Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1904-12-10


1t was pathetic in way TO see this
broken giant sitting alone in the squat
Id little ring amusing his audience with
sleight Of hand tricks
When we clapped he picked his
clutches 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 be performed by Mr..
Joshua b. Crane, assisted by that
celebrated aeronaut. 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 to the big juggler in his i'll fitting
evening dress.
In a minute the ringmaster and the
one attendant had run Jim up to the
trapeZe. 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 I heard the
growing OF distant thunder. Others
heard it. too. and some Of the people
began to- struggle out.
1T seems so rude to go, doesn't 1t.
Aunt Pauline?" said Dolly. We're
going to stay. aren't we?"
''If you like. dear"
"But are they going to make a noise
with pistols-are they?"
"Only for minute"
II think perhaps we might go. Aunt
Pauline. and come back when they
have finished. / 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 I'm high action.
The air seemed full of electricity, the
sky grew darker and the thunder
sounded nearer. The people appeared
to he 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 a card
in its Outstretched hand. Crack! The
card fiuttered to the ground. and the ring
master. picking il up. showed that a clean
hole had been made through the center
OF the black ace.
"Isn't II over?" shouted Dolly. not re-
moving her hands from her head.
! nodded. but at the same moment the
ringmaster announced:
HE will now shoot the middle out OF
the three spot while the trapeze Is In
notion
This sounded more interesting. and the
exodus. which had become more general.
ceased for n minute. The people nearest
the entrance even sauntered back. Dolly's
eyes reproached me. and her hands few up.
The trapeZe began to swing to and fro.
faster and faster. The band played reck-
lessly n medley of everything II knew.
The pistol shot rang out again. the card
fiuttered down. the sweep of the scarlet
figure continued for an instant. and then.
Just as the applause burst out. there were
a snap and shout and the dull sound
OF n body striking against wood.
The man was caught and wedged be-
tween the juggler's 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 I'm so that for the moment movement
was difficult. but doing my best 10 shield
Dolly from the sight. He was very pale.
but his eyes were open. and he spoke to
the juggler. who was leaning on e.s
crutches near by.
you'd given me the sack anyhow gov
ernor." he said.
1.-THE rope broke, IL was an accident"
whispered Crane hoarsely.
"You didn't use TO play that trick with
a real bullet did you? Well never mind.
Id as lief he here tramping for another
Job Let Minna look after the kid. will
you? l guess his mother II never trouble
you: she hasn't me for years"
lis there "A doctor hereT' roared Crane.
! saw DIR. Dampier'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 as he could
AS hurried Dolly out of the tent saw
Minna forcing her way into the ring. but
Master Snow still slept contentedly In his
white hammock all alone.