National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-03-31

tilan uSudi. ilc Huu lHlNly luhcn 10 an
odd way Of shutting his eyes, and smiling
with his lips tightly pressed together, and
what with his knit brows, white tights,
spangled trunks, and the bit of ribbon
round his head, with paste star in the
centre, he looked, as he sat swinging back :
wards and forwards in the air, more like
an evil being than man.
"Wc went through our performance,
all but the last trick. As I was swinging
from his two hands the thought came
eight into my head il he should not hold
on! .tth
'sAtthe same moment that | let 60 with
my left hard, and swung only by my
right. | heard his voice above me.
"' Kerr he said, ARE you guilty or not2'
g asked him what he meant
60 You know he answered. Confess
that you have wrongcd me; speak the
truth They are your last words. have
but to loose my grip, and down you go'
81 tried to seize his disengaged m, but
he held it above my reach, and put his
other in such position that could not
catch at it, but swung entirely at his
mercy
II leaped to reach the rope with my
feet, and SO hang by my heels, but fail
ed. shut my eyes, and prayed Heaven
to forgive me. Every act of my past life
rushed through my brain; at the same
time | was perfectly conscious of every
thing about Lne-the blue sky, the quiet
evening, the rol re, the bottom Of the car, and
Ranfords hea d inverted over me.
thought what a time / should be falling
falling. ] knew how slowly the sand sank
from the car, and what a long, long time |
should be dying el e reached the earth.
II found streng, h to speak.
:. Ranford,' saitl, you are mistaken
''' You lie ? he answered.
"sIf you let go my hand you are mur-
derer There will be an inquest
s.'T don't care
""It is known that there was ill-blood
between us continued. You may be
hanged. Your wife vii say how jealous
h
50 4 rife cannot gire sr. dence against her
hnSbdRdn
Il knew the next nom ent | should be
falling through the air A spasm shot to
my heart. | fancied saw the bottom of
the car rising from me. felt the grasp of
his fingers loosen! With the energy and
strength of desperation, leaped up, and
caught his wrist withmy disengaEed hand.
| climbed up his body, know not how,
till reached the perch, and thence into
the car, where | lay painting for breath,
and trembling like a hare.
He soon followed me. Il frightened
you, didn't 2" he said, You don't sup
pose meant it, do youP
50 made no answer, but prepared for the
descent. While arranging the cordage our
hands met. | could not bear his touc h.
struck him, and knocked him into the bot
tom Of the car, where he lay growing and
swearing till we came to earth.
"Next .morningI called on the proprie-
tor of the gardens, and told him all. To
my intense eastonishment, he fiatly refused
to cancel our engagement, ant said that |
our quarrels were nothing to him; that an
agreement was an agreement, and busi-
ness was business; that the performance
drew crowds of visitors. and he insisted on
its continuance. told him that | would
not isk my life again, and he threatened
m. '%-th an action for breach of contract.
Shortly after | got an engagement at Glas
row, and left London without seeing Ran
ford or his unfortunate wife and child
1.-Two years passed away, during which
heard but little of my late partner.
While was performing at Manchester, |
heard of an old friend of mine, Of the
lame Of Coobie, being at a circus in a
1eig hboring town. | took the train and
vent over to see him. dined with him,
md at seven o'clock we went together to
he circus. Lounging near the entrance |
Jaw Ranford. He was considerably altered
thinner, and, if possible, more evil-eyed
han ever.
81 know that man. said to Coobie.
al know you do my friend replied.
He calls himself the Excelsior or Cham
ZION Somersault Thrower in the world.
He is in the bills for treble somersault to-
,ignt'
"You must know, sir, that a treble
means standing on a spring !
,oard, throwing your heels up, and turn
ng completely round three times in the
Iir before you light Upon your feet. | 5
need not say that it is a very difficult /
hing to do.
said to Coobie-' It's odd that man
Who drinks so hard should be capable of
uch feat
- His engagement depends upon it,
vas the reply; we're full in every other
inc. The governor told him he'd sign |
rticles with him for that, but not for any !
hing alse. Eh he sees YOU :
81 turned round, and saw Ranford l
Walking quickly from us. | entered the =
ircus, and was accommodated with seat !
n the orchestra. could not help think I
nc of my old partner, and had strange 5
ervousness upon me, as if something was |
bout to happen but the feeling wore off S
,hen Ranford came into the ring. The c
udience applauded loudly, for he had
brown treble somersault twice u =, q
nd was favorite in consequence. :
IL saw that he was not sober, and no. ),
iced that he had the same little star upon 6
is forehead that he wore the last time 1.
'e made an ascent together. While the
rooms were altering the position of the
pring board he walked up to the orches-
er, and with a devilish smile upon his face, s.
nd to me-, You can't keep away, then, c
MT yoI? You wal come n a
(" Rmford,' I whispered, you're not "
ouself to night; take my advice don't "
br0w the treble ~ "
He swore an oath, and then burst into u
loud laugh. .. kerk !.
"' You want me to fail, do you7 he v
lid. Fail when you're here IIi!-youp ol
la - 81
:" He ran up the spring-board, bowed, IS
I'd kissed his hand. The music began. 81
e threw several single somersaults, then I'll
double one then he stopped and crossed III
Is arms and Looked af me The audi.