The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-12-15

1t was pathetic in Il way to see this
broken giant sitting alone in the squat
id little ring amusing his audience with
Sleight of hand tricks.
When we capped he picked his
crutches up from the ground beside
him. fitted them under his arms. rose.
bowed and sat down again
The ringmaster now announced that
one of the most remarkable feats of
craftsmanship in the world. shoot
ing the eye out Of the ace of spades"
was about TO he performed by MI
Joshua Il. Crane, assisted by that
celebrated aer0naut. Mr.. James Snow.
The figure by Minna dropped its long
coat and shot out into the ring. all
scarlet and gold. beautiful, supple,
graceful-altogether startling con-
trast 10 the big juggler in his i'll fitting
evening dress
In minute the ringmaSter and the
one attendant had run Jim up to the
trapeZc. and there he sat at ease. rub
bling his hands and looking out over
our heads through the space between
the roof and the sides of the tent to the
strip of afternoon sky.
1t had grown dark. and / heard the
growing of distant thunder. Others
heard ii, too, and some of the people
began to straggle out.
at seems so rude to go. doesn't it.
Aunt Pauline?" said Dolly. Were
going to stay. aren't we?"
IF you IKE, dear"
But are they going to make a noise
with pistolS-~are they"
only for minute
Il think perhaps we might go. Aunt
Pauline, and come back when they
have finished I hate firing"
We began to descend Dolly holding
her ears with both hands and pausing
now and then TO stamp with her feet.
like a horse in high action.
The air seemed full of electricity, the
sky grew darker and the thunder
sounded nearer. The people appeared
to be in several minds about leaving.
Some of them sat still, some of them
stood up in their places and some NOV
ed in groups toward the entrance
In the ring the black figure raised its
pistol, and above on the trapeZe the red
and gold one stood erect, holding card
in its outstretched hand. Crack. The
card fiuttered to the ground. and the ring
master, picking it up, showed that a clean
hole had been made through the center
of the black ace.
"Isn't it over?" shouted Dolly, not re-
moving her hands from bnad
I nodded, but at the same moment the
ringmaster announced:
"He will now shoot the middle ont OF
the. three spot while the trapez" f. IN
motion"
This sounded more interesting. az 49,"
exodus, which had become more gcac9al.
ceased for minute. The people ncarv st
the entrance even sauntered back. Dully's
eyes reproached me- and her hands flew up.
The trapeze began to swing to and fro.
faster and faster. The band played reck-
lessly a medley of everything it knew.
The pistol shot rang out again, the card
futtered down, the sweep of the scarlet
figure continued for an instant and then,
just as the applause burst out, there We're
a snap and shout and the dull sound
of body striking against wood.
The man was caught and wedged be-
tween the jugglers table and the center
pole of the tent, limp red bundle.
The crowd swarmed into the ring, and
they lifted him and then laid him down
again quite close to where l stood. hem
med in so that for the moment movement
was difficult but doing my best to shield
Dolly from the sight. lie was very pale,
but his eyes We're open. and he spoke to
the jugglcr, who was leaning on his
crutches near by.
You'd given me the sack anyhow, gov
ernor' he said
THE rope broke! It was an accident"
whispered Crane hoarscly.
You didn't use to play that trick with
n real bullet did you? Well. never mind
I'd as lief be here as trampirg for another
job. Let Mnna look after the kid, will
you? I guess his mother II never trouble
you; she hasn't me for years
us there n doctor here?' reared Crane.
1 saw Dr. Dampicr's gray head and
broad shoulders zigzagging through the
crowd He had left his children at the
entrance and was making his way back
as quickly MS he could:
AS I hurried Dolly out OF the tent | saw
Minna forcing her way into the ring, but
Master Snow stii slept contentcdly in his
white hammock all alone.