A FORTY-FIVE DAYS' FAST.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 95, 21 April 1906, Page 9

A FORTY-FIVE DAYS' FAST.

Herr Sacco. who entered a sealed chamber at Hengler's Circus on January 18. has just completed a 45 days' fast. This is a more remarkable feat than a journalistic friend would have mc believe. "That's nothing," he said. "Why, as a free lance I've been fasting for three .years!" Sacco's ordeal, I'm I afraid, was a good deal more rigorous • while it lasted. Walled up in his narrow 'cell, lie remaiped absolutely without food dn.rifg tne whole of the stipulated 'period. Alineral water was his only drink, cigarettes his only luxury. He ' entered the cage a strong, active, healthy [man, weighing 14st 21b; he left it weighI ing ,551b less, with gaunt, haggard fea- | tures «.nd emaciated frame. Not one I man in a hundred thousand, nays Sacco's doctor, could have passed successfully through such au ordeal. Some days before the time was up Sacco was showing symptoms of approaching collapse, and his doctor, fearing that he himself was incurring a serious responsibility in allowing the experiment to continue, offered the starving man £50 to come out of his cell. But Sacco flatly refused to give up, and managed to hold out till j the er.d. I The 45 days' fast came to a close on (Saturday at 5.30 p.m. About 50 people , assembled outside one of the large glass i windows of the "cage," and at a given signal an attendant struck a chisel with a mallet, and the pane flew in shivers. On the inner side stood Sacco. who greeted the breaking of the window with a cry of joy. Cheers broke into the strains of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." as

Mile. Janotha, a Avell-known pianist, handed him through the opening fwfc blood-red roses. He bowed like a courtier and kissed her hand, and smiled brightly. Then the lady handed him his first meal, a. cup of cocoa, containing some patent food, and, first sipping a glass of water, he sat down to enjoy what must have seemed the most delicious nectar, though his appetite, in the ordinary sense, practically ceased, he declares, weeks ago. With assistance from two i-iends he passed through the aperture and walked steadily, but with a curious flatfooted movement, to a chair,, where he held a sort of informal reception. After vesting awhile he proceeded to the arena, where a series of presentations were made to him on behalf of the directors of the circus and others, and his achievement was described. After signing a number of picture postcards bearing portraits of himself, and consuming several more cups of cocoa, he lit a b'g cigar, donned his overcoat, and went to his hotel. Later in the evening he appeared at Hengler's- again and held a public reception. As he entered daylight for the first time on leaving the circus he was as though blinded for several moments. After a short rest Saeco was able to describe his feelings. "The staleness of the air in the house," he said, "prevented mc from feeling hunger. I was only hungry at first. But I had a difficulty in sleeping, and the way people stared disturbed mc; but I wouldn't have given in on Wednesday night for £ 1000." During his fast Saceo played chess, nsed a typewriter, read and wrote, and conversed with the people who came to