Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-10-11
n 3 Hornets Nest

III q hUiuEI NC=9
The most dangerous feat ever attempt
was to descend with parachute from
tight rope stretched across canyon. had
been engaged By hote!-keeper to perform,
in order to draw crowd. felta little ner-
vous when saw an audience.
When the parachute was in readiness
deathlike hush fell over every one present
s hush that could but feet the most insen-
sible. While examined the machine to see
that everything was In perfect order, Gang
comic song to keep myself from thinking.
Then creased one leg over tbs perch and
plunged into the air.
Shall ever forget the eenssiion Pm
used to sensation of this kind, too. III
had been a novice the way in which shot
through the air would have frightened me
SO much that should have los, my hold On
the machine at once; but ns il YES. clung
all the tighter.
The parachute did net seem 10 offer
particle OF resistance to eravtation. went
down, down, like stope. My head seem.
cd to fly off my shoulders. The cir whz-
zsd and huttered terribly, the horn sent
forth the shrieks of maniac. believe
was never more confused in my life. Il
seemed a. though / sh ould never stop. If
I continued on a. this rate [ should certain
ly 90 down into the eayth at least 10 feet.
| felt that my time had come. Then,
when had given up all hope OF a change,
the parachute commenced 10 dive spG dart,
and knew thst it had commenced 0 feel
tie power of resistance. With every dive
the speed alackened, snd finally l came
to stop that almost jerked me from my
perch.
The machine righted and l commenced
to float on the current I had noted the day
before. I felt myself slowly descending,
and had time to take breath and look be-
low me.
wss surely snd slowly drifting over 10
clump of trees that would prove anything
but safe place on which to aIight. l
kicked my lege loose In the hope OF direct
og the parachute norih~ard to slope OF
green grass.
But the current had il at its mercy. If
should come down gently among the
branches of g tree l might escape with
few scratches, and II struck 1t heavily l
was sure Of death.
Suddenly / became aware OF collision,
and pumber OF shrieks that came from
woman. Tha air seemed full Of pins and
needles, which penetrated even my eyes.
caught glimpse of dainty foot, and
have an indstnct memory OF hearing some
body calling John and Maria. Then l felt
warm arm about my peck and the firm
grasp OF mans hand. Then think fell
asleep.
When my mind became alive TO what wss
goiug on about me looked around. but
coulc see nothing.
Are you awake?" asked fine sweet
voice that was very welcome to my thirsty
ears.
Yes, Why is it go dark bere?"
You can't see me?"
mot Bit OF you and my eyes feel ss
large as couple of oranges. Where's my
parachute How did l come here ?"
"You fell" she said, with q pretty little
laugh.
did 1? I thought 1 rode here on ihe
ponia OF 1000 needlts"
"Worse than needles. You fell into
hornets nest"
"Oh, did," felt my hands, which were
az large as any two hands ought to De.
How long must be in bed ?'
"Until you are able to get up, suppose"
with another little laugh.
'Oh, you thick 1t funuy, suppose ?"
Indeed do not. Don't you know you
nearly lost your life p
The owner Of the sweet voice told me that
all her people had gone out to look at my
parachute descend, and that after l had
fallen into the tree aud the hornets nest,
she and her father carried me to their house
in al inseosible condition. Hundreds of
people had come down to the valley to
learn my fate, the hotel msn among the
number. Ea said he would pay sill my bills
and cent down the best physician in the
city. Nv feat was considered something
wonderful and 10Y escape marvellous.
10 FIVE days my eyes we're opeo, and
saw the owner Of the soft hand-tha hand
that had nursed me through many days OF
blindness and so gently applied lotion to my
face. was very much in love with that
soft hand and when I saw the sweet face that
accompanied Ii was los. bachelor.
l have given up rope walking and all such
dangerous feats. Ny wife won't allow me
10 nix my valuable life Yee, shs calls 1t
valuable, go you see I must have turned over
a new leaf. Boston Globe
RucRsen's ArR1cs SaIve
TIE BEST sALvE in tho world for Cuts, Bruises