End of Paddy

As it must to all fleas, Death came last week to Paddy, famed trained flea of "Professor" William Heckler's famed Manhattan flea circus.

Habitual patrons of Maestro Heckler's West 42nd Street establishment well knew the star performer who jumped through hoops, pushed a toy train, danced, juggled, kicked a ball and ended every performance by waving the flag of the Irish Free State in the manner of George Michael Cohan waving the U. S. flag. He was a bright red flea with black, roguish eyes, much larger than most male fleas. Few of his admirers knew that Paddy was not an Irish flea: he was found on a German sailor in Hoboken. Last week Dr. Heckler exhibited his fleas in Carbondale, Pa. On the way back to New York his automobile caught fire. While the car burned Trainer Heckler worked to save his fleas, removing jar after glass jar from his suitcase, unscrewing the caps to give his pets fresh air. All rallied from the effects of the smoke except Paddy. Next night he was listless, refused his hoop. Next night he was dead.

Impresario Heckler told a newshawk that Paddy at the time of his death held the all-time record of 52,850 consecutive performances. Said he: "Paddy never once threw me down. . . . Ladies and gentlemen, with your kind attention I will exhibit Paddy. . . ."

"But Professor," cried the newshawk.

"Shh!" hissed the professor. "An understudy. A ham."

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