The Washington herald., 1914-03-16
DAILY SHORT STORY.
THE HUMAN P1NCUsHIoS's LUCK.
ny MARGUERITE HELOIsE DE
TIENNE.
tCoUigl,t. lsl;.l

(Cohpisht. Isli.i
It was plain to every spectator OF the
side show of the Collins Colossal Con-
solidated Circuses that Prof. Matt. the
human pincushion, was greatly pecved
ahcut something. Instead Of pushing the
needle, hat pins and other sharp instru-
ments into his arms. legs and face gent
iy, as was his wont, he was jabbing them
in viciously. as II trying to get even
with himself for something. The side
show manager made no attempt to stop
him. because, IL anything. IL added in
terest and excitement to the act. The
fast was that the professor that morn
ing had asked for a raise. the same be-
ing denied. He wanted the raise SO that
he might marry Nine. DE Lotta, and
when II was not forthcoming. madame
was forced to remain the partner of
Signor Toselli
The very Frenchy name of Mime. De
Lotta belonged to a golden-haired. blue
eyed little Irish girl, while Signor To-
selli was just as Italian as his name
suggested him to be. The latter was d
knife Juggler and his speciality was to
stand the little lady up against a black
board and produce her silhouette with
nice shiny daggers. His former partner
got nerves. and went back to the old
homestead. and little Nine. De Lotta was
substituted.
She didn't like 1t one bit, firstly. be-
cause these wasn't any fun seeing knives
flying at her and secondly. because she
liked Signor Toselli about as well as
Mr.. Frost's Carlo liked cats. She had
begged and pleaded to remain as Nine
Charmy, the marvellous snake charmer
because IL was so much safer to daily
with lot of fangless snakes The only
thing in the act which appealed to her
was doubling of salary. With that she
could send several more dollars home to
rear three boys up to the policeman age.
Nine. De Lotta fell in love with the
Human Pincushion the first day she saw
him and the Human Pincushion did the
same thing with her. The professor pro-
posed. but she told him that her salary
was the momentous thing. and that her
marrying wouldn't help II. Then came
the change in her acts and worst Of all,
Signor Toselll fell in love with her, too
Two-thirds like Caesar. Prof. Matt
came. and saw: but the conquering was
another proposition. While he was vici-
ously puncturing his epidermis with
sharp-pointed implements he was trying
to study out some way of getting the
little lady away from the signor When
his act was finished he looked over to
where his sweetheart was standing and
saw them quarreling. There were two
acts before the spieler would reach them
so when his was finished he jumped nim-
bly, down from his platform and ran over
to the knife juggIers stand.
Marie" he said. addressing her by her
given name. Il want to see you after
the next act.''
"All right. Matt. dear she answered
sweetly. 'I'll be over
NO you WON'T broke in Toselli
her
Huh she chirped in a most insult
ing tone. how long since you've been
my boss?''
Matt started to answer. but Marie
clapped her little hand over his mouth.
''Fll come over. DEAR
And she did.
Now listen to me. Matt. I'll let you in
on a secret I'm going to cut the signor
pretty soon. I'm learning to throw
knives and when I become a little more
expert I'll strike the boss for the job
and I'll get IT, A woman knife-thrower
will be twice the drawing card that a
dago is. Then We can get married"
Matt had grown Modified by this time
and the proposition seemed to fascinate
him. But. kiddie," he asked. who'll
be your partner
You, Of course, dear
me!
Sure she laughed
me stand up and let a woman heave
daggers at my anatomy; Never, l love
you. Marie, but when II comes to being
your target excuse me"'
Don't you think l can do il as well
as that dago mutt?' she demanded in a
hurt tone.
Maybe so. but your Uncle Matt will
stay with the needle and hatpins for
some days, thank you!''
Il fry
with Toselli.''
Here comes the spielier. dearie, and
I'll have to go through with my stunt
again. Well have to work out this prob
lem some way, but it will have to be
without me standing up for a knife
target. 1 wouldn't do it for a million
dollars an hour"
We'll. mister man. you will do II and
you won't get a million an hour. You'll
do il because ] want you to. see!" With
a happy little laugh she dsrted away.
Ladies and gentlemen" roared the
spieler. The next on the program is
the world renowned Prof. Matt. the hu-
man pincushion. He can put a needle
into any portion of his anatomy without
feeling pain or causing blood to flow,
and is the only one known to civilization.
Step closer, please, and behold this Won
derful man whom you will remember for
the rest Of your natural life!"
But Prof Matt did not perform in his
usual manner. He chanced to look across
to Tosellfs platform and was just in
time to see him grasp Marie roughly by
the arms. Matt !eaped on the boards
and started Toselli saw him coming. A
knife whizzed through the air and stuck
in Mats thorax. but he kept coming.
Another CLINT of steel and Matfs ana
tony acquired another trophy, but he
fingered not. Two or three more found
soft spots in the pincushion. but he never
hesitated.
Tosellrs eyes began TO bulge and before
Matt reached him tine dark-skinned little
It lian had crept under the tent and was
making his escape as fast as his short
legs could carry him.
The crowd was in panic. Women and
children screamed and men made haste
to seek cover. When they recovered. the
professor stood calmly upon the knife
thrower's stand, pscking the dasgers from
various portions OF his manly frame. |!
Marie would have helped him, but she
had tainted at the first throw and was
s." unconscious. Matt raised up her
head. bathed her brow. and brought her
to, but when she saw him alive and smil- !
ing, she promptly tainted again.
That night as the show train pulled
out the manager was talking to Prof. |