The evening world., 1903-07-09

their waists. scurried over the bounding
boards and disappeared in thedr dress.
Ing houses. slamming the doors behind
them.
"Vesuvius," was rcd and rumblins.
More women sctrried for shelter. SOM
with their fingers in their ears.
small Mr. Craig appeared to be the
only person not excited. GIe was seated
now at his plano" a grim-lookinE ma.
chine. with circular top numbered like
an annunciator and key which could
be moved around the circle.
Machinery of the Place.
From the bottom ran dozens Of wires,
and directly in front was a pump-like
wall above was numbered list OF the
explosives which were to be set off. The
key made the connection. the ''plunger'
sent along tho wires tho electric spark
-, suddenly small Mr.. Craig set the key.
Then he quickly raised the 'plunger''
ana jammed II downward.
a terrific explosion followed. A plat
form Just above. carpeted with dynamite
and powder became a mass of fire, seeth-
ihg, crashing. deafening.
t., another witch OF the key. another
lao with the 'p!unger." and second
pIa5i3rm. I higher UP, was turned into din
Small Mr.. Craig was working Like A.,
tSnon tnoIn, now, and II was quito impossible
70 ten wnat was happening, or tust how
II was happening. The brain Jumped and
n,si nrned with tho heavy. deafening con-
Thunder n-PIenty.
Two long strings OF mines" running
bIS:rd iS:n 'ne ne, top Of the highest platform
on on every, side came ear-splltting crashes,
me dark grass in the centre Of the in
cLosure burst irto flame, first here, then
mere. T. as slant shell blew UP.
e nen tne Din was loudcst and the fire
nercest. small Mr. Craig. smiling serene
y. seized a lever and gave 1t a vicious
jerk This lover with its trick lines
Drought down temple on the stage.
Another lever. another jerk. and an
other temple" doubled UP like a jack
simultaneously there was a frightful ex-
ploslon at the furthest end OF the stage
1t was followed by the screams of wom-
en-. They came fleeing down the walk
toward tho shanles. holding their hands
to their ears. They were the frightened
populace."
They were frightened for fair.
They ran through q perfect rain OF
fire. The air seemed ablaZe and the
smoke was choking.
Small Mr.. Craig took his hand from the
key and, fitting back on his stool. looked
up and smiled In satisfied sort OF way.
Fine Night for Sparks.
Fine night for fireworks" he re-
marked.
He waited for the smoke to clear, then
got busy with his Internal machine again.
But this time It wasn't so distressing.
All that could be heard was the Kissing
OF the set pieces out in front. The
change seemed decidedly tame.
When tho beauty pieces had been set
off In this fashion. small Mr. Crai &
hustled out In front and gave the signals
for the aerial bombs. These were sent
up from the marsh, several hundred feet
In the rear.
A man with a torch--like a spirit OF
tho swamp--went about with a fiambeau,
touching of mortars planted ia various
places.
The bouquets of rockets burst just over
the huts where the girls were scramblinS
out of tights and into street clothes.
Several little girls waited for their
mothers ani their aunts, who were in the
ballet.
Small Mr.. Craig had time 10 chat now.
He said he had been in the business for
nearly twenty years. Did he like IT?
Loved Il. Any accidents? No. One ear
deafened, that was all. Glad when the
exhibition is over? =,
no. I'm always sorry," said small
And then he was quiet again.