Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-11-30
HE AVERTED A PANIC
A REMARKABLE CASE OF BRAVERY
AND PRESENCE OF MIND.

enoe Spellbound While the Theatep
Attaches Were Fighting "a bad Fire
Behind the S-euca.
Satsuma Matsuki, a japanese juggler
and acrobat, was Cling an engage.
ment ut Burlington. His marked abil-
ity as a magician caused the opcra
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.
It was Saturday evening. Satsuma
Matsuki had been performing for an
hour. He had astonished his audience
with score of wonderful achieve
ments, but as YET ne had not pcriorm.
ed with the table resting on his feet
Matsuki passed into one of the dress.
ing rooms to change his costume
Scarcely had lie closed the door when
he heard a sound that made his hear
stand still for a moment-a cracking
and hlssing-and the next instant q
long tongue of fame lesped from the
stairway, enveloping window 9th
ers in the rear of the stage discovered
the flames at the same instant. and q
fierce battle was begun between tho
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 lnkling Of the grave dam
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.
lie had placed the rugs hastily in posi-
ton that he might rest easily. A mo-
ment later and the orchestra com.
mcnced playing Mstsuki had balanc.
ed the table and was gracefully dane
ing 1t back and forth. keeping perfect
time with his dainty feet. Shortly the
mea sure 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-five 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 rn..
knew that Matsuki was doing his part
to hold the attention of the people.
few moments more and all danger OF
stampede would be past.
Fire" Some one had seen puff
OF smoke issue from the right wing Of
the stage.
YEA. fire" And Matsuki sent the
table nearly TO the ceiling. turning q
complete somersault in its flight. Iha
audience shouted with delight.
For twenty minutes Matsuki hae
been in constant activity. The VEIN
stood out upoE his arms and temple,
like whipcords.
Fire" Another had noticed pun
of smoke.
Year. dire" And again was the ia.
BILE hurled aloft and caught again with
the same dexterity.
The conductor Of the orchestra knew
not what it all meant. At first he
thought that Matsuki had gone mad.
! Never before had le 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
red him behind the scenes Very
shortly the manager returned. and
broken.
Ladies' and gentlemen" said he.
passing his hand across his forehead.
Il have no doubt that you have great.
~ enjoyed Satsuma Matsuki's perform
ance this evening. He has we'll merit.
cd 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 thnt our friend
Matsuki has lost his entire magician's
outfit, which cost him over thousand
dollars. Fire has completely destroy.
ed 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. 4 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 81 800 was found
Forward.