The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-03-04


with his knees and sustained Paul be-
low him by the hands, BY the hexion
of their bodies they soon had the
trapeze swinging backward and for
ward at a rapid rate.
"One," counted Jean. "He will 20
the third time"
Two" and turning her eyes from
the swinging figures she glanced at the
slender perch where the daring actor
was to aiight.
Her eyes seemed to start from her
head. "Seel" she shrieked, "it's cut"
and she dashed upon the stage.
1t was too late to stop the flying
leap.
Already the human pendulum was
making its return vibration for the
third time. Already Wilkes was tight
ening his muscles for the throw.
l had but time to follow the direction
of the girls finger and see that the
ropes of the bar over the stage hung
but by "a thread. They had been cut
nearly through from behind, as was
visible 20 us in the flies but not from
the front.
Like an arrow Paul was coming
through the air over the footlights his
hands reaching out to catch the bar
that would prove so meager support.
When Jean left my side she had
bounded to meet him, her arms, too,
outstretched as if to receive gift.
She was none too soon.
In far less time than it takes SO read
these words the end had come, the
whole thrilling scene had transpired,
and now came the climax.
The bar at the touch of the trapezist
gave way and unexpectedly and with
out lessening his velocity he dashed
downward. Down, but not to the floor.
He struck full into the arms of the girl,
and, with crash that made the win
dows of the building rattle, they struck
the floor together with tangle of
ropes, bars and scenery tumbling upon
them.
In an instant the audience was in an
uproar. People were standing on the
seats and some of the women were
crying. A big-shouldered young JUS
tice of the peace leaped over the haring
footlights to the stage.
Together we uncovered the two
forms lying there SO still. The girl
had tainted and PauPs arm hung limp
by his side while the pain almost took
away his consciousness.
In few moments Jean had come to
herself and the surgeon of the town
was working at her lovers broken arm.
Then the justice stepping to the front
made speech to the waiting audience:
''This work." he began, (which
might have been death to one or both
our friends was no accident Do you
see them cut ropes? 1t was planned to
break the neck of the brave fellow
who saved Widow Cough, and the man
who planned it was" he looked up at
the other trapeze.
1t was empty.
Wilkes was not in the house, nor
could we find him behind the scenes.
No one had seen him leave the bar, but
there was trap door to the roof al
most over his position.
Soon the justice raped on the floor
of the stage for attention. "There's |
goin' to be benefit performance here
night"
1--WE can't perform this week; don't
you see that poor Paul's arm is
broSen?" interrupted Hern, quick to
veer to what he saw was the popular
side.
you just dry up. There'll be BEN
eft performance for tn young folks.
The admission price'll be no twenty
cent popular price matter, either It'll
be one dollar flat an tn house ought
to be jammed full"
l sat up until nearly morning writing
up the accident for the Reporter, and
by means of the paper and few hun
1red handbills the community was SO
aroused that not all who wished admis-
sion were able to enter the opera house
On the benefit night.
The entertainment opened with a
dance by the heroine of the evening.
Then Hern and his wife gave farce
and couple of duets.
Next the scenery was shifted and in
the dilapidated representation of a
parlor, the best the house afforded,
bridal party. The bride