Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-04
Gales arlo Skattbes.
A NIGHT IN NEW ORLEANS.
Continued from Yesterday. }

1T will make me all the more careful
We'll, walk then" said Golson, with
shrug Of his shoulders.
Now. Colby, don't Look that way"
He became cheerful and beaming in
moment. The manager appeared on the
opposite roof and signalled the girl to
proceed. The attendants at both ends ex-
amined the fastenings Of the rope to see
that they were properly secured. They
produced trays in which to burn colored
fires. and heaped Jumps Of the combusti-
bic material upon the parapet Toe
mounted the parapet with an elastic step.
and threw kisses at the shouting crowd
below a. the red fires brought out her
frail form. She looked very charming
and pretty standing smiling in the intense
glare OF the light.
''Give me the pole she demanded
smilingly Of Golson. holding out small
pretty hand and dimpled arm.
He picked up the cumbersome balanc-
ing pole and placed ii in her hands. She
found the centre, shook hands with Col
son threw kisses at the crowd and stepped
firmly upon the rope. She soon found a
safe pose, took a few steps and halted.
She glanced back at the attendants. and
anxiously regarded the pile OF fire.
lyon are burning it too fast she said.
.'Good-by. Colby" and she picked her
way over the narrow bridge - spanned
the yawing chasm beneail She was
graceful, and walked with siderable
ease apparently, stopping oee fnally to
SHIFT the pole and steady herseND
''She is walking slowly and 81 70
night" said one Of the men.
''Is she not walking as well as usual!4
asked Golson. hurriedly, as he looked at
her steadily. His glance never left her a
moment.
''No; she can beat that. think she
must be in the sulks."
GolsoD paid no attention to the insult,
and watched her with fascinated gaze.
His face was somewhat paler than usual.
in spite OF the red glare. lie did not
move single muscle Zoe had passed
the middle of the street.-the most danger
Gus plaee-and continued her walk toward
the other end She tOiled up the incline,
the rope depressing under her tiny .nimble
feet. and at last she jumped safe and sound
upon the opposite roof.
A tremendous, dearening shout arose
from the mob. and the pueky girl threw
a bunch Of kisses at Golson. The color
had returned to his face with unnatural
intensity, and the look of anxiety had
passed His chest was broader and his
eyes brighter. He simply smiled at Zoe.
and did not even applaud her perform
ance.
The shouting below continued. The
men made no preparation to remove the
rope. but Golson started for the ladder.
''Hold on; she's coming back" said
one OF the attendants.
Golson stopped rs if he had been shot
through the brain. The hard anxious
look returned. and the deadly pallor came
back.
II did not know that he said calmly
and resignedly.
He resumed his old position, and watched
the girl with intense interest-with gaze
in which were concentrated his soul and
heart and strength and mnd-a look in
which was expressed the profoundest feel
ings of strong nature.
Zoe rested a moment and again stepped
upon the rope. She had proceeded about
ten feet. when some one of the men re-
marked:
"She's scared
Golson noticed it, we all saw it. Her
teeth were so tightly compressed that in
the dazzling light we could see ridges in
her cheeks. Her nostrils were expanded
Her breathing was short and tremor APP
peared in Der hands and knees. Instead
OF her usually erect carriage, there was a
perceptble leaning forward.
When she had made but dozen steps
she stopped and appeared in doubt. she
then apparently made an effort to walk
backward. but was evidently afraid to
undertake it. She stopped again, mus
tered her courage. threw a quick glance
at Golson. and recommended her danger
Gus journey The rope trembled and
swayed uuder her feet. and in this way
caught swinging motion tina. tries the
nerves of the most experienced balancers
When she reached the middle il was
impossible to proceed. She might have
crossed safely. but the fire on the other
side was exhausted. She had walked
more slowly than usual. and the fire WAS
consumed too soon; and she could not
see the rope distinctly enough. She stood
still for several seconds. The light behind
her continued to burn. but 1t was of no as
sistance to her and Immediately afterward
it also was exhausted.
We could distinctly see the poor fright
eueu Siri Dy tne itxnt from oeiOW. out ner
face was obscured. The crowd sent up
Kisses and groans. The rope-walker at
tempted to take another step she succeed
ed. she tried second and failed Her
foot suddenly slipped. but she was active
and alert. and caught upon her knee. Her
fright increased. and in the terrible ex-
element OF the moment she dropped the
pole. 1t struck the rope. balanced a mo-
ment. and slipped off upon the crowd be-
low. There was great scattering and
the crowd realized that the young girl
was falling. Every sound was hushed.
The poor child steadied herself wildly and
instinctively moment with Der arms as
she knelt upon the rope, and then fell.
Golson's appearance was painful and
ptiable to see. Great cords stood out
upon his face. which was overspread by
an agony of CHASTITY pallor. His muscles
swelled with ridges and knots, and his
hands assumed the appearance of an
eagles claws. He gazed at the rope
where the girl had stood a moment ago.
She had caught by the right hand. and
hung suspended over the cobbles. In an
other moment she grasped the rope with
the other hand and hung perfectly quiet.
Golson waited but few seconds. when
he saw that fright had taken the strength
from her arms, so that she could not climb