Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-01-04

FdgemenL at burlington. ais uniheu
ability as magician caused the opera
honse to be crowded every evening.
One feat in particular interested his
audience. Lying prone upon bis back
he 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 per-
fectly balanced.
It was Saturday evening. Satsuma
Ma,suki had been performing for an
hour. He had astonished his audi
ence with score of wonderful achieve
ments, but as yet he had not per-
formed with the table resting on his
feet.
Matsuki passed into one Of the
dressing-rooms to change his costume.
Scarcely had he closed the door when
he heard a sound that made his heart
stand still for a moment-a cracking
and a hissing-and the next instant
a long tongue of fame leaped from
the stairway. enveloping window.
Others in the rear of the stage dis
covered the flames at the same instant,
and fierce battle was begun between
the attaches of the theatre 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 i'll the audience had an inkling of
the great danger that threatened the
house. Those fighting the flames
knew that a terrible panic would en-
sue the moment that the spectators
realized the danger. Matsuki under
stood the situation, too, and in that
moment of hesitation he saw the part
that he must act.
Matsuki was before HE audience.
He had placed the rugs hastily in po-
sition that he might rest easily. A
moment later and the orchestra COM
menced playing. Matsuki had bal.
anced the table and was gracefully
dancing 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
five degrees and again at ninety de-
grees and the next moment perfectly
The long table seemed
fairly alive.
Meanwhile those fighting the fire
had worked bravely, ard 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 stampede would be past.
Fire Some one had seen puff
of smoke issue from the right wing of
the stage.
Year, fire T. And Matsuki sent
the table nearly to the ceiling, turn
ing 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
like whipcords.
Fire /" Another had noticed
puff of smoke.
Year, fire |" And again was
the table hurled sloft and caught
again with the same de1terity.
The conductor of the orchestra
knew not what it all meant. At
first he thought that Matsuki had
gone mad. Never before had be
dared SO much. Ifhe was mad, surely
no one could deny his astonishing
skill.
A moment later the stage manage
walked across the floor and whispered
to Matsuki, at the same
time placing the table on the foo.
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
greatly enjoyed Satsuma Matsukis
performance this evening. He has
well merited your generous applause,
more, perhaps, than you imagine. l
have to inform you that Satsuma
Matsuki alone has stood between You
and death for the past twenty min
utes or more. The danger is now
past, and you are at liberty to leave
this building, but permit me to say