The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1891-01-02
A BALLOON EPISODE
An Old Showman's Story Of 4
Brave Acrobat.

Brave Acrobat.
One evening, in looking over the old
showman's scrap-bool1- / read the fol-
lowing from a 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
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: 'As you evident
" know something about this accident,
tell i: to me-" He answered.: Yes, /
do know something about that accident,
for ! was one of the occupants of the
balloon, and don't think l shall forget
the experience if ! live for a thousand
years
..Toma Patra, or Tom, as we called
him, was a 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 a moment before he died.
eve 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 ne did was
truly artistic, without any resort TO the
tricllery so common among such per
formers.
Tom made friends very slowly. and
made no confidants whatever. Though
he treated all politely, he showed re-
serve that was not pleasing, because IL
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.
Il never knew him to take tho least
interest in any one or any thing, except
once, when ! had foolishly been under
the influence of liquor. he said TO me:
Ny 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 they did me
no good. and felt more kindly toward
him after he spoke them. / believe that
nc 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 the flying t-apezc under
1t Tom staid in tho basket TO manage it.
SO far as a balloon can be managed.
This balloon performance was a great
card.
1--WE had been doing the balloon act
about month, when we reached New
York City for four weeks stand-very
glad of a rest after weeks of ira Yelling.
''One Saturday night after the per-
formapce 1 found Tom reading a news
paper by the light of a torch. and could
SEQ tears coming from his eyes. in spite
of his apparent effort TO keep them back.
AS j wished 10 spare his feelings, pre-
tended not to notice his agitation; and
/ think he silently thanked me. He
looked at me for moment, and then
said: VIII you go 70 Philadelphia with
me early in the morning, and come back
again at nfght?'
"'What for?' / asked
For company; and II 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 a
strong man should show so much acita-
tion, and it 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 long drive
about the streets, with no apparent OBJ
ject In accordance with my promise,
/ asked no questions, but noticed that
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 q hcarse and
some carriages before one Of the houses.
After that he did not drive ont OF sight.
but waited, sometimes 81 one point and
then at another, but always gith the
house in view, until four pall-hearers
came from the building carrying
Stnalt Soinn anu placseu IL IN the hcarSo-
Then, as the funeral train moved slow
" along the street. he joined il and
followed the last carriage 70 Laurel
Hill We left our buggy and stood
among those nearest the open grave. /
watched Toms face, in which / could
view a frightful struggle. the struggle
not altogether successful Of strong
man with his emotions. When Ashes
to ashes and dust 20 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. did not follow, bat
/ left him to himself. and stood there
| after tho others had gone. and waited.
/ Al length lac returned. and. dropping q