Mower County transcript., 1890-12-17
4 BALLOON EPISODE.
An Old Showmaa's Story Of a
Brave Acrobat.

An O1O snowman 9 0LOry Oh d
Brave Acrobat.
One evening, in looking over the old
showman's scrap-book, l read the fol-
lowing from Now York papor:
"Icsterday afternoon the balloon
from Robinson's circus, carrying two
performers. was caught in storm over
tho sound and wrecked. Ono OF tho
performers, Toma Patra, foil into tho
wAtcr and was drowned; while tho
other man hung to the cordage and WIS
carried into Connecticut, whero he was
found uninjurcd, though tho balloon
was q total loss."
Snowman, and said: "As you evident
ly know something about this accident,
toll it to mc.' Ho answered.: "Yes,
do know something about that accident,
for was ono of tho occupants of tho
balloon, and don't think l shall forget
the experience il 1.-Two for q thousand
years.
"roma Patra, or Tom, as we called
him. was strange man with strange
history. Though he was with tho show
for thrcc years, he never told his real
namo or his history, except to mo, and
that but moment before he died.
I'VE wcro performing in tho West
when he appeared and applied for a po.
sition as an acrobat Though asked for
credentials and questioned as to his
professional record, he refused to
answer, and demanded an opportunity
to exhibit his skill. Io was given the
opportunity. and proved to be one of
tho best acrobats that our manager had
ever seen In some respects, particu-
larly in balancing objects, his skill was
really marvellous All that ho did was
truly artistic, without any resort to the
tricl1cry SO common among such per-
formers
"Tom made friends very slowly, and
made no confdants whatever. Though
he treated all politely, he showed a re-
scrve that wSs not pleasing, because it
kept him from joining with the rest in
their sports. Then it was soon noticed
that Tom never spent any money, OK
cepting for absolute necessities, and
tuAo law oOoA S"No AAlA 1uo A1ulo "a
Stingy Tom, though no one would have
dared to use the name in his hearing.
IT never knew him to take tho least
interest in any ono or any thing, except
once. when bad foolishly been under
the influence of liquor. he said to me:
My boy, stop it, for it can do you no
good. and may do you great harm
II have always thanked him for those
words, though at the time thoy did mo
no good. and l felt more kindly toward
him after he spoke them. believe that
he did not feel toward me quite as he
did toward the others.
''The manager decided to send up a
balloon each afternoon. and while had
to perform on tho flying trapeze under
it Tom staid in the basket to manage it,
so far as balloon can be managed
This balloon performance was a great
card.
1--WE had been doing the balloon act
about a month, when we reached New
York City for four weeks stand-very
glad of rest after weeks OF travelling.
!'One Saturday night after the per-
formance found Tom reading a news
paper by the light of torch, and could
see tears coming from his eyes. in spite
of his apparent effort to keep them back.
AS wished to spare his feelings, l pre-
tended not to notice his agitation; and
] think he silently thanked INC. He
looked at me for moment, and then
said: will you 90 to Philadelphia with
me early in the morning, and come back
again at night?'
"'What for?' / asked.
"'For company; and it is my request
that you tell no one Of our journey and
ask me no questions
''It was with sad voice that he spoke
the words, and they again brought tears
to his eyes. 1t seemed strange that q
strong man should show so much agita-
tion, and 1t affected me deeply as took
his hand and said: Whatever your
trouble may be, you have my SYM
pathy. and will do as you request
when we reached Philadelphia he
hired horse and we took a long drive
about the streets, with no apparent OBJ
ject. In accordance with my promise,
\ ooACu ~ uCStAOuSs Uut AOIlCoO tuGk
there was particular point on Locust
street which he passed frequently; and,
though he drove from it apparently in
different as to his direction, he always
returned to the same place. In this way
several hours passed, and finally, when
we returned to the place which seemed
to attract him, there were hearse and
some carriages before one Of the houses.
After that he did not drive out of sight.
but waited, sometimes at one point and
then at another, but always with the
house in view, until four. pall-bearers
came from the building carrying a
small coffin and placed it in the hearse.
Then, as the funeral train moved slow
" along the street, ho joined it and
followed the last carriage to Laurel
Hill. We left our buggy and stood
amoug those nearest the open grave.
watched Toms face, IN which ! could