The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-08-05
A TRUE
STORY
NAMES, DATES AND cIIRcuM-
STANCES COULD BE GIVEN
TO SUBSTANTIATE EVERY
WORD HERE RE-
CORDED.

A certain young man who has been
known to do high diving stunts
around this city was the victim Of a
Taughably pathetic accident at Cum
berland some months ago.
This energetic young CRATER went
broke in the Maryland town during
fair time, and noticing the absence of
a diver and having heard of a ladder
and net in the town that wasn't
working, proceeded to consult the
owner and the result was that they
came to terms in regard to the local
mans use of the paraphernalia. He
rugged her up the next day and every
thing seemed to be arranged nicely
He started to climb the ladder and
had only a few more rungs to ascend
to reach the top when the owner of
the stuff reached the scene. His
practiced eye took in the situation at
a glance and he knew that something
was wrong.
He let yell out, but the amateur
aerial artist failed to hear it because
of the confusion of the crowd, and
also because the man was slightly
hoarse. He yelled two or three times
and then went to the foot of the lad
der and shook it slightly to attract
the young mans attention; the shake
was disastrous.
The slight defect in the arrange
ment of the structure just needed
this little touch to put it on the bum,
and down came man, ladder and all.
They carted him off TO the hospital,
where the physicians ascertained that
a few bad bruises constituted his in
juries and on the next day he was dis
charged. Another young man from
this city, with an unenviable reputa-
ton, was also in attendance at the big
doinSs. He found - after his dismiS-
sal from the hospital and propounn-
ed an audacious scheme to him. This
was the proposition: That the UNI
successful ethereal performer should
consent to be buried alive for the pc
riod of three days, and he was to re-
ceive as compensation for same, fifty
dollars; ten of which was to go TO the
tough young man for his vigilance in
protecting the temporary mausoleum.
Well. the aforementioned diver
was Just on the verge of declining the
offer, when the pangs of hunger
butted in Then there was nothing to
it. He accepted
He was buried that afternoon with
about one days rations, as his friend
that money was scarce and
that his wants would be few on ac-
count OF the lack of exercise He
swore however. that he ate il all up
in less than six hours.
His benefactor, at the expiration of
the three days, went to the Fair man
ayers and pronounced the affair 4
complete success and that his friend
stood the ordeaE splepdidly, and de-
manded the fifty simoleons. This was
paid to him and he vahoosesd- Two
days thereafter, persons passing the
grave were frightened by the curses
and groans which emanateG from the
ground. They investigated the mat
ter and found just about alive
and that was all.
They carried him to d nearby
dwelling and induced him to take an
active interest in things temporal by
means OF food and stirculants.
An Investigation revealed the fact
that the promoter OF the scheme had
departed for parts unknown, With all
the "dOughsky."
The much afflicted younsster work
ell two days as a laborer in order to
procure a gun. and he is still looking
for his friend