Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-12-24
a M,a,lgorol.s &Rcfctl.
GIVING EN- GAS,
Or
Belchor Kay's Rescue Of Crowd.
Ely JACK uuMPnRlES.
BY JACK HUMPHRlEs.

A few years ago, it was great attraction
70 the public to give a show of the effects
OF gas, upon such Uictims, as were parlicu-
larly given 10 make ninnes Of themselves.
About the highest exhibition of that sort of
thing, that came off in or around Boston,
was that given at the old show shop ball
the name of which we do not now re-
member-on Court street, near Corn Hill.
Some progressive genius, bound to cater
for the public tastes, and rake down the
dimes, advertised grand exhibition of the
beauties, &C., Of the laughing gas as made
manifest upon certain ladies and gentlemen
who were to take it and perform various
operations upon the stage OF course the
house was crowded-'irom pit to dome,' 10
use popular expression.
The first u,ctim who took the inflated
bladder OF ether, was cadaverous jadey,
who Immediately began to whistle over
lures, sing songs, and finally threw a SOM
ersrt into the orchestra This feat near
about Gislocated the fellows spinal column,
but afforded the audience very ccnsidera-
| bic invoice of amusement. The next ge-
Mus who esSayed TO perform on the blad-
der, got such dose that he fell speechless,
and il took lots OF cold water and friction
to bring him loo This bit Of tragedy was
relieved by bit OF fun in the next custo-
mer, who took his quantun, and dashing
the bladder at the audience, began TO show
signs of great pugnacity, by jumping into
tie lnager of the show and pelting him
like old boots. II required two OF the man.
ager's allies 10 stake him off, and the audi
ence roared at the sport fit TO kill them
selves. II was fun to them but none 10 the
manager, who now deemed il expedient 10
provide rope, and the next customer was
noosed by the arms TO ring in the floor,
and thus secured, he let on the gas But
this precauion in the next customer-a
bullet-headed fel!ow-waS thrown away,
for he was jolly, good humored, and began
10 make love dreadiully; threw his arms
around the managers neck, and hugged and
kissed him in the most extravagant style OF
high pressure affection But all of a snd-
den change came over the spirit Of his
iancies, and be burst out into an awful
'spelP OF crying This, of course, was first
rate amusement 10 the crowd, aud they
yelled and 'went on dreful, as Susan Nip
per might say.
Now burly Jack Tar, who with some
OF his chums present, asked If he couldn't
get up on TO the stage and take suck oi
the gas'
'Oh, yes' says the manager, 'come
along anybody desirous of trying the ex-
pertinent are at liberty 10 step up
'Well, mate,' says Jack, Il never tried
anything yet stronger then grog, and as |
never found enough Of that TO get me off
soundihgs, l'll bet months wages you
cant put 1t on strong enough, or long
enough 10 put me on my beam ends, no
come on SIR cried the manager, Il will
put IL 10 you strong enough, pll engage
90 JACK iomoers up on the stage the
manager harnesses him with the rome and
gives him the we'll inflated bladder JacL
pulls away at ii as vigorously as his well.
developed lungs permitted, and finally
getting his fill, he dashes down the bladder
The audience were all in a litter: tb.x
anticipated some mighty tall fun, and the,
were not kept long in suspense, for the,
had fun, and little more than they caIcu
lated upon. Jack stood for few second
dead calm. His eyes rolled, and his .ioll,
mug began to assume very sinister an,
om'uous aspect graphing with his har
ness, Jack worked with great energy 1
get loose, but finding that no easy matte,
he jams his huge fist into his pocket, an
haus Out knife, and such knife as mad
the eyes OF the manager snap, and his LEG
taking the hint, carried his body out of III
way in double quick time. 50 ~ r.,e
'Hs's got knifel' was the cry of III
audience, and Jack giving the ropes tn,
bound him general ripping, he was 500
al large.