Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-03-12

hand. l climbed up his body. knew no,
how till reached the perch, and thence into
the car, where lay painting for breath, and
trembling like hare
He soon followed me.
81 frightened you, didn't ?'' he said. ssYeu
don't suppose meant it, do you2''
81 made no answer, but prepared for the de-
scent While arranging the cordage our
hands met. / could not bear his touch.
struck him, and knocked him into the bottom
OF the car, where he lay growing and swear
ing till We came to the ground.
Next morning | called on the proprietor OF
the gardens, and told him all. To my intense
astonishment, he fatty refused to cancel our
engagement, and said our quarrels were
nothing to him that an engagement an
agreement, and business was business; that
the performance drew crowds of visitors, and
he insisted on its continuance. | told him
| that would not risk my life again, and he
threatened me with an action for breach of
contract. Shortly after l got an engagement
at G laSgow and left London without either
seeing Ranford or his unfortunate wife and
child.
Two years passed away, during which
heard but little OF my partner While l was
performing at Manchester, heard of an old
friend of mine, of the name Of Coobie, being
at a circus in neighboring town. | took the
train and went over to SEE him. We dned
and at seven O'Clock we went together to the
circus. Lounging near the entrance | saw
Ranford. He was considerably altered-thin-
ner, and IT possible, more evii-eyed than ever.
81 know that man." said to Coobie
81 know you do, my friend replied. 'sHe
calls himself the excelsior, champion SOM
ersault thrower of the world. He is in the
bills for somerSault Tonight
'4ou know sir, tLat treble somerSault
means standing on spring board, throwing
your heels up, aud turning completely round
three times in the air before you light upon
your feet. [ need not say that it is a very
difficult thing to do.''
said TO Coobie sits odd that a man who
drinks SO hard should be capaI lie OF such
feat
ellis engagement depends on it, was the
reply ''we're full in every other llne.''
''The governor told him that he'd sign arti-
cles with him for that but not for anything
else. Eh he sees you.''
| turned around and saw Ranford walking
quickly from US. | entered the circus and
was accommodated with seat in the orches-
ira. could not help thinking of my old
partner, and had strange nervousness upon
me as If something was about to happen but
the feeling wore off when Ranford came into
the ring The audience applauded loudly, for
he had thrown a treble somerSauit twice be-
fore and was favorite in consequence.
81 saw that he was not sober, and noticed
that he had the same little star upon his fore
head that he wore the last time We made an
ascent together. While the grooms were
altering the position Of the spring board he
walked up to the orchestra, and, with the old
devlsh smile upon his face, said to me:
''f on CAN'T keep away, then, can you? You
riU come 20
''Rantord," l whiswered, 'syou're not your
self tonight; take my advice-don't throw
the treble 20
''He swore an oath, and then burst into
loud laugh.''
'sYou want me to fail, do you 20 he said.
''Fail when you're here Hi-youp ~
''He ran up on the spring board, bowed, and
kissed his hands. The music began. He
threw several single somersaults. the double
one then he stopped and crossed his arms
and looked at me. The audience was very
enthusiastic, and he again repeated the per-
formance and stopped again. There was more
applause. Then he turned towards me, smiling
as if he said, 'NOw-and went 10 work third
time. He got the spring and over he went
once, twice. My heart rose in my mouth, for
/ sa" that he had no room TO turn a third time. |
His bead came down with horrible hud a.
mong the tan and saw-dust; and he lay in the
ring, doubled up and dead -
A surgeon came out of the boxes, who said
that his neck was broken, and that death must
have been instantaneous. | tainted. When |
[ came to, saw his body being carried out of
the ring.
''Well, sir, was pitched upon to be the
bearer of the sad news TO the widow. Eli pass |
over that | was surprised TO find that in spite
Of his cruel usage, she was still very fond of
him. | kissed the child, who had grown a |
fine little girl, and returned to Manchester the |
next day. attended the funeral, of course. |
Ranford hardly LETT pound behind him. l !
gave the widow an address that would always |
find me, and told her to whenever-when-if |
she wanted-that is, whenever she required |
assstance.''
'sFirst the poor thing tried to set up school |
for children, but that failed, and knowing that |
she must sometimes be pressed | often sent TO |
her. | don't know how it came about, but, |
after long correspondence and courtship, l |
married her; and here she comes with my beef |
-ea-and here comes Evelina for that's the |
very woman, sir, and that's the very little
girl and a real beauty she is -