The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-12-20
A BALLOON EPISODE.
An Old Showman's Story Of a
Brave Acrobat.

from Robinson's circus, carrying two
performers, was caught in storm ovel
the sound and wrecked. One Of ths
performers, Toma Patra, fell into the
water and was drowned; while the
other man hung to the cordage and was
carried into Connecticut, where he was
found uninjured, though the balloon
was a total loss"
Closing the book, turned to the old
Snowman, and said: GAS you evident
ly know something about this accident,
tell it to me-" He answered: Eyes,
do know something about that accident,
for was one of the occupants Of the
balloon, and don't think / shall forget
the experience If live for 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
&rto o1r
formers.
Tom made friends very slowly, and
made no confidants whatever. Though
he treated all politely, he showed q re-
serve that was 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, ex-
cepting for absolute necessities, and
this fact soon gave him the name of
| Stingy Tom, though no one would have
dared to use the name in his hearing.
81 never knew him to take the least
interest in any one or any thing, except
once, when / had 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
81 have always thank ed him for those
words, though at the time they did me
no good, and l felt more kindly toward
him after he spoke them. l believe that
he did not feel toward me quite as he
did toward the others.
"The manager decided to send up q
balloon each afternoon, and while had
to perform on the flying trapeze under
it Tom staid in the basket to manage it,
so far as a balloon can be managed.
This balloon performance was great
card.
! I'VE had been doing the balloon act
about month, when We reached New
York City for a four weeks stand--Pery
glad Of a rest after weeks of travelling.
''One Saturday night after the per-
formance found Tom reading a news
paper by the light OF a 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
l think he silently thanked me. He
looked at me for q moment, and then
said: VIII you go to Philadelphia with
me early in the morning, and come back
again at night?'
"'What for?' l asked
For company; and it is my request
that you tell no one of our journey and
ask me no questions
1T vas with sad voice that he spoke
the words, and they again brought tears
to his eyes. 1t seemed strange that
strong man should show so much agita-
tion, and it affected me deeply as took
his hand and said: Whatever your
trouble may be, you have my SYM
pathy, and 1 Will do as you request.
when we reached Philadelphia he |
hired horse and we took long drive
about the streets, with no apparent OBJ
ject. In accordance with my promise,
l asked no questions, but noticed that
there was particular point on Locust
street which he passed frequently; and,
though he drove from 1t 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.
hiser tHat Ho uiu NOT urlVc 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
ly along the street, he Joined il and
followed the last carriage to Laurel
Hill We left our buggy and stood
among those nearest the open grave.
watched Toms face. in which l could
view frightfui struggle. the struggle
not altogether successful of q strong
man with his emotions. When Ashes
to ashes and dust to dust was said and
the hollow sound of the falling earth
was heard. the tears gushed from his
eyes, and, turning from the others, he
walked away. l did not follow, but
left him to himself and stood there
after the others had gone, and waited.
At length he returned. and, dropping a
simple rosebud on the earth that COW
cred the coffin, he said TO me: Come, ,
we hardly spoke during our journey 10
New York, and, though WAS full of