The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1906-02-24
HE AVERTED A PANIC
A REMARKABLE CASE OF BRAVERY
AND PRESENCE OF MIND.

Aatsuki, the JugEler, Held an Audi
ence spellbound While the Theater
Attaches Were Fighting a BAD Fire
Behind the Scenes.
Satsuma Matsuki, a 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
ly 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 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 hissing-and the next instant a
long tongue Of fame leaped from the
stairway, enveloping window. 9th
ers In the rear of the stage discovered
the flames at the same instant, and
fierce battle was begun between the
otto oohos ~ tho %hoofor ond tho ro DIN a
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.
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-
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
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 ain 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
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
stampede would be past. .
"Fire" Some one had seen a puff
Of smoke issue from the right wing Of
the stage.
"Ye-ar, flirev' And Matsuki sent the
table nearly to the ceiling, turning a
complete somersault In its fight. The
audience shouted with delight.
For twenty minutes Matsuh had
been IN constant activity. Inc veins
stood out upon his arms and temples
like whipcords.
"Fire" Another had noticed puff
of smoke.
"Ye-ar, flirev' And again was the ta-
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 rMatsuki 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,
II have no doubt that you have great