The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1905-12-27
HE AVERTED A PANIC
A REMARKABLE CASE OF BRAVERY
AND PRESENCE OF MIND.

Matsulkt, the Jugg1er, Held an Audi
ence SpelIbOund While the Theater
Attaches Were Fighting a Bad Fire
Behind the Scenes.
Satsuma Matsuki, Japanese juggler
and acrobat, was filling an engage
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 long, light table back
ward and forward in all conceivable
positions to the time of lively music,
his tiny feet keeping the table perfect
~ 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 moment-a cracking
and a hissing-and the next instant a
stairway, enveloping a window. 9th
ers in the rear of the stage discovered
the flames at the same instant, and a
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 inlzling 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.
Matsuki understood the situation, too,
and in that moment of hesitation he
saw the part that he must act
Matsuki 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
menced playing. Matsuki had balanc-
ed the table and was gracefully dane
ing 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
browning 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 a
stampede would be past.
"Firew Some one had seen a puff
of smoke issue from the right wing of
the stage.
"Ye-ar, f1irey' And Matsuki sent the
table nearly to the ceiling, turning a
complete somersault in its flight. The
audience shouted with delight.
For twenty minutes Matsuki had
been in constant activity. The veins
stood out upon his arms and temples
Ike whipcords.
"Fqrr,' Another had noticed a puff
Of smoke
"Ye-ar. fire. And again was the ta-
BILE hurled aloft aid caught again with
the same dexterity.
The conductor Of the orchestra knew
not what it all meant. Al 1Hfsr lie
thought that Matsuki had gone mad
Never before had he dared so much
If he was mad, surely no one could
deny his astonishing skill.
A moment later the stage manager
walked across the stage and whisper
ed something to Matsuki, at the same
time placing the table on the floor.
Matsuki was unable to rise. Attend
ants lifted the brave fellow and car
ried him behind the scenes. Very
shortly the manager returned, and
when he spoke his voice was sadly
broken.
Ladies and gentlemen" said he,
passing his hand across his forehead,
81 have no doubt that you have great
" enjoyed Satsuma Matsuki's perform
ance this evening He has well merit
ed your generous applause, more, per-
haps, than you imagine. l have to in
form you that Satsuma Matsuki alone
has stood between you and death for
the past twenty minutes or more. The
danger is past now, and you are liberty
to leave this building, but permit me to
say before you depart that our friend
Matsuki has lost his entire magician's
outfit, which cost him over thousand
dollars. Fire has completely destroy
Cd his property. I leave it with you
to do what is right, and those who de-
sire to show their gratitude for what
Matsuki has done this evening can
meet me here on the platform"
There was no hesitation. A long
line Of men and women was quickly
formed, and for an hour the manager
received the contributions Of those who
wished to show their gratitude. When
the amount was counted, pledges and
all, something over $1,000 was found
Forward.
'"That fellow Spinks has excellent
Judgment"
what makes you think soT'
"Why-er-he's always asking my