Evening Star Newspaper, January 25, 1931, Page 83

{ TON, D. C, JANUARY 25, 1931. as he fell and Lourella went over, too. “What are you going to do with that?” asked WMr. Meek, getting up from his chair. “Just cut myself a chew,” answered the un- Mr. Meek, “you'd better not ratus.” . “How'm I goin’ to walk acrost it if I don’t test it?” “The only person who has the privilege of ching that thing is Mr. Bud Lawson,” said s “He’s my manager,” said Lamar. “He doesn’t seem to manage you very well” said the lawyer. “No,” said Lamar, “he don't. That's why I'm here lookin' for myself. . He’s no good.” “I didn’t mean that way,” said the attorney. “Now, what this here needs,” said Lamar, taking hold of the rope, “is a little slack.” He ed to lift the ratchet on one of the pulleys. Mr. Meek started toward him as the door opencd and Miss Livingston and an officer entered. . Said Miss Livingston, “There he is.” “Ah;” said Maloney, for it was he, “my old friend the stunt man. What are you doin’ here, my bucko?” “Nothin’ much,” - answered Lamar—with & sickly grin. “No, I guess not,” said Maloney. “You look kinda peaceful-like with that knife in your hand. Better come along with me” He walked over and took the tipsy man by the shoulder. “Want to make any charges, sir?” he asked Meek. . “No,” said Mr. Meek. “Righto,” said the officer. down and turn him adrift.” “Thank you very much, officer,” said Miss Livingston. “Don’'t mention it, mum,” said Maloney. “Come on, youse.” “I'l walk acrost that wire like I told you,” said the writhing Lamar. “You won't even crawl across that wire,” said the offiecr. “Come on with you,” and out of the door they went. Tn! Casting Wilsons were making their grand triumphal passage down the street in a big car furnished by the patrons and patronesses of the society pageant to be given at the Coliseum that night. Bud Lawson, their manager, was in the car with them and felt very well satisfied with the arrangements he had concluded for their en- gagement as a gigantic ballyhoo for the charity “I'll take him The car was decorated with bunting and streamers announcing that the Casting Wil- sons would do the Devil's Slide between the Mechanics’ Building and the Electric Light Co.’s building, a big free.show given to call attention to the attraction at the Coliseum. Dot loved the adulation of the crowd and was basking in the spotlight of attention she was jetting. Lourella was giving instructions to his “I want you,” said Lou, “to go up in the Buildin’ and stay in that office on that r so everything will be ok. Dot and I will pe that everythin’s runnin’ on our side.” “Right,” said Bud. They drew up in front of the Mechanics’ [Building and Dot and Lourella got out. ,“Just a minute,” commanded Maloney, who being buffeted around by the crowd massed ound them. “You the people who are goin’ o walk across that wire?” He had left his b0 , A8 no more corner to stand pn. The mob had engulfed the entire street. “Yes,” sald Bud. “I ’spose you got a permit allowin’ you to blo this this way, have you?” sald ” said Bud—handing him a paper permit. “All right,” he said, handing it back. “Which one does the stunt?” “I do,” said Lourella. “And is this the little lady you carry over?” asked the good-natured Irishman, looking at Dot. “I'm the one,” said she, sweetly. “Well, I'm tellin’ you something’, Mr. Wil- son,” said Maloney. “Don’t let this little lady fall or yeull be gettin’ a punch in the nose from me.” He took hold of Dot’s arm and started to el- bow a way for her through the crowd. “I'll beat it across to the other side,” said Bud. “Right,” said Lourella, following in the path the big Maloney had opened up. “There was a stew here a couple of hours ago that was goin’ to cut your ropes up there, but I gave him the run around and I don't think he’ll be back.” 4 “What's that?” said Lou, catching up to the officer, “A stew, did you say?” “Cut our ropes?” repeated Dot. “Well, he had a knife in his hand up there in them law offices and I caught him and gave him a couple of these.” Maloney held up his fist. “Lamar,” exclaimed Dot. “That’s who™ said Maloney. *“The dirty bum,” said Lourella. “Stand aside,” said the officer to the gaping crowd hemming them in. “Here you are.” He opened the doors to the building and guided Dot inside, It was & few minutes later that the solidly packed mass of humanity in the street saw a muscular gladiator step out on the window Jedge of the law office of Meek, Holcomb & Ganesvort, high, high above them. The silent, tense air of excitment gave way a prolonged roar as every eye was fixed on figure in white tights silhouetted against dark building. He seemed perfectly at as he leaned over and tested the wire his . Then he folded his arms and to one side of the window ledge. Another figure stepped out beside him and crowd went wild. ““There’s the girl!” they and Lourella smiled down at them. One The Casting Wilsons prided themselves was the ease and precision of their work. They posed gracefully a moment to get the full value of the wild cheering that came from below. ‘Then Iourella lcn’ped his feet on the window ledge and bent his knees slightly, with his hands cupped in front of him. Dot stepped daintily into his hands with oue foot, threw the other over his shoulder and was soon astride his shoulders. Then, with his arms outstretched, Lou, carrying his precious burden, stepped care- fully out on the wire. The multitude gasped and some of the women in the crowd covered their eyes with their hands. The Casting Wil- sons were on their way. yelled. Dot thing Little ¢ LOWLY, ever so slowly, Lou advanced up and up on the taut little thread of steel, Dot riding on his shoulders as easily as a feather. The wire sagged with the weight, and the crowd gasped. Cautiously and more cau- tiously, Lourella walked like a panther, placing each foot before the other only when he knew his balance was right. Every eye was on the two figures now sil- houetted against the sky, and no one saw the bleary-eyed individual, in the ragged overcoat thrown over a dirty pair of tights and with a shabby pair of soft shoes on his feet, creep stealthily into the Mechanics’ Building. On and on went The Casting Wilsons, slowly and more slowly as the ascent to the higher elevation of the wire on the other side became more difficult. Now the angle of the wire seemed impossible to be overcome, it was so step, but the catlike feet of Lourella clutched it ever more firmly. The crowd was now in a frenzy of excitement, for it looked as though the two figures must surely fall. - But they gradually approached the windows of the Electric Building. A little quick run on the part of Lourella and The Casting Wil- sons were safe across. They stood on the ledge and bowed and waved to the cheering Dot looked inside the window, and Bud Law- son handed her a leather helmet. She held this above her h2ad for a moment for all to see, then handed it to Lourella. He put the helmet on his head and Dot helped him buckle the strap below his chin. 5§ '} | if § 5 jit sEef E : Like a rocket he went down the wire, arms and legs sprawled out on either side hold his balance. ‘Then—something happened. Half-way across, his body wobbled and fell rest of the way hanging by one elbow until he came to the window ledge and safety. The crowd went into a frenzy of cheering, but Lou, far up on the ledge, swore under his breath. He clambered inside. That was not the way the Casting Wilsons did their work, and Lou was mad. “You're not going to try that again, are you?” ed«uburden.lm.dv-wedouthelfl‘ Sbwly,mwdouly,arryiughha of steel. 13 [ife Ten Stories Above the City Streets — 3 Y Cecill.e /4 called Mr. Meek, who was inside with Miss Livingston, who had nearly fainted. “You betcher life,” answered Lou. “That's no way to finish a good trick.” “Better let well enough alone,” said Meek. “That isn’t well enough for me,” Lou called back. The sleeve of his silk shirt was torn where the friction of the slide had burned through the material, and the steel frame encircling his arm showed through. This was Lou’s own invention and made it possible for him to slide back to safety without searing the flesh. 5 Slowly he started across the wire again. The crowd below could not believe their eyes. Maloney, the cop, knew it was impossible %9 clear any of the mob away from directly be- neath the wire, but he would have liked to do s0, as the whole thing looked too dangerous® and foolhardy fo him. : “Why the divil does he want to do that over again?” he exclaimed to himself. He watched the lone figure slowly making its way across en the glistening wire. Suddenly an exclamation broke from every MAI.Dm thought so, too, mdment. He looked across to the el company’s building and saw the agonized of Dot leaning out across the ledge. enough for Maloney. He dashed Mechanics’ Buliding. Lourella was keeping on his way when against it. His slow-moving brain was fast. Slowly, inch by proached look of satisfaction on Lamar's face as he heard the screams that came to him from far’ below. He had said he would walk the wire and he was walking it. The blood rushed to Lou's head. He was§ figuring what he would do when he reached Lamar. Nearer and nearer they came to each- other. Suddenly Lamar gave a curse, lost his balance and fell sideways. His arm shot out and went over the wire and he hung by his hands. The wire swayed as he fell over and Lourells lost his balance and went over. Again his arm went out and over the wire and he, too, hung with nothing but space below him. . The Great Lamar hung like a limp rag, but did not let go. Suddenly, hand over hand, Lourella moved toward him. They met. ‘Then the crowd saw an exhibition of strength they would never see again. Lourella 3 big policeman lean far out and grab hold back of the shirt of the limp figure holding, and slowly draw it upward the open window. Maloney was on the job and his share. took hold of the wire with his go with his knees, pulled himself p and scrambled through the window. of the city police. “T'd like to go back and do my trick right,® said Lourella. “No, you don't,” said Maloney. “Your permi$ said you gould walk across and back once. You been walkin’ and slidin’ back and forth therg all the afternoon. Now you cut it out. d’ye think that wire is, a street in some town? “It looked like the main street,” said Loue rella, “the way it was crowded.” He looked at The Great Lamar, who was slumped down in & chair. “I'll take care o’ him,” said Maloney. “That was & one-way wire an’ he was breakin’ the traffic rules by bein’ on it at all, at all. Where's the little blonde that works with you?” he asked. “Will she be comin’ over here?” . “Sure,” sald Lourella. “She’s gotta come over to help me take down my riggin’. That's my wife.” “Oh——" said Maloney, and his face fell, “I though it was your sister.” (Copyright, 1931.) Production of Rail Cars. manufactured, the production being only about one-third of the 1927 total 3