Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-11-22
TIE AVERTED A PANIC
a REMARKABLE CASE OF BRAVERY
AND PRESENCE OF MIND.

hatsuiSi, the JuggIer, Held an Audi
ence spelIbOund While the Theater
Attaches Were Fighting a Bad Fire
. Behind the Scenes.
!, Satsuma Matsukl, a japanese iueeler
md acrobat was filling an engage
lnent at Burlington. His marked abil-
lty as a magician caused the opera
house to be crowded every evening.
One feat in particular interested his
audience Lying prone upon his back,
be would toss long, light table back
ward and forward in all conceivable
positions to the time Of lively music,
bis tiny feet keeping the table perfect
ly balanced
1t was Saturday evening Satsuma
Matsuu had been performing for an
hour. He had astonished his audience
with 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 stlll for a moment-a cracking
and hissing-and the next instant a
long tongue Of fame leaped from the
stairway, envelOping a window. 9th
ers in the rear Of the stage discovered
the flames at the same instant, and q
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
the spectators realized the danger.
MatsuH understood the situation, too,
and in that moment Of hesitation he
saw the part that he must act.
Matsuk was before his audience.
He had placed the rugs hastily in posi-
ton that he might rest easily A mo-
ment later and the orchestra COM
nenced playing. Matsuki had balanc-
ID the table and was gracefully dane
ng 1t back and forth, keeping perfect
ime with his dainty feet Shortly the ]
Measure of the music was quickened,
md he was obliged to move more
quickly. at one time the table would {
re at an angle Of forty-fve degrees and
gain at ninety degrees and the next G
noment perfectly perpendicular. The a
ong table seemed fairly alive. d
Meanwhile those fighting the fire q
ad worked bravely, and success was [
rownlng their efforts. They heard p
ne music of the orchestra, and they II
new that Matsuki was doing his part o
, hold the attention Of the people. A d
Nv moments more and all danger Of a d
tampede would be past. "
Fire" Some one had seen a pun u
smoke issue from the right wing of !"
lie stage. -
Year fire." And Alatsuki sent the
BILE nearly to the ceiling, turning a
'mplete somersault in its fight The .
For twenty minutes MatsuH had -,
zen IN constant activity. The veins -,
God out upon his arms and temples Iu
re whlpcords. fr
Fire" Another had noticed pun m
smoke or
Year fireW And again was the Ia 90
0 hurled Hloft and caught again with 70
Q same dexterlty. Il,
The conductor of the orchestra knew 40
t what II all meant At first he n
ought that Matsukl had gone mad. tin
'ver before had he dared so much. yo
he was mad, surely no one could ba
ny his astonishing skill The
| moment later the stage manager Gu
liked across the stage and whisper
something to Matsukl, at the same
lie placing the table on the floor. L
tsukl was unable to rise. Attend dis
g lifted the brave fellow and car eel
d him behind the scenes. Very big
rtly the manager returned, and ly
en- he spoke his voice was sadly lea
ken. gfo
Ladies and gentlemen" said he, the
sing his hand across his forehead, to
have no doubt that you have great r
enjoyed Satsuma Matsuki's perform
g this evening. He has well merit
your generous applause, more, per-
8, than you imagine. / have to In
n you that Satsuma Matsuki alone 4
stood between you and death for 4
past twenty minutes or more The
ger Is past now, and you are liberty
cave this building, but permit me to
before you depart that our friend
suki has lost his entire magician's =
1t, which cost him over q thousand
ars. Fire has completely destroy
his property. leave 1t with you
o what is right, and those who de-
to show their gratitude for what ~
suki has dene this evening can
me here on the platform"
ere was no hesitation. A long Inc
Of men and women was quickly larg
led. and for an hour the manager and
wed the contributions of those who the
ed to show their gratitude. When prop
amount was counted, pledges and almo
over $500 was found grow
yard. ton,
----- ket
North and south Korea. -
'"o "oi 'i''i" part Aoiea 70 CIV cons
with transverse mountain ranges ,yhio
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