Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1909-01-01
ROCKVILLE. FRIDAY MORNING. JANUARY 1909
reached the limit of its flight strome
caught inns voice

reached the limit of Its flight Strome
caught inns voice.
lie heard only the words Elmer
gency lights" but he guessed the rest,
and as coolly as though 1t was part
Of the act he dropped to the net below
as being the quickest way down,
The big swing reached the platform
and went beyond. then with increased
momentum swung toward the opposite
side again. A second time 1t swung
toward the platform. and as It reached
the farthest point Jim let go and kept
on toward the pole.
Straight through the air he flew until
his arms clasped the blue pole, and for
forced from his body by the shock Of
the impact. Then he began to climb
upward.
The lights dazzled his eyes, and the
heat was terrific, but be did not realize
It. He knew only that seconds were
precious, and right into the very heart
Of the blaze he climbed to reach the
valve wheels that regulated the supply
for the burners.
In second the place was in dark
ness, but the band played Its noisiest
and the ring attendants were patrolling
the ring and shouting that there was
no danger, even while they kept their
eyes on the single fame that still burn
ed above the tanks.
Unmindful of the hot burners Jim
forced his way between them, though
they scared his skin through his thin
silk shirt, and moment late he clap
ped his hand upon the flame and held
It upon the heated metal until the blaze
was gone.
For moment he swayed dizzily In
the darkness; then from below there
came a glare of light. and he heard
strome's voice above the blare Of the
band.
"Ride the lights DOWN. he was
shouting, and Jim threw his blistered
arms about the reservoirs as the men
started to lower the apparatus.
They were within few feet Of the
ring when strength failed, and Jim let
go his hold. A dozen men swarmed to
his aid, and, accompanied by two physi-
Cluub ITOui lue huulcHCtp thcy pVtu
him to the dressing tent.
When he came to the main tent was
dark, and only tho light in the dress
ing tent was burning.
"Did they get out2" he asked weakly.
every one Of them" declared tho
old mans hearty voice. '"rhey thought
It was the sensational finish we ad-
ON up nhat
up to, and then we had the emergency
lights going, and the crowd went out
In order. It's a pity you didn't hear
the applause they gave you"
II was busy-just them" explained
Jim, with n faint smile. He half
raised his head to look about him, and
Clute guessed his thoughts.
DAISY has gone on the train to make
up a berth In our own car" he ex-
plalned. "She insists upon nursing
you herself The ambulance will DO
here in minute to take you down.
You want to get well quick, Jim, for
there's wedding ahead Of you, and
It's to be Clute & Pettie's show next
year, with our own electric light plant"
Clute hustled away to look for the
ambulance and Jim turned to his part
ner. He was too happy to realize how
his burns hurt. He thought only Of
the fact that he had won Daisy.
"Ben," he said. with grin, 1--WE al
ways told em we did the hottest net
In the business but that's the hottest
finish we ever did IT'S pity we cant
keen Il In"