Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-12-11
A BALLOON EPISODE.
An Old Showman's Story Of .
 Brave Acrobat

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 One evening. in looking over the old showman's scrap-book, read the fol- lowing from New York paper:
 Yesterday afternoon the balloon from Robinson's circus, carrying two performers, was caught in . storm over the sound and wrecked. One of the performers, Toma Patra, fell into the water and was drowned; while the l other man hung to the cordAge and was carried into Connecticut, where he was found uninjured, though the balloon was total loss"
 Closing the book, turned to the old snowman. and said: '.As you evident ly know something about this accident, , tell it to me-" He answered: "Yes, do know something about that accident, for I was one of the occupants of the balloon, and don't think shall forget ! the experience if live for a thousand years.
 '"Toma Patra, or Tom, as we called him, was strange man with strange history. Though he was with the show for three years, he never told his real name or his history, except to me, and that but moment before he died.
 ''We were performing in the West when he appeared and applied for 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. He was given the opportunity, and proved to be one of the best acrobats that our manager had ever seen. In some respects, particu- larly in balancing objects, his skill was really marvellous. All that he did was truly artistic, without any resort to the trickegy so common among such per- formers.
 '"Tom made friends very slowly, and made no conf1dants whatever. Though he treated all politely, he showed a re- serve that was not pleasing, because 1t kept him from joining with the rest in their sports. Then 1t was soon noticed that Tom never spent any money, ex- cepting for absolute necesslties, and this fact soon gave him the name of Stingy Tom, though no one would have dared to use the name in his hearing.
 "I never knew him to take the least interest in any one or any thing, except once, when had fooltshly been under the influence of liquor, he said to me: My boy, stop it. for 1t can do you no good. and may do you great harm.'
 "I have always thanked him for those words, though at the time they did me no good. and 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 c balloon each afternoon, and while had to perform on the flying trapeze under it Tom staid in the basket to manage 1t. 50 far as a balloon can be managed This balloon performance was a great card.
 "We had been doing the balloon act about Q month, whom we reached New York City for four weeks stand-verJ glad of rest after weeks of travelling
 'One Saturday night after the per formauce found Tom reading Q news paper by the light of Q 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, pre- tended not to notice his agitation; and I think he silently thanked me. He looked at me for Q moment. and ther said: Will you 20 to Philadelphia with again at night?'
 "'What for?' asked.
 For company; and it is my requOst 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 tearl to his eyes. It seemed strange that strong man should show SO much agita tion, and 1t affected me deeply as tool his hand and said: Whatever you trouble may be. you have my sym pathy, and will do as you request
 ''When we reached Philadelphia h. hired horse and we took long driv, : about the streets, with no apparent ob ject In accordance with my promise .. . l asked no questions, but I noticed tha there was particular point on Locus F street which he passed frequently; and l though he drove from 1t apparently in different as to his direction, he aIway : returned to the same place. In this wa, d several hours passed, and finally, whel we returned to the place which scene, . to attract him, there were hearse anl . some carriages before one of the houses f After that he did not drive out of sight but waited, sometimes at one point an, t then at another, but always with tn t house in view, until four pall-baarer r came from the building carrying small coffin and placed 1t in the hearse Then, as the funeral train moved slow fl ly along the street, he joined 1t an .i followed the last carriage to Laure HILL We left our buggy and stoo l, among those nearest the open grave. + watched Tom's face. in which I cOul
 Auction House.
 Closing Out