Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-02-20

Or. slddons, you will forgive me for this inter
ruption Of your pleasures. | have t~elephoned your
your interest in Yung Kin Wan. but | learned to-
night that death is at his heels and if you can and
choose to do so you should warn him without an
hours delay"
Making the best excuse | could to The family, I
got into my furs and drove rapidly to University
Place. Kelensen was doubtless at the opera, but |
wished to advise Peter Hahn to admit no one 10 the
house. Thence | hurried to the opera house and met
Madame Mentona Just entering She, TOO was in
was singing this night and as we entered we saw
him on the stage. Madame Mentona said he would
the manager and. after I was introduced, | said:
g came here tonight to warn Mr.. Kelensen Of a
plot among some Chinese in which he may be in
terested, 1t may be no more than a servants con-
spiracy. but he should know of 1t at once"
STRANGE. indeed! l did not know he had a Chi.
all very queer. for tonight a young Chinese, with
laundry bags. was about Kelensen's room. I drove
him out of doors. We must wait until the end Of
this act before we can communicate with him"
With an unreasonable impatience. I took my seat
with Madame Mentona in the MANAGERS box.
AS Kelensen advanced for his solo I saw that he
staggered slightly. With every sign Of vigor in his
arms. head and face, his limbs seemed to be uncon.
Heavens, Dr.. siddons! He has cut out more than
ha ors on i; s Mns1 Spn the be t oSo1 msft ,el, with ,n Ds alm?I him
swelling out gloriously in the tremendous harmony
Then suddenly Hendrix Kelensen seemed to crumple.
He crashed down like a log, but instantly raised his
head. He was the most astounded Of all. He sat
up and appeared unframed, save that his legs were
as though paralyzed. Not more than a few notes did
he lose. going right on with the finale, and the cur
tain came down amid a mighty burEt Of applause
which even the thing that had just happened could
not restrain. He had fallen, but triumphed as ne
fell.
AS we picked him up his body twisted as IL he
were entirely cut In half at the waist and | felt
through the thick padding on his hips another pair
of arms pinioned there.
We laid him on the floor Of hespwn room and
closed the door. He raised his heaE looked first at
me, then at the manager. Perceiving he was alone
with us, with hne vigor he ripped open his clothing.
undid the metal fastenings Of two strong straps and
dragged himself away by his hands, and appeared be-
fore our eyes a perfectly strong, healthy man. save
that his two legs had been cut of at the hips. Be
hind he left something that was dead. something that
was all legs, save that 1t had a head and shoulders
the worst hunchback have ever seen. l turned the
head, 1t showed-the face at the window!
This is the work of Gross. the theatrical manager,
gentlemen. He found me after I had lost my legs
at sea. He also found poor Yung there. and bribed
him to this slavery. Gross made me learn to speak
Chinese, He drilled not only me, but Yung In the
roles. must not only be dramatic under my vest
and coat, but Yung must be an actor. clad TO his.
neck In trousers. After a few years patience it was
all easy enough. He could see out to guide his feet.
Now you know. or can imagine. all, Hendrix Kelensen,
the basso, dies with his hired legs and you may send
word to my poor old mother that we will go back to
our quiet little house in Ryndam together. Tell them
outside that the great Hendrix Kelensen is dead