Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1893 — BUCEPHALUS IN A BALLOO[?], [ARTICLE]

BUCEPHALUS IN A BALLOO[?],

Osmiiji Pasha, an Equine Aeronaut, making Daily Ascensions in llorlln. The latest novelty launched on tho circus-going public of Berlin is designated on the programme of tho famous Corty- Athol circus as “Osman Pasha, tho great and only equine aeronaut of the nineteenth century.” Osman Pasha is described by the New York Press as a proud black stallion with fine head and symmetrical proportions. The trainers found little difficulty at first in inducing the stallion, who was very docile, to step in the* car of the balloon, and in order to prevent accidents two stout straps connected his bit with heavy iron rings fastened to the sides of the car. After his first aerial trip, however, he strenuously objected to leave terra tlrma, and it required several months of patient and careful coaxing beforo Osman could perform his feat grace*, fully. And even now, after many trials, he exhibits a certain lack of confidence. When Osman receives his command to step into the balloon conveyance he acts like a woman on. the point of taking a cable car—he wants to be sure that tho thing does not fly away before he is comfortably installed. During the pscenslon ho behaves phlegmatically and stands perfectly still, notwithstanding tho manipulations of his keepers below, who aio constantly pulling on tho ropes attached to the car, swinging it violently back and forth so that screams of terror escape tho ladies, who fear that tho poor beast may tumble down at any moment. The only symptoms of fear the horse evinces occur during the pyrotechnical finale. From the moment tho attendant approaches with Ids flaming torch with which ho kindles tho fireworks the stallion begins to stamp and snort furiously. During this part of tho performance his fiery eyes and pricked cars denote his interest, and when ho is finally released there is a sudden dash for the stable, under the uproarious applause of the appreciative multitude