Smyrna times., 1905-11-15
REMARKABLE INST TANCE OF
THE PRESENCE OF MIND
HOLDS AUDIENCE SPELLBOUND WHILE
THEATER ATTACHES FOUGHT FIRE.
Fire Broke out Behind the Scenes aud 10 Or
der to Avert a Panic MatsukI Occupied
the Attention Of the Audience.

ment at Burlington. His marked abil- |
ity as a magician caused the opera |
house to be crowded every evening. |
One feat in particular interested his |
audience Lying prone upon his back,
he would toss a long, light table back
ward and forward in all conceivable
positions to the time of lively music,
his tiny feet keeping the table perfect
ly balanced.
1t was Saturday evening. Satsuma
Matsuki had been performing for an
hour. He had astonished his audience
with a score of wonderful achieve
ments, but as yet he had not perform.
ed with the table resting on his feet.
Matsuki passed into one Of the dress
ing rooms to change his costume.
Scarcely had he closed the door when
he heard a sound that made his heart
stand still for a mOment-a cracking
and a hissing-and the next instant
long tongue of flame leaped from the
stairway, envelOping a window. 9th
.ers in the rear of the stage discovered
the flames at the same instant, and
fierce battle was begun between the
attaches of the theater and the raging
fire. For one brief instant Matsuki
stood irresolute. The fire was confined
within the dressing room of the right
wing. and as yet no one in the audi
ence had an inkling of the grave dan
ger that threatened the house. Those
fighting the flames knew that terrible
panic would ensue the moment that
Sthe spectators realized the danger.
Matsuki understood the situation, too,
and in that moment of hesitation he
saw the part that he must act.
= Alatsuki was before his audience.
He had placed the rugs hastily in posi-
tion that he might rest easily. A mo-
ment later and the orchestra COM
menced playing. Matsuki had balanc-
ed the table and was gracefully dane
sng it back and forth, keeping perfect
time with his dainty feet. Shortly the
measure of the music was quickened.
and he was obliged to move more
quickly. At one time the table would
be at an angle OF forty-fve degrees and
again at ninety degrees and the next
moment perfectly perpendicular. The
long table seemed fairly alive.
Meanwhile those fighting the fire
had worked bravely, and success was
crowning their efforts. They heard
the music of the orchestra, and they
knew that Matsuki was doing his part
to hold the attention of the people. A
few moments more and all danger Of q
- .--.s-as-sap pede would be past.
"Firer' Some one had seen a puff
of smoke issue from the right wing Of
the stage.
Year, flirer' And Matsuki sent the
table nearly to the ceiling, turning 6
complete somersault in its flight. Th'
audience shouted with delight.
For twenty minutes Matsuki ha'
been in constant activity. The vein
stood out upon his arms. and temple
like whipcords.
Fire." Another had noticed puf
of smoke.
Year, fire!' And again was the ia
bic hurled aloft and caught again wit
the same dexterity.
The conductor Of the orchestra knew
- not what it all meant At first b
thought that Matsuki had gone mad
Never before had he dared so mucl
If he was mad, surely no one coul
deny his astonishing skill
A moment later the stage manage
walked across the stage and whispel
ed something to Matsuki, at the sam
time placing the table on the foo
Matsuki was unable to rise. ATTEND
tants lifted the brave fellow and ca
Tried him behind the scenes. Yer
shortly the manager returned, an
when he spoke his voice was sad
broken.
Ladies and gentlemen" said b
passing his hand across his forehea'
II have no doubt that you have grea
ly enjoyed Satsuma Matsukis perform
ance this evening lie has we'll meri
ed your generous applause, more, pc
haps. than you imagine. l have to i
form you that Satsuma Matsuki alol
tbas stood between you and death
the past twenty minutes or more. II
danger is past now, and you are liber
to leave this building, but permit me
say before you depart that our frie
Matsuk las lost his entire magician
outfit. which cost him over thousal
dollars Fire has completely destrC
ed l- nnr'y ! leave it with Y
to u. ... is ght, and those who
sire to show their gratitude for WI
Matsuki has done this evening c
meet me here on thu platform"
There was no hesitation. A 10
line Of men and women was quicl
formed, and for an hour the manai
received the contributions Of those "
wished to show their gratitude. WI
the amount wis counted, pledges {
all, something over $500 was found
Forward.
Luck or Good Management.
II heard Crabbe say he had ne
had such luck in his business as I
having now hut I didn't undersfs