A PERILOUS WALK.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2417, 15 December 1880, Page 3

A PERILOUS WALK.

Preceding the performance of Nick Robert's “ Humpty Dumpty ” Troupe, Harry Leslie is accustomed to nightly walk and. perform feats of agility upon a high rope stretched from the roof of the theatre to some adjoining buildings. . While playing at the Academy of Music jNew Orleans, La, recently, showers of rain had wet the rope until it was as slippery as if woven of glass; but when the hour arrived for the exhibition the ' psffdrmef that he would Vattempt his 'perilous. ..feat. The crowd - cheered him for his pluck, the band • struck up a lively air, and with a to the,.audience, Harry. Leslie stepped upon the rope and in a moment was standing in mid-air, with nothing but his own nerve between him and .death. At first he began to walk slowly Ibut gradually increased his pace until, -when lie had reached the middle of the rope, he attempted a short run. Then “ 'the rope slackened, and the horrified .crowd beneath him saw him reel and .stagger like a drunken man as he

attempted in vain to keep his equilibrium. Before the crowd could catch its breath sufficiently to cry out, he. fell, but dexterously caught the rope by one hand, still holding his pole, however in the other. It >ok but a second to convince him that the pole was too heavy. He released it, and it fell among the frightened mass below. Fortunatcl}’, no one was hurt. The crowd now expected that he would return, but, instead of doiii" so,-Leslie remained,’ giving an exhibition of his agility and , skill. It was evident, however, that his strength \vas fast leaving him. Suddenly he desisted, and began slowly to climb bacto to'tlic Academy. When he came back to the point nearest to that building, at which one or the three sets of stay ropes was fastened, ho became completely demoralised and paused to rest. As he sat on the rope his whole frame quivered with excitement. Twice he essayed to continue his terrible climb to the roof of the Academy, and each time his extreme nervousness and perilous position rendered him unfit for the attempt. The unhappy man clung to the rope as only a man can cling with but the tenacity of his clasp to save him from , an awful death. As be neared the end of the rope his efforts became feebler and feebler, and when he was within a few feet from the building a rope was thrown to him, which he clutched and held to as if this obstinate hold was his life-grip, the last effort of desperate nature. Fora second he hung suspended, and the crowd almost screamed with the agony of the moment. But as he was drawn over the edge of the roof such a yell went up as for many a day has not echoed along old St. Charles street.

One of the heaviest seas experienced for months past, made matters rather lively for the shipping in port last evening. There was hut little wind, hut the breakers rose to an unusual height, and the waves washed almost clean over some of the vessels in port. At one time the Neweast’e barque Especulador was in considerable danger. >She was driven within about SOD or -100 yards of the shore, opposite the George Street Landing Service. Fortunately the steamer Taiaro<a was at hand, and between 8 and 5) o’clock the barque was towed out to sea.

The brigantine Enterprise, from Auck" laud, arrived in the roadstead this afternoon, but up to the time of our going to press had not come to an anchorage, owing to the rough state of the sea.

At a wind up to the festivities of Anniversary Day there will be a popular entertainment at the Theatre Royal to morrow evening, when a whole host of favorite artistes will make their appearance. There will doubtless be a crowded house.

Mr H. N. Anderson, of boot and shoe fame, has commenced a genuine clearing out sale for the Christmas holidays In this instance the sale is a bona lido one, as Mr Anderson is about to give up his present shop, and his extensive stock must cleared off at any price.