The Panola weekly star. (Sardis, Miss.) 1882-18??, 1885-02-07
BLONDIN AND HIS BABY
A Thrilling Incident Of the Tight.
Ropo,

A party Of young men were seated nj
atnhlc one evening In an uptown res
taurnnt. They had just returned from
circus, and the performances In the
three rings, the daring trapclc and
wonderful equestrian feats were still
before their eyes, and formed the sub.
ject of their c0nyrrsnilon, while they In
Ncstigatcd the mciils Of blue points aud
Saddle Rocks
"1ho circus has always had u won.
dcrful fascination for mc," remarked
the youngest Of the group, q youth ap-
parcntly in his teens, II shall never
forget the first time attended one;
was nearly wild with delight and ex-
element, and I've never outlivcd my
first impression
Entire nous, boys" rcjoincd another
Of the party, II would rather any day
attend circus than nm opera
That's because YOU have not soul
nttuncd TO the concord Of sweet
sounds said the elder Of the party;
but you are safe IN airing your hctero-
dox tastes In this company, for think
We all have to confess u penchant for
the ring sawdust" d"
my heart was In my mouth, cx-
claimed the first speaker, "whcn that
pretty girl, in green satin bodice, was
shot out Of the cannon"
III wonder you didn't faint then.
Dlckie, when she hung by u toe TO the
trapczc."
at makes my blood run cold, ac-
knowledge said Dickle. "but at the
same time enjoy il immensely"
Singular" remarked the elder Of
the three young men. "whnt n trcmen-
dous attraction aud fascination the dar-
ing and dangerous possess for us.
Something In our nature seems TO crave
for II"
Yes" responded Dickle, something
In my nature Graves for Il. have
walked five miles 10 sec ropc-walkcr,
and shuddercd all the time looked nj
him. but couldn't tear myself awny."
Here an old gentleman who sat at nm
adjoining table near the group looked
up and smiled at the lads enthusiasm,
and the kindly look Of amusement was
met by nm answering smile as the boys
frank gaze met his.
You will excuse me, gentlemen.
he said, ''but your conversation re-
minds me Of u startling incident that
came under my observation many ycnrs
ago. which doubt not my young friend
here would have greatly enjoyed" }"
Dickic's eyes dilatcd. while the rest
Of the company turned with interest 10
the speaker.
Would you not kindly relate !. 10
Ms, slrP" asked Dickic.
Thus invited. tho old gentleman ~
sumedi
'AbOnt twenty-five years ago was
called b. business 90 4 Southern city,
and whilr ,herc Blondin, the celebrated
rope-wnikW, advertised to perform one
evening. The place selected was the
theatcr tse only one In the town n
large building capable of seating about
two thousand people, went 10 the
thcator that evening In order to while
away n few hours. as was n stranger
In strange place. The house was
crowded from pit 10 dome. A rope
was stretched across near the stage. be-
tween the two topmost side galleries.
AMI made steady by guys. or long
rJpcs which were attached TO II at In.
icryals and fastened behind tho flies.
On this narrow causeway the nimblc
athlete made several journeys, dancing.
running, hopping on one foot. crawling
on his knees. walking with Jugs of
water upon his shoulders. and various
other thing which now forget.
''But now the browning feat was 10
take place. lie was 10 trundle n
whcclbarow across which was TO con-
tain his baby. n little boy Of ten
months. ! was told. This was In many
respect. the. most difficult performance
he had undertaken. In the first place.
both hands would b. occupied with the
handles of tho whcelbanow. while In
hi- other performances they were at
liberty to MAINTAIN his balance. Before
be- had only himself 10 look AFTER, aud
now be had another. and that other his
own child. 80. altogether. the audi.
onee eomprehended Tbs 10 BE- an un.
hcriaking which. aboye al others,
would tax bis GOODNESS aud steadne-s
II nerve most severely, and our nerves
thrilled In sympathy with the daring
father as he appeared at one end Of the
rope. The wherlbarrow was of paste.
board. but the baby was not. A fat.
rosy little fellow, who greeted the
audience with laugh Of delight a. he
looked down upon them from his airy
perch.
{" You might have have heard pin
fall. as the saying i. when the couple
commenced their pcrilous passage; not
n sound but the cooing and Growing Of
the baby. Slowly but surely the frail
vehicle, with Its trusting little passen-
GER, gIlded along the rope We held
our breath and fell II would be = relief
when they effected n safe landing on
the other side. The tension on the
nerves u the spectators was almost
painful. Two-ihirds of the journey was
made when suddenly there was q pause
"a hitch somewhere something
seemed 10 impede the single wheel oi
the barrow. Slowly the man drew Il
toward him and tried again; but there
was evidently something In the way. A
moments observation revealed tho Im I
pedimeni. One Of the guys. wher n
was attached 10 the main rope, ms "
clumsy knot. and over this ihe Rrr Ar
wheel refused 70 pass. Again ~
again Blondin drew The baretri,
back and attempted 10 surm.' 81
the obstacle, bat In vain. uhils rT
child. delighted with the see-sau mcf :
ment. erosed more loudly fhao -
little conscious that Il wss oa ihe
brink ol dssLA- finding Is inpo<
10 proceed. IN - ooSsof ~ .
a<1 a8-.@.-I s<.s6@-411.- Am. 49, 4. A