Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1888-10-17
TRAPEzE PERFORMERS.
SUPERSTITION AMONG TIE LIMB ANc
LIFE RlsKlNo cLASs.


The Naidi sisters are two pretty English
girls who do some very good trapcze work
One OF them pcrforms dive. head fore
most. from the very top OF the proscc.
mum arch a dl1xy height. into net sus
pended just above the heads OF tho spec.
tators I'm the parpuet That In ono of tho
most ihrillingly effective feats ever shown
here IN public, but. In point OF fact Is
very little " any moro dangerous than
number OF things thR, they do together
ou tho trapcrc before that analo SO long
a. the performer comes down into the net
there need bo no fear There In more
danger In the breaking OF tightly
strained guy wire at a critical moment.
by which the trapeso might DO violently
jcrkcd out Of place and tho performer
thrown OIL. away outside Of tho net. To
fall upon the backs or the orchestra chairs
and be picked up mass Of broken bones
aud mauglcd 1esh, perhaps dead To
guard against this as far as possible tho
greatest caro- ls exercised In tho stretch
ing of the wire and rope guys. which Ia
ali gone over and examined before each
performance This, with the stretching
OF the net. takes several minutes.
nrr or SENTIMENT.
While these things are being done tho
two sisters stand waiting In the frat en-
trance. on the prompt" side OF the stage
with btg clonks dnped about their scant
lily clad forms. and their mother oloso be
bind them When the signal l. given
that all Is ready. the mother draws OF
their closks Then the two girls embraces
aud kiss each others hands After that
they dart out on the stage and a moment
later they ac up In the air risking their
neclSs II that little bit OF sentimental
business were done In public. IL would bc
understood ~ tawdry concoit for effect
like many other things In which gym
nasts and Gcrobats Indulge. with view
To impressing the spectators. But IL
Is not The embracing and kissing
are all done lin tho wings" where
!, Is only by accident that person near
the footlights In the parqnct on the oppo
site side Of the stage may pcrchance sec
IL The general disposition To ascribo To
superstition OF some sort the motive i'm
peIliug people to do somewhat unusual
things naturally suggests that as n reason
for the Vaidi girls demonstration. But
upon inquiry II is learned that this IL
prompted by simple affection. nothing
more Each knows that IL IL well within
the range Of possibilities that the slipping
OF her hand the failure by a hairs breadth
OF the others grasp or a break Of tho mp
paratus may cause her sisters plunge to
death. or that that fate may be her own
within the next few minutes With that
feeling In mind. the hand claspe. embraces
and kisses between tho girls are simply a
tcnderer demonstration OF tho impulse
that prompts comrades. when going into
BATHS, TO shake hands silently Il may
be for the last time. aid thoy know It.
There Is little superstition among the
limb aud life venturing Glasses Of public
performers far less than exists among
people In the histrionic profession
Whether II Is that the vigorous life of the
former develops a more healthful and con
seGuently sounder philosophy. or that
their trimming has drilled them into n
higher confidence In themselves and ap
probation Of tho possibilities Of human
control over what weaker natures deem
fate and luck. need not be- discussed here
Tho fact Is enough for present considers
tion OF course there are exceptions TO
this. as 70 every other rule. but even
when they do occur they are not violent.
and generally have some pretty fair reA
son back Of the seeming superstition al
legged Matte Jackson. for instance. will
not ride in the circus ring on Good Fri
day Sho ayows fear that some acci
don't will happen 70 her II sho does. as one
did once upon time when she broke the
rule. or perhaps before she made IL But
the fact Is that she has a vague idea that
II isn't right And several 0fhor we'll
known riders have the same notion.
bAs0En DREADED
Il indeed appears that the dread Of hav
Ing a superstition Is more rife among
circus people than any superstition H.. for
the excellent reason that they know q
danger dreaded Is moro than half Invited
a man whpss nerves arc 20 the slightest
/ degree uistrung by expectancy of accident
IS likely 70 realize his expectation when
attempting some feat that demands al the
/ ~ rsn. .rth skin coolness and nerve that ho
I ppvsssses Very often q riders perform
aure ~ made tinHd and measursbiy in
effective simply by groOm's report %
Y him that Dis horse docs not seem 20 be
/ f..,.iiug 10 right There is no superstition
alsnn that BOT consciousness that u the
J bs.r-s is not all right and up 70 good 70
/ memDranreand observance Of bis training
I fne measlng q hIs riders lcg or perhaps
I hi- neck mag be the consequence
I o. may hardly h. fair 70 classify a.
suyersttious tue practice - carrying 20
Y tatDss or horse chcstnuts IN the pockets
~ fefiches against rheumatism n Il 10
- then thoro is q euOd deal u that sort
/ of sHponiiiion among show folk. but they
/ vebcuenfly Affirm that u h prompted BY
/ knowledge ~ the proved medicinal virtues
7 of these articles
/ Japane-e show people have superstition
I enough Tor not only their own share. but
I for all tie others Esch Of their trOupes
Z % mggcrs aud acrObats includes In its
uembenship one grave earnest. bald
I beaded old hcathen supposabiy accus
I toned 70 tussling with devils who would
I fam obstrici ths work Of the performers
o. DrIng them 10 grief 10 H. his business.
before each Important feat involving per
sonal peril % go about the stage scatter
/ ing salt and vOiobiy exploding prayers IN
his irccraekery lingo. - drive the demons
away IN addition 70 his potent official
efforts Tor the Encouragement of the
malign spirits thronging the surrounding
ether each performer carries about WITH