Tuesday last as a "great day in Marietta." So the bills said. They also said that on that day, Master Charlie Alford would give us, to quote from the Rhyme of ye Ancient Pedlar Man, a "specimen of tall walking." And so he did.
He stretched his cable from the roof of the National House to a pole erected at the corner of the alley by the "burnt district" - some 300 feet long and 50 to 60 feet high. At the appointed time, Charlie made his appearance on the roof of the National, in costume, and seizing his balancing pole, marched out on his air line, with the stately and heroic tread of a warrior. He reached the other end of this journey without difficulty, amid the hushed stillness of the largest crowd we ever saw in Marietta. Had it been a political gathering, it would have been said that ten thousand people were present; but as it was not, five thousand will include all.
Resting a few moments, he retraced his steps to near the National, when fastening his pole to the cable and guys, he gave an illustration of how a man would look pointing his pedals to the sky, hanging by his hands, feet, &c. at that distance above terra firma.
In the evening, in the beautiful moonlight, the performance was repeated, a torch being fastened to each end of his pole to light him on his perilous way. He accomplished the feat without difficulty, and retraced his steps to the hotel backward. A few Roman candles ended the entertainment, which was witnessed by almost as large a crowd as in the afternoon. Let Blondin look out for his laurels.
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