The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-07-18
A RODENT on THE WIRE,
A NEW BLONDIN IN THE FIELD.

| As rule We don't pan out much on rats
Wild and wonderful stories of their remarkable
/ ingenuity and acrObatic skill but We ALWAYS
swallowed the dose with Il sort OF mental res
| ervation. Last evening, however we had all
our old prejudices against the rodents knocked
into meteoric shower by the performance OF
an old, grav, experienced rat. regular
rounder, and We now solemnly aver We forever
more indorse, no matter how extravagant,
every rat story published or to be published.
For some weeks past those gentlemen en-
gagged in business at the corners of Tchoupi-
toulas and Gravier streets, have told Il won
derful tale OF a certain rodent Blondin who
was in the habit Of nightly walking across the
street on the fine telegraph wire, but the
memories of Tom Collins were too fresh and
Notwithstanding their reiterated assertions,
no one believed in the tale AS days passed
On the evidence accumulated, and waited by
the fresh river breeze, it at last reached the
BULLETIN office. Two reporters were at once
delegated to inquire into the matter and last
evening they started out on their mission.
When they arrived at the corner of the
above named streets they found that there
We're already assembled quite Il Large number
of gentlemen, awaiting the evenings perform
ance. The reporters took up their position
on the roof of what was once known us the
Woods House. at the corner of Gravier
ana Tchoupitoulas streets, and awaited further
DEVELOPMENTS. AS soon as the watches of the
party showed that II quarter past had passed,
numerous explosives We're ,,howered upon those
who originated the story: but one enthusiastic
witness of former acrobatic feats o. the rat,
begged the crowd not to be hasty.
At 7:25 p NJ one of the crowd cried gut
that he saw the old fellow and chorus OF
voices echoed his ejaculation. The reporters
brought to bear their eagle eyes and soon
discerned large and oversrown rat ascend
ing the root of the store of NJ Bassett Il Co..
on the northeast side Of Gravier street
The wire on which the rodent was said to
perform his feats hung about two feet above
the highest point Of Messrs. Bassett's store,
and there was considerable discussion as to
how he would get up on his perilous bridge.
The rat, stopping now and then, ran up to
the uppermost ridge of the root, and, after
taking surveyor the surroundings. made his
first jump for the wire ut exactly half-past Z
O clock and fell back.
A cheer went up ut his attempt, but nothing
daunted he made a second jump and was
Posing himself for moment he
started on his dangerous voyage over the
street, some seventy-tive feet below, with an
unconcern perfectly delightful. He crossed
in what might be termed II dog trot; and with
out needing the cars below or the capping OF
the crowd, he coolly crossed the telegraph
wire with the ease of Il Blondin. With the |
1exterity of an old rope walker he used his |
ail rs balance pole, and as his body swayed !
his way and that met the motion with that |
Useful appendage.
Il took him exactly 1Ga seconds to cross
Iravier street ON the wire and to alight OH the |
'oof OF Messrs. jackson, kirkpatrick 4 |
Henderson, store. In the crowd present We
loticed Messrs. Wash Marks, n Miller Of
I'D p Gravier streets, the clerks Of the
steamers Belle Rowland and Ruth, and others
Who were appreciative viewers OF the spec
acle.
1t appears that this antiquated rat has been
n the habit for four weeks past, of making
nightly pilgrimage over the wire at exactly
80 o'clock, and, as yet, he has not missed
lis time one minute. Let the increduiOus
'isit the place and see the new aspirant for
quilabristic honors and Judge for themselves.
The performance takes place tonight at 1870
,. NJ. exactly.