The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-05-09
ACROSS THE RIVER.
DY ARCHIE II. EGGLEsON.


tain night in June, at Wcndovcr, Wyo,
| when Il coming event cast black
| shadow before that no logic OF philoso-
| ply can explain.
Having great fancy for perform
ances on the tight rope, L began to
| travel with Bale Brothers circus when
mere lad, and in due time became
quite an expert in mid-air exhibitions
When walking became an old story,
saved up my earnings and bought u
bicycle with Il grooved tire, determined
: to master the art of riding rope; but
it took Il year of careful practice be-
fore was able to push my wheel over
tvo-inch cable stretched across a
reasonable space in the open air.
displayed this accomplishment for
Bale Brothers about six months, and
then l had a little alteration with the
head manager, and, being quicl1-te
percd, l severed my connection with
them and began work for myself, Civ
ing bold performances on the rope
across rivers and from the top of one
high building to another, in scattered
towns and romantic country places.
For several years travelled through
the eastern states, and finally brought
up in the northwestern, billed to ap-
pear in Wendover in May and ride
my wheel over rope spanning the
North Platte river at a point above
the town called the Bend. The Union
Pacific railway carried me swiftly
along to the terminus of my journey,
when found myself unloaded at seven
o'clock on the morning of the day
no
Nendovcr was one of the prettiest
little places imaginable, built up of
picturesque houses and square business
blocks, from whose tall chimneys the
smoke doomed darllly up and circlcd in
mystic shadows, that finally settled
themselves into scattered clouds in the
bright sky.
But the suburbs OF the city were
more attractive than its thiclsly occu-
pied portion. Imposing mansions and
odd, Gothicroofcd cottages, with
slashed corners and wide windows, in
the midst of pieces OF well planned
landscape gardening, made the finest
view had ever seen.
After breakfast walked over to the
Bend and looked over my ground. The
river was both broad and rapid here and
steep banks made my feat daring
and stupendous undertaking. selected
the exact spot where the rope should
be drawn, and then lighted; IS cigar and
stroilcd along the bluff for IL quiet
smoke.
The waters bubbled noisily, and now
and then Il fish would show itself above
the surface, turn an ahroit handspring,
and disappear farther down the cur
rent in reckless enjoyment Of its native
element.
When the river became monotonous
to me, walked away from it and be-
gan to climb more cliffs just for view
of the romantic gorges beyond them.
1t is humiliating confession for n
sure-footed gynnast to make, but on
the very top OF one of these sharp hills
l caught my heel in snag and topplcd
off. clutchcd wildly.at some bushes
Us | went, but missed them, and {.
shock like that given by an earthquake
put an end to my struggles
When l rallied, was lying on the
earth, with my head supported by the
SOFT arm OF a young and pretty girl,
gust then very intensely interested in
bandaging my brows with wet hand
kerchief. She had the finest pair of
eyes | ever looked into, and when she
saw that | had revived she smiled and
said:
Thank Heaven, you are not dead,
after all,'
tried to move, bat my effort was ac-
companicd with great pain
Where am and what has hap
pcned?' l groaned.
You fell from ledge few moments
ago, and have an ugly cut on your head
and, fear. broken ankle; but do not
exert yourself for help will soon be
here. was walking through the glen
below with Hero my dog, and saw the
accident. ! scrubbed n note and tied
it to his collar. sending him directly to
papa"
put my hand to my head and found
it was bleeding profuscly; then tried
to move, and my left foot did not re-
spond. She had described my condi-
ton correctly, and the thought that it
would be some time before I pushed
my wheel struck me quite forcibly.
While l was still Eliminating on nv
misfortune, a'middlcagcd man, accom-
p@hicu ny IL huge cog, picked his way
along the valley path toward us, and
stopped beside me.
WELL now, mister, this is mishap,
inceed"' he said, in Il hearty voice, as
he carefully examined my limb. but
You may be thankful that your leg got
the break instead of your neck, for a
slide from yon cliff is serious matter.
Put your arms about me, and wei see
If can lift you. Elizabeth, take that
foot and keep it level"
We obcyed, and were soon moving
ElOWlV nWiv with tho dnfr Inrn lnnl-