Adela worked in a famous Mexican circus during the time of the Revolution (1910-1917). She and her boyfriend were the main attraction of the show. Night after night, Adela stood against a wooden wall with her limbs outstretched while her blind boyfriend hurled knives that landed perilously close—but never touched her. Their act became legendary, but so did the boyfriend’s ego. “I deserve more pay,” he said one day. “I’m the main draw. I have superhuman abilities. I want better treatment.” The circus owner tried to reason with him, reminding him of the war and the hard times, but eventually caved, suggesting they cut Adela’s pay to meet his demands. The boyfriend agreed. “She doesn’t do anything. I’m the one with the talent.”
When the circus owner told Adela about the new arrangement, she was devastated. “I risk my life for him because I love him. I need the money.” But he had agreed, and the owner insisted. “There are plenty of pretty girls who would do it for less.” Adela refused. Heartbroken and betrayed, she caught the first train out. A week later, the act resumed with a new girl. On the first throw, the knife struck her directly in the heart. She died instantly. The girl’s father shouted, “Murderer! You claimed you had powers!” Enraged townsfolk lynched the knife thrower and the circus owner.
What no one knew was that Adela had been the one with the real powers—the ability to subtly divert metal objects. She was the secret behind their fame. After leaving the circus, she joined the Mexican Revolution, using her gift to protect soldiers in battle. It’s said she was the unseen force that saved a certain Pancho Villa more than once. Or so the stories go.
When the circus owner told Adela about the new arrangement, she was devastated. “I risk my life for him because I love him. I need the money.” But he had agreed, and the owner insisted. “There are plenty of pretty girls who would do it for less.” Adela refused. Heartbroken and betrayed, she caught the first train out. A week later, the act resumed with a new girl. On the first throw, the knife struck her directly in the heart. She died instantly. The girl’s father shouted, “Murderer! You claimed you had powers!” Enraged townsfolk lynched the knife thrower and the circus owner.
What no one knew was that Adela had been the one with the real powers—the ability to subtly divert metal objects. She was the secret behind their fame. After leaving the circus, she joined the Mexican Revolution, using her gift to protect soldiers in battle. It’s said she was the unseen force that saved a certain Pancho Villa more than once. Or so the stories go.
