Omaha daily bee., 1883-01-16
CIR u SECRETS.
A Gymnast Who Passed for Years as
q Woman.

New York Tribune.
The gy mnast, although modest, was
willing to speak of his achievements.
As he blew smoke from a big cigar
through his bristly mustache, he did
not look as though he had ever been
a woman; but he was a woman--to all
appearsnces--for several years.
SIS your name Mr.. Lulu" asked
the reporter.
"No; just Lulu"
"Been In the show business all
your life2'
''SInce I was a boy, but my per.
formances have always been of a spec
isl character-that Of flights through
the air. For years after my first ap
pearance 1 was a girl. Why was Il
Because it enhanced the interest Of
the performance. A crowd at a circus
will eye a woman with intense curiosity
when the wouldn't think of looking al
a man you know. When the specta.
tors saw me shoot up into the air to
height of forty.feet of more, as quick
as thought, without knowing how il
how it was done, they were filed with
wonder and admiration. Theythought
that there must be something super
natural about It,"
"Were you not suspected of moi
being q woman2"
"My sex was always a matter OF
speculation, but my appearance was In
favor of the theory that l was a woman
and no N could assert that l was
not. When I was younger my face
was of an essentially feminine type.
maintained my disguise under all cir
cumstanc es; even my intimate &C.
ausintances we're deceived. My hair,
which was very light, was allowed to
grow long, and was put up in cur
papers every night; as regularly al
the locks of the most.fnical maiden.
My dresses were msrvels of art, and
If I may say 1.-THE envy of women.
l received all sorts of attentions from
men. No favorite equestrienne ever
received more notes or flowers. Once
l was asked to act az bridesmaid at
wedding, and as l could not refuse, ]
went through the ceremony, blushing
when 1t was proper and looking de-
mure and sorry just at the right mo
ment.
Glow was your perpendicular Leaf
madeF"
"By means Of a mechanical device
replied the gymnast, twirling hi
m%oustsche. 1T Is necessary to have
innovations in all forms of amusement
The world grows tired of old tricks J
stood in full view Of the spectators or
an iron plate about a foot In diameter,
which was attached to q spindle run
ming down through a frame work
The spindle was thrown up a d~istanc,
OF seven feet above the stage by mean
of rubber spring, carrying the plate
with 1t. The springs were powerful
enough to send my body through tn,
air ike q shot. Another set of rubber
springs jerked the spindle back a,
quickly as it shot out, 30 that the mo
ton both ways was too quick for sight
On reaching my d~istanceI caught hole
of ropes"
"Is this performance dangerous"
Every. 1t was necessary to pos,
my body so that it would be exactly
in line with the medlan line in tn,
spindle. Otherwise l would receive {
severe shock, be thrown in the wron,
direction and miss tho ropes. TIL,
least delay in releasing the spring
after the signal Is given increases thu
danger"
odd you aver meet with su,
serious accident when making thi
higAtl"
"Ono night at Dublin, the machin,
vas imperfect and the spring becam,
released before i was ready, throwint
me on my head and shoulders 10 tn,
orchestra circle. There was a grea
uproar in tho house. When they car
ried NE cut they thought / was dead
This performance is 80 dangerous, il
fact, that TO other gymaast has eve.
undertaken it
"Whst sensations do you expert
encel'
II feel as if the earth had Buddenl,
fallen from under me. But there Il
really no time for thought. am al
the ropes in an Instant"