Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-11-16
HE AVERTED A PANIC
! REMAHRssaAE CASE OF BRAVERY
AND PRESENCE Of MIND.

MatsuIki, the Juggler, Held anssAudi-
ence Spellbound While the Theasers
Attaches We're Fighting II Had Fire
Behind the scenes.
Satsuma Matsuki, Japanese juggler
and acrobat, was filing an engage
ment at Burlington His marked abil-
ity as magician caused the opera
house to be crowded every evening.
tine fef: iii particular Interested his b
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
ly balanced.
1t was Saturday evening Satsuma
Matsuki had been performing for ain
hour He had astonished his audience
with score OF wonderful achieve
ments, but as yet he had not perform
ed with the table resting OH his feet
Matsulli 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 momenta cracking
and Il hissing-and the next instant a
long tongue of flame leaped from the
stairway, enveloping window. 9th
ers In the rear of the stage discovered
the flames at the same instant, and Il
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 dam
ger that threatened the house. Those
fighting the flames knew that Il terrible
panic would elsue 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
be at an angle of forty-tive 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 Matsuld was doing his part
to hold the attention of the people. A
few moments more and all danger of a
stampede would be past
"Fire!" Some one had seen a puff
of smoke issue from the right wing of
the stage.
Year, fire" 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 :lne temples
like whipcords.
"Fire!n Another had noticed puff
of smoke.
year, flire!' And again was the TIA
BILE hurled aloft and caught again with
the same dexterlty.
The conductor of the orchestra knew
not what it all meant. At first he
thought that Matsuki had gone mad.
Never before had he dared so much.
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
riea him behind the scenes. Very
shortly the manager returned, and
when he spoke his voice was sadly
broken. 7'z7=--=
Ladies and gentlemen" said he,
passing his hand across his fos.shead,
II have no doubt that you have great
~ enjoyed Satsuma AIatsnki's perform
ance this evening. He has we'll merit
ed your generous applause, more, per-
haps, than you imagine 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
t Matsuki has lost his entire nlagician's
outfit, which cost him over a thousand
l;dollars, Fire has completely destroy
ed his property. / leave 1T with you
to do what's right. and those who de
sire to show their gratitude for what
Matsuki has done this evening can
meet me here on the platform, z
| 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 cou9ted, pledges and
ALL something over IS 500 was found. -
Forward
she Thought OF Him.