The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-01-26
HE HAD FALLEN, BUT TRrUMPHED AS HE FELL

rruption Of your pleasures. have tslsphon.d your
your interest In Yung Kin Wan but l learned
night that death is at his heels and II you can and
choose to do so you should warn him without an
Making the best excuse could to the family,
got into my furs and drove rapidly to University
Place. Keensen doubtless at the opera. but
wished to advise Peter Hahn to admit one to the
house. Thence hurried to the oDeEs house and met
search Of Kelsnsen. His mother was very ILL., He
s ~. ss . he you'd
not be OF for some time. Just then encountered
the e. manager and after was INTRODUCED said
plot among some Chinese in which he may be In
, mss De no more ta.a con-
Strange. indesdi l did not know be had Chi
nese servant" answered the manager. But this II
all very queer. for tonight young Chinese. with
laundry bags about Kelensens room drove
him out Of doors. We must wait until the end OF
this act before We communicate with him"
With unreasonable impatIence. took my seat
with Madame Msntona In the managers box.
As Kelensen advanced for his solo saw that hs
staggered slightly. With every sign Of vieor his
arms head and face his limbs seemed to be uncon.
trollably weak and he went Madame Mentona
laid her hand on my arm suddenly and exclaimed
Heavens, Or. siddons! He has cut out more than
tirandly. superbly the chorus fell in behind him.
swelling out gloriously In the tremendous harmony
He crashed down like a log but instantly raised his
head. He was the most astounded Of all He sat
up and appeared unframed. 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 down amid a mighty burst OF applause
which even the thing that had just happened could
not restrain He had fallen, but triumphed as hs
fell
AS we picked him up his body twisted a il he
entirely cut In half at the waist and felt
through the thick padding On his hips another pair
Of arms pnoned there
We laid him the floor OF his room and
closed the door. He raised his bead. looked first at
then al the manager. Perceiying he was alone
with US, with fine vigor he ripped open his clothing
undd the metal fastenings OF strong strs and
dragged himself away by his hands and appeared be
fore eyes perfectly strong, healthy man. save
that his two legs had been cut OF at the hips. Be
hind he left something that dead something that
was all legs; save that II had head and shoulders
the worst hunchback have seen. ! turned the
head. 1t showed-the face at the window
This is the work OF Gross, the theatrical manager
gentlemen He found me after had lost my legs
at He also found poor Yung there and bribed
him to this slavery. Gross made me learn to speak
Chinese. He drilled not only but Yung in the
roles. / must not only be dramatic under my vest
and coat but Yung must be actor. clad TO his
neck in trousers. After few years patience IL was
all easy enough. He could out to guide his feet
Now you know. can imagine, all Hendrix Kelensen.
the basso dies with his hired legs and you may send
word to my poor old mother that will go back to
quiet little house IN Ryndam together. Tell them
outside that the great Hendrix Keiensen is dead"