The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-11-21
TERMED oy 4 roLE.
Novel Feat Performed by an Aged Lum-
 Dc man m Maine.
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 Although John Cusaek, ex-lumbernaan of Moose Island, in Morehead lake, is now sixty-fve years of age, he has not lost his deXterity in executing some of the difficult feats in log walking that made his name famous on the west branch of the Penobscot for many years He was in Foxcroft last Satur- day, and, in recounting some of his past exploits in the office of the Exchange. hotel,Was bantered by some of the boys who doubted that he could do all he he said he could. The old man was game, and the upshot Of the matter that a bet between him and sam sam ford, the hyeryman, that he would that afternoon cross the Piscataquis river with no other support than stick so small that, rested upon his wrist, he could hold 1t out at arms length, The fact that the day was chilly and the water running almost Ice cold in the river was not, to MT. Cusaclls mind, Q circumstance worth taking into ac- count.
 The word quickly passed around the village of what was to be attempted, and at o'clock, the hour set for the trial, the banks of the river above the min dam were lined with spectators. MT. Cusack appeared on time, carrying long pike pole, which was to serve him as a balancing pole and propeller. and a bundle containing checked gingham shirt and drilling overalls, his substitute for professional tights. The stick upon which he was to ride was upon the bank, a binding pole such as Is used in securing a load of hay upon cart. It was the trunk of a spruce sapling, fifteen feet long, of four inches in diameter at the butt, and it weighed about thirty-f1ve pounds.
 l Attired in his performing costume and in his stocking feet, MT. Cusack launched his stick, pushed it out to 1 deep water, and, with a quick spring, landed upon it at point six feet from the butt, where he perched as securely as a rope walker upon a tight rope
 The end of the stick upon which he rested sank beneath his weight until the water was breast high to him.
 while the smaller end rose from the water pointing like a finger mark to the opposite shore. Using the pick pole held by both hands in the middle as a double oar, the old man, with "a for ward motion, scooped himself along at 1 no small rate toward the further bank, while two men followed in a boat ready ] to rescue him in case of mischance. 1 There was no occasion for their ser vices in his behalf The distance was I 200 yards, but he did not slacken stroke as he churned along, his head and shoulders rising and falling above the chill black waters with his swift strokes while he varied the monotony of the exercise by an occasional whoop or shouted compliment to the ladies among the spectators upon the opposite shore. He crossed the river in five min- utes, and landed, fresh and smiling, amid the applause and congratulations of the people gathered there.
 On his return to the starting point, where the principal crowd was as of his skill in log riding. Standing l upon the slender submerged stick by skilfully shifting his balance he brought
 the end up so that he touched it with | his head, and also sat upon the pole with head and feet above the surface. After his return to the hotel he refused all stimulants except a comforting bowl
 of ginger tea pressed upon him by the
 landlord, and has since shown no ill effect whatever from his recent exer-
 ton and the severe exposure he under went He has offered to repeat the performance this week on a similar wager