it. As soon as she was dressed, she crept, with
Rosalie's help, to the door of the caravan, and sat on the top step,
leaning against one of the boxes, which the child dragged from its place
to make a support for her.
The caravan was drawn up by the side of a small cottage with a
thatched roof. There was a little garden in front of it, filled with sweet
flowers, large cabbage-roses, southernwood, rosemary, sweetbriar, and
lavender. As the wind blew softly over them, it wafted their sweet
fragrance to the sick woman sitting on the caravan steps. The quiet
stillness of the country was very refreshing and soothing to her, after
the turmoil and din of the last week. No sound was to be heard but the
singing of the