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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..09caeae --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #62113 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/62113) diff --git a/old/62113-0.txt b/old/62113-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8e489c7..0000000 --- a/old/62113-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6401 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of On the Road With a Circus, by W. C. Thompson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: On the Road With a Circus - -Author: W. C. Thompson - -Release Date: May 13, 2020 [EBook #62113] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON THE ROAD WITH A CIRCUS *** - - - - -Produced by WebRover, MFR, David E. Brown, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - -[Illustration: EAGER THRONG AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE.] - - - - - On the Road - With a Circus - - W. C. THOMPSON - - [Illustration] - - NEW YORK - - NEW AMSTERDAM BOOK COMPANY - - 1905 - - - - - Copyright, 1903, - By W. C. THOMPSON - - Copyright, 1905, - By NEW AMSTERDAM BOOK COMPANY - - _On the Road With a Circus._ - - - - -TABLE OF CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER I. PAGE - The Modern Circus, 5 - - CHAPTER II. - Arrival and Debarkation, 29 - - CHAPTER III. - Early Scenes on the Lot, 43 - - CHAPTER IV. - The Parade, 58 - - CHAPTER V. - The Side-Show, 67 - - CHAPTER VI. - At the Main Entrance, 86 - - CHAPTER VII. - The Menagerie Tent, 101 - - CHAPTER VIII. - Life with the Performers, 116 - - CHAPTER IX. - Night Scenes and Embarkation, 147 - - CHAPTER X. - The Circus Detective, 157 - - CHAPTER XI. - The Autobiography of a Circus Horse, 164 - - CHAPTER XII. - The Circus Band, 175 - - CHAPTER XIII. - With the Elephants, 181 - - CHAPTER XIV. - The General Manager, 197 - - CHAPTER XV. - American Circus Triumphant, 208 - - CHAPTER XVI. - The Old-Fashioned Circus, 219 - - CHAPTER XVII. - The Circus Press Agent, 233 - - - - -ON THE ROAD WITH A CIRCUS - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE MODERN CIRCUS - - -The faithful recording of daily life with one of the “big shows,” -wandering with it under all vicissitudes, fortunate or adverse, is -the errand on which this book is sent. You and I will travel from the -distraction and tumult of the summer season to the congenial quiet -of winter quarters, and survey operations from the hour when new -and unwonted scenes and sounds startle city quiet or country seat -retirement until the stealthy breaking of the white encampment and -the departure from town. We will scrutinize the entrance of strangers -into strange lands and observe the rising and expansion of the tents -as an army of men stamp their image upon the earth. Our astonished -eye will gaze upon the gorgeous pageant of the parade and returning -to the grounds will peer freely and familiarly about the place of -strange sounds and entrancing sights. We will watch the master mind -of the circus and his associates in counsel and action. We will study -the life, character, and habits of the motley throng of “show” people -and learn of morals and manners, of hopes and fears, of trials and -solicitudes; and we will pass sunny hours on meadows enamelled with -violets and daisies and goldened with buttercups and dandelions, where -the circus is passing its day. - -We circus people have so high an opinion of our good qualities that -we are not ashamed to introduce ourselves to you. As pilgrims with -no abiding city, leading a life of multiplied activities and varied -fortunes amid scenes of din and turmoil, hurry and agitation, our -platform is courage, ambition, and energy, governed by honest purpose -and tempered by humanity. We have our infirmities, our faults, and -our sins, but also our virtues, our excellences, and our standards of -perfection, and a discerning world has come no longer to regard us as -unscrupulous invaders, but as invited and welcome guests. The voice of -joy and health resounds through our ranks; we are united in fraternal -good-will unbroken by dissension, our life of weal and woe is ever -invested with peculiar delightful fascination, and boisterous relish -transports itself from town to town. Memory clings with fond tenacity -to halcyon days with the circus. - -Sometime between 1820 and 1830 (circus annals tell not exactly the -year), near what is now New York City, while a red-coated band blew -forth a merry melody, a round-top tent swelled upward. The parents -of some of the present-day performers remember the day. It was the -first cloth circus shelter erected in this country, and then what was -formerly an open-air show assumed the dignity and importance of an -under-cover performance. A crude enough affair it was, as compared with -the perfection and finish of the modern circus. The flags and streamers -and bunting which add grace and beauty waved no friendly greeting; the -clamorous welcome of side-show orators and ticket sellers was wanting; -no menagerie offered its accumulated wealth of curious and snarling -beasts; human curiosity had not been awakened by the overpowering -splendor and magnificence of a preliminary parade; there was a lack -of sentiment and excitement and appeal to the senses; only din and -confusion and broiling heat. From this mean beginning has come the -marvellous circus of to-day, involving a business so extensive that few -people possess anything but the vaguest conception of its magnitude, -organization, and methods of operation. - -Underlying the pomp and glitter and the odor of sawdust and naphtha -is a system of government and management whose scale and scope are -stupendous and staggering. No human institution is more perfect in -operation and direction. Surely no more flattering tribute could be -paid than that officially given us by the United States Government. -Officers from the army department, skilled veterans in their -profession, critically observed the swift sequence of proceedings -when we showed in Washington--the early arrival of the trains; the -rapid debarkation; the magical growth of the white encampment; the -parade passing with measured tread through deeply lined streets; the -scene on the grounds and at the performances, and the pulling down at -night and the hurried, though orderly, departure. Then Gen. Nelson A. -Miles surveyed the scene and expressed wonder and admiration. Finally -there came a request that two representatives of the department be -permitted to accompany the circus for two weeks. To the Government -had come a realization that the modern circus offered lessons in the -transportation and handling of men and horses, canvas and vehicles. -And when the Barnum & Bailey Show was in Europe, the monarch of one of -the world-powers, visiting under tents incognito, confessed that he -had profited immensely by what he had witnessed, and proposed to put -into immediate effect many of the original working arrangements of the -circus. For instance, astonished at the ease and celerity with which -the heavy circus wagons were run on to the cars by means of a block and -tackle and an inclined plane, he admitted, ruefully, that in his vast -army they had been hoisting their artillery over the sides of the cars. -It remained for the American circus to bring appreciation of the waste -of time and labor. - -So to the humble employee of the circus who wanders with it from -place to place, one day in one town and the next perhaps one hundred -miles distant for a period of more than thirty weeks, is a part of -the strange daily life, witnesses the emergencies constantly met and -dealt with and the perplexing obstacles overcome, comes a forcible and -convincing knowledge that it is not an ungodly thing to be questioned -and looked at askance, but a genial, legitimate, business enterprise, -based upon sound principles and conducted upon the highest lines of -ability and responsibility by men who assumed a risk at which the -nerviest professional gambler would hesitate. The amount of capital -invested is several million dollars; no insurance company will give -protection. The dangers of the road are never absent. A cataclysm of -damage suits is a constant peril. Rainy weather, preventing performance -and profit, may be a companion for months. There must be constant -renewal of costly perishable property. Deaths of costly rare animals -may swallow up the receipts of days. Continual other dangers and -losses, of whose frequency, gravity, and magnitude the general public -has no adequate conception, are encountered. Against these ruining -possibilities the circus stakes. - - * * * * * - -There is a popular misapprehension regarding the profits of the circus -business. Some of the large organizations have continued in existence -for periods of several years without returning a cent on the investment -or at an actual operating loss. Less strongly financed tented shows -succumb. The circus is an infallible register of the monetary condition -of the country. Hard times are reflected in it, and prosperity -fills it with joyous evidence. The daily expenses of our circus are -placed by the management at over $5,000, and a moment’s calculation -discloses that the receipt of this amount of money is not the quick -operation surface conditions often indicate. The average daily free -admissions are eleven hundred. These are largely the tickets given for -bill-posting privileges. This territory embraces, generally, forty -miles on the lines of all converging railroads and a distance of twenty -miles in both directions from the tracks. City officials, newspapers, -and a throng of others claim the remaining gratuitous entrance passes. -Sometimes the number is larger. In one city we have been obliged to -place three thousand free tickets. - -Experienced circus owners reckon that one-quarter of the attendance -comprises children under nine years of age and who pay half-rate, -twenty-five cents. Thus it will be seen that some thirteen thousand -persons, including those with free tickets, must pass the door each -day before a dollar’s profit has been yielded from this source for the -management. Our “big top’s” capacity is ten thousand persons. One -realizes, after consideration of these facts and figures, how necessary -it is that there be few vacant seats at either performance to insure a -profit for the day, and how often the net revenue is supplied entirely -by side-show, peanuts, popcorn, lemonade, and other small departments. -Moreover, when the casual observer convinces himself that the huge tent -is full to repletion, he is often badly mistaken. The circus usher must -perform his duty with great care and systematic thoroughness, else he -will permit the man who has paid for one seat to occupy two or more. - - * * * * * - -The circus does not run its season, dissolve, and disperse. In winter -the entire establishment is maintained. Only the performers and -workmen are dropped, and with the former this is generally a mere -suspension of service, for contracts are frequently made for several -years. Owners, managers, contracting agents, advertising agents, press -agents, treasurer, bookkeepers, and others, find no idle moments. -Rolling stock, suffering from the hard effects of a season’s campaign, -needs painter and carpenter; new acts and novelties must be secured -to keep abreast of the times; the new route must be laid out and -considered; and to do this the management must know the population -and character of every town; have information of the condition of -business, vicissitudes of the year and the prospects for the coming -season; know the national, state, and municipal law and the character -of licenses, and the price of food for man and beast; keep track of -floods, droughts, or disasters to crops or people; be conversant with -the periods of ploughing and harvesting; learn what railroads run in -and out of town, their grades and condition, the extent, strength, and -height of tunnels and bridges and the relative positions of railroad -yards and the show lot; and find out the condition of the soil wherever -the circus is booked in case of rain, and provide in advance for such -a contingency. The circus is a fair-weather show and the management -must have a definite knowledge of wet and dry seasons, to avoid -encountering, so far as human foresight is possible, unpropitious -meteorological conditions. - -The question of transportation is the most careful one involved, and -upon its cost and facilities the route of the circus is in a great -measure determined. For instance, up in agricultural Windsor county, -in southeastern Vermont, nestles the village of White River Junction. -It boasts a weekly newspaper, a public school, and a national and a -savings bank. Its population does not exceed fifteen hundred; yet the -big circuses make annual pilgrimages thither because it is a local -trade centre, the Boston and Maine, Central Vermont and Woodstock -railroads converge upon it, and there the White and Connecticut -rivers merge their waters. Its selection for exhibition purposes is -a good illustration of the important part transportation facilities -play in arranging routes. White River Junction itself would not -turn out patrons enough to pay for the menagerie’s food, but the -throngs conveyed there by train and boat always fill the tents. So -it is all over the country, barring the large cities. It is not so -much the character and size of the place picked for the tents as its -topographical position and drawing powers. - -All through the winter a corps of women is busy on new uniforms and -trappings for man, woman, and beast. There are rich plush and gold -bullion galore in this workshop. The pretty spangles that will glitter -in the ring are being sewed in place, the elephants are getting new -jackets of royal purple and gold, and the camels are being fitted -out afresh for the parade. Some of these gorgeous fittings are very -expensive, but the circus management calculates that they must be -renewed every year. The outlay for hats, boots, and other articles of -attire for the army is heavy and ceaseless. - - * * * * * - -Circus day, to the men who have hundreds of thousands of dollars -invested, it will be seen, means the culmination of long and careful -and systematic preparation. To get ready for the day has been the -work of many months and has employed the talents and attention of men -wonderfully expert in their particular fields. The advance staff of -one of the “big shows” usually consists of a general agent, a railway -contractor, an executive agent, several general contracting agents, -and assistants; car No. 1, carrying eighteen to twenty persons; first -regular advertising car No. 2, bearing the chief press agent, car -manager, and from twenty to twenty-five men; car No. 3, with eighteen -to twenty men; car No. 4, carrying a special press agent and car -manager and from twelve to fourteen men, including “route riders” and -special ticket agents; next and finally, the “layer-out,” who is one -day ahead of the circus. - -The railroad contractor is the first man out. He is familiar to the -finest details with every railroad in the country--its mileage, -connections, yard facilities, bridges and tunnels. He plans, besides -arranging for the transportation of the circus trains, the special -excursions which will converge upon the town on the specified day of -exhibition. The general contracting agent follows. He makes contracts -for feed, lot, accommodations for advance men, livery teams, and -billboards. The contracts of these two men involve many thousands of -dollars every week and must pass the rigid scrutiny of the experienced -general agent. No detail of the business is unfamiliar to him. - -Car No. 1 is professionally known as the “skirmishing car.” It is -most frequently called into service to fight opposition. As soon as -a railway contractor of a rival circus puts in an appearance on the -route the general manager is promptly notified. There is at once a -formidable concentration of forces at the threatened point. No stone is -left unturned or chance overlooked to gain an advantage; and the circus -man is resourceful of schemes and plots. Billboards, barns, fences, -hedges, trees, windows, and all other available space is bought up with -apparently reckless expenditures. Banners, printed on muslin, are swung -from walls and awnings. Sometimes more money than will be realized on -show day is spent in this fight for publicity, but the circus regrets -not a cent of it if the opposition has been taught a lesson and will -not venture again to cross the path. - -Attached to a passenger train and about four weeks ahead of the show, -comes car No. 2. The general contracting press agent is aboard with his -advertising cuts and prepared advertising matter, or keeping pace with -it on the route. Sometimes there is a steam calliope, which produces -marvellous sonorific effects at sundown, to the dismay of all who live -in the immediate neighborhood, but calling obtrusive attention to the -approach of the circus. The force of men bills and lithographs for -miles around. Each team has a native driver who knows every road and -every inhospitable bulldog. Permission is always secured from the owner -or lessee of the spot selected for decoration, for without his consent, -the astute showman knows, a poster becomes soon a thing of shreds and -tatters. In return for the privilege an order is given on the circus -for tickets, which is promptly honored if the agreement has been -honestly kept. - -The men on two other cars see to it that the work of their predecessors -is followed up carefully. Various neglected preliminary work is in -their charge. They replace posters torn down or mutilated and try -to find new points of advantage. They check up and report every -discrepancy of the other advance men, too, and send a detailed report -to the general agent. The last man before the arrival of the circus is -the “layer-out” or “twenty-four-hour man.” He inspects the lot, fixes -the route of the procession, and performs a variety of other final -duties. - -Sometimes a stereopticon man is sent out, but not unless there is -opposition or the outlook for the day’s business is bad. He stretches -a big white sheet on a popular corner and entertains the town for an -evening, adroitly advertising the show and putting the people in good -humor. - -A general agent estimates for me that the score of pretentious circuses -employ, during at least seven months of the year, an average of fifty -bill-posters each, making a total of six hundred men, outside of -agents, contractors, inspectors, etc. To properly transport, supply, -and provide for these employees it requires not less than thirty-six -advertising cars, which, in the course of a season, cover every part -of the American continent and the better part of Europe. These men -post upward of one hundred and seventy thousand sheets of paper daily, -and as their display of paper usually has a thirty days’ showing for -each day’s exhibition, it is safe to estimate that from five millions -to five millions two hundred thousand sheets are in sight for six -months of the year. To-day the public often measures the value of -an enterprise largely by the size and character of its posters. The -development of poster printing and bill posting is due largely to the -demands of the circus. Not all the commercial advertisers put together -use posters so liberally as do the combined circus interests. The -requirements of the circus built the boards and the results obtained -forced the business to become a permanent and recognized factor in -active commercial life. - -One big circus used in a season seventy-seven kinds of posters, varying -in size from one to sixty sheets and let loose on the public twelve -publications, from a four-sheet to a twenty-page courier. They had a -total edition of five million four hundred thousand copies. - -The elevated standard of morality among circus men and women is a -revelation to one who lives with them from day to day and is their -close companion. The atmosphere and environment seem charged with -health and happiness, virtue and vigor. Drunkenness is not tolerated in -any form. Immediate discharge, no matter who or what the rank of the -offender, is its penalty, and except in isolated instances among the -canvasmen there is seldom provocation for punishment. Of other vices -which are prevalent in many walks of life there is no evidence. The -very nature of the business, with its claims on brain and body, forbids -immoral or vicious excesses. Those who indulge in them are looked -upon with coldness by their associates and made to feel themselves -delinquents. Gambling is strictly prohibited, and fines are imposed -upon the employee who is heard using profane or vulgar language. The -women of the circus are not permitted even to engage in conversation -with any one not directly connected with the show. Most of them spend a -few hours each Sunday in church. A fine awaits the luckless man caught -exchanging words with an outside woman. It is the effort and aim of the -management, too, to inculcate a spirit of good-fellowship and enduring -affection, founded upon mutual respect and esteem. It demands that all -be obliging and civil, answer questions politely, assist patrons in -distress, smooth ruffled tempers, in short, make people who go to the -circus feel at home, have a good time, and want to come again. - - * * * * * - -Circus folk, like sailors, are perhaps the most superstitious people -in the world. They have numerous curious beliefs and all possess pet -superstitions. Disease, disaster and death are presaged in their minds -by signs and wonders. Few are without amulets and charms. Four-leafed -clovers, made as pendants in silver or glass, and rabbits’ feet set in -silver are favorites to ward off evil. Many have horseshoes nailed to -their trunks for luck. To see three white horses in succession and no -red-headed woman is a forerunner of good luck. So, too, they declare, -is the sight of a boxed corpse in a railroad station as the train -rolls in. It is an ill omen to catch a glimpse of the death receptacle -when leaving a town. Tapping a hunchback on his hump is sure to result -favorably, and a white speck showing on the finger nail indicates -auspicious things. The appearance of a white foamy spot on the surface -of a cup of coffee or tea denotes “money,” and should be at once -swallowed intact. To open an umbrella in a house is sure to result in a -shower of trouble, and one’s future is risked by going under a ladder. -Breaking a mirror is significant of death and seven years’ ill-luck. If -undergarments are put on wrong side out, it is tempting fate to change -them until removed for the night. A peacock’s presence is fraught with -promise of dire evil, and a stuffed bird or a fan of its feathers bodes -ill for the owner. To eat while a bell is tolling for a funeral will -bring misfortune. The hooting of owls at night is ominous of death. Bad -luck may be expected if a mouse gnaws a gown. To rock an empty cradle -will entail injury to the child who should occupy it. Salt spilt at -the table is a warning of a quarrel, unless a pinch of the mineral is -promptly thrown over the right shoulder. Stray cats have their terrors, -but a black one is welcome. - -Many performers invariably go into the ring putting the right foot -forward. If they neglect to do this they back out and re-enter. All -believe a cross-eyed man should never be permitted inside, the tents; -evil times accompany him. Few foreigners fail to cross themselves -before performing, and nearly all wear strange charms. Many circus -people regard a color or a combination of colors as a hoodoo. None -would venture to cross a funeral, and I have seen those who turn their -backs until a death procession has passed out of sight and hearing. All -believe Friday an unlucky day, and are sure there are fortunate and -unfortunate hours in every day. If Friday falls on the thirteenth day -of a month, it will bring misfortune, for thirteen cuts a wide swath in -the profession. - -In marked contrast to the popular notions of the rank and file of -circus men is the practice of Mr. James A. Bailey, who founds his -business conduct along lines tending to discourage superstition. Friday -is his accepted choice upon which to make an important move--the Barnum -& Bailey show left America on Friday--and he welcomes the figure 13 in -any transaction. His marvellously successful career perplexes credulous -associates. - - * * * * * - -The slang and colloquialisms of the circus form a secret language in -themselves, a collection of jargon, racy, pungent, and pregnant of -meaning, and always used in familiar conversation. “Stall,” as noun -or verb, is a popular and widely employed expression. It indicates -anything tending to conceal real intention, a confederate who diverts -attention, an accomplice under cover. For instance, “I am stalling -for a walkaway,” if I refrain from notifying a customer that he has -forgotten his change. The “walkaway,” a flurried, absent-minded, or -hurrying person who leaves his return money behind, is legion and a -constant source of joy to the ticket-seller. “Nix” is a significant -circus watchword, whose utterance generally is the signal announcing -the approach of some one in authority or who is not a confidant. It is -used, too, as the curt form of request to desist from word or deed. The -exhibition place is never anything but a “lot” in circus parlance, and -the organization itself is referred to as the “show.” A “snack-stand” -is the improvised structure at railroad depot or show ground where a -hasty bite of food can be obtained. The men who sell candy, popcorn, -lemonade and the like are “butchers.” The tents are “tops” in the -circus vocabulary. The canvas under which the performance is given is -known as the “big top,” the eating tent as the “cook top,” and so on. -One might travel a season with a circus and not hear the word tent -mentioned. The side-show is the “kid show,” as the vernacular of the -profession has it. - -Employees are “working” whether driving stakes, throwing somersaults, -or sitting on exhibition as a curiosity. The broad license of the -word is amusing to the stranger who hears the Albino, whose sole -occupation is to receive the stares of side-show visitors, remark -that “she didn’t work yesterday,” but remained in the car all day. -The rallying-cry, “Hey Rube!” has become a vague memory among modern -circuses. Ample police protection is assured nowadays, the character of -circus employees is higher and the discipline is sterner, and the days -of sanguinary encounters among themselves or with town rowdies are gone -forever. The inaugural procession around the tent is the circus man’s -“tournament.” A “grafting” show is the circus with dishonest motives, -as described in another chapter, and its “fixer” or “squarer” is the -man who makes the corrupt arrangement with town officials. In circus -dialect “yap” and “simp” indicate a credulous rustic who is easy prey -for sharpers. - -The policeman in plain clothes is rather contemptuously referred to -as a “flattie.” A trunk is known as a “keester” and a valise as a -“turkey.” Circus dialect for a man is always “guy,” and the proprietor -of the show is invariably styled “the main guy,” or the “main squeeze.” -The former appellation is probably adapted from the fact that the -main guy rope holds the tent in position. To “fan a guy” is to make -an examination to discover whether or not he is carrying concealed -weapons. A pocketbook is a “leather,” a watch a “super,” and a watch -chain a “slang.” “Lid” signifies a hat and a ticket is called a -“fake.” A complimentary ticket or a railroad pass has no other name -than “brod.” An elephant in circus language is never anything except a -“bull.” The showman’s word for peanuts is “redhots,” and their lemonade -concomitant is designated “juice.” “Plain juice” is water. Human eyes -are “lamps,” and heads are chosen “nuts.” - -The posters and lithographs sent out in advance are “paper,” and the -programmes and other literature are distinguished as “soft stuff.” -Side-show orators have the cognomens “spielers” and “blowers,” and the -employee who has charge of the naphtha torches, which are “beacons” in -the circus world, is known as the “chandelier man.” Reserved seats -are alluded to as “reserved,” and all other allotted sitting space -is termed “the blues,” derived from the painted color of the boards. -Clowns are “joys” and the other performers “kinkers.” - - * * * * * - -The history of the circus records many disasters by fire, wind, -and wreck, but only a few solitary instances in which patrons have -suffered. In none of the vocations of life, in times of crisis, are -given better examples of energy, daring, discipline, and power of -command and obedience. For more than a score of years, since the old -method of overland horse and wagon mode of transportation was abandoned -for the swift, modern steam-engine way, hardly a year has failed to -catalogue a catastrophe entailing loss of life and property and human -and animal misery. Yet death and damage are confined to the ranks of -the show people. - -[Illustration: CIRCUS ENCAMPMENT AT EARLY DAWN.] - -Railroads are notoriously indifferent to the interests of the long, -heavy circus trains in their temporary keeping. Accidents in transit -are frequent. A misplaced switch, confusion in running schedules, a -careless engineer or trainman, may bring impoverishing adversity. The -circus is never exempt from peril, when planted for the day in apparent -security, when journeying from town to town or when housed in wood or -brick. Misfortune follows, too, even to winter quarters, where, -perhaps, general impression assumes to the circus owner freedom from -care and apprehension. There are many things conspiring to make him old -before his time. - - * * * * * - -The Southern States generally yield good profits, but the crowds are -more disorderly, often, than in any other section of the country. Guns -protrude from many pockets and their owners are eager for a chance to -brandish or discharge them. Inflamed by whiskey, these circus visitors -are a constant menace to life and property. It is only by an exercise -of great diplomacy that we escape frequent trouble. Mississippi is -greatly accredited among showmen with being the most dangerous State -in the Union, as is the police force of Philadelphia called the most -efficient for their purposes. The New York bluecoats are called upon -for little display of their ability and organization with the circus -established in the stone and wood of Madison Square Garden. Municipal -officers throughout the South have the reputation, whether justified or -not, of being past grand masters in the subtle art of “shake-down,” the -circus man’s parlance for palpably unfair means of extracting money. -Extortionate fees are levied for all privileges, and in many cities -hordes of professional damage seekers await a pretense of excuse for -demanding money. - -In one city, for instance, the owner of the land on which we exhibited -gave plain directions as to its area and they were abided by. At eleven -o’clock, when all the preliminary work of the day had been performed, -his neighbor rushed to the lot and demanded four hundred dollars; his -property, a worthless patch of rocky soil, had been encroached upon six -feet by one end of the “big top!” It was a frank attempt at extortion -and the native nursed the conviction that the circus was powerless to -do aught but pay. Little did he imagine the resourceful energy of the -showman in a crisis! Under the owner’s personal supervision, the big -reaches of canvas were levelled again, while the landholder stood by in -amazement. At noon, an hour and a half after the unreasonable demand, -the circus had moved itself the required distance and taught the -Southerner a lesson he will not forget. - -The incident is an example of the deliberate purpose of many persons -to take unfair advantage of the circus and illustrates how completely -their nefarious plans sometimes go awry. - -Trouble came unceasing that same day. The crowd was ugly and seeking -fight, and some of its members even invaded the rings and insulted -performers. We were told that night that ours was the only circus that -ever left town without undergoing the annoyance of having the side -ropes cut, a playful prank of the place. On the night journey from lot -to cars, the hippopotamus cage tipped over and was righted with great -difficulty, while the huge inmate roared his fright and disapproval. -Later, the big vehicle conveying the side-show paraphernalia collapsed -near the same spot and made more work and delay, and filled the roughs -with glee at our plight. The colored “snack stand” proprietors, who, -of course, are no part of the show, were robbed of their proceeds by -native thieves, amid great wailing, and a colored man was killed by the -cars in the confusion at the loading place. The circus men were the -only witnesses to rush to him in the hope of giving relief. Never were -men, women, and children happier over a change of scene than when our -trains moved to new environments. - -During the night run, a desperate attempt was made to rob the money -wagon. Two men were busily working with brace and bit and hammer and -saw, when the watchman, patrolling his lonely beat along the line -of cars, came upon them. They jumped from the slow-moving train and -escaped in the darkness. - - * * * * * - -The well-organized circus seldom misses a performance. Rain and mud are -its enemies, but their combined endeavors only infrequently prevent -erection of tents, and the parade and exhibition which then infallibly -follow. There are instances in which the elements have upset plans for -two or three successive days, but conditions are seldom so unkind. -Shovel and pickaxe and beds of absorbing straw accomplish wonders. If -denied the opportunity to erect the “big top,” sometimes the show is -given in the less expansive menagerie tent and the animal cages are -kept on the cars. The enforced arrangement is unsatisfactory to circus -man and patron, but to the former it gives the consolation that the day -will not be entirely without receipts. - -The recuperative powers of the circus are marvellous. Many a show which -has been almost entirely exterminated by a railroad wreck or other -disaster has within a few weeks again taken up the thread of dates. The -reason for this quick restoration is that duplicates of almost every -necessity can be obtained. A hurry call brings a new tent to replace -the damaged one. Men who make a business of supplying circus menageries -with animals ship a great new variety at once, and in an incredibly -short time the renewed show is on the move once more. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -ARRIVAL AND DEBARKATION - - -Through the gloom of night and the dusk of early morning the heavy -circus train labors on its journey to transient destination. The -distance diminishes slowly. Sometimes the line of cars is shunted to -one side and stands patient and inert while expresses clatter by; -again, its dragging weight defies the straining efforts of the engine, -and it is left in solitary helplessness while the iron horse scurries -off for aid; often the cars are rattled together with body-racking -violence. Farmers in the barnyards rub their eyes in mute astonishment -at the moving spectacle, and cattle scamper from fright. Other trains -are in hot pursuit. Their burden, too, is man and beast and varied -showy paraphernalia. Four or five sections are required to transport -the vast and wondrous effects of the circus. - -A quiet, unpretending village has already begun to assume an air of -stir and animation. Festal circus day is at hand. Parents and children -line the railroad approach and eagerly seize upon all points of -vantage. Keen curiosity and joyful anticipation are depicted on every -face. The railroad yards are empty of rolling stock, and switchmen and -engines are ready to receive and admit the travelling pageant and pilot -it to a place convenient to its needs. No preparatory arrangement that -human foresight can conceive has been neglected. - -The intuitive welcoming shouts of boys and girls, a blurred slender -outline in the distance, the screeching of railway whistles and the -hurried orders of officials. Then a pressure of brakes, a crunching of -wheels and a rattle of coupling pins. The circus has arrived! - -One of the first to alight is the circus mail-carrier, who hurries off -to the post-office. Important mail may await his coming and there must -be no delay in its delivery. This is the first of three trips to the -government station he will make that day, and between these journeys, -which are frequently long and tedious, he will perform a variety of -other work allotted to him at the lot. He knows by name every employee -of the show, and his prompt and accurate service is rewarded at the -close of each season with a purse of contributed money which invariably -approaches a thousand dollars. At his heels is the general manager -whose multifarious duties require early rising. The circus detective -follows behind, scrutinizing faces and figures, conferring with -railroad officials and approaching by easy stages the local police -station. There are two sleeping-cars carrying performers and business -staff on the first section. A great brushing of clothes and final -completion of toilet, performed generally on the car platforms, precede -their departure from the railroad yards. - -The first section is known as the “baggage train.” It bears the -paraphernalia necessary to the immediate wants of the encampment, -as follows: stake and chain wagons, canvas wagons, side-pole and -centre-pole wagons, side-show wagon, stable wagons, water-tank wagons, -cook-tent and blacksmith wagons, chandelier wagon, about two hundred -draft horses, all dressing-room necessities except the trunks, the two -performers’ and business staff’s sleeping-cars and the cars of most of -the workingmen and their horses. - -In the second train are jack wagon, the tableaux wagons, the elephants -and camels and their keepers, performing, ring and baggage horses, seat -and stringer wagons, “property” wagons, and all the appliances for -performers and their baggage. The third and other sections carry more -sleeping-cars and all the cages. - -Twenty-two horses are allotted to each stock car. There are animals -of all kinds and colors and sizes, from the saucy ponies and fleet, -slender chariot beasts to the big, white ring and the heavily harnessed -draft horses. The circus carries close to half a thousand of these -equines. They are so loaded that they must needs stand erect during -the journey, for injury and perhaps death, experience has taught, -is the inevitable result of one of the brutes disposing himself, by -accident or design, in any other position. The packing of them so close -together that the possibility of this disaster is precluded is a duty -delegated to the “wedge horse” of each car. After every other animal -has taken his accustomed place at night and when to the lay observer -they are as tightly compressed as safety demands, the trained “wedge -horse” scampers up the inclined plane and burrows his way between -the two animals in the centre of the car. He shoves and pushes until -he is accommodated, and not until then is the boss hostler satisfied -that there will be no accident. Although it would appear that they are -crowded to unnecessary extreme, the circus man understands that the -compression in reality renders the railroad trip more comfortable, -for the wrenches and jars incidental to the journey have far less -deleterious effect upon them than would be the case if they were -loosely loaded. - -Each driver has his team of two, four, six, eight, or ten horses -and he makes two trips to the exhibition ground. Each wagon has its -number, and each day and night the same man and beasts have it in -charge. The drivers seem to have an intuitive knowledge of topography. -Often the lot is several miles distant from the place of arrival -and unloading, but these men of the reins are never confused as to -locality or direction. They make the most complicated journeys without -hesitation or mistake, seldom resorting to interrogating the native -residents. Roads curve and wind in a manner most bewildering, but they -keep steadily toward the scene of exhibition. These rides through -pretty suburban streets in the gray light of the morning are often -very delightful and invigorating. Generally, sidewalks are lined and -porches packed with people eager to get their first glance of the -circus, though its beauty and grandeur are hid. Frequently the trains -are shifted during the day, and night, with its blackness, finds the -circus cars awaiting their loads in an entirely different section of -the town. The drivers are informed of the change, but it is left to -their keen perceptions to make the trip by the shortest route. This is -no simple accomplishment, in the gloom of streets and with landmarks -entirely unfamiliar, but it is performed without blunder or inaccuracy. -The number of accidents to man and beast in these nocturnal wanderings -is remarkably insignificant, due, in a great measure, to the skill of -the reinsmen and their coolness in emergencies. Sometimes steep hills, -rough roads, or sharp corners bring disaster, but not frequently. The -wagons progress to their destination behind four-, six-, eight-, and -ten-horse teams as smoothly, safely, and swiftly as the local doctor -goes his rounds. - -The money wagon is early off the train and on its way to the lot. -Inside is the assistant treasurer of the show, who has been shuffled -about continually during the time allotted to slumber, but whom long -service has inured to the racking. He is there to guard that part of -the coin and bills which has not been expressed to New York. There is -not an instance on record of a successful attempt to loot the money -wagon of a circus, although many showmen wonder that the apparently -inviting opportunity offered has not been seized. This immunity, -I suppose, rests on the basis of knowledge that there are no more -courageous, determined fighters than circus employees. For daring, -hardihood, and bodily prowess they have no superiors. The boldest -highwayman may, well hesitate before he takes liberties with the money -wagon. He would find a man inside ready and experienced in gun play, -and a party of circus workmen whose duty it is to be prepared for -invaders would appear like men from the ground. If the marauder escaped -with his life, much less the plunder he sought, the prediction often -made would be inexact. - -Arrived at the lot, the money wagon is a scene of stir and activity. -The press agent is there to receive the money for newspaper -advertising. Then all the bookkeeping which the circus demands in great -variety must be accomplished, for the morning is the only period of the -day which gives opportunity for the work. Later the sale of tickets -and the balancing of accounts engrosses all time and attention. Pay -day comes each week to every employee of the circus. The performers -are paid on Saturday during the time between the afternoon and evening -performances. On Wednesdays, during the afternoon show, the long line -of workmen forms and several hours are consumed in the exchange of -money. The operation is laborious, for sometimes the coming and leaving -of the men is frequent. Each has a name and number for identification -assurance, and the two men who make the payments are thoroughly -exhausted when the operation is over. - -The owner’s private car is attached to the last section, a position -which makes it certain that the owner be on the scene if there is -accident to the other sections. In case of breakdown or other railroad -misfortune, his section would speedily overtake and he would thus -be soon in personal command. The sections usually halt at the given -point within a half hour of one another, and soon the last employee -has stumbled over ties and rails toward the lot and all the wagons -have departed from the scene. Long lines of empty cars await the -repeated activity of night. These cars, incidentally, are as extended -as safety and convenience permit, for railroad companies charge for -transportation by the single car. The fewer cars drawn from town to -town, the smaller the amount of money the circus is called upon to pay. - -It is easy to distinguish the performer from his fellow employee as -the men leave the cars. The acrobats and gymnasts limp down the car -steps as if every bone and muscle were lame and sore, and progress with -halting tread toward the lot, very different in aspect from the firm, -elastic-stepped men who entered the place the night before. It is an -unhappy condition in which every one of the athletes finds himself the -morning after the violent exercise of the ring or bar. None of them -takes any unusual precaution to guard against physical affliction, and -the wonder is that often they are not more seriously handicapped after -sleep. After a few preliminary exercises their sound, strong, vigorous -constitutions assert themselves and they are ready and eager for any -required feat. - -The veteran circus man is superficially acquainted with the physical -features of most of the towns visited. Alighting from the car, he -surveys the landscape and heads straight for the lot. He has been there -before and he recalls it all. Here a sleeping car was burned two years -ago; in another town two elephants had a thrilling duel to the death; -there is the jail where a ticket taker was locked up without just -cause; “Mr. Lew” remembers the bank where he secured bonds when a man -with a claim for damages attached the ring horses with the mistaken -notion that he would be bought off for a large sum of money; through -that low bridge a heavy pole wagon once crashed. Every place in the -country is associated with some personal incident in the circus man’s -mind. - -I walk often to the lot with a gray-haired man whose form is unbent -by age, whose eye is undimmed, and whose active manner still evinces -readiness to plan and will to execute. He is one of the ringmasters and -has other duties of the arena and the business office. He has dwelt his -long life in circus precincts, and for him the whole circus fraternity -cherishes a peculiar veneration. Honesty and godliness mark his career, -and his is the example pointed out to the circus young. Well may they -imitate his virtues and walk in his footsteps! His presence recalls the -faint memory of overland journey and one ring, and the stern hardships -of the days of long ago. Those were times when his name was familiar -wherever the show tent penetrated, and when his exploits made him the -marvel of the profession and the prominent feature of performances--for -none in all the world could equal his feats of horsemanship and -acrobatic skill. From the haunch of the white circus beast he executed -revolutions which even the modern show has not duplicated, and aloft -he tumbled and turned in dare-devil accomplishments which now only the -reassuring stretches of the net concede. - -Simple modesty characterized his life of spectacular success, and now, -when time has forbidden active participation and a new generation -has entered upon the stage, he accepts with cheerful philosophy his -relegation, to a uniform which bespeaks only the cracking of a whip. -His wife, many years his junior, is one of the conspicuous performers, -for he has taught her all the finish and art of bareback riding, and -made her one of the cleverest wire-walkers with the show. He is always -at her side when she performs, advising, correcting, praising, and, as -she elicits admiring gaze, few in the audience recognize his figure as -the one in whom so much sentimental interest centres. The press agent, -extolling the youth and beauty and grace of the performer, points him -out casually to the reporters as her “father” and flatters himself that -he is subserving the interests of the show; but if the woman knew of -the tale she would promptly put a stop to its circulation. She is proud -of her kindly old husband and wants the world to know it. She boasts -no circus pedigree, as do most of her comrades, and was schooled in -the circus arena after she had reached her majority. She is a living -refutation of the tradition that one must be born to the ring. - -We watch her rehearsals in the spring with curiosity, and the other -performers always profit by the directions and advice the veteran gives -her. Sometimes, to his practised mind, she is awkward and slow of -comprehension. Then I have seen him jump to his feet and leap to the -horse’s back. He forgets his forbidding age, in the emotions of the -past, and would fain give her the benefit of a demonstration. But his -feet have lost their inspiration, his hold is unsteady and his muscles -do not respond. He alights rather shamefacedly. The young athletes pat -him kindly on the back and cheer him with words of his former glory; -and his wife puts her arms around his neck and says he’s a dear old -fellow. Love and loyalty will be his enduring memorial. - -The inherent energy of the circus is never more fully demonstrated than -when there is tardiness in arriving at the town of exhibition. The -fault is seldom the circus’s and generally the railroad’s. Connections -have been faulty, the engines inadequate to the requirements of the -heavy trains, facilities for loading bad, or there has been delay in -ferrying the sections. There are no faint hearts or falterers with -the show and no weakness in these crises. Out of confusion worse -confounded, order and convenience speedily reassert themselves, and -the tremendous amount of preparation for the exhibition is rushed to -wonderfully quick completion. Sometimes it has been nearly noon before -we were able to drag a single wagon from the cars, but the programme -for the day has been followed as implicitly as though there had been -no hindrances. The parade emerged with customary roar and glare, the -performance followed in regular sequence, and left behind was the same -satisfactory trail of desolated pockets that the usual early coming -would have accomplished. - -Sunday is the circus man’s day of rest and relaxation. After the -pitching of the menagerie and the smaller tents, necessary to the -accommodation to the animals, the day is granted for freedom and -enjoyment. The start from the Saturday stand is always made the same -night, and the Sabbath respite is improved for long railroad runs. The -route is so planned in advance that on no one night except Saturday is -the journey so long that, everything favorable, there will be tardy -arrival. It is not deemed expedient to risk a longer “jump” than -eighty or ninety miles unless transportation facilities are unusually -advantageous. The trips of one hundred and fifty or two hundred miles -are reserved for the night which precedes the day of exemption. So -it is that the circus folk, ending their slumber, find the train -still on the move, with a possible prospect of several more hours in -their cramped quarters. The sagacious ones have examined the railroad -schedule the day before and laid in a supply of fruit and food for this -contingency. They preconceive how sorely taxed will be the resources -of the train restaurant, for circus appetites are voracious in the -morning. Chairs are soon placed on platforms and at windows, and the -workingmen gather in groups on car tops or under the ample spread of -the wagons. - -[Illustration: DISEMBARKING FROM THE CIRCUS TRAIN.] - -These Sunday morning railroad pilgrimages carry the circus through all -climates and localities and, unless too protracted, afford a sense of -keen enjoyment. There are inviting expanses of woodland and water, -moor and mountain. Summer verdure clothes the scenery, and the view is -often entrancingly beautiful to the crowd-surfeited vagrants. Smiling -villages and beautiful cities pass in procession. The gazing native is -bombarded with interrogations as to the proximity of the circus train’s -ephemeral goal. Sometimes there are brief stops at wayside stations, -while the engine takes water or gives place to another iron hauler. -Then occurs an exodus from the cars. Men, women and children improve -the opportunity to exercise their cramped bodies, for nothing is more -distasteful to their active persons than restricted movement, or to -invade with hurried dash the humble railroad restaurant. Never before -has its composure been so rudely disturbed. Coffee is gulped down eager -throats, and the return to the train is made with hands and pockets -overflowing with sandwiches. Two sharp warning shrieks from the engine -and the start is made anew. - -Few of the performers or staff members go to the lot for Sunday meals, -although the tent awaits their presence. They register at the local -hotels and spend much time in writing and reading. Many take advantage -of the chance for a change and spend the night away from their -accustomed sleeping apartments. In the evening a large number of the -women attend church and the men pass a few hours in simple pleasures. -At the lot the scene is one of peace and quiet. The canvas of the -“big” and other “tops” which have not been elevated lie passive on the -ground ready for the men who will haul them aloft at sunrise. They are -not raised until immediate necessity demands, for the reason that the -danger of fire or “blow down” is thus minimized in the one and rendered -impossible in the other instance. Curious crowds flock about the -grounds and are permitted free scrutiny. It is particularly a Sunday -assembling-place for women. They desert household cares and domestic -duties for the fascinations which invest the circus in repose. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -EARLY SCENES ON THE LOT - - -The selection of the place of exhibition is a duty which requires -careful study and practical observation and involves a variety of -considerations. Ten acres is the smallest piece of ground on which our -circus can spread itself, and an unoccupied site of this size which -has the requisite advantages is not always easy to find in these days -of rapid-growing communities. A plot which had all the conditions -demanded the year before may be the foundation of many houses when the -show arrives on its next visit. The spot chosen is generally rural -in its situation--the claim on space makes this unavoidable--but -it imperatively must be urban in convenience. Swift-moving trolley -cars have added joy to the circus business, for they make accessible -these remote localities. Obviously when transportation facilities are -awkward, the show suffers. And so it is that usually we find ourselves -settled for the day where stretches of electric wires are a constant -menace to towering chariots and a source of terror to their fair -occupants. Of course, the conformation of the immediate ground and the -condition of the soil are taken into important account in the choice -of the lot, but the difficulties which they offer often submit to the -mastery of the army of workmen. Water must be convenient, abundant and -wholesome. - -Sometimes nowhere in a town can be found empty room for all the big -and small tents, huddle them as we will. Then the “big,” menagerie and -side-show “tops” are given places in the allotted limit, and the canvas -adjuncts are planted down the road, in neighboring back yards or in -distant fields. It is an irritating and inconvenient compromise, but -one that cannot be always avoided. These annoying conditions, however, -do not present themselves as a general rule. Our destination is more -often a fragrant spacious pasture where the air is pure, the sun -brilliant and nature’s tranquil beauty all-pervading. - -The boss canvasman is first on the ground and remains in supreme -control of the horde of brawny men who trail after him. With the -arrival of the chain-and-stake wagon the active work of erecting the -tents begins. The “cook tent” is first placed in position, for food -must await the throngs of men, women and children who are on the way. -This is a simple and expeditiously accomplished duty, as compared -with the elevation of the “big top,” a swelling fabric within whose -folds fifteen thousand persons can accommodate themselves. The boss -canvasman combines with other qualifications a practical knowledge of -surveying. His comprehensive scrutiny of the area determines accurately -boundaries, positions, extent, lines and angles, and indicates to his -experienced mind how best to avoid roughness and depressions and how -to overcome the other resistances the tract offers. Sometimes huge -rocks or spreading trees make the task one of great difficulty, for it -must be accomplished with haste. His examination finished, he unwinds -a metal tape line and traverses the lot. Slender iron rods are planted -where he indicates. These are immediately replaced by strong wooden -stakes to which the “guys” or ropes of the tents will be fastened. Soon -the ground bristles with these pegs, thrust into place with unerring -aim and in perfect cadence by gangs of sledge-hammer drivers. - -Teams of horses pull the towering centre poles into upright position -and the skeleton of the monster is in place. The vast reaches of -canvas are unrolled in sections and laced together while flat on -the ground. Then the mammoth white cloth rises like a canvas-backed -Aladdin’s palace and is attached to the side-poles, which are twelve -feet high and twelve feet apart around the outer edges of the white -spread. The scene is one of bustle and activity. Small boys are -pressed into service, receiving a ticket to the show as remuneration. -Menagerie, side-show, stable, blacksmith, harness, dressing, wardrobe, -and barber tents yield to diligent exertion, and soon the delegated -proprietors of the broad green space have finished their morning -labors. Meanwhile the wagons and apparatus have arrived, and owner, -manager, riders, ringmasters, animal trainers, gymnasts, jugglers, -clowns, ticket-sellers and all the rest of the heterogeneous throng put -in appearance. Curious crowds rivet their attention upon the unwonted -doings. They come from farm and merchandise and from seats of learning -and courts of justice, and find keen enjoyment in the sights and sounds. - -The “cook tent” is one of the marvels of the modern circus. It was the -custom for many years for the circus management to send its employees -to the local hotels for their food. The undertaking of providing -meals for the army on the grounds was so stupendous that the most -comprehensive and well-organized show hesitated to make the essay. -Finally, the objections to the old method made the accomplishment -imperative. As circuses grew in size, the combined resources of the -hotels in many towns were unable to meet the demand made upon them. -There was too much delay and unsatisfactory provisions, and the circus -felt their injurious effects. The arrangement now in vogue does away -with all these difficulties. Advance men see that all the needs of the -commissary department are provided for, and meat, vegetables, water -and the other requirements await the hand of the chefs. There are two -separate and distinct culinary establishments. One is occupied by the -workingmen, whose stomachs are not gratified until the tents are raised -and all the apparatus is on the lot. This is a wise provision which -insures prompt work. There are no laggards in their ranks in the early -morning. - -Under an adjoining canvas are fed the executive staff and performers, -men, women and children. There are three long rows of tables, and -crossing them at one end a shorter set of boards where is the -owner’s place and those of his immediate associates. It is from this -position, his abundant family collected around him, that he makes his -announcements, administers rebukes and extends praise. He surveys the -scene critically and is immensely pleased at the healthy relish which -pervades the place. Curious sightseers peer through the apertures and -he abruptly bids them retreat with the assurance that “we are not -wild animals. We eat just like other human beings.” Outside the tent -rest hogsheads, from which are dipped panfuls of pure, clear water, -for grimy hands and dusty faces. Long towels slung over stretches of -rope are ready for use. Scrupulously clean cloths cover the table, and -no spot or stain afflicts the dishes. The food, cooked in the open, -has its own peculiarly delicious, appetizing flavor. It is served in -abundance, and a happier, heartier party never did justice to a meal. -Skilful waiters do prompt, experienced attendance. Service and quality -could not be improved upon in the large hotels of many cities. As the -“cook tents” are the first to be raised, so they are the first to be -levelled and packed away on the cars. The last meal of the day is -served at five o’clock in the afternoon, and two hours later there is -no perceptible trace of the improvised restaurant, save the coals which -glow in the twilight. - -The harness and blacksmith tents are as complete in their facilities -as any stationary establishments. In the former, waxed thread, needle -and hammer are busy through the day. The showy equine accoutrements -and trappings require constant care, and among the tangled mass of -collars, traces, saddles, reins and other framework of straps there -is always labor of repair. The blast-furnace of the blacksmith blazes -from morning until night, and his anvil knows no rest. There are horses -to be shod, iron pieces to be forged, wagons needing attention, and a -variety of work which must be done with dispatch and thoroughness. - -Across the field in a shady and sheltered spot the ashen cloth of -the circus barber shop shows. No detail of a well-equipped city shop -is missing. Even is seen the pole, striped red and white spirally, -denoting the presence of the profession. Here the men of the circus are -shaved and have their beards trimmed and their hair cut and dressed -with great expedition and much perfume. It is a time-saving convenience. - -[Illustration: CIRCUS COOKS PREPARING BREAKFAST.] - -The whir of sewing machines is never absent from the wardrobe tent, and -seamstresses work with needle and thread from light to dark. Wear and -weather work sad havoc with resplendent uniforms and trappings of human -and brute, and the need of repair or replenishment is always pressing. - -Cages are thrust under the menagerie tent only long enough for the -feeding of the animals, and a hasty burnishing of gilt and cleaning of -wagon wheel and body. Horses reappear soon, now plumed and ornamented, -and drivers don the uniform of the parade. This tent, like its big -canvas companion, will be empty and silent, save for the arranging of -apparatus, until the parade returns from its formal journey to town. - -In the stable tents the Shetland ponies delight the children and -command the admiration of the elders. They come from the wild and -sterile islands between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, where -they run at large. They are very hardy, and their strength is great -in proportion to their size. Rough hair covers them, and their manes -and forelocks are large and shaggy. Very useful in active, sure-footed -work, and very valuable to the show from an artistic standpoint, are -these small breeds of horses, but also are they very vicious and -tricky. They bite and kick at small or no provocation, at keepers -and strangers alike, and frequently engage in violent combat among -themselves. They are the subjects of eternal espionage, but human -vigilance cannot always thwart their mischief. The dun or tan color, -with a black stripe along the back, is prevalent among their shades, -and they compose one of the prettiest scenes on the circus lot. The -tricks they perform in the ring always meet enthusiastic favor. - -In the Southern States, “snack stands” line the limits of the circus -lot. Colored people conduct them, and the food they provide is -wholesome and wonderful in variety. No Northerner who has not witnessed -circus day in the old Confederate section has any adequate conception -of the extent to which these eating places flourish. The appetizing -odor of food pervades the air, patrons are filled with the exuberance -of the occasion, and the scene is one to add a measure to the joy of -living. No dish often has a price exceeding five cents, and the ham and -chicken and cakes and biscuits served have a peculiar charm of flavor, -which sometimes even lures the showman from the canopied canvas of the -“cook tent.” - -Applicants to join the circus come by the score in every town. There -are few changes in the ranks, however, during the season, except in the -cases of canvasmen and hostlers. These desert, are discharged or find -other places frequently. After a spell of rainy weather, never more -wearing on man and beast than with the circus, the less stout-hearted -or robust leave rapidly for easier work. All the performers contract -for the season or longer, and are philosophic and satisfied at all -times. Sometimes the eager candidate for circus honors is awaiting -us at the railroad station, follows to the lot, and often no rebuff -or decided denial of his demand for a position will suffice. This -persistent person we turn over to the head clown and watch the cure. He -is escorted with great deference to the dressing-room, received by the -performers with keen anticipatory delight and ostentatiously welcomed -to their ranks. It is explained that he must begin his career as a -laugh-provoker. His hair is filled with powdered sawdust, he is daubed -with chalk and dye-stuffs, put in tights and ordered to the ring. There -the ringmaster, prepared to do his part, awaits him. The luckless -victim feels the sharp lash of the whip on his almost naked legs, and -is put through a course of sprouts which finally drives him from the -arena, a sorry fun-producing specimen. Desire for sawdust and spangles -has left him. - -An awkward problem which sometimes presents itself is the replenishing -of the horse stables. No stauncher troupe of draft horses can be -found anywhere than the circus carries. Great strength is a prime -requisite, but they must needs be handsome, handy and gentle. These -qualifications are not frequently grouped in one animal. So it is that -great care is lavished upon the circus equine that his condition remain -all that is necessary. Despite all attention of the practised men of -the stables, however, sickness and accidents often send the beasts to -the stock farm or the graveyard. Facilities for their treatment in wet -weather are inadequate, notwithstanding an expert veterinary always is -in attendance upon them, and is on the regular pay roll. The strain of -sleeping in a moving train of cars at night and heavy hauling at day is -tremendous, and strange, rough roads invite misfortune. Ailing animals -cannot be transported, and replacing begins. - -At the outset of the season we were in particularly bad straits. A -rainy night when we first paraded, in New York, caused an epidemic -of pneumonia, which our proficient veterinarian could not stay. The -supply of horses diminished rapidly, and in two weeks it was with some -difficulty that we accomplished unloading, parade and departure without -serious delay. Then were displayed, conspicuously, on the phalanx of -stable tents and at the entrance to the lot, announcements that we -desired to purchase native animals. The show was then in West Virginia. -For a fortnight the scene in the horse quarters resembled a gypsy camp. -The owner and his associates knew just what they wanted, made the -fact plain and were ready to pay spot cash when they found it. But -the farmers and horse traders at once conceived the notion that this -was a heaven-sent opportunity to rid their stalls of the aged, infirm -beasts which had accumulated on their hands. Concealing defects with -adroit craft, they would flourish up to tents and with great gravity of -manner dwell upon the merits of the animal which fitted him perfectly -for circus requirements. They reckoned not upon the familiar knowledge -of the men with whom they dealt. A keen glance or a practised touch -revealed all blemishes. No trick or stratagem, and I am sure every one -known to sharp equine transactions was employed, availed against the -showman’s discernment. A favorite dodge was to exhibit the animal in -the shadow of the naphtha torches at night, but exposure followed at -once. The circus traversed three States before the proper horses were -procured. - -Meanwhile “Boscow” unremittingly consumes snakes in a gaudy canvas -booth at the entrance to the grounds. Clyde, a man of long established -integrity and not deficient in lungs, gives personal assurances of the -progress of the reptilian feast. “Eighteen years old, not married, -pretty; and eats snakes like you eat strawberry short-cake! Eats ’em -alive! Bites their heads off!” is his frequently repeated promise, and -the constant, eager procession passing his stand and into the ophidian -enclosure, testifies to the weight of his forceful eloquence. - -Squatting in a cavernous serpentarium, patrons find “Boscow,” feminine -in appearance only because of long, coarse black hair, surrounded by -coiling, crawling reptiles. “She” has presumably just completed an -especially elaborate animal meal, for to the nostrils comes the breath -of tobacco and upwards winds the suspicion of cigar smoke. But “Boscow” -waves away the muttered insinuations which penetrate even into “her” -wild, untutored mind, and at the word of command eats ravenously of the -amphibian mass which surrounds “her” on all sides. - -“Boscow” was captured in the far-off jungles of Africa, Harry, the -lecturer explains, and in wonderful words he continues of “her” fight -for liberty, the ineffectual efforts to tame “her” savage nature, and -“her” sullen refusal to discontinue snake diet. It is very awesome -and impressive, and the audience, before making way for the clamoring -ones behind, look with renewed interest at the strange creature. -“Her” appearance lends belief to the fluent narrative, and to the -more shrinking ones is proof of the need of precautionary measures in -the dismal clanking of heavy binding chains as “she” springs scowling -about the compartment. Little wonder no credence is placed in the -bold assertion of one who proclaims that he saw “Boscow’s” brother, -or surely a near blood relative, perspiring freely as he helped -in the erection of the booth that morning. Her kin are, of course, -in a remote, uncivilized land, and as ferocious as the girl herself. -The incredulous person saunters off with dim wonder at the remarkable -likeness filling his mind, Clyde’s frantic invitation to go inside -pours out tirelessly, and Harry paints again and again the glowing -picture of the snake-eating wonder. - -[Illustration: TWO HEN’S EGGS, HAMMER, FILE AND NAIL-CLAW PRESENTED A -PLEADING, PENNILESS MISSISSIPPI NEGRO BOY TO SECURE ADMISSION. HE GOT -IN.] - -There is nothing like a spell of rainy weather to breed a feeling of -despair in the showman. The route has been planned with the idea of -evading as far as human foresight permits, unfavorable meteorological -conditions, but it is inevitable that sometimes rain and mud and -wind be encountered. There can then be nothing more mournful and -disheartening than life with the circus. If, for a brief succession -of days, performances have to be abandoned, profits are consumed with -a ruining rapidity. It is not infrequent that this form of misfortune -bankrupts the scantily-financed circus which has started out with -hopeful prospects, for the overwhelming expense of maintaining the -organization is not reduced whether it remains huddled on the cars -or is displaying its glories to lucrative crowds. So resolute and so -prepared for exigencies are the bigger shows, however, that nothing -less than a flood can prevent unloading and presenting some sort of an -exhibition. If the rain is continuous, there is no immediate prospect -of relief, and the lot is a quagmire, the animal cages are often left -on the cars. A staggering march to the marsh is made by the other -vehicles and a semblance of show is given in the menagerie tent. In the -space usually allotted to the animals, seats are put in position and a -gallant effort made to get some financial return. A doleful, drenching -sight it is, horses wallowing in the ring, acrobats and gymnasts -shivering and slipping, and clowns feebly trying to call to life the -smile of pleasure. Straw is littered over the premises in the endeavor -to absorb the moisture, but avails little. Where the stretches of -canvas are sewed together the water penetrates through, and muttering -spectators leave reluctantly or elevate umbrellas. The heavy laboring -of the groaning tent adds to the feeling of misery and melancholy. The -circus people gaze longingly across the empty fields where are houses -snug and tight. Then the heaped-up gloom of the night, the black, wet -journey to the cars and a possible awakening to identical conditions in -the morning. These are times that strain the buoyant temperament and -the rugged constitution. Sunshine, however, restores human spirits, -tarnished gilt and saturated canvas, and drives away the ghastly memory -of it all. Exuberance reasserts itself and the panoplied colony emerges -in all its former order, convenience and beauty. - -It is the first heavy rainfall of the season that brings the most -overwhelming woe. The custom of circus owners is to wash their tents -with paraffine at the beginning of each season. The waxy mixture -renders the cloth waterproof and preserves it from atmospheric -influences. The treatment is not efficacious, however, until the fabric -has been thoroughly soaked with rain and succeeding sunshine has dried -it out. So it is that a dull dread of approaching calamity fills every -professional heart when the initial storm sets in. The water falls -upon showman and patron as if no so-called protection was above. A wan -and spectral “big top” it is at night, sometimes with vivid lightning -filling it with sulphur-smelling blazes, and the frail dressing-room -tent clinging to it like a luminous bulb. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -THE PARADE - - -Breakfast over, active preparations are on for the parade. Well-fed -horses and ponies in shining harness and waving plumes take their -places before glittering vehicles; the sound of music is heard from -bands perched hazardously high; clowns, charioteers, jockeys, Roman -riders join the line; camels and elephants, some bearing a weight of -feminine beauty in Oriental costume, make appearance, and a picturesque -cavalcade nearly a mile long is in motion. - -One of the managers leads the line down to town and back. He has -already been over the course once, noting its conditions with caution -born of long experience. Sometimes his foresight bids him change the -route. A corner is too sharp for the forty-horse team, a hill may be -dangerously steep, a bridge too low or unsafe, the road too rough, or -perhaps the advance man did not appreciate that at a certain point the -parade would “double” on itself. - -Behind him a drum corps blows and beats, and then Jeanne d’Arc, in -polished armor, with clanking curtains of chain mail. The flush of tan -is beginning to tint ears and cheeks under her helmet and her two -mounted knights are very happy and proud. She is a young woman who was -adopted by a wealthy aunt in Pittsburg, who sent her to Europe to keep -her from entering circus life. Her sudden return, romantic marriage -with a tattooed man, enlistment as a jockey rider in Cedar Rapids, Ia., -and rapid rise to the front ranks of equestriennes is a matter circus -folk never tire of discussing. - -Through densely crowded streets the procession measures its gaudy -passage, a handsome lovelorn young acrobat yearning for the return to -the tent, where an eighteen-year-old girl somersault rider eagerly -awaits him; the stepmother behind, who doesn’t approve of their -devotion; a uniformed marshal, whose thoughts are for his wife, -seriously ill in a Philadelphia hospital; a brother who fears for -his sister; a bicycle rider at the performance, now high on the back -of an elephant whose temper has been bad for several days; Sultan, -a majestic lion, viewing it all calmly from the top of a high cage; -bands playing, horses prancing, wagons rumbling, calliope screaming, -clowns frollicking--truly a fantastic panorama. And sometimes ahead, -then behind, again on the side, a tramp bicyclist, darting up steps and -down, scaling fences, into stores and houses, often one wheel off the -ground, seldom on both, but never dismounting. - -By the side of the band wagons and behind the shrieking calliope a -cloud of boys keeps tireless pace, reeling off mile after mile, but -gorged with happiness. Street cars make time with the procession, -jammed with passengers and scores hanging to platforms, paying no fares -but this eloquent testimony to the passing show. The tigers and lions -look bored, and the hyena yawns with accumulated ennui. Behind, the -gorgeously caparisoned riders, men and women in tights and spangles -and breastplates of shining gold and steel; behind, the richly-decked -camels with riders from the great desert and the elephants swaying to -and fro with monotonous tread, and near the end of the gaudy line, the -fairy outfit of Santa Claus, the old woman of nursery fame, Bluebeard -in decapitation attitude and the other tableau wagons of burnished gold -and flaming red. - -The clowns are very much in evidence. Behind all manner of steeds, from -the camel treading like a dusty spectre with his cushioned feet, to the -proud pony, and from the four-horse teams to the decrepit agricultural -equine; on foot and on elephant and on bicycle; in costume weird and -wonderful, they are an amusement-affording part of the cortege. Boys -flock by their sides, and their ready wit is equal to all exigencies. -Well has the press agent written: - - Clowns on four legs, - Clowns on two, - Clowns the cutest you ever knew; - Clowns on the earth, - Clowns in the air, - Clowns in the water, - Clowns everywhere; - Clowns in seal-skins, - Clowns in hair, - Clowns with whom no others compare; - Clowns in motley, - Clowns with wings, - Clowns that accomplish marvellous things; - Clowns in dress suits, - Clowns in kilts, - Clowns in long skirts, - Clowns on stilts, - Clowns that mimic every fad, - Clowns that make the millions glad, - Clowns that cause the buttons to fly, - Clowns at whom you laugh till you cry; - Clowns of every nation and clime, - Clowns uproarious all the time, - Clowns and more than you ever saw, - Clowns that make the world haw-haw. - -The clowns’ band is near the end. In grotesque attire, the “musicians” -blow and beat on the top of one of the chariots. The production is what -the alliterator of the show calls “a slaughter of symphonies, a murder -of melodies, a wrecking of waltzes, a massacre of marches, a strangling -of songs, a total of terrific tonal tragedies!” - -The inevitable hay wagon is in the column, and nimble acrobats -toss lightly on its fresh-mown burden. Their costumes are bucolic -throughout, but offer no impediment to their agile movements. Country -boys look on and marvel. The clown in dilapidated wagon behind -tottering horse is not absent. His countryman disguise is so perfect -that his identity is not suspected. He narrowly escapes being run -down by the big circus wagons; he is always in the way and impeding -the smooth progress of the parade; he becomes involved in all sorts -of plights, but emerges unscathed. It furnishes great fun for the -spectators. Sometimes policemen threaten and oftener take him in -custody. Then he tells who he is and the crowd roars again, this time -at the bluecoat’s expense. Hilarity reigns wherever is his presence. - -Above the shrill tones of the fife and the blast of the cornet and the -clamor of drums and cymbals, rises the oft-repeated admonition, “Look -out for your horses, the elephants are right behind!” A clarion-voiced -equestrian rides up and down the line of bespangled magnificence with -this warning to those who view the spectacle in wagon or saddle. A -quick, keen, trained glance reveals to him the probable effect the -“led” animals will have on each equine within eye and scent. He knows, -too, what the man who holds the reins is not aware of, that the -animal with the hump alarms horses more than his ponderous companion. -Often the parade is brought to a standstill while this precautionary -person insists that a horse displaying the initial signs of disquiet -be removed to a place of safety, or, while with the skill of long -practice he assists in subduing a beast whom the distant approach of -the procession has already alarmed. Women are his _bête noir_. They -have full faith in their horsemanship, they tell him, and, anyway, -their horses have been thoroughly trained and broken. Then he is gently -but firmly obdurate, accepts with good grace the denunciation to which -he is subjected, but sees that the possibility of disaster has been -removed before he permits the line to pass. He is a saver of life and -limb whose services few but showmen appreciate. - -Once the tents are pitched, no weather can be so unpropitious as to -thwart the parade. Rain may fall in copious measurement; mud, perhaps, -is deep to the knees. But on with the parade! A much weather-beaten and -woe-begone lot of performers, to be sure, and a drenched and blinking -lot of drivers, but all forgotten when the sunshine comes again. This -display is what circus folk call a “wet day” parade. Women and children -are excused, much of the finery is kept in the shelter of the tents, -men wear mackintoshes and rubber boots, and protecting canvas hides the -gilt and glory of the chariots. It has been advertised as “positive,” -however, and the management must keep faith with the public or lose its -confidence. Then, too, it serves to show some of the glory and fame of -the organization, whets public curiosity and the possible return of -clear skies will draw to the grounds the multitude which, without its -promise, would have returned home for the day. Business instinct bids -there be a parade without fail. - -Down in the town the press agent is paying the newspaper bills for -advertising, distributing tickets, and seeing to it that editors and -reporters are put in good humor, and arranging as far as it is in his -power that notices before and after the performances are complimentary. -Sometimes he accompanies a body of reporters to an advantageous -position and they survey the parade together. He buys cigars and -refreshment--at the circus’s expense--and impresses his companions as -being affable, courteous and a good fellow generally. They part company -on fine terms of friendship, and he assures them that he will consider -it a personal affront if they don’t all come to the show and bring -their friends. Sometimes his hospitality has been so affecting that -they will be tempted to write pretty things about him; that the “genial -press agent” is with the circus, or, “the circus is fortunate to have -so efficient an employee” and, following a description of his virtues. -But his prudence begs them to desist, for he knows “the boss” doesn’t -approve. The owner takes the view that newspaper space devoted to the -circus itself is more to pecuniary advantage than an enumeration of the -qualities of the press agent. - -The keen eye of the general manager follows the parade on its tortuous -journey. If there be accident or delay, or any other unforeseen -trouble, he is at the scene promptly and takes command. A two-seated -carriage follows the line. In it he, the press agent, and the circus -detective are conveyed back to the lot. It is a convenience which -dispenses with a hot, dusty walk or an uncomfortable journey in packed -trolley cars. - -The “$10,000 Beauty” was a parade feature of one of the big circuses -for several years. The owner, a man deep in many schemes for -advertising his tented organization, boldly asserted that he paid that -amount of salary to a young woman who proceeded through the streets -striving to live up to her reputation for grace and charm, on the back -of one of the largest elephants. She wore a pained and anxious look -as she clutched grimly to the animal’s canopied hide, and there was -little appeal to aesthetic nature. Later she exhibited her harmonious -proportions in the menagerie tent. She is now embellishing the variety -stage, whence she emerged upon the circus world, and where, perhaps, -her costly beauty is better appreciated. - -Many will remember the telescopic affair which P. T. Barnum exhibited -in his parades for several seasons in the early ’70’s. It was a -massively carved chariot, and he called it the “Temple of Juno.” When -extended to its full height, by means of internal machinery, it -reached an altitude of forty feet. A gorgeous effect was given it by -the precious metals which studded it and by numerous mirrors. Upon an -elevated seat, just beneath a rich and unique oriental canopy of the -most elaborate finish, sat, in perfect nonchalance, the representative -queen, surrounded by gods and goddesses in mythical costume. Elephants, -camels and dromedaries completed the tableau. During that period of his -career, a season of great prosperity, Mr. Barnum used frequently to -lecture on temperance in his tents. He was shrewd enough to appreciate -how much to his pecuniary advantage was his devotion to what he called -the “noble cause.” Crowds came as much to get a glimpse at him and to -hear him talk as for a sight at the circus. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -THE SIDE-SHOW - - -Order has come out of the confusion at the lot when the parade returns. -All is in readiness for the performances, seats and stands and rings -and trapezes in place, and every man at his post. The cages are dragged -from the parade to the menagerie tent, the horses led to their canvas -stables, and elephants push the red and gilt vehicles into place. Down -drops the sidewall, ropes are set, and the preparation is complete. - -Stolid yokels fill the enclosure in front. Two men are proclaiming with -fluency and skill and oratorical effect the wonders of the side-show, -and a row of huge banners adds weight to their discourse. Pictured -by word and brush are the wild man, the midget, the Egyptian giant, -the woman ventriloquist, the knife throwers, the fortune tellers, the -electric lady, the snake charmer, the others who make up the collection -of oddities, and the group of negro jubilee singers. The band thumps -seductively inside and frequently, as an evidence of good faith, one -of the freaks is called to the front for a moment’s survey. Doubts -vanish and the crowd hesitates no longer, when suddenly as the _pièce -de resistance_ is brandished aloft, impaled on a slender iron rod, a -raw hunk of beef. It is to be the wild man’s dinner! - -By far the most interesting specimen in our side-show is this wild -man. His history is long and eventful. The side-show lecturer tells it -vividly, many times a day, and invariably the same when he is not in -a facetious mood. The narrative, however, is always thrilling, never -commonplace. A curtain shrouds the interior of the cage in which the -creature “lives and subsists in a state of nature.” Pulled aside, it -reveals a gloomy den, half filled with hay, where crouches, clawed and -tusked, and scantily clad in skins, the rude savage. The fleeting and -obscure view of the monster afforded is amply satisfying to the timid, -and the venturesome see the curtain drawn, impressed. A discharged -employee in a spirit of malice spread a tale of unexpected exposures. -The fellow asserted that once the wild man was eagerly “shooting craps” -with a colored canvasman, and a second time had hastily torn a clay -pipe from his mouth and become again a weird, uncivilized being. The -manager was very indignant over the infamous recital; and that very -evening came a full exoneration. The wild man escaped. (Business had -been unsatisfactory for several days.) - -The alarm was sounded throughout the town and spread terror. We all -said we feared the worst. Armed men were sent in pursuit. The fugitive -was captured in a forest back of the lot and returned, shrieking, -biting and fighting fiercely, to his den. Order was restored and the -circus turned away a thousand persons for lack of room at the evening’s -performance. The side-show was not empty of visitors for a month -afterwards. - -We retain the services of our wild man with some difficulty. His wife, -a very indiscreet colored woman from Vermont, has a pernicious habit -of appearing inopportunely and accusing our black prize of gambling -away his wages and not providing for the support of his family. She -is ample of form, emphatic in manner, and prodigal of words, and when -she begins to bellow and boister, side-show proceedings stop abruptly -and the overwhelmed orator hangs his diminished head and yields verbal -supremacy. It is not until she receives from the management positive -assurance of a cash advance that she can be persuaded to retreat. At -these times the wild man is a very meek and subdued person, and no -amount of urging will lure him from the security of his cage until his -wife is well out of town. - -The original circus wild man, the denizen of Borneo, was white, but -his successors have almost invariably had dark skins. “Waino” and -“Plutano,” exhibited together, are now before the public. “Tom” and -“Hattie,” wild children from Australia, are dead. “Wild Rose” and -“Wild Minnie” are still in the field of savage honor, as is “Old Zip, -the What-is-it?” whose head is cone-shaped, and who utters mournful -guttural sounds. - -The life of the professional wild man is an unhappy one at best. The -story is told of a Baltimore, Md., colored man, who, finding himself -penniless in Berlin, Germany, enlisted as an untamed arrival from -Africa with a small American circus then playing abroad. He endured the -torture he was compelled to undergo for a month and then stole away to -a hospital. He was required to explain how and why he came there. - -“You see, boss,” he observed sadly, “I’se been working here, got ten -dollars a week to play wild man. I was all stripped ’cept around the -middle and wore a claw necklace; had to make out as if I couldn’t talk. -’Twas mighty tiresome to howl and grin all day. Then times got hard. I -had to eat raw meat and drink blood. The circus man, he stood off as -if he was afraid of me and chucked meat on the floor to me. I had to -lean over, pick it up in my teeth and worry it like I was a dog. It was -horse meat and pretty tough, boss, but it brought crowds for a while. -Then it got drefful cold for a nigger with no clothes on and they put -a snake around my neck. I couldn’t stand that, so I’se come to the -hospital.” - -He was given clothes and medical treatment, which he sorely needed, and -a kindly American sent him back to Maryland. - -Calvin Bird, a negro who hailed from Pearson, Ga., was a famous wild -man for several years with divers small circuses, and toured most -of the country, mystifying all who saw him and sending them away -impressed with a conviction that he was all he was represented to be. -Not until he appeared at a Syracuse hospital with a request that his -horns be removed was the secret of his unnatural appearance disclosed. -Under his scalp was found inserted a silver plate, in which stood two -standards. Into these, when he was on exhibition, Bird screwed two goat -horns. Thousands of people had paid admission to see the curved bone -projections and hear him bark. The artificial additions were the idea -of a physician in Central America who gave the man an anaesthetic and -inserted the plate. The operation of removing the support was a simple -one and Bird started for home from Syracuse with a normal head a few -days later. The wild man business had got monotonous, he said, and -anyway, he had made enough money out of his deception to maintain him -in idleness for a long time. - -The “electric lady” is one of the phenomena of our side-show, and -a source of great wonder to the gullible visitor. She is saturated -with the mysterious force. A continuous supply passes from her finger -tips to whoever touches her flesh. Scoffers are confounded at the -manifestation, and there is a general feeling among the side-show -sightseers that she is a supernatural being. There is nothing -indicating a violation of natural law in the lady’s appearance, and -nobody appears to enjoy the curiosity she excites more than her own -merry self. A strange feature of the exercise of the invisible agent -is that it generates only for commercial purposes. For instance, the -power leaves her when the performance closes for the night, and does -not develop again until she is on exhibition the following day. Then, -too, the current confines itself to a fixed spot. It passes away -instantaneously if she moves from her chair. - -The “electric lady” in private life is a very domestic and studious -person. She is Mrs. E. N. Willis, whose husband is one of the managers -of the tent and a recognized authority on “freaks.” When I asked her -for a contribution to the story of the side-show she took pencil and -paper and evolved the following product. It was done under the circus -canvas on a hot September afternoon in Illinois, while country visitors -stared in wonder at the sight of the “freak” in the act of composition -and thought. It is attached in the exact phraseology in which it was -handed to me. - -“So much has been written regarding circus life as seen only in the -‘Big Show,’ it will not come amiss to chat a while with a member of the -side-show fraternity. When the parade returns to the show grounds, it -is followed by a large crowd of people, who have been invited by men -with megaphone voices to witness a series of free exhibitions which -are used as a means of getting the people together for the opening of -the side-show, which is the attraction until the ‘Big Show’ is ready to -admit its visitors at one p.m. The side-show presents a most attractive -appearance to the rural visitor, showing as it does upon huge banners -the many wonderful sights to be seen within. - -“As a means of collecting the followers, a platform is erected directly -in front of the side-show entrance. In showmen’s parlance it is known -as a ‘bally-hoo stage,’ where, as promised the multitude, these free -exhibitions are given. - -“Fearing that there may be a few stragglers or sweethearts who have -failed to keep up with the procession, and wishing to give them all -an equal chance, the band is called outside, and with great strength -plays its loudest and swiftest selections. Then the principal orator -mounts the ‘bally-hoo stage,’ and striking upon a huge triangle enjoins -silence. In glowing terms he describes the row of paintings, proving -the truthfulness of his assertions by bringing out a few of the -subjects and dilating upon their merits. After this there is another -‘hurry up’ tune, and then pandemonium reigns supreme, as from their -elevated stands the ticket-sellers, each trying to outdo the other in -lustiness of tone, proclaim the price of admission--ten cents. Very few -resist the eloquence of the orator and the cries of the ticket-sellers, -and in a short space of time the outside workers have a chance to rest -their lungs, as nearly all have passed inside. - -“In the old days of circus business the side-show was justly styled -the annex or museum department, and contained only living curios -and a performance of Punch and Judy. Of late years this has been -greatly changed, there being such a scarcity of freaks of nature that -vaudeville acts, and even minstrel shows, have been introduced to fill -up this vacuum. The interior is in charge of a lecturer, who is usually -either a magician or a Punch and Judy man, he thereby serving a double -purpose. - -“There is always a feature upon which the side-show revolves, either a -giant or some other wonderful freak of nature, and it always occupies -a high platform in the centre of the canvas. The other stages are -arranged in horseshoe shape, and upon these the different curios -are seated. All side-shows have a snake enchantress, this being an -attraction that never fails to please, and the rural visitor stands -open-mouthed, with a look of astonishment as the lady lifts these large -serpents one by one from their boxes and allows them to coil about her -person. She is supposed to answer all questions put to her regarding -the reptiles, and is asked many strange ones, such as ‘Do you keep -them on ice?’ ‘How do you feed them?’ ‘Are they stuffed?’ ‘Did you -catch them yourself?’ As experience has made her quick-witted, she is -ever ready with a reply. The other curios are generally a midget, a -long-haired lady, or a tattooed man. - -“Few would be considered complete without a mind reader or fortune -teller, who by merely tracing the lines of the hand is able to foretell -the future. So, when Mary and John stand before her, the lines of -Mary’s hand always read that John is the favored suitor and is to be -her husband, while those in John’s hand plainly indicate that Mary is -for him alone, and that their union will be blessed with many little -ones; which good news sends them giggling and blushing on their way, -thoroughly satisfied at having parted with their money, as it has -brought them such good results. All curios have the privilege of -selling their photos, which is really a part of their revenue, and many -a stray dime is coaxed from the pockets of the country visitor to that -of the curio who is collecting a ‘pork chop fund’ for the winter. The -initiated photo-seller knows which States will be the most productive. -This calls to mind a remark made by a giant while on a trip through -Canada. One day after a fruitless endeavor to foist his photos on the -public, he demanded: - -“‘How long here? Me want to go back to Yankee-land.’ - -“Thus he proved that the Yankees part with their dimes more readily -than the Canucks. - -“In order to fill the side-show with small circuses there is always -a candy stand, and whenever there is a lull in the proceedings the -voice of the candy ‘butcher’ may be heard calling his wares in this -manner: ‘Strawberry lemonade, ice cold, is five cents to-day. Lemonade, -peanuts, cakes, candies, everything is five cents.’ - -“The space not taken up by stages is usually occupied by slot machines, -and many a stray nickel is dropped into them during the day. The -lecturer, after going the rounds and giving a detailed description -of each curio, concludes the performance with Punch and Judy, which, -though the oldest attraction before the public, is always a source -of amusement for the little folks, and even the grown folks laugh -and cheer as if they had never seen it before. This being finished, -the reed manipulator steps from behind the frame and explains to the -gaping multitude how easily any one can do the same with the aid of a -reed made by himself of silver and silk and ‘only costing ten cents.’ -Children and grown folks alike, in their eagerness to obtain one, push -and almost knock one another down, and within a few seconds old and -young alike have them in their mouths trying to say ‘Oh! Judy, go get -the baby.’ The side-show has been likened to a church fair, there being -something doing every time one turns around. - -[Illustration: BAREBACK RIDERS READY FOR THE RING.] - -“The band is always placed upon a high platform directly behind the -entrance, so that only a thin canvas separates it from the outside -public. This is done in order that its noise may be easily heard by the -passing visitors, whom the ticket sellers are always trying to entice -to part with their dimes to see the many wonders exhibited within. This -band stage is also used for the minstrel and vaudeville performances -which are given as frequently as the occasion demands. The side-show -may be justly termed a continuous performance, as there is always -something going on to entertain the visitors, who are continually -dropping in. When the eloquence of the orators fails to arouse the -many hangers-on who have become listless, a curiosity is occasionally -brought out upon the ‘bally-hoo stage,’ and the huge triangle is struck -upon to stir up those who are still wavering. There is no let-up until -all the people have left the big show and concert. There is then an -opportunity for these hard-worked people to eat supper and get a rest -until 6:30, when the side-show is again opened and remains in operation -until the big show is over, about ten p.m.” - -Hassan Ali, the Egyptian giant, eight feet two inches tall (one has the -orator’s word for it), comes each year from the land of his nativity -to arouse American wonder and earn American money. He is the pest of -hotel keepers on the route, for on Sunday nights he chooses to pass the -time for slumber away from the cramped recesses of the circus car and -in the regulation bedstead of commerce. The view of Hassan, dreaming -of his far-off home, with his brown legs protruding, from the knees -down, over the foot-board and his skull rammed against the headpiece, -is a sight people flock from all parts of the house to witness. About -midnight, generally, there is a noise like an explosion, a rattle, -crash and shimmer. The other circus guests turn over and resume sleep; -they know the familiar sound, it is the shattering of the giant’s bed. -The landlord, hurrying to the apartment, finds Hassan on the floor, -enveloped in slats, sheets, counterpane and mattress. This is almost -a weekly performance and causes Hassan to breathe awful Egyptian -imprecations against modern American furniture. No visitor to the -side-show has ever approached him in height, and only one person, an -aged man wearing a G. A. R. badge, has been able to seize, by standing -on a chair, the photograph guaranteeing circus admission which the -giant holding between upraised fingers and resting on the floor is -accustomed to offer as a reward for the feat. Hassan was much mortified -over the veteran’s accomplishment, but finds balm in the consciousness -that no one else has duplicated the achievement. His favorite exploit -is to spread his extended fingers from edge to edge of the top of an -ordinary waterpail. If you think it a simple digital trick, try it. - -The whole energies of a slender man with a trim figure are devoted to -entertaining the side-show visitors. He talks almost unceasingly from -morning until night in brief but lucid descriptions of the assembly -of oddities. His addresses are delivered with great ostentation and -search after effect. He is a man of easy wit and repartee, and of tact -and practical intelligence; qualifications necessary to the successful -conduct of his vocal calling. Each “freak,” barring the “wild man,” has -for sale personal photographs, the receipts for which the management -lays no claim to. This is an important part of their incomes, and the -lecturer’s failure to call attention to the offering brings upon him -reproach and censure. I attach one of his harangues, exactly as he -delivered it one afternoon before an audience of grinning Connecticut -countrymen. It is interesting as a truthful reproduction of a style of -unique oratory which prevails nowhere else. - -“Now in about five minutes we will start our regular show in here -and have it all over forty-five minutes before the circus commences. -(The band blows hard for five minutes.) Everybody pay your attention -this way. We commence our show here first. I call your attention -to Signor Arcaris and sister. They will entertain you with a -wonderful performance known as the impalement act, better known as -knife-throwing, without a doubt the best act of its kind in the world. -(The act and music.) Now down this way next. I take great pleasure in -introducing Princess Ani, the wonder worker and mind reader. We will -have what is known as spirit calculations on the blackboard. We will -have a number of gentlemen place some figures on the board. The minute -you place a figure on the board she knows what figure you place there, -although she is blindfolded. She can describe anything and tell you -while blindfolded what you are thinking about. - -“Now, ladies and gentlemen, I am going to tell you how this lady tells -fortunes. She reads the lines of your hand. Every line denotes some -peculiar trait in your character. Tells you what you ought to do for -your own benefit; tells you what talent you possess; tells you when -you are going to get married; tells you how many children you are -going to have, if any. The line is there in your own hand, you can’t -get away from it. Tells your lucky day, lucky number, family affairs, -love affairs. Tells how long you ought to live by the life line of your -hand! Now, it is all private. She don’t tell it out loud. First she -explains about the large lines. She whispers so that no one can hear -but yourself. And for the small lines you get what is known as the -number. The rest your hand-reading calls for is all printed on this -slip of paper. No two alike. Every one’s fortune is different. Just -show her your left hand. The price fifteen cents all the way through. -Walk right up and show her your left hand. - -“Now to the stage. I call your attention to the smallest lady ever -placed on exhibition, Miss Bertha Carnihan, twenty-nine years of age, -stands thirty-nine inches in height and weighs thirty-eight pounds. The -most perfectly formed little lady on exhibition. She is well educated; -has been all over the world. Step up and have a talk with her. She will -answer all questions in regard to herself. She also has her photographs -for sale. - -“Now direct your attention to the large stage in the centre. You will -be entertained by Professor Lowry’s Nashville students. (When the negro -concert is finished, the “big song book, words and music, fifty songs, -five cents a copy,” are sold.) Now, fix your interest this way, please. -I call your attention to Miss Millie Taylor, better known as the Queen -of Long-haired Ladies. This lady has without a doubt the longest hair -of any lady before the public. The length of the lady’s hair is seven -feet four inches. Step up and examine it for yourselves. She also has -her photos. Now we come to Miss Julien, the world’s greatest snake -hypnotist. The lady will entertain you with her large den of living -monster reptiles, introducing anacondas, boa constrictors, pythons and -the turtle-head snake of Florida. (The performer coils snake after -snake around her form.) The lady now has one hundred and sixty-eight -pounds of snake around her body, neck and arms. You will find her -entertaining to converse with. She will tell you all about snakes, etc. -She also has her photographs for sale. - -“Over this way next. I call your attention to the crowning feature of -our side-show. The tallest man in human history, Hassan Ali, better -known as the Egyptian giant. Born in Cairo, Egypt, twenty-six years of -age, stands eight feet two inches in height and weighs three hundred -and twelve pounds. To give you a better idea in regard to his height -and reach we will allow the tallest man in the audience to stand on -this high chair. The giant will stand on the ground. If the man reaches -up and touches the photograph Hassan Ali holds up between his fingers, -we will make him a present of a ticket, taking him all the way through -the big show. There (pointing) is a tall man. Would you be kind enough -to stand on this chair and reach with him. All right, you see (turning -to the audience) he comes about six inches from it. This gives you an -idea in regard to the size of the giant’s hand. Here is a good-sized -water pail. See how far you can span it Goes about half way. The giant -spans it. His fingers go two inches over the rim. Now, he has no thick -soles on his shoes, no high heels. There’s his foot, No. 18. He also -has his photographs for sale. - -“Now pay your attention over that way. That’s Neola, the electric -lady. By shaking hands with her, you will receive a slight current of -electricity, the same as you would from a battery. Don’t be backward, -walk right up and shake hands with her. She won’t harm you. She also -has photos. - -“Now, the wild man! Down this way for the wild man! Now, stop that -crowding there! Take your time, remember there are ladies and children -in the crowd. (He pulls the curtain aside and pokes at the inmate with -an iron bar.) There he is, with flat head and low forehead, showing he -has very little brain. You notice the maniac look of the eyes, just -the same as a beast. He has teeth just like a lion, arms four inches -longer than our arms and walks on all fours. Captured in the everglades -of Florida, a little over four and a half years ago. Handcuffed and -shackled ever since he was caught. Now if you stop to think, you know -there is a cause for a monstrosity of that kind. Just before he was -born his mother was frightened by a beast. It left the mark on that -freak of nature, just as you see for yourselves. Half Indian, half -negro, don’t understand a word, don’t talk, growls like a beast, eats -nothing but raw meat. (He draws the curtain.) - -“Now pay your attention there. You will be entertained by musical -Swarts. (A man gets melody from bells and various instruments.) Over -this way next. The old-time funny Punch and Judy. (He enters a booth, -gives the familiar show and reappears.) Now, I will show you how I -change my voice. It is done with a reed, made of silver and silk. All -you have to do is place it on your tongue and talk right. The sound -of the words goes through the reed just like this. (He illustrates.) -That’s the way to do it. There are full directions how to use it. Ten -cents, three for a quarter. If they don’t blow as I represent, hand -them back and I will give you back your money. (When the sales are -finished he concludes in loud tones:) The big show commences in five -minutes. All over in here.” - -The lusty-lunged orators on the outside make a great clamor as the -crowd passes out, and one of them shouts: “The gentlemanly lecturer -will now pass around again, explaining the curiosities, monstrosities -and freaks of nature. Come on! Come on!” The heartless band lures with -brazen notes and the scene is repeated without variation. - -No feature of the side-show is more keenly relished in the country -towns than the Punch and Judy show. The lecturer works the figures -and carries on the dialogue. The movements of the puppets are managed -simply by putting the hands under the dress, making the second finger -and thumb serve for the arms, while the forefinger works the head. -Punch’s high back, distorted breast and long nose give an increased -zest to his witticisms, and his career of violent crime is followed -with absorbed attention until he is dragged away to expiate it, and -the curtain falls amid the shouts of his conqueror. - -The freak business is divided into about three varieties, foreign, -domestic and fake. In the first class, the collectors travel all over -the world in search of rarities, but the very best freaks come from -India and the Malay peninsula. In those countries there are people -who breed freaks. They buy young children and animals and deform them -while their bones are soft, by all manner of means. Then they are -constantly on the lookout for genuine, natural freaks, and in those -lands the birth of a freak occurs very frequently. The headquarters -of this business is at Singapore. There are, too, a number of men who -devote themselves to the discovering and placing of freaks of all kinds -and varieties, and scarcely a day goes by in winter that we do not -receive photographs and illustrated circulars from some freak merchant -or other. Of course, there are faked freak men--a perfect host in -themselves. If the proprietor of some little show needs an additional -attraction and does not have any money to hire something good--for, -like everything else, freaks have their price--he can get something -for little money that will serve his purpose. The real, genuine, live -freaks always command high prices--from $50 to $800 per week each--and -travel all over the world in order to exhibit themselves. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE - - -I have always regarded the two men who sell tickets with a feeling -of profound awe and solemn wonder. There is something almost uncanny -about their daily exhibition. Their flying hands put to shame the -clutching display of the octopus. No quicker-brained, more resolute or -more peculiarly gifted men are with the show. They face, undaunted and -calm, twice a day, a scene of confusion, disorder and clamoring demand -which would put to his heels one not fitted perfectly by nature and -experience for the part. To see them working their hands with lightning -rapidity, directing, advising and correcting, is to me as interesting a -study as the whole passing show affords. - -When the crowd begins to gather about the ticket wagon ready with the -price of admission, it would make infinitely easier the work of the men -inside if the sale began then. But business astuteness bids delay. The -throng grows fast, fills the enclosure and swarms over the grounds. The -side-show orator, meanwhile, directs his seductive eloquence at the -perspiring mass and reaps a harvest. This is an advantage gained by no -undue haste in distributing tickets. - -While this preliminary maneuvring is very gratifying in its results to -the management, the burden it accumulates upon the two anxious men in -the ticket wagon grows every minute. When finally the signal to begin -operations is given, they face a sea of upturned, distorted, perspiring -faces, and aloft the air is peppered with hands brandishing admission -money. Everybody is irrational, unreasonable and excited. Children cry, -women are on the verge of collapse, and men push and strain and mutter -strange oaths. Uniformed employees strive in vain to maintain order. -The wheels of the red wagon have been buried to the hubs, or it would -be swept away in the rush. The mad, violent struggle continues for -an hour, and thousands force their path or are carried bodily to the -window and labor away with the cherished strips of printed pasteboard. -A mountain of bills and coin grows and is toppled into baskets at their -side. Soon these are filled and money litters the floor. There is no -chance to assort or collect it now. With eyes fixed steadily before -them, fingers and hands never lingering or sluggish, but intercepting -a counterfeit offering like a flash, they work as if human automatons. -Not until solitary arrivals denote the end of the rush do they relax. -Thousands of dollars have changed hands in the brief period, yet the -scene will be duplicated a few hours hence and the day will record a -balance as correct in detail as the most exacting banking institution’s. - -There is a popular misapprehension about the moral purposes of the -men in the ticket wagon. The impression seems to prevail among many -sensible persons that they are modern highwaymen, lurking there for -prey. An intimate knowledge of their character and conduct makes a -definite denial only fair to them. In the swift shuffle of money, there -is no intention on their part to take advantage of the circus’s patron. -It is the fixed design of the management to inspire a feeling of -security and confidence, and the selection of ticket-sellers has this -end in view. Dismissal and possible criminal prosecution would be the -penalty of detected “short change” or other swindling methods. - -There is only one legitimate source of outside profit, and that is -furnished by the “walkaway,” circus vernacular for the person who -unconsciously leaves his change behind. He is legion, strangely enough, -and more remarkable still, it seldom seems to occur to him to return -for his own. When he does it is promptly given him. Ticket-sellers -insist vehemently that the “walkaway’s” contribution is not more than -enough to reimburse them for mistakes in count which are unavoidable -in the tumult, and more frequently than not to the benefit of the -purchaser. Whether their comrades accept this assertion without -reservation is not a subject to be discussed here. - -Rates of admission are conspicuous everywhere. Children under two -and a half years of age are admitted free; from that age to ten a -half-ticket is required, and older persons must pay full charge. -Wonderful and varied are the devices resorted to in the effort to -evade legitimate payment. Children who at home are in their teens have -dwarfed to babyhood at the circus entrance. Parents glibly insist -that robust offsprings are under nine years, and panting fathers and -mothers present themselves, in the palpable attempt to deceive, with an -armful of boy or girl who has reached the full-rate limit. Watchful and -inexorable door-keepers receive them, demand and finally are handed the -correct sum, and composedly hear themselves styled “a pack of villains -and swindlers.” Ill-grace characterizes those who would cheat the -circus. - -To the main entrance come the hundreds of written orders for tickets, -issued by the advance agents who have covered the district with bills -and posters. As a precautionary measure against imposition, two sets of -keen-eyed employees have subsequently prowled over the routes and made -note when storekeeper or householder has not kept faith. If the flaring -advertisement has been removed, disfigured, or hidden under that of a -rival show, a memorandum is made. Thus a list of those who are and -who are not entitled to recognition is in the hands of the management -when the doors open. Each claim presented to the ticket taker has a -corresponding number on the large sheet of paper which the general -manager holds, and whether or not the holder enters free depends on its -report. Very crestfallen and embarrassed, generally, is the man who -thought he could profit without rendering service in return. He had -not calculated on the thorough business system with which he was in -contact. If the applicant has kept his promise he is welcomed to the -show, given what his order calls for in the way of seats and number of -admissions, and passes inside. - -Each one of the men at the main entrance understands his manifold -duties perfectly and there is no confusion. Annoying problems enough -present themselves, but the quick-witted, ready circus man solves them -without hesitation. Complaints innumerable flow to the main entrance, -but everybody receives a fair hearing and just treatment in so far as -human effort can bring it about. Fault-finding women are the bane. -There is almost no extreme of compromise to which the showman will not -go to rid himself of the presence of a member of the other sex when she -is wrought up over a conviction that she has been imposed upon. She -blocks the passage way, gesticulating madly, protesting volubly and -threatening all manner of things. She is generally tall and angular, -wears spectacles, carries a cotton umbrella, has a crying child by the -hand and is famous in the town as a virago. Dutch and Curley cower -before her outburst, and the general manager promises her all she -demands if she will only pass on. With a parting volley of abuse she -flaunts into the menagerie tent and a feeling of great relief pervades -all. Her reappearance, with a lament about the unsatisfactory locality -of her seat, may be confidently expected later. - -[Illustration: BEFORE THE CROWD COMES.] - -Vigilant canvasmen picket the stretches of cloth, alert lest the -small boy or his older relative crawl under the fabric and gain free -admission. The duty is one demanding keen eye and active body, for -once the canvas folds after the invader he is generally secure from -capture; a scamper under the low rows of seats or into the crowd eludes -successful pursuit and recognition. So watchful, however, are these -patrolmen and so obdurate against pleading juvenile persuasion that -surreptitious entrance is effectually barred. The circus-fascinated -but impecunious youngster must needs vicariously satisfy his longing -by turning handsprings outside the barrier. The stirring band music -carried to his ears conjures immeasurable pleasures in his mind and is -madly irritating. - -The press agent receives his newspaper guests at the main entrance. -They have been provided with tickets bearing his name. To the reporter -assigned to write up the circus and to the responsible heads of the -newspaper he gives slips of paper passing them into an enclosure from -which is afforded an undisturbed survey of all that is transpiring, -and brings to closer view the excelling features of the performance. -Later he joins them there, explains the show’s superiority over all -competitors and is generally entertaining. He presses peanuts and -lemonade upon them and sends them away in friendly mood. - -That manly young fellow who appeared from the inner recesses of the -festive tent for a whispered conversation at the main entrance with -the general manager is Fred Ledgett, equestrian. He is one of the -principals in the season’s romance of the circus. Dallie Julian, -eighteen years old, who turns back somersaults from the broad, rosined -haunch of her horse Gypsy, is the other party to the charming affair. -What they dared and suffered before they could win the countenance and -support of management and relative and carry out their matrimonial -longing, only those who know intimately the prosaic circus institute -can appreciate. If there is one thing frowned upon more than all others -in tented life, it is adventures of the heart. But Fred and Dallie -emerged triumphant and conquering, and the seed of love sown in April -came to golden harvest in Iowa, many miles transplanted, where an -earnest, curious company of show people witnessed the wedding ceremony -and participated in the celebration. - -My mind reverts to the early spring when little Dallie, done up in -a heavy coat and sitting on one of the tubs which served as a seat -for a trick elephant, was holding an informal reception in Madison -Square Garden. Preparations for the opening of the circus were in full -swing--literally in some instances--for the acrobats, practising for -the first time in a new place, were suspended by “mecaniques”--the -leather belts with rope attachments that made living pendulums of them -when they missed their try. Even one of the bareback riders, forming a -pyramid on her husband’s shoulders, while he went around the ring on -three horses, had the life-saving apparatus around her waist. For she -was new at the business and her husband was not letting her take any -more chances than he could help. And while father and mother were doing -their great aerial act on horseback, both of them looking as though -only boy and girl, their two-year-old baby cooed down at the ringside, -brought over from Boston to spend three weeks with them. She thought it -was fine when her mother jumped and balanced, but her mother thought -of nothing except not to fall off and not to hang her husband with the -rope that was her safeguard. They were in the middle ring and beside -it, swathed in top coats and wrappings of all kinds, were performers -waiting for their turns to go in. From beneath their street clothes -came glimpses of pink and white fleshings with slippers to match, and -over the slippers were clogs, wooden-soled shoes, with leather tops, to -prevent their feet from being injured while walking in the ring. - -The circus was getting ready to open and everybody was practising to -start in a blaze of glory. In one of the end rings a woman was riding -bareback, “the best hurdle jumper in the business” said one of the men. -It looks easy to run and jump on a horse, but it requires work and -practice. Not being a dress rehearsal, every one was in working togs, -and the women were wearing bloomer suits, with waists of red, pink and -blue, and with that innate sense of decoration that is part of the true -artist in the ring, each wore a rosette in her hair that matched the -suit. - -Dallie’s interest was centred on the ring where her aunt, who is also -her foster mother, was breaking in a new horse. - -“Many of the people use the company’s horses, but my aunt has her own -and so have I,” she explained. “She always breaks them herself and this -one is new to the business; that is why there is a rope on him and the -ringmaster hangs to it. You see the horse might get frightened and bolt -over the side or try to go through the doorway,” pointing to a niche -that served as an entrance; “there is a man standing at the door to -prevent the horse from going out.” - -The horse was perfectly well aware of the fact and not altogether -reconciled, although he was fast approaching that state. Ropes swinging -from all sorts of corners where trapezes and “looping-the-loop” -contrivances were being put up disconcerted him, but the rope and whip -were arguments that appealed in inducing him to stay. - -“He will be all right before the performance,” Dallie went on with the -air of a connoisseur. “There will be two more rehearsals to-day and -some chance to practise to-morrow. I am riding the same horse I ride -always,” she went on, tucking her small feet out of the way of dirt and -draught, “and it is lucky for me because I have only been practising -two weeks this season. You see I was in the hospital last winter, and -all I got of the circus was hearing the band play as I lay in bed while -all the others were getting ready for this season. But I practised a -lot this year and now I do better than I did last year.” - -In the upper ring the Rough Riders were putting their horses through -their acts and the horses were not altogether pleased. The thing they -hated most was being made to lie down when they did not feel the least -bit tired, and many of them were inclined to argue the matter until the -whip convinced them that really they preferred to do what was wanted. -The whip as a convincer in a circus is a great ethical force. At one -end of the course were the acrobats doing a complete double shoulder -twist. They were swinging by ropes attached to their belts when they -missed a leap. - -“You see,” said Dallie, shedding the great white light of information, -“they have never done their turn here before and they are used to a -smaller place, so they are practising to get distances. If one of them -should miss and fall it would hurt, for they haven’t any net under, -but the ‘mecanique’ will keep them swinging clear from the ground. You -ought to see the ‘mecanique’ in the rings of the winter quarters. They -are put on people just learning to go bareback. Sometimes they miss a -horse and the persons go swinging round and round the ring until they -land on their horses again. It is awfully funny. Some of the people -are scared this season because they are new and there are a lot of new -horses and so they are nervous. My aunt told me the other day she could -not sleep nights for worrying about me and how I would get through, but -I told her she was silly. I will get through all right and there is no -use any way in worrying, even if anything does happen.” - -“And isn’t it remarkable that some persons do not get hurt?” she went -on. “Now, here are all of us and there hasn’t a thing gone wrong to -hurt any one. Why, yesterday one of the walking tight wires broke when -there were five people on it. There was not one of them hurt; but a -little boy that was on the end had every one fall on him and it scared -him pretty bad and bruised him a little, but he is practising to-day as -usual.” - -Her aunt’s horse by dint of much persuasion was taking some baby -hurdles while the aunt hung on behind clinging to a strap, for the -horse did not seem to care about having a person perched on his -haunches, but he accepted it for the same reason that he had all -the rest. But at last he was led from the ring and some one called -“Dallie!” She jumped down from her tub, dropped off her long skirt, -danced into the ring and up to a big white horse. She wore a short -skirt over her dark bloomers and in her hand was a very weather-beaten -little whip. - -“I have tried a lot of others,” she said, as she bent it, “but I cannot -turn somersaults with any other. I am so used to this and the way it -feels in my hand that I cannot get along with any other. I have lost -this several times but some of the men always find it and bring it back -to me.” - -Her horse, with its tightly checked head, waited for her and she felt -the head strap with the air of an old professional. - -Dallie stood up like a bit of thistle-down and, poised lightly on her -horse, went riding around. First one of her feet and then the other -went forward to balance, and then suddenly both went tight together and -she took several preliminary leaps in the air to get herself limber. -Having stretched her muscles, she gave a little cry. Three men, lined -up together to catch her if she fell, got ready, and up and over in the -air she went like a little human ball. The first time she did not land -on the horse but in the ring. But after that she did her turn all right -and was driven out to make room for others needing practice. - -Cupid had picked the little horsewoman out for his mark in these early -days of the circus, but so closely guarded was the secret that it -was days before we knew that her heart had taken up its lodging in -young Ledgett’s breast, and his breast had become the cabinet of her -affections. Shy glances and low and tender voices in secluded spots -finally told a revealing tale and we watched the progress of the -devotion with intense interest and some concern. We knew the stern -traditional circus antipathy toward affairs of the kind and wondered -whether the fixed opposition of the aunt could be overcome. No comrade -was so disloyal and unchivalrous as to carry the story to those in -authority, but soon the love-making conveyed itself to their very eyes. -Then began a systematic effort to end it abruptly, and the memory of -the courage and faith and hope which forced surrender to Hymen’s cause -will linger with us long. - -The burden of obstructions was directed at the girl--he was too -strong and self-reliant; and when her aunt was not advising against -her conjugal plans, the ringmaster engaged himself in telling that -marriage would jeopardize her future. So it was that between the -prodigious shakings of the head and the love that absorbed her, Dallie -grew thin and pale and unsteady in her work. Her judge of distance, so -necessary in her dangerous aerial revolutions, became bad, and often -she alighted on wooden ringbark or horse’s head or tail when her feet -should have been fixed to Gypsy’s moving back. She became a bruised and -humble maiden, but with purpose unwavering. Her aunt’s vigilance was -unrelaxing and unrelenting; she vowed that the two should not have each -other’s company. - -To the casual circus goer, this determined disapproval of innocent -attachment may seem brutal and unreasonable, but there are reasons -underlying which those directly involved feel justify their course. It -is the history of circus love affairs which progress during the active -season that they impair performances. Once the yearning enters show -persons, indolence and indifference characterize them in the ring. It -is not a desire to oppress, but a warning instinct of professional -deterioration, that causes sardonic smiles and harsh flings. To the -relative who has acted as mother for years, the prospect of premature -separation is naturally obnoxious. - -It was not until summer was on the wane that we saw signs of -approaching capitulation. Dallie had risen supreme over her temporary -weakness and was again the skilful mistress of the ring. Fred, patient -and artful, had won first an enduring place in the aunt’s esteem and -then her permission and encouragement. The management yielded before -their combined eloquence. - -So it was that one Sunday afternoon, Dallie, swaying under a great -breadth of silk, and her sweetheart, awkward in encumbering black, but -looking very proud and joyful, started hand in hand down the long road -of life. A very glorious supper was served that evening in honor of -the event. The owner gracefully proposed the health of the bride, and -the tent resounded with the enthusiasm of the response. Fred expressed -his thanks in well-put words, and Mrs. Fred blushed prettily in her -happiness. And best of all, about the corners of the aunt’s lip there -rested a smile of pleasure, of approval and of contentment. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -THE MENAGERIE TENT - - -Into the menagerie tent, with its great variety of animals caged and -unconfined, streams the open-mouthed human parade, stopping to comment -and observe on its way to the “big top.” The lions and tigers pace up -and down their cages with hungry eyes that gleam in green and gold. -They stare steadily through the iron bars but take no heed of the pigmy -humans who stare back. There is something in those shining eyes that -tells of thoughts far from the circus, perhaps of a jungle in far-off -Asia. The insatiable elephant swings his greedy trunk tirelessly, and -the black leopard sulks in the darkest corner of his den. Watching -closely the scene in all its aspects is a jovial, deep-voiced man who -urges the immediate necessity of securing advantageous seats under the -adjoining canvas. He controls the peanut and lemonade privilege. Long -experience has taught him all the arts and devices of his business. -He appreciates that his sales will not begin in any volume until -the audience is comfortably settled inside. Then he displays his -commercial craftiness by overwhelming the big area with peanut and -popcorn vendors. No lemonade is in evidence. Thirst comes on apace. -Throats become dry and salty, and there is clamor for liquid. When its -assuaging presence is finally seen in the hands of dozens of hawkers, -the sale is invariably tremendous. If sudden rain comes on during the -performance, he varies his sales with the disposal of umbrellas. He is -ready for any meteorological condition. - -He has been associated with red wagons and white canvas for many years, -and there is no department of circus life in which he has not at some -time excelled. As a clown his fame covered all parts of the country. -He was, an old-time programme before me tells, “a grotesque, whimsical -satirist. A wit brimful of ridiculously extravagant, fanciful mirth and -eccentric humor, comic attitudes, funny songs, derisive sayings, quaint -arguments and pleasant drolleries; entirely devoid of low jests and -vulgar tricks and postures.” - -The monkey cage is the most popular institution in our menagerie -tent. We have outgrown the “variety cage” of old days, which was a -collection in one den of monkeys, pigs, cats, dogs and rabbits. It -was an interesting collection, I suppose, to country people, but an -insufferable nuisance to the showman. Circus monkeys die in droves. The -show which starts the season with one hundred and fifty of the animals -and returns to winter quarters with twenty-five is fortunate. The -climatic changes act with quick fatality upon the sensitive creatures. -Tuberculosis, animal doctors call the killing disease. There is always -a bully in the cage and always an inmate ready to give battle for the -honor. The privileges of the bully are alluring. He takes for himself -the choicest morsels of food, chooses the most comfortable perch or -corner, gives orders and demands instant obedience, and cuffs and -bites and annoys his fellows until one, rendered desperate, turns -and administers a thrashing and succeeds to the position. The monkey -cage at nightfall is a sure register of the degree of generosity of a -community. In some towns they are gorged with food; the audience has -fed them lavishly. Again, they give pleading indication of hunger; the -place has probably a reputation for penuriousness. Those who believe -in the Darwinian theory assert that the resemblance between the human -race and the monkey is most marked in sick monkeys. Several scientists -who watched our sick chimpanzee noticed many peculiarities of a child. -It coughed like a child and made wry faces like one when asked to take -medicine. Doctors felt its pulse and it received all the care and -attention of a child of the rich. - -Natural history is one of the most interesting and absorbing of all -studies, and the visitor to our menagerie finds much zoological -gratification. The hippopotamus, sleeping or floundering in his tank, -and raising his head at intervals above the surface of the water for -the purpose of respiration, is never without a wondering audience. His -is a harmless disposition and he is a pet with the animal keepers. His -den is too small for the water to cover him completely and frequently -he is scrubbed with soap. He enjoys the operation immensely unless -the soapsuds enter his cavernous mouth, which surely is annoying -enough to provoke the most mild-mannered being. His skin is of a dark -reddish-brown color, full of cracks, chaps and cross-etchings, with -dapplings of irregular dark spots, and is probably two inches thick. -He is more than ten feet long and nearly six feet high. When he gives -voice, the lions are humiliated and the tigers acknowledge defeat. It -is a deafening kind of interrupted roar, between that of a bull and -the braying of an elephant. His daily diet is bushels of potatoes, -apples, carrots, oats, bran, hay and salt. Keepers say that the only -hippopotami born in captivity are in the zoo of one of the big cities. -Ignorance permitted the first one which saw the light to die. Keepers -feared to put it in the water, thinking it would drown, and tried to -nurse it with a bottle. It was dead in ten days. Then it was decided -not to interfere when the mother brought forth its next young. The -result was the discovery that it nursed under water. The first genuine -hippopotamus ever seen in America was exhibited by Barnum in his New -York museum in August, 1861. He advertised the animal extensively and -ingeniously as the “great behemoth of the Scriptures,” and thousands, -including many biblical students, flocked to see it. - -[Illustration: A “MAN KILLER,” PHOTOGRAPHED HALF AN HOUR AFTER HAVING -SLAIN AN ANNOYER.] - -Circus people will travel miles into the presence of a giraffe. They -want the animal with the elongated neck to rub their hand with its -tongue. They say that good luck is sure to follow the operation. The -privilege is one rarely accorded, for giraffes are very costly and -delicate, and, though popular menagerie inmates, are infrequently seen -nowadays. The first one born in captivity in America saw the light of -day in Cincinnati on October 20, 1889. It was five feet high. Daisy, -measuring eighteen feet from the ground to the tips of her ears, and -the last giraffe then on exhibition with any travelling show, was -killed during a voyage to Europe--a lurch of the ship broke her neck. - -Circus owners are vainly searching the jungles of India and the wilds -of Africa for rhinoceroses. There are none in the open markets and the -world’s visible supply is limited to twelve specimens. The market value -of the beast ranged from $4,000 to $5,000 until the present shortage -set in. Now a large circus would willingly pay many times that sum. The -rhinoceros has always been a problem to animal keepers, for captivity -generally results in early death. He is a beast so essentially of -the wilds that all efforts at breeding in captivity have failed. Old -showmen remember the attempt to take performing liberties with one of -the spike-nosed monsters in a small town in Illinois in 1872. He killed -two men, upset four dens of animals, tore down a museum tent, stampeded -people for blocks and finally brought up in a vacant house, the door -of which stood open. No fixed desire to exhibit a rhinoceros has ever -since been displayed. - -To many persons who go to a circus there is probably nothing that -causes more wonder than to see the keepers of the lions, tigers, -leopards, panthers and other wild beasts sitting in the cages among -them, patting them on their ugly heads, slapping them on their -saliva-dripping jowls, or fearlessly lashing them with their whips if -necessary. Mastery expresses better than training what the keepers have -accomplished with the beasts. - -“There is a tremendous amount of work to be done in winter quarters, of -which the public knows nothing,” explained our keeper, as he surveyed -the scene in the menagerie tent early one August evening. “We are -getting new wild animals all the time, and as they come to us there is -not a man living who would dare go into the cages with them. During -the winter we have to break those beasts so that we can handle them -on the road. When they come to us they have thick leather collars -around their necks, with heavy chains attached. The beasts are then -more savage than they were before capture, that having served only to -bring out all that is ugly in them. They will spit and growl at anybody -who comes near their cage, and jump at the bars until they exhaust -themselves. We begin to teach them manners the very day we get them, -and they take a lesson in etiquette every day after that until the show -starts out. My men catch the end of the chain fastened to the collar -and secure it in such a manner to the bars that the beast can move only -a short distance. Then I take a stout rawhide whip and strong club and -enter the cage. I take a chair and sit down in a corner. The instant I -get in, the beast will give a roar and spring for me. I would be torn -to shreds if I were within reach; but the chain holds and instead of -getting at me, the lion, tiger, panther or leopard is brought up with a -shock that sends him in a heap to the floor and I give him a lash with -the rawhide. - -“The beast is at me again in an instant; again he goes down and again I -lash him. I always keep the club handy, but never use it unless it is -absolutely necessary. I keep drawing my chair a little closer to the -animal as this goes on until I get so close he can touch me with his -nose but cannot bite me. Then I just sit there and talk to him and you -would be surprised at the power the human voice will finally be made to -exercise over wild beasts. They seem to understand much that is said to -them. - -“While I am talking just out of reach of their teeth,” he went on, “if -they get ugly and attempt to spring at me I give them the rawhide. I -keep this up, and after a dozen or fifteen lessons they get so they -only snarl and growl at my entrance to the cage. As soon as I think -it is safe I try the beasts without a chain. It is a little ticklish -business at first but I have plenty of help ready for the first effort. -If it is a success the first time, you generally have your beast -mastered, although once in a while a brute that has been tractable -enough will break out and go for his keeper. We had such a case once -when an experienced lion tamer was clawed by a lioness and nearly -killed. We usually cut the claws of the cat species, however. Lions -will not stay in the same cage with tigers. We tried this once, putting -a lioness in with a Bengal tiger. There was a fierce fight and the -lioness nearly killed the Bengal.” - -Our keeper takes very little stock in the theory of the power of -the human eye over wild beasts. The organ plays an insignificant -part, he thinks; it is the power of the man behind the eye and the -qualifications he possesses that are efficacious. - -[Illustration: REHEARSING IN WINTER QUARTERS.] - -“It is a pretty thing to say, and that is all,” he said. “The man who -wants to subdue a wild beast has to be fearless and go about his -task in a courageous way, and of course the eye plays its part. The man -who attempted to handle a wild beast that was not chained, with nothing -else than a fearless eye would be in a pretty bad hole, though. What -the man must have is a good heart, plenty of pluck and lots of sand. -The secret of successfully handling wild beasts is to become imbued -with a confidence that all wild beasts are really cowardly, especially -if they belong to the cat family. If you are not afraid and you know -how to do it, it is easy enough. - -“A circus man once determined to put the question whether the human eye -has power over wild animals to the test. Approaching a large ostrich -he gazed fixedly at it, and to his delight the mesmeric glance seemed -to meet with instant success. The bird crouched and flapped its wings -nervously. Some hours later, however, the man’s body was found with the -ostrich alternately sitting and jumping upon it. The negro guide of -a circus expedition, it is told, was more successful, although there -is some doubt as to whether it was the power of the eye that gave him -victory. He surprised two lion cubs at play and began to play with -them. They liked it so much that when he would take his departure they -refused to let him go. Their cries of enjoyment finally brought the -mother lioness. The negro was paralyzed with fear, and kept his eyes -glued to those of the lioness. Man and beast kept steadily watching -each other. The lioness moved around the negro several times but he -never shifted his gaze. Several times the lioness crouched as if to -spring, but finally after what seemed an age to the negro she called -her cubs to her side and disappeared in the forest. This is the story -brought home from Africa. - -“A man once experimented with a wildcat in our circus, and only the -bars of the cage prevented him from being badly scratched for his -pains. As soon as he looked into the eyes of the wildcat the animal -sprang fiercely at him. - -“Some interesting experiments were made at our winter quarters in -Bridgeport one year with the object of ascertaining the exact influence -of music on animals. That animals like to hear a violin played seems to -be clearly proved. A zoologist played in the menagerie many times, and -found that the music pleased them. A puma, at the sound of the violin, -stretched himself at full length in his cage and listened quietly as -long as the music was soft and low, but the moment it became loud and -fast he sprang to his feet, lashed his sides with his tail and began to -pace nervously up and down his cage. A jaguar at the sound of lively -music showed great uneasiness, but became quiet when soft music was -played. He thrust his paws through the bars of the cage to detain -the violinist. On leopards the music made hardly any impression. A -lioness and three cubs seemed somewhat disturbed, but as soon as the -player started to go to the next cage they came forward and lay down. -He then played soft music which seemed to please them. He followed it -with a lively dance, at the first sound of which the cubs sprang up and -gambolled wildly about the cage. On the other hand, two striped hyenas, -when they heard the music, drew back to the other end of their cage and -tried to get out through the bars. - -“I remember well the year 1889,” he continued, “because then the -question of electrocuting, instead of hanging, prisoners condemned to -die came up. A party of scientists came on to our winter quarters and -conducted a series of electrical experiments upon the animals. Mr. -Bailey placed the entire menagerie at the service of the scientists, -and twenty of us keepers assisted in the work. The instruments employed -were a powerful battery of forty-two Leclanche cells and a resistance -box of one hundred thousand ohms. The experiments began at eleven -o’clock in the morning and continued until nightfall. - -“The first animal experimented with was a savage baboon, which fought -furiously before he was tied. He bit one keeper severely and tore the -clothing off another. A sponge, that was used as the end of one wire, -was forced into his mouth. A second sponge was fastened on one of -his paws. A current of two cells was then passed through the simian -and was promptly resented by a fierce attempt to break his bonds and -escape. The baboon’s irritation increased with the current until -twenty-eight cells had been used. When forty cells had been used, the -animal became lethargic and almost comatose, looking for all the world -like a man overcome by strong drink. The highest point of resistance -was eight thousand ohms, a surprisingly large figure. When finally -released, the baboon became wild with rage and attacked the nearest -keeper, inflicting a dozen scratches on him. A tame seal was next -operated on. It allowed the experts to fasten one roll of copper wire -around its neck and a second around its tail flippers. The moment -the current was applied it snapped viciously in every direction. The -savants sprang right and left, upsetting chairs and writing materials -in their haste to get out of reach. When the current was increased the -seal gnawed at the wires and succeeded in disengaging itself from both. -The resistance could not be ascertained on account of its wet coat -acting as a conductor to the electric fluid. - -“The gnu or horned horse, did not take kindly to science. When one of -the savants entered its cage it attacked him so savagely, that three -keepers were obliged to go to his assistance. The animal showed a -resistance of eleven thousand ohms and seemed paralyzed the moment the -current was turned on. The small monkeys behaved very much like little -children. The moment they felt the current they screamed and seemed to -be undergoing agony. When the wires were removed, they appeared puzzled -and three of them took up the electrodes as if to study them. A large -blue monkey was so interested that when released he seized the large -sponge and began to tear it apart as if to see what it contained that -hurt him so. The monkeys offered a resistance of from five thousand to -seven thousand ohms. The hippopotamus and sea lion took the full force -of the current without wincing; but a dog, after having a moderate -current passed through his brain, showed signs of hydrophobia and had -to be killed. The wild carnivora showed much sensitiveness to the -electric current, manifesting every symptom of rage and distress when -only a single cell was employed. A wolf to which a mild current was -applied, stood upon its haunches and cried piteously. - -“But the elephants proved the star attractions. They actually enjoyed -the sensation in every instance, except when a strong current was -passed through the trunk. When only a few cells were employed, the huge -beasts did not seem to observe the fact, but when the full battery was -employed, they rubbed their legs together, caressed savant and keeper -alike and squealed their pleasure. No odder sight was ever seen than -an elephant with mouth wide open, with one scientist holding a sponge -to the huge tongue and a second another to the root of his tail, and -manifesting every sign of glee. - -“The manner in which animals endure pain always awakens our sympathies. -Horses in battle are a striking example of power of endurance and -unyielding courage. After the first stinging pain of the wound, they -make no sound, but bear their agony with mute, wondering endurance. -Elephants also suffer agonies without flinching. When they are shot in -a vital spot they sink down on the ground with a low cry, and silently -pass away. A dog will go for days with a broken leg without complaint, -and a wounded cat will crawl to some quiet place and brood silently -over agonies which humans could not endure. A stricken deer will go to -some thick wood and there in pitiful submission await the end. Lions, -tigers and other beasts will do the same. Seldom do they give utterance -to cries of pain. Cattle will meet the thrust of the butcher’s knife -without a sound, and a wild dove, with shot from a hunter’s gun burning -in its tender flesh, will fly to some high bough or lie on the ground -to die, and no sound will be heard save the dripping of its life blood -upon the leaves. The eagle, stricken high in air, will struggle to the -last, but there will be no sound of pain, and the proud defiant look -will not leave the eyes until the lids close over them and shut out the -sunlight they love so well.” - -Sunday is fast-day in the menagerie tent, and every occupant, caged -or uncaged, knows when the day arrives. When the week-day feeding -hour--five o’clock in the afternoon--approaches, not one of the animals -betrays the feeling of eager desire on Sunday which characterizes them -all the other six days. They understand instinctively that there will -be no meal. Then on Monday the “cat” animals begin to pace their cages -nervously and peer through the bars awaiting the coming of the keepers. -They are well aware that liver, which they relish keenly and which -keeps them in good physical condition, will be the food. The Sunday -abstinence is deemed by the trainers an aid to good health, as copying -to some extent the habit of beasts in their native haunts, where food -is not obtainable every day. There is little sickness in the menagerie. -The animals are studied closely and given assiduous attention if the -slightest indisposition is manifested. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -LIFE WITH THE PERFORMERS - - -The art of seating the audience in the big tent plays a prominent part -in the receipts of the day. “Fill the highest rows first,” is the -instruction forced upon each usher, and censure or dismissal is the -penalty of disobedience. By skilful and systematic arrangement of the -crowds, it is possible to utilize every inch of seating space in the -vast enclosure. Indifferent or careless performance of the duty leaves -the tent, to the casual observer, packed to completion, but in reality -here and there are spots not occupied. Hence all ingenuity must be -brought to bear to prevent this condition and its consequent financial -loss, for the sale of tickets stops when no more seats are available. -Sometimes a prosperous day has not been confidently expected and the -management orders a four- instead of the usual five-centre-pole tent -raised. The difference in seating capacity is several hundred. Then, -but not often, for circus foresight is keen, people flock to the lot in -thousands and there is no room for their accommodation. The owner is -shame and mortification personified. - -On the hippodrome track one of the clowns, clad in sober black and -looking to be all he represents, waits with imitation camera and -tripod for victims. He is an experienced master of human nature. -With exaggerated politeness and scrupulous care of detail he poses -unsuspecting new-comers, to the boisterous amusement of those already -seated. Sweethearts stand in affectionate attitude, mightily pleased -and unsuspecting, while he pretends to impress their likeness upon -photographic plates. Sometimes he turns their faces from him, tells -them not to move until instructed, and then moves quietly away. Very -infrequently they take the joke seriously. When anger and retaliation -are manifested, he is agile enough to escape punishment. - -A boy sings on the topmost seats. His voice is powerful, but pure and -sweet, and the tent is filled with the sounds of approval when he -finishes. The musical director discovered him in Rochester, N. Y., and -has great hopes for his professional future. - -The military band is discoursing popular selections, and the equestrian -director makes a last critical survey of the network of suspended bars, -trapezes, rings, perches and wires. Finishing touches are being added -to the “loop-the-loop” apparatus. A score of men have been putting it -together since early morning. Now the band is at the dressing-room exit -and the cornet sounds a melodious call. The inaugural tournament is -on, comprising, the press agent is telling his guests, “spectacular -pageantry, zoologic, equestric, hippodromatic and aerial elements, -indicative of the limitless resources of this colossal consolidation of -circus chieftains, collection of celebrities and congress of champions; -a comprehensive, kaleidoscopic and illustrative review upon the ellipse -of the hippodrome, upon the two stages and in the three rings.” - -Then the clowns’ carol, the herds of trained elephants and the circus -performance that is familiar to the young and old. The ringmaster’s -whip cracks merrily; ponies and dogs show the results of patient -teaching; slack wire equilibrists, head balancers and daring horizontal -bar heroes are innumerable; there are graceful flights upon flying -trapeze and swinging rings; living classic statuary pleases the eye; -hurdle riding, a hazardous form of equestrianism, gives the audience -a thrill; prancing thoroughbreds engage in a cakewalk, and the -clowns burlesque it; a crowd of acrobats and jugglers fill the rings -simultaneously, while a septette of men and women engage in fancy and -trick bicycle riding, and the most intrepid wheelman rides down a -ladder which stretches to the dome of the canvas; a performing bear -shows almost human intelligence, and some one dressed like a monster -rooster evokes general mirth; a young man, standing on the pedals of -a single wheel with no support save his nerve, makes his perilous -journey up and down a spiral arrangement, which has a curious effect -upon the snare drum; an eighteen-year-old girl turns somersaults upon a -moving white horse’s back, and the onlookers read that she is the only -one of her sex accomplishing the feat. - -So the show progresses to the rushing hippodrome races, contests -between women on fiery thoroughbreds, double standing Roman bareback -races, tandem hurdle races, jockey races, pony races with monkey -jockeys, clowns in comical competition, and the breath-taking chariot -race. It is now that the country crowd perhaps gets a thrill that -is denied the New York city audience. In Madison Square Garden the -hippodrome track is dry and firm and smooth and true. The country -course offers none of these conditions. No time is granted to make it -perfect. And so it is that sometimes there is a wild cry from rider or -driver, a confused heap of hoofs, legs, wheels and dust, breathless -silence from the thousands of onlookers and then, generally, a loud -burst of applause as horse and human struggle to their feet, not -seriously damaged. The danger of disaster is especially great when -the four fleet horses are dashing with the heavy, low Roman chariots. -Great skill is required to prevent collision or collapse on the -abrupt course; and rough, uneven grounds make serious strain upon the -vehicle. The accidents seldom have disastrous endings. I remember -vividly when an axle broke in a Pennsylvania town. The woman driver -jumped and escaped with a sprained wrist. The band instantly stopped -its thumping. The horses, racing madly and unguided to the finish post -came to an abrupt standstill. The audience, on a verge of a panic, -resumed their seats, marvelling. They did not understand, that as a -precautionary measure against just such accidents, the fiery animals -are trained to run with the music. They have been taught not to move -rapidly until the band begins and to stop whenever its melody ceases. - -It will be observed that the women who rush around the hippodrome -track in the jockey races ride in an opposite direction from that of -the other sex, and the reason is not apparent to the lay visitor. -The explanation is that thus their feet swing on the horse’s side -not exposed to the supporting quarter-pole, as would be the case did -they follow the course of the men. Disregard of this precautionary -measure has resulted in serious injury in many circuses, for the circus -woman makes light of danger in many forms which would appall her -unprofessional sister. The natural route is the men’s, and she would -take it every time did the equestrian director permit. - -[Illustration: RING “STARS” LINED UP FOR INSPECTION.] - -Of course, most skilled performers “stall.” That is, in the execution -of a particularly dangerous or difficult feat, they pretend to -barely escape a serious fall or make an unsuccessful attempt at -accomplishment. It gives the audience an exaggerated idea of the -extreme peril or difficulty of the undertaking, and ensures an outburst -of applause when finally triumphantly done. It is a sidelight on the -mild vanity of the circus man, but incidentally serves a commercial -purpose, for he knows that public approval carries with it renewal of -engagement at no smaller salary. - -Nearly all on the list of circus performances have inherited their -strength and skill. They have been literally born to the arena. Some -of them represent the third and fourth generations of famous circus -families. The boys and girls of our circus, comprising two tiny concert -dancers, a smart young bicycle rider, several acrobats and gymnasts and -two Japanese boys, are a modest, healthy, honest party of playmates -whose parents find time each day to hear lessons and give advice in -manners and morals. They are “chums” in all the word implies, and an -occasional clash with words or fists always ends without the call for -parental adjustment and serves to cement the juvenile friendship. Of -young men and women, those who have not yet reached their majorities, -we have half a dozen, all of whom have conspicuous parts in the show. -One of the girls, a skilled acrobat, took up riding recently and bids -fair to achieve fame, the veterans say. The act does not interfere with -her other performance and she is in receipt of a handsome income. The -most finished tumbler among the lads is a boy who also participates in -a wire-walking act. In this performance he is disguised as a girl, for -the feminine sex always lends interest to any feat. The deception is -perfect, but it was very annoying to the management and embarrassing to -the youth when his blonde wig dropped off one afternoon and he stood -revealed in his masculinity. So it is with a “family” who do a graceful -and dangerous aerial act. The youngest member of the troupe is a boy, -although appearance indicates the other sex. They are both eagerly -biding the time when age will do away with the disguise. - -The training of these children begins almost at birth. Indeed, in -the vast majority of cases there is the powerful effect of heredity, -which exercises an influence upon the child and helps it to overcome -obstacles to others well-nigh impossible. The chief effort is to create -courage and daring, to develop those qualities where they already -exist. The lungs are expanded and broadened by hearty exercise, and -the muscles are hardened and developed by athletic work. At the same -time it has been found by the modern gymnast that the body, to perform -this extraordinary work, must be well nourished. The necessity for a -clear head, a steady eye and unflinching hand requires that the brain -shall likewise be well nourished; so the education of the little pupils -is not neglected; indeed, many a gymnast has mental abilities often -lacking in the ordinary man. He has to understand some geometry and -mathematics, else how can he calculate the exact distance of a jump, a -fall, a somersault? He very often is the inventor of his own apparatus -and this has to be exact in shape, size and strength. The suppleness -of the limbs and joints comes from long practice, not, as is usually -thought, from straining the soft joints of a child. The result of such -straining would be weakness, not strength. Only those whose business -it is know or understand what can be done with those joints, how much -strain they will bear and which will endure the greatest strain. When -to hold on and when to let go are important items, too, in an acrobat’s -training. These can be learned only when young. It is natural for a -child to “catch at something” when it thinks it is falling. It must be -taught to do the catching only at precisely the right moment, and to -turn at the instant when required. - -In these days, the net is an element of safety in all mid-air feats. -But so fearless and confident do gymnasts become that they hardly know -and certainly do not notice whether it is in place. There is a piece of -apparatus largely used among circus riders when training or learning -new feats called the “mecanique.” It consists of a belt, which goes -around the waist of the performer, to which is attached a strong, -elastic rope, which is again fastened to a wooden, gibbet-like arm. -The tyro knows that he cannot possibly fall beyond the length of the -rope and that, therefore, no matter how many times he fails, he cannot -by any possibility come to physical grief. The use of this machine -is deprecated by some performers as reducing the nerve training to -a minimum. It is, however, in great favor with all whose nerves are -already steadied by experience and who are trying new tricks. In the -case of women and children the “mecanique” is very frequently employed. - -There is no phase of work that requires more patient and faithful -study, more steadiness of nerve or a greater command of the muscles -than feats of balancing on trapeze, rings and slack wire. To balance -well, one must be systematically developed, and each muscle must be -ready to act instantly and do its work with certainty. The legs must be -strong and firm to sustain the body in its various poses. The back must -be sinewy, so that the recovery may be made quickly and the upright -maintained without a chance of failure, and the arms and hands must be -hard and strong; for when a man, falling from a trapeze, grasps at the -bar, he must catch it and hold to it if he desires to emerge unhurt. -Balancing on the slack wire is essentially different from trapeze -balancing. On the slack wire the balance must be kept by working the -body from the waist down, and is mainly done with the legs. It is the -reverse on the trapeze, where the legs must be kept rigid and the -balance worked from the leg up. The slack wire is harder to learn at -first than the trapeze, as it is radically different from a person’s -natural balance, which is kept more with the arms and body and less -with the legs. - -The triple somersault has slain its scores, yet as long as men tumble -over elephants in the circus, and as long as springboards are made, the -acrobats will be trying to accomplish this most difficult of feats. -There have been acrobats who have done it. They are dead now. They -were carried out of the ring to a hospital immediately thereafter, -and lived for the various periods of from one to three days. There -have been men who have asserted that they can turn the triple. They -are generally the acrobats who have left the circus ring forever and -are devoting the last years of their lives to the sale of cigars or -some other stirring occupation. The men who have followed the circus -all their lives say that no man has ever turned the triple from a -springboard and lived to boast of his triumph. The triple somersault is -done from a flying trapeze, but it is simply a series of revolutions -in the air as the performer drops. Even then it should be called two -and a half revolutions, for the acrobat falls on his back in a net and -depends upon the rebound to hurl him to his feet. He can make these -two revolutions and a half from a springboard, sometimes, with the -difference that nine hundred and ninety-nine times out of a thousand -he alights on his head or on the back of his neck which brings instant -death. A man who even falls that way in a net is a subject for the -coroner. - -It is circus tradition that in 1842, when even the double somersault -was deemed a difficult and dangerous feat, a performer tried the triple -turn. It happened in Mobile, Alabama, and the rash acrobat broke his -neck. W. J. Hobbes, a tumbler, was killed attempting the trick in -London four years later. John Amor, a Pennsylvania circus leaper, who -was a famous double somersault revolver, paid with his life for his -ambition in 1859. He was travelling with an English circus, essayed the -death-dealing act, struck on his forehead and died. - -The somersault, whether it be single or double, is a feat which -requires the most assiduous practice and the most accurate calculation. -The first thing which the tumbler learns is to jump from a springboard. -The sensation of springing through the air is an uncanny one. Next is -the “stock” somersault, which consists of merely springing up in the -air and slowly, and with practically no muscular exertion, turning -over. The motion is so slow that the spectators hardly realize that -the man has revolved. Then begins the drill for the real somersault. -The acrobat learns the “tuck,” which consists of grasping both -legs tightly half way between the knee and ankle and pressing them -closely together. At the same time the acrobat puts the muscles of his -shoulders and back into play. This muscular force acts like the balance -weight of the wheel. It aids him to complete the revolution. The taking -of the “tuck” requires the nicest calculation. The acrobat must wait -until he has sprung as far in the air as the force of the springboard -or his legs will carry him. If he “tucks” too soon he will fall like a -coffee sack. If he waits until too late he finds himself cast, a human -wheel at a dead centre. He is likely to have broken bones in either -case in spite of carpet or mattress. The double somersault requires -more muscular force. The trained acrobat knows exactly where he is at -every point in the revolution. He has a strange sense which makes him -feel it. It is when he summons his almost exhausted energies for a -third turn that he feels like a ship without a rudder. Harry Costello, -Wm. Kinkead, John Armstrong, Arthur Mohring, and “Little Bob” Hanlon, -well-known circus performers, have broken their necks and died in -executing the double somersault within a score of years. - -The dressing-rooms--the “green room” of the circus--are as convenient -to the centre of the tent as the topography of the lot will permit. -Passing through the canvas connection, the women of the show enter -quarters to the left and the men’s accommodations are on the other -side. Between, stand the horses and wagons and other “property” which -for various reasons cannot be stored near the rings. Very cosy and -comfortable are the two canvas compartments, although room is at a -premium. Trunks replace chairs, and mirrors are of a dimension to -discourage vanity. The process of “making up” is a laborious, and -tedious undertaking, but accepted as one of the conditions which are -unavoidable. Of cold water there is a plenty, and soap and towels -abound. Naphtha lights furnish illumination. Electric experiments have -never been successful. - -The music of the band furnishes the circus man’s cue. He knows by -its brazen notes when to leave the dressing-room for the ring. If -the musical director changes an air, the dressing-room inmates must -be thoroughly informed to avoid delay and confusion. No performer -is permitted to leave until the entire show is over. The danger of -accident in the ring is never absent, and as many do several “turns” -others must be ready if one becomes incapacitated. When the nights grow -cold in the early and late season, the chill air which penetrates the -canvas would drive any but the hardy circus folk to a sick-bed. Their -trained systems are equal to all demands the elements put forward, -however, and a cough or a cold are almost unknown. A miserable enough -place it is when the rain falls freely. Scant as is the dressing-room -protection, the journey to and from the rings is infinitely worse. -Performers return to their trunks wet in the feet and generally -bestrewed with drops from the head down. Pretty costumes are spotted -and the effect is very depressing. There is peril to life and limb, -too, when bars and trapezes and rings and other apparatus becomes -drenched. Hands may slip, feet may not hold, a horse may stumble, -and there are numberless other chances of misfortune. The equestrian -director decides whether or not the possibility of disaster is too -great for the act. If he deems the risk not too venturesome, the -performer accepts cheerfully, no matter what is his own conviction. -Sometimes he enters upon the duty with grim forebodings as to the -outcome, for he appreciates that perhaps the director, in his desire -not to disappoint the audience, has imposed a critical undertaking. -The circus concert offers opportunity for a display of talents other -than those presented in the ring. Many performers with nimble foot or -tuneful voice add to their incomes by this extra work. - -Circus performers are persons of large and unwearied charity and -compassion. No comrade is deserted in affliction or distress. -Contributions of money and sympathy flow in upon him, and none fails to -subscribe. If the situation requires more money than one circus is able -to provide, word of the need is sent to friends with other similar -organizations and there is always prompt and ready response. I know of -a dozen invalids who are to-day being supported solely by the liberal -benevolence of comrades. - -Two benevolent societies are with the Barnum & Bailey circus, the -B.O.S.S. and the Tigers. Each makes a weekly collection from the -members and pays $15.00 weekly to the sick or disabled. Last year -$9,000 was collected and $8,000 disbursed. The balances remained in the -treasurers’ hands for this year. - -Many of the people of the circus accumulate competences after a few -years’ work, and there is no reason why all who live prudently should -not soon be financially independent. Their expenses of travel, board -and bed are all borne by the management, and other requirements of -a circus campaign are few and small. It is a common practice with -some to draw only a small share of their salaries each week. The -accumulated balance awaits them in the money wagon at the close of -the season. Then, there is the “mother” of the circus with whom many -of the unmarried men and the boys deposit a weekly stipend. No plea, -however piteous, will force her to disgorge, they know, until the last -stand has been played. Then the amassed wealth is handed to them with a -parting kindly injunction to be moderate through the winter and return -next year with as much unspent as consistent. This interest in his -welfare has started many a circus man on the road to prosperity and -fortune. - -The “mother” is one of the most interesting characters of the -circus. Her life is devoted particularly to the welfare of the woman -performers under tents. Her official duty is as matron of the women’s -dressing-room. She it is who supervises their wardrobe, mends sudden -breaches in the tarlatan and bespangled skirts and cares for her -charges in case of illness or accident. Should an equestrienne fall -from her horse, it is the “circus mother” who brings the cup of black -coffee, which is the only stimulant ever given to gymnasts and acrobats -in such an emergency. - -At night, after the performance, she presides over the performers’ -luncheon of sandwiches and tea, which the circus women enjoy in the -sleeping car. In short, she is a general chaperon, hospital nurse, -friend and counsellor in one. Our “mother’s” long experience in circus -life has made her familiar with every detail of the business and she -knows what to do, without any prompting, whenever any emergency arises. -Men and women alike come to her with the petty troubles that are bound -to occur in the uncertain and strenuous existence they lead. She is -cheery, sympathetic or admonitory as the occasion may require, and no -one leaves her presence without being the better for having come into -contact with the motherly matron. It is an axiom among circus people -that the good-will of the “mother” is equivalent to lasting favor with -the management, and that to incur her ill-will is to stand an imminent -risk of losing an engagement. - -A large part of her duty is the care of the circus wardrobe, and during -the winter she devotes her entire time to it. With her deft fingers and -the judicious use of naphtha she makes old circus costumes look like -new. Trappings which are worn by the animals in the grand entry are all -made by the “mother” and her assistants during the idle winter season. -She is as expert at cutting a pattern for the costumes of the animals -as a Fifth avenue modiste is at cutting those for her smart clientele. -She is, in short, the Worth of circusland. Although nearly sixty years -old, she is as lively as a woman half her age. - -The domestic instinct is very strong among the circus women for the -reason that they are deprived of home life, a great part of every year. -It finds an outlet in many little ways, one of which is an appeal to -the chef in charge of the dining car to be allowed to bake a cake. If -he is in a mood to give them permission they are pleased as children, -and begin a hunt for eggs and milk. The train may be standing just -outside of some village, and they run out and buy the things and come -back and cook as though it were the greatest fun in the world. When -their cake or pie is done, it is passed through the car, and no matter -how small it may be, there is always a bit for everyone. Sometimes the -cook is ill-tempered and won’t let them fuss around, but that doesn’t -always stop them. It isn’t at all unusual for them to go to one of the -houses along near the track and ask the woman who lives there to let -them use her kitchen. Almost always they get permission and afterwards -pay for it. - -They sew, too, and many do exceedingly pretty fancy work. They don’t -have to keep their circus clothes in order. The “circus mother” does -that, but they do all the mending of personal garments, and besides -keep some sort of pickup work on hand. There isn’t a home of a circus -woman that is not furnished with the covers of some sort she has made -during the season. One seldom sees a circus woman in a city after the -season is over. She flees from it. She detests the noise and bustle, -and, almost without exception, they all live in little country towns, -where they practise during the winter, go early to bed and are in fine -condition when the season opens. - -I know that it is a common thing to believe that a circus woman has -no modesty, but the impression is a mistaken one. She can dress as -she does and perform, and still be a perfectly good, pure woman. -That is because no town has any identity to her, nor any person any -individuality. It makes no difference to her whether the show is in New -York City or Kalamazoo. There is simply a performance to be given, and -she is not playing to any one person. There is no “he” in the audience -who may be attracted to take her out to supper afterwards. He wouldn’t -have the chance to speak to her, if he wanted to, and if she seems to -him an earth-born fairy, she never knows it. No women could live more -protected lives. The performance isn’t over until eleven o’clock, and -all must be in the cars of the circus train by midnight, when the cars -are usually locked for the night; and when one remembers that a circus -woman is almost invariably married, and that her husband is with her, -it can be appreciated that the moral standard of the profession is -high. Most of the circus women support families, and their leisure -between performances is spent in sewing--perhaps garments for younger -children at home, or, as a matter of economy, for themselves; for they -save every possible penny, finding incentive and practical aid in the -fact that they need not consider the expense of living in the necessary -outlay. - -After the night performance, they return to their private cars, which -are by that time prepared to start for another town as soon as the -tents and other paraphernalia are aboard. Week after week of this -routine, as regularly carried out as the work of a factory, requires -physical stamina as well as the actual gymnastic or acrobatic circus -faculty, for which a clear brain is the most requisite. These things -are not maintained except by regular living. The motto of the circus -acrobat, therefore, might be “plain living and high jumping.” Beneath -the white canvas, as under the brick and iron of city office buildings, -there is no room for those who complain. “Headaches” and similar -excuses for a non-appearance must for disciplinary reasons be frowned -upon by the equestrian director--the stage manager of the circus. It is -the “circus mother” who pleads with him to excuse the women who are not -able to appear. She it is to whom they go with griefs and complaints -and upon whose sympathy in their concern they may rely. - -Frivolity, even in the innocuous guise of a waiting maid, is -discouraged in circus life, and no woman performer, be she ever so -celebrated, is allowed to carry a handmaiden to aid in dressing her. -“No room for ’em,” is the terse but eloquent excuse of the management. - -Circuses of the better class look after the welfare of their woman -performers with a surprising regard to detail. They are provided with a -special car in which they live while on the road, except when the show -plays a three-night or week’s stand; in that case they are quartered -in a hotel. How very comfortable their travelling quarters may be they -are nevertheless pleased when an opportunity is had to spend a few -days in a room which affords sufficient space to allow of unpacking -and repacking trunks, for in one-night stands the trunk containing -personal belongings is never moved except from car to lot. Woman riders -frequently own their own horses. It is indeed considered a breach of -circus etiquette, or more particularly speaking a lowering of one’s -“caste” to be content to ride an animal owned by some one else. The -sharp little vibrant “clucks,” with which the equestrienne commands -her horse in the ring, are “cues” which he understands as well as he -does the swaying of the ringmaster’s whip from left to right, or the -pressure of his rider’s satin slipper. Each of these is a suggestion to -his memory that brings instant response in some change of movement. - -The disadvantage under which a circus woman “makes up” would drive an -actress to despair. She sits upon a small stool before the stationary -mirror in the upraised lid of the trunk, and “makes up” as best she -can in the big dressing tent. There are perhaps thirty other women in -the tent, and a wardrobe mistress in charge, prepared to mend suddenly -acquired rents in emergencies. The use of alcohol for spirit lamps is -not allowed unless with a special permit from the “mother.” Many of -the woman acrobats, gymnasts and jugglers are foreign. They have homes -abroad, perhaps, and work industriously in leisure hours to beautify -them. One woman who travelled last season with us completed during -the tour an entire bed set of renaissance lace, cover and pillow -shams. This same woman who is one of a troupe of acrobats, when twitted -for her “stinginess,” was wont to reply: “Well, it is another brick in -my house--very dollar I save.” She was buying a home for her mother and -sister. - -[Illustration: PRACTISING TRICKS IN THE OPEN.] - -Any one who witnesses the performance of these professional female -athletes must marvel at the strength, skill and endurance that a woman -is capable of. There are on both sides of the Atlantic more than two -thousand women who earn their living in this way, and of these nearly -one half are found in America. They like the West best; for they tell -you the Westerner is the most ardent admirer of muscle and nerve as -displayed by the gentler sex. The women like their business. They have -no special dietary. They eat when they feel like it; eat heartily, too, -and of anything they crave. Their remuneration varies from fifty to one -hundred and fifty dollars a week. The best of them and, of course, the -few, command the latter sum. - -A woman performer with whom I talked one afternoon gave it as her -opinion that women are more proficient as animal trainers than men. She -said: “One need not seek far for a reason for this. In the first place, -women are more patient, and it is quite a mistaken idea to suppose -that rough methods are necessary in training animals. One sees many -more woman animal trainers abroad than in this country, but a number -of them have been celebrated in the United States. I think it is the -mother instinct in women which enables them to command the obedience of -animals. It is a well-known fact among circus people that monkeys are -particularly fond of women. Horses, too, are readily trained by women. - -“Some years ago I trained successfully a number of sheep, supposedly -the stupidest of animals. I cannot say that I found them overweaningly -intelligent, but with much patience, the virtue which I insist makes -a woman capable as an animal trainer, I succeeded in teaching them -a series of tricks both original and clever, such as are usually -performed by a dog circus. Dogs and horses have the best memories, -though some trainers contend that the elephant has. A dog or horse will -respond to a nod or the slightest swaying motion of a whip from side to -side. Elephants, being more ponderous of body, naturally require more -time to train.” - -Few people distinguish between the gymnasts and acrobats of a circus, -yet there is a distinction with a decided difference. The acrobat is -he who tumbles and turns somersaults, and usually “starts the show” by -running from a springboard and jumping over the wide backs of elephants -in line. The gymnast is an aerial artist, and his work has little in -common with that of the other performer. Some people, according to -an authority on circus matters, are born with a balance. Presence of -mind has not only to be a habit but an exact science, as it were, with -the man or woman performer who would master the art of the flying -ring. This is one of the reasons for the abstemiousness of the circus -fraternity. No drugs or alcohol are permitted inside the circus tent. -This is a law the violation of which means inevitable dismissal for any -performer. Perhaps the very obvious necessity for its enforcement is at -the same time the reason why it is so seldom broken. Performers must -needs be springy of step, clear of head, keen of eye and sound of liver. - -Perhaps few in a circus audience who have many times admired the -graceful gesticulations of the tight rope and slack rope walkers -realize the utility of the small Japanese umbrella which they wield -with apparently careless grace. As a matter of fact, the umbrella and -other paraphernalia thrown to them by the attendants and which they -manipulate for no apparent reason save that of adding effectiveness to -the act, are in reality used for balancing purposes. Many a wire walker -has been saved from perhaps fatal accident by a dexterous swerving of -the light parasol from right to left, readjusting the balance just in -the nick of time. - -Most of the circuses abroad are enclosed indoor affairs, and as the -buildings in which such attractions are seen are of much greater height -than anything we have in this country, the opportunity for daring -gymnastic acts is far greater than here. At the Crystal Palace, the -Olympia and the Royal Aquarium and also at the Alhambra, many feats -are performed which it would be impossible to duplicate here. Children -are oftener seen as acrobats and gymnasts in the old country than in -America. They begin to train as early as three years of age and many -tots of six and seven are wonderfully accomplished circus performers, -in lands where the Children’s Society holds not sway. These children -are in many instances apprenticed out to old performers who train them, -and are repaid in return by their services for a certain number of -years. - -Few of the members of the so-called acrobatic families bear any -individual relationship to one another, and the name taken by the -troupe is usually that of the trainer or leading acrobat. - -Of late years costumes for acrobats have changed considerably. It used -to be the fashion to wear tights and blouses which would be as little -impedimental as possible to the free swing of the body. Now, however, -the latest acrobatic actors imported from Europe are affecting evening -dress, the women in decollete gowns, full-skirted, and the men in -the black and white habiliments prescribed by convention for dress -occasions. Needless to say it is much more difficult for both men and -women to perform acrobatic feats thus attired, but the fashions of the -circus world like those of society are inexorable. - -Nothing could be more incongruous than the devotion existing between -our French animal trainer and his performing grizzly bear. The -animal is the largest of the bear species and the most powerful and -formidable, yet this owner has taught his specimen gentleness and good -manners. He is its constant companion and attendant. Its long and -shaggy brown coat is brushed and combed at frequent intervals, and food -is proffered in bare outstretched hands. It obeys commands with all the -sagacity of a well-trained dog and gives an exhibition of wrestling, -pugilism and other difficult displays which interest and amuse. Its -enormous paws and long sharp claws are a menace against which pads -and gloves sometimes avail nothing and the foreigner is ever a sorely -wounded person. Bruin has been elevated to a state of intelligence -which seems to give him keen enjoyment of bear humor. Thus it is that -the circus folks declare that whenever the beast slaps or hugs its -human friend with unusual violence, great glee is depicted in every -characteristic. No matter how the resentful trainer exerts himself, he -cannot retaliate with any effect. The sight of the Frenchman chattering -angrily at the unconcerned furry humorist after their performance is a -weekly source of merriment in the menagerie tent. - -The “rooster man” is one of the novelties of the show and of the -dressing-room. He is an Englishman who costumes himself like a -monstrous fighting cock, gaffed and ready for the fray, and astonishes -the audience with an exhibition in which an audacious little natural -game cock participates. It concludes with a battle between the -pseudo and the genuine bird in which the one engages eagerly and is -impressed with an exultant, strutting conviction of victory when -its huge antagonist flops fluttering to the ground. The diversion -is as entertaining as any in the sawdust precincts and to the show -persons the most remarkable for patience in training and endurance in -execution. How little the onlookers imagine that after the act the -human rooster frequently drops in a state of collapse and exhaustion! -The feathers which envelop him are of necessity fastened to stiff and -smothering supports, and their encumbering weight on a hot day is -tremendous. This is one of the secrets of the arena which probably no -one who has witnessed the unique performance ever divined. - -For intrepid bravery and wild exploits I doubt if the equal of the -trick bicyclist can be found. In the parade, the chances of injury -he gleefully assumes fill the sightseer with horror and dread. Under -the canvas the greater the risk the more enjoyment it accords him. -He rides, in one exhibition, down an ordinary ladder which stretches -to the dome of the tent. Down the smooth rungs he dashes, like a -spectral flash, and his comrades wonder what the final end will be. -Nothing can prevent the feat. When wet weather makes other performers -hesitate or they are directed not to try their acts, he mounts merrily -to his perch and trusts to luck and skill. Water drips from the -apparatus and his mad flight seems impossible of safe accomplishment. -He emerges unscathed. He is, too, the dare-devil of the “cycle whirl,” -a cup-shaped apparatus made of wooden slats. He has four companions, -but the neck-breaking scorching is delegated to him. Around the -inclined track he rushes, with hands spread out and arms upraised, the -contrivance shivering and rattling. Faster and yet faster he whizzes -until he no longer looks like a man on a bicycle; he is a blurred line -drawn around the track. Within an inch of the rim and disaster, down -the drop to the very edge of the floor he rumbles with no power of -guidance over his machine save his wonderful balance, and spectators -catch their breath. Then a wild jump and he is bowing and smiling in -the centre of the cup. - -The invention of new acts engages the attention of acrobats and -gymnasts most of the winter. Many of them rehearse in the gymnasiums of -large cities, although aerial performers have difficulty in finding -sufficiently ample quarters. They tell, in dressing-room conversation, -of many queer experiences with the flabby-muscled, hollow-chested men -who seek their aid and advice to attain better physical condition, and -find much amusement in relating their observation of methods employed -in this effort. A very rich weakling who patronizes one of the New York -city gymnasiums is a never-ending source of hilarious reminiscence. He -is ridiculous in all his body-building plans, but firm in his belief in -their efficacy. One of his practices is to run for hours with a bag of -shot tied to his head. He has persuaded himself that it will develop -and strengthen his chest! - -It is in the knees that the evidences of age first manifest themselves -in the acrobats. The strain on this part of the body is always -intense. Suddenly the veteran finds accustomed life and spring have -left them. Then he knows the end of his active career has come. Many -of these men, barred physically from somersaults and the like, become -“understanders,” that is, they are the members of troupes who catch and -support their twisting comrades who alight on shoulder or ground. Their -strength is still in shoulder and arm, but agility is a wistful memory. - -Circus rehearsals are delayed until two or three days before the -formal opening, which affords ample time for guaranteeing a smooth -performance. The reason that no more preliminary time is required -is due to the fact that each performer appears for the season’s work -perfect in his individual act. There remains only the necessity for -blending into a harmonious whole. Minor details are speedily adjusted -by the equestrian director. The celerity with which intelligent order -is evolved from chaos is amazing to the inexperienced observer. - -The pretty and pleasant and picturesque part of daily life under canvas -comes after the substantial meal at five o’clock, when for two hours -there is rest for all save the hard worked side-show establishment. -The woman performers, busy with fancy work and sewing; the men talking -over the gossip of the ring; the children playing among themselves, and -with the pet ponies, form a charming picture on the greensward back of -the tents. Down from the southern hills steals the softly descending -darkness, swift shadows move through the lingering twilight across the -big tent and hang about the lot, and color comes into the white moon -above. A breeze, long desired and grateful, sweeps through the place. -Naphtha torches flare as the wind blows them about. Inside the “big -top,” the long stretches of seats barren of spectators, the equestrian -director is disciplining an obstinate “cake walking” horse; the cycle -sextet perfect a new pose; the clown is acting as ringmaster, while -his wife rehearses her riding act, and ten gymnasts in the high white -dome of the canvas plan more breath-taking aerial flights. Suddenly the -shrill shriek of a whistle, a scampering to dressing-rooms, ushers in -place and the evening audience pours into the seats. - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -NIGHT SCENES AND EMBARKATION - - -Active preparations for the departure from town begin with the setting -of the sun. When the naphtha torches spread their fluttering glow and -when the men in the ticket wagon lift up its end and are ready for the -evening sale, then canvasman, driver and porter swarm from the comfort -of hay couch or from idling group, and are ready for the night’s work. -Team horses feel again the weight of harness, and the march to the -railroad yards is on. Horse, cook, wardrobe, blacksmith, barber and -the other tents spread over the lot drop to earth, are quickly rolled -up and packed away. The sound of loading stakes, chains, ropes and -poles resounds through the premises. Heavy wagons are soon rumbling -through the streets and left convenient to the man at the cars. Then -the teamster, returning leisurely to the lot, finds his second vehicle -awaiting final transfer. - -Ten minutes after the performance has begun, there is a scattering of -the executive force at the main tent entrance and the canvasmen take -possession. The ropes and stakes holding in position the marquee and -menagerie tent are loosened, and the doorkeeper moves to the open fly -in the big tent, called the back door. The evening exhibition programme -is arranged with the view to finishing with the trained animals as -soon as possible that they may be placed safely away for the night. So -it is that the elephants, camels, zebra, ponies and other led animals -are off with measured tread for the cars before the show is well under -way. Then cages are closed, horses hitched, side walls lowered and -the caravan passes out into the night. The order “lower away!” rings -sharply, and the menagerie tent drops with a heavy puff and sigh. The -denuded centre poles follow it to the ground and, where a few hours -before was a white encampment is now a dark, bare area, rutted with -wheels, trodden by many feet and littered with peanut shells and -sawdust. Only the noisy “big top,” glowing like a mammoth mushroom, -and the side-show canvas, where the band thumps and the “barkers” roar -with tireless energy, remain to mark the spot. The work of stripping -the larger tent continues throughout the performance. As fast as a -performer finishes his act his appliance is deftly conveyed to a -waiting wagon. The entire arena has been divested of its maze and mass -of apparatus before the audience have reached the open. They stare in -amazement at the changed scene, as revealed in the lights and shadows -of the torches. So expeditious and so smooth has been the work of the -circus men that no knowledge of the magnitude of the accomplishment -was conveyed to the crowd inside. The side-show orators receive the -outgoing throng with renewed clamorings. To take this last advantage -and let no chance for profit escape, the tent has been kept open. The -inmates yawn with the weariness and monotony of it all and eagerly -await their last call to the front. Then begins a dash for the freedom -and privacy which has been denied them since morning. - -In the “big top” the concert band is fiddling valiantly and a woman in -skirts tries to raise her voice above the noise of falling wood and -stentorian command. Workmen are lugging the seats away, and tugging -at ropes and stakes. The side-walls peel off as the last spectator -emerges and performers hurry from their dressing-room. Then the thin -white cloth roof comes tumbling from above like a monster bird; the -encampment is no more. Through dark, deserted, silent streets the last -man and wagon make their way. Nothing is left behind in the hurried -leave taking. Everything large and small must be individually accounted -for by its custodian. - -At the railroad yards the blazing torches show a picturesque, animated -spectacle. Here again orderly precision prevails. The wagons are drawn -on to the cars by horses and a block and tackle, while a man guides the -course of the vehicle by its pole as it is passed to the far end of -the car. There is a “skid” or inclined plane at the end of the first -car, and an iron plate bridges the space between the other cars, making -a continuous platform. Each wagon has its number and allotted place -again, and is placed to the best advantage for convenience of unloading -and for utilizing space. A wrongly-packed vehicle would cause endless -confusion and delay. It is seldom later than one o’clock when the three -sections are on the move. Rain and mud annoy and retard, sometimes, -but extra efforts nullify, in a great measure, the effect of their -presence. Working-man and beast are slumbering deeply when the engines -couple for the journey, and only the watch-men, patrolling the long -stretches of cars, give sign of life and wakefulness. At one end of the -line of Pullman sleepers, where are placed the performers and members -of the business staff, is the most ornate piece of rolling stock, the -Thelma, named for the general manager’s daughter, a tot who is eagerly -awaiting her father’s winter cessation from toil. Here is a queer -little lunch room where gather each evening, for a bite, after the -show, the men and boys of the circus. An hour or two passes with much -laughter and jollity and with many innocent jokes, intermingled with -serious discussion. Ice-cream is the popular dish, and plateful after -plateful vanishes down dusty throats. The frozen mixture is a nightly -requisite of the body-weary circus colony. It is to them what the -night cap of liquor represents to the toper. No headache or clouded -brain or dulled body is its concomitant, only health-giving properties. -Strong drink is tabooed in the Thelma, as is its fate elsewhere with -the circus, and no demand for its presence has ever been manifested. -The scene is one the most approved moralist would endorse. - -[Illustration: PERFORMERS AT THEIR MIDDAY MEAL.] - -Hassan Ali, the giant of the side-show, is the most unwelcome -visitor. Room is at a premium, and he occupies about double space. -Somebody is always stepping on his protruding feet, to his intense -disgust, but to the ill-concealed amusement of the others. There is -a general feeling of impending disaster when Hassan is seen stooping -into the room. If his huge bulk doesn’t shatter a chair, his awkward -movements seldom fail to break a dish, crush a by-stander or scatter -food indiscriminately. Colonel Seely, the privilege man, grumbles -vigorously, and none of us are at ease until the giant has retired to -bed and the nightly ordeal is over. Through it all Hassan never loses -his temper or composure. His good nature knows no bounds. - -A veteran of the ring tells of railroad accidents and other circus -disasters and reverts to the days of P. T. Barnum. “That man certainly -had his troubles,” he observes. “His pecuniary catastrophes and fiery -ordeals would have utterly discouraged a man less stout-hearted than -he. Three times his museums were burned to the ground. The number -thirteen he always considered ominous, for the first of his buildings -was consumed on that day of the month, while the thirteenth day of -November saw the opening of the second establishment, which was -likewise subsequently destroyed by fire. On July 13, 1865, while he -was speaking in the Connecticut legislature at Hartford, the American -Museum was consumed. Nothing remained but the smouldering debris when -he arrived in New York. It had been probably the most attractive place -of resort and entertainment in the United States. Here were burned up -the accumulated results of many years of incessant toil in gathering -from every quarter of the globe myriads of curious productions of art -and nature. The indefatigable showman immediately began the erection of -new buildings at Nos. 535, 537 and 539 Broadway, New York, and started -a new chapter in his career. The place was levelled by flames in March, -1868, completely frustrating his plans for the future. The loss did not -disturb his tranquillity and he established a “museum, menagerie and -hippodrome” in Fourteenth street. Four weeks after the opening, it, -too, was ablaze and no effort could prevent its total loss. - -“Fire did not, either, confine its devouring presence to his -professional enterprises. On December 18, 1857, his home, ‘Iranistan,’ -at Bridgeport, became the prey of flames. His assignees sold the -grounds to Elias Howe, Jr., inventor of the sewing machine, for fifty -thousand dollars, which went toward satisfying the Barnum creditors, -for the showman was at that time in one of his periodical financial -difficulties, from which, however, he finally extricated himself. His -faculty for making money always successfully asserted itself. - -“I was in his employ for many years and wonder that I escaped alive. -I was in a dozen crashes on the railroad, and was in Bridgeport both -times the winter quarters were swept by flames. Fire first came in 1887 -and destroyed the main building. The white elephant and two others, -Alice and Sampson, were burned, and nearly all the other animals except -a rhinoceros, one lion and a white polar bear, perished. The blaze was -of incendiary origin, for the watchman told me he saw a man coming down -the outside stairs of the paint shop and a few moments later was struck -on the head from behind and knocked down. Immediately after, the fire -burst out and illuminated the horizon for miles around. The flames -spread so rapidly that the firemen could do nothing more than save the -adjoining buildings, cars and wagons. The rhinoceros made his escape -through a window but was so badly burned that he died. An elephant came -as far as the door of the building, then turned back into the flames. -Alice and Sampson also made an attempt to escape. One large lion ran -out into the yard and the spectators fled in all directions. It took -refuge behind a car and a policeman fired several shots into his body. -This partially disabled him and a keeper succeeded in caging him. Many -of the museum and menagerie curiosities were in the burned building and -were destroyed. One of the engines on the way to the fire was stopped -by a large elephant on the streets. There was a panic among the people -and they tumbled over each other trying to get out of the way. An -escaped tiger also caused a great commotion. The elephant trainer was -out of town and the other keepers were unable to quiet the frightened -animals. Thirty of the elephants and one large lion started across the -country in the direction of Fairfield and Easton, scattering the people -right and left. It was several days before they were all recaptured. - -“The other fire was in 1898 when Barnum was dead and the show was in -Europe. The loss was one hundred thousand dollars. We got most of the -animals stored there out safely. Fifty green horses, I remember, broke -from their stalls and ran mad through the streets. The townspeople were -pretty frightened, for they thought some of the wild beasts were loose.” - -The husband of “the mother of the circus” drops in for a sandwich. His -wife has retired, longing for the happiness of all and full of plans -to promote it. He has been twitting the unicycle performer because -the latter’s wonderful feat has been made almost insignificant by -comparison with the “loop-the-loop” accomplishment. The equilibrist -retorts that for next season he has arranged an act that will discount -anything ever seen under tent. He proposes to hoist the “cycle whirl” -apparatus thirty feet from the ground and ride on its track with -nothing between him and earth. There is a general protest that he -hasn’t the nerve or skill; but he smiles knowingly. - -The discussion turns to feats of agility; it is agreed that the tight -rope walker is the best tumbler with the show. The clown laments -because he hasn’t received the usual daily letter from the little woman -he married in New York in the spring. The equestrian director tells -of the circus as it used to be, and all enjoy his stories. One of the -trick bicyclist’s arms is in a sling; he had a bad fall during the -evening performance. The family of Italian acrobats jabber tirelessly -in the corner; they know nothing of our language, but their superior -skill commands a big salary. A somersault rider dashes in after a -sandwich for his wife, with whom he does a carrying act. The Japanese -juggler and his son retire together; they are never apart. There is -a laugh at the expense of the two horizontal bar performers who lost -their way in the sombre village streets and were an hour in finding -the car. A partial exodus begins when the word goes forth that the -first section is ready to move. Those whose berths are on one of the -other divisions bid good-night. So the scene and its actors shift. At -midnight or soon after, the Thelma lunch-room is deserted, save for the -busy porter. Dusty clothes and shoes that show inconsiderate treatment -occupy his time until the yawning cook appears. Then the delicious odor -of coffee pervades the quarters, and breakfast food awaits the hearty -order of hungry men. They are far removed from the scene of a few hours -before and gaze curiously at the surroundings. To-morrow morning the -setting will be new and strange again. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -THE CIRCUS DETECTIVE - - -To the circus organization with honest purpose the problem of dealing -with the horde of “guns,” “dips,” “grafters” and others of their -criminal ilk, who would fain be its daily companion, is perplexing and -formidable. Next season the duty of protecting the person and pocket -of our patrons will be a duty entrusted to new hands. Frank Smoot, for -many years the circus detective, is resting a long sleep in an Illinois -graveyard. A hemorrhage took his life as the circus was folding itself -away for the winter. The record of his acts and his virtues will ever -be inscribed upon the fleshly tablets of our hearts. - -No person was ever more thoroughly equipped by nature and experience -for the hidden but tremendously valuable part he played in the daily -life with the circus. It was confidently averred of him that he was -familiar with the figure, face and method of almost every crook in the -circus world. No person of doubtful or dishonest purpose could remain -for more than a few hours in company with the circus without being -singled out and summarily dealt with. The treatment varied materially. -Its mildness or ferocity rested entirely with the wicked one’s conduct -after he received the order that he take quick passage out of vision -and return no more. - -Mr. Smoot possessed great coolness of nerve and quickness of hand and -eye. In the smaller cities his appearance at the local police station -was almost simultaneous with the arrival of the circus train. He found, -generally, a commander whose criminal experience had been confined to -the peaceful country borders, who was entirely unaware whether or not -the community had been invaded by those who would profit by the lack -of worldly knowledge of the thousands of show-day visitors, and whose -precautions consisted of the swearing in of numerous deputies, who wore -conspicuously a bright badge of office in the happy assurance that it -would permit them free entrance to the tent. But the police chief was -always alive to the responsibilities of his position, offered aid, if -not advice, and was ready to act when his duty was pointed out. - -Then the circus detective hurried to the railroad station and -scrutinized the passengers on all incoming trains. Here he sometimes -found the railroad watchdog. Many of the big railroads send their -detectives wherever the circus uses their lines. Their aim is to see to -it that those who patronize their service do so at no financial risk. -The peripatetic crook is quickly given to understand that he must use -other means to travel. - -The thick crowds which awaited the coming of the parade was the next -scene of Mr. Smoot’s activity. Here was frequently uncovered the first -prey of the day, and seldom a morning passed that at least one cunning -lawbreaker did not feel the weight of a heavy hand on his shoulder, and -hear, sullenly, the word to march to the police station and undergo -the damp solitude of a county jail cell for twenty-four hours. Then, -when the circus was miles away on its course, he passed out to freedom. -Where were yesterday the throng of sightseers, which had filled him -with promise of great profit, were only the trodden peanut shells -and the accustomed monotony of the country town. The venturesome -crook who invaded the circus lot proper, was an especial object of -vigilance. Sometimes Mr. Smoot stood for hours on the top of the ticket -wagon, a stalwart figure outlined above the crowds, watching for his -professional enemies, where he could see on every hand; again he was -at the main entrance with a steady, critical survey of all who passed -under the broad spread of canvas. - -A promise made to him in good faith by a crook had never been broken, -he used to say. I remember an interesting demonstration I witnessed of -his confidence in the word of a man to whom no crime was unfamiliar. He -had been discovered loitering about the grounds, and had been ordered -off with a threat of immediate arrest. He resembled much a country -gentleman of ample means and genial nature. - -“Well, you got me quick,” was his ready remark, “but seeing as I came -all the way from Pittsburg and can’t catch a train back until night, -won’t you let me see the show? I pledge you I won’t do any ‘business,’ -no matter how tempted.” - -His ingenuous request was granted with a feeling of security in his -word by the detective, which the day showed was not misplaced. - -The work of the circus detective, which calls for all his shrewdness -and courage is in dealing with the dangerous, determined characters who -disregard the warning to part company with the show at once, and who -rejoin the organization as soon as released from a preceding day behind -bars; men of plausible manners and engaging address who are ready for -any desperate chance. Upon these recalcitrants swift retribution is -visited. Formidable machinery which exercises a vague and terrible -power is put in motion. And thus it is that the moon, rising over a -country district, sometimes shines on the circus train speeding on -its journey, and its clear rays stream over a deserted lot, casting -strange shadows from a figure which lies as it has fallen, huddled in -an ungainly heap upon the wet grass. Dawn brings animation to the form -and to a hardened criminal a feeling of thanksgiving that he is still -alive, and a deep conviction that hereafter his world of “graft” will -be far removed from the circus and its primitive punishment. - -The personality of circus men has changed materially for the better in -recent years. Time was when they invariably wore high silk hats and -clothes of many checks and hues. To be without diamonds on fingers -and in shirt and necktie was a standing reproach to the profession. -Nowadays the circus man affects little jewelry, and that unobtrusive, -or none, and in his attire and speech he differs none from the man -of ordinary commercial pursuits. He has established a reputation -for honesty and sobriety and is an element of order and decency. He -surrounds himself with associates of good character and business -integrity, and cherishes highly his good standing in the community. - -The increased police vigilance and protection accorded has helped to -bring about this happy condition of affairs. In the past it was often -necessary to save life and property by meeting the attacks of roughs -and rowdies with equal violence and disorder. Circuses expected and -received little or no help from supine or frightened police, and -learned to fight their own battles. It has never been charged that -any circus was not fully capable of meeting force with force, and the -lawless affrays of the circus lot would form a bloody narrative. No -show in the old days dared venture forth without a squad of picked -fighters, and if the occasion demanded the whole encampment was -eager and ready for the fray. The war cry “Hey Rube!” had forceful -significance then. The circus man’s favorite weapon was the guy stake, -a shaft of wood used to support chains and ropes. An iron ring circled -one end, the other was pointed enough to penetrate the hardest ground. -Wielded by brawny workmen, experienced in its manipulation and skilled -by long practice in the art of rough combat, the instrument mowed down -the ranks of the enemy with deadly execution. Fists, knives and pistols -availed nothing against the onslaught. Fear and mercy were unknown in -those lawless times. - -Years ago if murder was done the guilt was not always fixed upon the -circus employee. The hasty concealment of a body in the hay behind the -cages in the menagerie tent temporarily hid evidence of the crime. In -the darkness of the departure, there was a surreptitious burial. The -lifeless form was hastily conveyed under ground where had been the -circus ring and where the chances of discovery and disinterment were -remote. Many a victim of savage circus warfare rests in these unmarked -graves, and pick and shovel would solve the mystery investing scores -of circus day disappearances. Particularly in the Southern States, -soon after the war, were these sanguinary battles waged and with -fatal results. In justice to the circus men, let it be said that their -consciences gave no reproof and they felt no sense of moral guilt for -the reason that they were never the instigators of riot, that they -strove to quell trouble in its incipient stages and that they fought -for their lives and their employer’s property. They knew, too, that -public prejudice would prevent a fair legal trial and saw to it, if -human ingenuity could prevail, that no serious charge could be laid -against them, much less that of homicide. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A CIRCUS HORSE - - -When the circus bill posters swarmed over the farm a month ago and -garnished my stable with products of their pot and brush, a shadow of -sadness and melancholy oppressed me. Curiosity urged me to approach, -but a sense of mortification over my ignominious fate bade me restrain -myself. I kept in seclusion under a distant apple-tree and hoped to -escape detection. However, I was doomed to disappointment, for soon I -observed my owner, whom I detest, coming with halter and whip. Then -I knew that he had revealed my identity to the showmen and they had -expressed a desire to view me. At first I was disinclined to enter -their presence, but the master cornered me and adjusted straps, despite -my protestations. How shameful a spectacle, Tom Keene, who made for -himself, at home and abroad, a place among the greatest horses in -circus history, being led by a New Hampshire farmer--for the vulgar -scrutiny of a group of cheap posters! - -They inspected me with many evidences of interest, although I am -convinced I would not have been recognized had not one of the visitors -called attention to a scar on my flank and recalled the incident of -a train wreck in which it was received. Then I remembered him as one -of the stable men of my professional career. He called me by name and -stroked me tenderly, but I was too ashamed at my position to respond -to his greetings. He handed the master an order for circus seats and -I felt more miserable. I knew it was inevitable that my old comrades -spy me hitched to the old carry-all, along with the nags of the -neighborhood, as they paraded by amid the joyous flourish of trumpets -and proud and plumed. I loathed myself in the contemplation. - -The succeeding days were a period of dismal foreboding. Adding to my -sorrows and regret was the scarlet paper which confronted me when I -entered the stable. It depicted the performance of one “Senator,” a -low-born pony, of whom I had a vague memory. He had displaced me with -my associate of many years, Frank J. Melville. He was represented in -all sorts of accomplishments, which I secretly feared were really -carried out. A wave of emotion and sentiment overcame me whenever I -permitted myself to gaze at the familiar figure of the man. My mind -reverted to the time when he was one of the champion bareback riders -and I contributed to the brilliant artistic results. How I longed to -feel his slippered feet on my broad back, and hear again the plaudits -of onlookers! I shall always have a warm, deep feeling for him. -Perhaps, after all, he had no other recourse than to dispense with my -services. I know he was much affected at the parting, and exacted a -promise that I should always be given kind treatment, and that every -consideration be shown my impaired leg. - -Instinct told me when the hateful day was at hand. The master was up -and about early and I could hear the glad shouts of the children. I had -little appetite for the bountiful breakfast he spread before me, and -he seemed much concerned over my want of spirit and worn appearance. I -had wasted appreciably in anxiety over the ordeal before me and felt a -faint sympathy for the man. I appreciated that he would feel that Mr. -Melville would decide that I had not received proper care and would be -angry. For myself, I was in that desperate condition of mind which is -the recklessness of despair. - -I was guided, to a hitching post in the main street of the town, where -eager crowds awaited the arrival of the parade. We were a shabby enough -outfit, the farm wagon and I, and I could summon no interest in the -scene. I heard, with listless feeling, the master confide, boastfully, -to all who would listen, that once I had shed great lustre upon the -circus ring, and felt no humiliation when they scoffed at his words. He -seemed to find great exultation in dwelling upon my former renown and -my downfall, and in his present proprietorship. I caught a glimpse -of several familiar faces in the throng, notably the circus detective -and the commissary department man, but gave no sign of recognition. -If they observed me at all, they doubtless saw nothing not in common -with my neighbors from the rural districts. The crowd wondered at -the tardiness of the parade, and I felt a silent contempt for their -ignorance. The cages had just passed on the way to the lot and they -come on the last section. The man who leads the procession passed in -his carriage, inspecting and familiarizing himself with the route. I, -of all the throng, alone knew him and his mission. - -[Illustration: TEACHING HER HORSE NEW TRICKS.] - -Soon the faint music of the bands and the distant shriek of the -calliope. The cortege was approaching. I braced myself for the trying -experience. Some one shouted: “Look out for your horses! The elephants -are right behind!” A policeman grabbed my bridle and I gazed at him, -indulgently. I afraid! I who lived for years among them! I remembered -the solemn joke of my former loved master, who used to cry, when -the crowd wouldn’t make way: “Keep back! A drove of loose lions are -coming!” Then there had been no further pushing; everybody scampered -to sidewalk or doorstep. I think it was the third uniformed horseman -who recalled in me their old acquaintance. He called the attention of -the rider behind, was corroborated and then the word seemed to pass -instantaneously back through the parade. Some reached over and patted -my sides, others spoke words of encouragement and praise, and all had a -look of profound veneration. I tried to look very spruce and sprightly -through it all, but candor confesses that the attempt was a feeble -imitation of the old days. My blood stirred for the first time since I -was in the foremost circus ranks and I lamented bitterly. Oh, for the -staunch, true leg of a few years ago and Mr. Melville on my back! Again -we would make all other performances appear commonplace. - -The man I sought everywhere with my eyes was not in the procession and -a fear possessed me that I might not be permitted to feel his hand -and hear his voice. But it developed that this was farthest from my -master’s thought. Up to the circus grounds we progressed and I ambled -to the horse tents and stopped mechanically. I was living again in -former glories. Then my eyes were blessed with the appearance of my old -comrade. How he kissed and hugged me and looked me over critically and -asked about my welfare! And how ineffably proud and happy I was when -he insisted there was never my equal in all the requirements of the -ring, and there was none to say him nay! I fancied there were tears -in his eyes as we hopped away toward the farm, and I gave him a last -beseeching plea for a return to the old life. My three sound legs are -as gifted, I’ll warrant, as any four in the circus stables. - -Thus was broken, for a little space, the dull tenor of my sombre life. -I often assure myself that death will be brighter than the contemptuous -existence I am leading. Of one thing I am convinced, the history of -the circus can never be written without mentioning me, the pioneer of -horses born with all the true circus instincts. I first saw the light -of day in Keene, N. H., not far from the spot where I am passing my -last days in oblivion. I was distinguished by a strong frame, was -hardy, gentle and active, and could properly be called handsome. Mr. -James A. Bailey singled me out when his circus came to New Hampshire, -and my career certainly justified all the prophetic things he said -about me. I was disappointed when they attached me to the pole-wagon, -but felt confident that I would soon rise superior to the rather humble -position. The work was long and arduous, and it was several weeks -before I became accustomed to the nocturnal train rides, jammed erect -among a score of other equines, but I endured it better than many of -my companions. Some of them contracted a disease of the foot, caused -by continued rain and mud, and in many cases it resulted fatally. I -was patient and hopeful through all vicissitudes and arrived at winter -quarters in physical condition that attracted general attention. -Mr. Melville happened upon me soon after arrival and stopped short -in admiring wonder. I knew him as a noted rider and connoisseur of -horseflesh and was much elated. Next day Martin Welsh led me to new -quarters. He was Mr. Melville’s groom, and the delicious consciousness -came that I was in their famous hands. Soon practice began as a ring -animal and a great future opened before me. I meditate over the past, -here in my loneliness, and wonder if mine is not a career which no -other circus animal has equalled. Some of its striking features occur -vividly to me. - -I remember first, with pardonable pride, that it was generally conceded -that I was the best “broke” horse in the history of the ring. There -seemed to be a vein of harmony in the feeling existing between Mr. -Melville and myself. Nothing ever made me nervous or shy. I trusted my -master implicitly and I was as accurate and certain in my movements -when he was turning somersaults or leaping through fire rings or -balloons as when we made the preliminary canter. My broad, muscular -back was ever waiting for him to alight just where he planned. Many -said much of the credit for his feats was mine. Modesty prevents an -expression on my part. We toured America a season and were everywhere -received with warm approval. Then we set out for England. Bessie, a -fine, gray horse, also from New Hampshire, accompanied us. She was a -wonderfully intelligent animal, and the only horse, I understand, who -ever was trained to trot in the circus ring. She used to circle the -ring at a forty gait, with our owner doing all sorts of tricks upon her -back. Poor girl, she died in Hamburg and I missed her sorely for years. - -Our itinerary, as I recall it, was about like this: From London to -Hamburg, to Russia, to Poland, to Liverpool, to France, to Holland, -to France again, to Belgium, back to Hamburg, returning to London and -Liverpool, once more in Hamburg and then aboard ship for our native -country. Here we visited all states and territories, toured Mexico and -passed on to Cuba. Ten years were consumed in our travels and nowhere -did we fail to achieve emphatic success. It is a record I contemplate -with a feeling of great elation, and which I have heard circus men say -is entitled to unique distinction. We gave eleven private matinees -before the royal family of Russia, and some of the prominent persons -who witnessed our performances during our professional career were -Grover Cleveland, President of the United States; the late Queen -Victoria of England and her son, the present king; the Marquis of -Salisbury, prime minister of England and the great leader in the House -of Commons; Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany and his wife and their son, -Prince Fritz; the late Prince Von Bismarck, the “man of iron;” the late -Count Von Moltke, field marshal and chief of staff of the German Army, -one of the world’s greatest soldiers; President Carnot, of the French -Republic, since assassinated; Queen Emma of Holland and her daughter, -the present queen; King Leopold of Belgium; the last three Emperors -of Russia, Alexander I., Alexander II., and Nicholas II; and Francis -Joseph, emperor of Austria, and his accomplished wife who was later -stabbed to death. What other lowly horse ever helped to enthrall the -attention of such a galaxy of notables? - -Many ludicrous and many sober incidents of my eventful circus life come -to my mind. I was in many train wrecks. Once my car caught fire on the -journey from St. Petersburg to Warsaw. There were four of us in the -place and I was the only one to escape alive. Martin Welsh, my devoted -friend, helped me to safety. Again, when twenty-five horses were packed -in one of the circus cars in Indiana, it rolled down an embankment. I -was one of five to emerge unhurt; most of the others had their necks -broken. I remember, too, when I was thrown with four carloads of equine -companions into the Ohio river. It happened on a Sunday run from Cairo, -Ill., to Detroit, Mich. Many were drowned or perished from exposure. -I floated about eight hours before being rescued and never felt any -ill effects. Mr. Melville and I were on the steamer Stork which became -waterlogged during the trip from Hamburg to England. We were nine days -at sea, and I passed most of the time in water above my knees. I was -ready for the ring when we finally landed. - -I am sure that I have travelled more miles in my life than any other -horse ever born and have displayed through it all more hardihood than -any, save perhaps Mayfly, whose famous career has been recited many -times in circus camps. He antedated me many years. They tell of his -standing trip of one hundred and ninety days from Sydney, Australia, to -Valparaiso, Chili, and his subsequent rough overland journey to various -parts of the republic and back again to the Pacific Ocean. Then he was -taken by water to San Francisco, a three months’ trying experience, and -later around the southern continent to New York. It was enough to wreck -the finest constitution, but he never flinched. He and his sister, -Black Bess, were of pure Arab extraction, and some of the finest horses -in California to-day date their parentage from them. As bareback -performers they have had few superiors. - -Then I remember, too, many renowned animals of my time. The Russian -horse Zib, who was poisoned in Mexico, achieved fame more for his -tricks than his ring exhibitions. Dan Rice’s horses Excelsior and -Excelsior, Jr., although both blind, were wonderfully intelligent. -Obeying their master’s directions, they would grope to a pedestal, -place the left foot on its staff, bend the right leg gracefully and -incline both ears forward as if in the act of listening. How often -have I, in an adjacent ring, seen the veteran clown turn proudly to -the audience and heard him announce: “Mark well the beauty of the -curve of the right leg, which strikes the eye of the sculptor. Horace -Greeley calls them the horses with souls of men!” Levi J. North’s horse -Cincinnatus was probably the first “dancing” equine, and Stickney’s -Tammany was the best jumper that ever came to my knowledge. Wicked -Will, owned by Spalding and Rogers, eclipsed most animals in difficult -feats of various kinds. Rarey’s horse Cruiser, although never a circus -performer, was invaluable to his owner in horse “taming” exhibitions, -and seemed to execute his duties with human intelligence. - -Thus I live again the days of old and unfold the roll of my eventful -history. My thoughts travel fondly back to the scenes I am to behold no -more, and my heart throbs with emotions excited by their reminiscences. -I remember those gone to their rest and shed a tear to their memory. -For myself, only ignominy and mental anguish. I, who have been an honor -to my birthplace and an ornament to my race, wearily await the final -summons. In the array of names of illustrious circus horses, may my -memory be cherished faithfully is the hope of miserable - - TOM KEENE. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -THE CIRCUS BAND - -BY BANDMASTER WILLIAM MERRICK - - -Few people who watch the circus parade as it comes down the street -and who, almost invariably, cry, “Strike up the band!” “Why don’t you -play!” “Let her go!” etc., have ever given a thought to the amount of -work that falls to the circus musician, and the experience, care and -patience it requires to organize and successfully conduct this nowadays -necessary adjunct to the big tent enterprises. The earlier circus bands -were far from being the complete affairs of to-day, and perhaps nothing -gives a more striking example of the growth in civilization and culture -of our country than the evolution of the circus band. - -The bands carried by the first circuses and menageries were necessarily -limited in size and not always composed of the best talent. Travelling -as they did by wagon, and being forced by lack of transportation -facilities to curtail the number of their people, and the accommodation -of the performers coming in for first consideration, the band was -looked upon in those days much in the light of a disagreeable -necessity. Often the engaging of the music was left to the last moment, -and frequently the earlier shows were content with picking up a roving -gypsy band, similar to the ones we now see playing for pennies, under -the windows of the residential quarters of our large cities. - -As might have been expected, the first really military bands that were -introduced into the circus business were of European origin, but even -they were not so complete in numbers and so especially adapted in -character to the purpose as the present circus military band. Still -among them were occasionally musicians of exceptional ability, and many -of the better soloists of our metropolitan bands and orchestras were at -one period of their career members of a travelling circus band. But it -is not the intention of this article to attempt a history of all the -musical notables connected with the circus, but rather to contrast the -circus band of to-day with that of the past. - -Let us take a glance at the repertoire of the old time circus band. -The overtures and grand entree were played by brass instruments alone, -the usual instrumentation being three cornets (generally two E and -one B), two E horns, one B tenor, baritone and bass, the drums being -played by such performers as could (to use a slang expression) “fake” -a little. Two to four overtures, and perhaps one or two selections or -pot-pourris, composed their entire libraries in this respect. The -incidental music for the various acts was almost invariably played with -string instruments, the orchestra being composed of two violins (first -and second), flute or piccolo, clarionet, two cornets, trombone, and -bass. - -I recall an amusing incident connected with the piccolo player of one -of these travelling orchestras. The leader, a very good violinist by -the way, had occasion to correct the piccolo player, and asked in a -very pompous manner, “Bill, why don’t you play that last strain an -octave higher?” To which Bill nonchalantly replied, “Professor, I am -now playing higher than my salary goes.” As the company was not noted -for its liberality in the way of salaries, the retort was highly -relished by the balance of the orchestra. - -The numbers that could be produced by a small number of instruments -were exceedingly few, so the libraries of the travelling leaders were -of a consequence limited. - -Now all this is changed. The extreme competition between the music -publishers of to-day and the practicability of our experienced modern -managers, render it possible for a leader who is at all enterprising -to obtain not only all the standard and classical overtures and -selections, but an almost endless programme of popular music for the -promenade concert that now precedes the performance with every large or -well regulated circus. - -But to be thoroughly efficient and “up-to-date,” the latter-day circus -leader must not rest content with a pleasing or popular concert -programme. There is the performance or incidental music to be looked -after, and for this purpose the leader, to suit the varying tastes of -the performers and public, must frequently draw on his own powers of -composition. Every act, or series of acts, requires music exactly in -keeping with its character. Nor will it do to keep one programme on too -long; the performer grows tired of it, the musicians become careless, -and the music itself (so fast is the age in which we live) becomes -mildewed, and out of date. - -By this it will be seen that the circus leader’s life, if he keep -abreast of the times, is a very busy one, nor is the improvement -confined solely to the augmentation of the musical library. The -band, instead of being confined to the poorly balanced and limited -instrumentation that we have just mentioned, is composed of sufficient -reed to soften the natural harshness of the brass instruments, and the -individual performers are selected from the youngest and best talent -our country affords. I say “youngest,” for the rising generation -having had the advantage of the experience and teaching of their -predecessors in the “art divine,” possess in a marked degree that -mobility of temperament, accuracy of attack, and facility of execution, -so necessary in rendering properly the circus music of the present -day. Then they must begin young in the circus business to acquire the -proper embouchure for playing almost an unlimited amount double forte, -over rough streets, and still be able to render pianissimo in the -concert programme following the parade. - -No amount of practice in the conservatory or concert room can obtain -this embouchure. It must be acquired by actual experience, on the -circus band wagon. A band composed of the better class of musicians -that have “come up” in the circus business will render almost -double the volume of tone of the same number taken from the theatre -orchestra or concert stage, and if they have been properly handled by -a painstaking and efficient leader, the quality will be also be found -superior. - -The life of the circus musician, filled as it is with plenty of hard -work, is not without its sunny side. The constant change of scene -incident to travel alone is a great factor in dispelling weariness. The -open air life renders it the most healthful of occupations, while the -antics of the rustic who comes into town to see the parade and hear the -band, are an endless source of amusement. The music for the parade, -played as it is in a very lively tempo, causes all manner of grotesque -movements among the listeners on the streets. This is particularly -noticeable on the southern tours. It is no uncommon thing for a number -of “darkies” to start at the circus grounds and dance through the -entire route of the parade; and when in doubling back on the main -street, which is often necessary in the smaller towns, the band passes -the steam calliope, which brings up the rear, the din caused by the -mingling of the band-music with the shrill whistle of this instrument, -seems to throw them into a veritable frenzy. During one of these -parades the following colloquy was overheard between two of these -over-excited “darkies”: - -“Jim,” yelled a particularly dusky individual, “look at dat man up -yonda with dat slip ho’n!” - -“Deuce wid de slip ho’n,” replied Jim, “look at dat steam fiddle!” - -I remember an astonishing but blessed effect the music of our circus -band had on a woman in Grand Island, Nebraska, in 1882. She had been -blind for years and was sitting dejectedly at a window as we approached -in parade. When opposite her, we burst suddenly into brazen harmony, -and the woman gave a scream of great joy. The shock of the music had -caused her to regain her eyesight. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -WITH THE ELEPHANTS - - -“Jumbo was the biggest elephant ever in this country, and few are in -the secret that the tremendous success of the animal’s tour was an -accident of fortune,” observed our elephant man. “He was an African -animal and very stupid, but always good-natured. An agent of the big -American circus heard that he was the tallest pachyderm in captivity -and that London was anxious to sell him. The man closed the sale for -two thousand pounds with no conception of the money-making prize he -was securing. The beast had been a pet with the children in the London -Zoological Gardens, but the announcement of his purchase by Americans -was received with no especial expressions of regret. It required two -weeks to build a van-like cage for the journey by sea, and then keepers -went to the zoo to lead Jumbo to the ship. He strode along all right -until the gate of the garden closed behind them and then lay down -in the street. It was a pure case of elephantine obstinacy and the -animal wouldn’t budge. There he measured his length in the dust for -twenty-four hours despite all urging and entreaty, to the despair of -his custodians, who little realized the wonderful effect the incident -would have on the owner’s pocketbook. - -“The English newspapers soon heard of the occurrence and promptly -seized upon it for an effective ‘story.’ ‘Dear old Jumbo,’ they said, -‘refused to leave the scene of his happy days with the children; his -exhibition of protest was one of remarkable sagacity; they hoped he -would continue to defy the Yankee showmen and remain in London; he was -the pet and friend of the little ones and ought never to have been -disposed of, any way.’ The elephant when in repose or resistance rests -on his knees, and one of the newspaper sagely remarked that Jumbo -was in an attitude of prayer. The Humane Society was appealed to and -someone made a sympathetic hit by telling how lonesome and melancholy -was Alice, the abandoned ‘wife.’ The pathos of the thing was very -affecting, on the surface, but a phenomenal advertisement. - -“The animal finally got on his feet and marched to the boat. Weeping -women and children lined the way. The circus owners were then alive -to the possibilities and, concealing their identity, got out an -injunction, ‘in the interests of the London public,’ attempting to -restrain the brute’s departure. Of course, it was dissolved, but it -kept feeling at high pitch up to the time of sailing. I remember the -Baroness Burdett-Coutts and a party of distinguished companions -visited the steamer to say good-bye and left a big box of buns, of -which Jumbo was very fond, for his use during the voyage. - -[Illustration: ELEPHANT HERD “AT ATTENTION.”] - -“The story of the brute’s reluctance to leave his young friends in -England was judiciously spread broadcast here and he became the feature -of the circus, whereas otherwise he would probably have attracted -only passing attention. It was his own fortuitous conduct and not -the superior skill of the showman that made his circus career so -profitable. Jumbo was killed by a train at St. Thomas, Ontario, in -July, 1885. A dwarf elephant with him escaped injury, and the show made -some capital by asserting that the big elephant sacrificed his own life -in shielding his small companion. As a matter of fact, he was seized -with another fit of unyielding stubbornness and wouldn’t step down an -embankment out of an express’s path. He was never south of Louisville -or west of Omaha. Matthew Scott was his keeper. He shared not only his -bed, but his bread and tobacco with his charge. After the brute’s death -he followed the circus wherever it went, and during the winter visited -almost daily the preserved skin and bones of his late companion. - -“There was, of course, a Jumbo II., but he was nowhere near the size -of the original beast. Harnessed with electrodes and other apparatus -he stood in the middle of the Stadium at the Exposition Grounds at -Buffalo, N. Y., on November 9, 1901, and gave the world a practical -demonstration that an elephant can take twenty-two hundred volts of -electricity with apparent unconcern. If the electric current reached -his nerves he manifested no sign of it. Electric wires had been run -from the Exposition power house to what was to be Jumbo II.’s death -platform, and when the signal was given, twenty-two hundred volts were -turned on. It merely tickled the beast. Jumbo II. was unharnessed -and taken back to his home in the Midway. Explanations made by the -electricians were that the elephant’s hide had the resistance of rubber -and formed a non-conductor impervious to electricity. Others said the -voltage was not sufficient. He had developed man-killing qualities, but -is still alive. - -“When Jumbo was brought into this country, Adam Forepaugh made great -claims for his elephant Bolivar. He insisted in large type and in many -newspapers and on the billboards of his route that Bolivar was bigger -than the elephant from London. W. W. Cole, then conducting a show of -his own, claimed, too, that his animal, Samson, was no smaller than -Jumbo. Bolivar attracted great attention through the country while with -Mr. Forepaugh. Finally he became so vicious that he was given away to -the city of Philadelphia, where he could be more closely watched. I -remember the story of the narrow escape of two lumbermen in Michigan. -They came to the show very drunk and wanting to fight. They threatened -Mr. Forepaugh, who stood at the door, but he said he wasn’t a fighting -man and sent them on into the menagerie tent. They were stalwart -fellows, with muscles hardened by rough out-door work, but I doubt not -the owner of the circus could have bested either one in a pugilistic -encounter. Mr. Forepaugh was a man of tremendous strength and, when -aroused, a match for the most skilful slugger. The boasting visitors -had not been under canvas five minutes before the sound of lamentations -penetrated to the door. Hurrying inside, Mr. Forepaugh found one of the -men, he who had been particularly bold and aggressive and threatening, -crying like a baby. Tears dropped from his eyes as he explained that -he had sought out Bolivar and challenged the huge beast to personal -combat. The elephant appeared to have relished the joke keenly, for he -had swung his powerful trunk at the man and deftly plucked his soft -felt hat from its uncombed resting place. The beast’s eyes had twinkled -merrily, it was averred, as he conveyed the headpiece to his capacious -mouth and swallowed it at a gulp. The terrorized victim, his swagger -changed to cringing fright, was too overcome to even ask for the price -of a new hat as he fled toward home. Mr. Forepaugh laughed gleefully. -Bolivar’s digestive powers were equal to the demands of the morsel. - -“Bolivar had a long and eventful history. Probably his most thrilling -experience was a terrific fight with an untamed Nubian lion named -Prince at circus winter quarters in Philadelphia, in December, 1885. -The lion escaped from his cage, chased a keeper out of the building -and proceeded to the elephant quarters. Bolivar stood nodding where he -was chained to a stake near the door. Prince hesitated for a moment -and then lay back on his haunches. He crept slowly forward until he -was within reach of the elephant. Then he raised his paw and struck -at the supine trunk. The tough skin was somewhat torn and Bolivar -became instantly fully awake, and raising his trunk made a blow at the -lion. The latter escaped by jumping backward, then crouched again and -prepared to spring. Quick as a lightning flash was the movement which -landed him on the elephant’s head. But he had to deal with a power -greater than his own, over which his only advantage was his agility. -Bolivar easily shook him off and tossed him some distance. The contest -was then quickly decided. The lion prepared for another spring. With -ears flattened against his head and eyes gleaming like balls of fire -he crept forward stealthily, cautiously measuring the distance. With -a suppressed growl the lithe, tawny form shot through the air. The -elephant’s trunk was then turned over his back and his little black -eyes were snapping viciously. With a motion so quick as to be almost -imperceptible, the proboscis was lowered and elevated twice and then -descended with terrific force, striking the lion as he was in mid-air. -The beast of prey fell stunned, and before he could recover the -elephant dealt him a terrific blow in the side, and reaching forward -the full length of his chain he drew his antagonist toward him. Then -lifting his free foot he leaned his entire weight on the fallen foe. -The effect was to crush the ribs of the conquered monarch of the -forest. In this manner he trampled all over the lion until life was -gone. Then he raised it with his trunk, and tossed it contemptuously -to the other end of the room. Bolivar sustained no serious injury in -the affray. There would have been general relief among the employees if -the lion had killed him, for all were in fear of their lives near the -monster. - -“The white elephant campaign in the ’80s was about the fiercest bit of -circus rivalry I was ever mixed up in,” he continued. “The Barnum show -was the first to get one of the brutes. Their agent bought him from -King Theebaw, the erratic sovereign of Burmah. The elephant was not -white, but a leprous-looking shade of flesh color. It was really the -first time one of these Albinos had ever been brought out of Asia. All -that the king had done in the extravagant execution of his autocratic -power was as nothing compared to the sale of the white elephant, and -his subjects were furious. You see, the white elephant is a sacred -emblem. It is addressed as the ‘Lord of Lords.’ Priests prostrate -themselves as it passes by and all the honors of worship are paid to -it. A noble of high rank has to be its chamberlain. Its retinue is -fit for a prince of the blood royal. Sickness in the sacred animal is -ominous of coming evil. Its demeanor and gestures afford auguries, -auspicious or sinister. For three years the Barnum white elephant made -a lot of money for the show. Crowds flocked to see it, serene and -placid and gently fanning itself with its wide ears, under a large -Japanese parasol, native keepers meanwhile playing their queer musical -instruments. It was burned to death in 1887. - -“The history of the Forepaugh white elephant is more picturesque and -eventful than that of the rival circus. The boss was taken all by -surprise when the other show sprang the natural curiosity, but he -was quick to act. Before the Barnum animal had reached this country -from London, a dispatch in the newspapers from Algiers announced the -purchase there by Forepaugh of a white elephant for ten thousand -pounds. Its entry into America must needs have been accomplished with -great secrecy and haste, for the beast was on exhibition in less -than a month after the story of the sale. Then the competition for -white elephant supremacy began, and it continued bitterly during the -existence of the two animals. We made all sorts of charges of deceit -and trickery against the Barnum elephant, and that show advertised us -all over the land as cheats and impostors and swindlers. Our elephant -was almost pure white. He had a car all to himself and on the way -to and from the lot was swathed in cotton cloth. Only his eyes were -visible and public curiosity was heightened considerably when was -observed the pains we exerted to prevent a free view of the curiosity’s -hide. In the menagerie tent we had a performance of religious rites -before the animal by reputed Burmese priests, clad in shimmering robes -of yellow, red and white silk. Some observing visitor once remarked -unkindly that the religious act terminated suddenly when the menagerie -tent was empty and was resumed with wonderful alacrity when spectators -approached. It is true that the elephant was a more snowy white on -Monday than at any other time of the week, although sometimes the skin -had been spotted and stained on Saturday. To prove that it was no -artificial color, Forepaugh used sometimes to send the brute into the -water. He was rubbed and scoured without affecting his shade. The boss -was sure that there could be no charge of disguise or pretence after -that, although suspicious onlookers sometimes said something about -waterproof paint. Any way, we got an international authority on zoology -in Philadelphia to endorse the white elephant. His sponsorship made the -Barnum people furious and their circus followed us west, denouncing -us everywhere. We made them madder still by buying a white monkey and -making it the elephant’s companion. - -“In Chicago we came across an embassy from Siam which was touring this -country. Forepaugh had the audacity to invite the heir-apparent to -the Siamese throne, who was one of the party, to visit the show and -inspect the white elephant. The royal person came, accompanied by other -dignitaries, looked the beast over and muttered to the interpreter -something which was apparently not complimentary. The press agent saw -to it, however, that the newspapers said that the prince had declared -the animal the genuine article. - -“Our white elephant died from pneumonia, the newspapers told, at the -winter quarters in Philadelphia. There were no details of the burial. -White elephants are delicate in constitution, any way. Certain persons -who thought themselves wise said that the ‘dying’ experience was a -cessation of ‘dyeing,’ but they were inspired by the Barnum show. The -following season a dark, natural beast, in form much resembling the -white elephant appeared as ‘John L. Sullivan,’ the boxing elephant. -He wore a glove on the end of his trunk and swung gently at ‘Eph’ -Thompson, a colored trainer. His career as a pugilist continued for -five years, when he became so big and strong that no human being could -withstand his blows. He is now one of the Forepaugh herd which perform -a famous dancing act. - -“As a matter of fact, I know that R. F. Hamilton, the accomplished -director of the Barnum & Bailey press department, has in his possession -affidavits from the Forepaugh employees whose duty it was to see that -the white elephant never faded, in which they confess their perfidy. A -brush and snowy liquid were the only requirements.” - -Our circus carries a herd of twenty-five elephants and most of them -are trained in all sorts of difficult elephant performances, a task -requiring patience and perseverance, and a close and continuous study -of the nature of each individual animal. Of all beasts, the elephant is -probably the most sagacious. He never forgets. Trainers aver that after -a lapse of half a century the elephant will conduct his performance as -perfectly as if but twenty-four hours had gone by. Their value to a -circus rests not merely upon the attraction of their ring exhibition. -Their great strength makes them useful when heavy wagons defy the -straining efforts of horses, and they are frequently called into other -service which requires unusual power. The application of the broad head -gives motion to the most obstinately stationary vehicle, and often -extricates the show from annoying plight and delay. - -There are two distinct species of elephants. The Asiatic differs from -the African, not only in its greater size and in the characteristics -of the teeth and skull, but also in the comparative small form of the -ears, the pale-brown color of skin and in having four nails on the hind -feet instead of three. The intelligence of the former class is greater, -too, than that of the African brute, whose head is much shorter, the -forehead convex and the ears of great breadth and magnitude, covering -nearly a sixth of the entire body. - -The average term of an elephant’s life is probably about eighty years, -and he is not in possession of full vigor and strength until more than -thirty years old. An approximate idea of the age can be gained by the -amount of turn-over of the upper edge of the ear. The edge is quite -straight until the animal is eight or nine years old; then it begins to -turn over. By the time the beast is thirty the edges lap over to the -extent of an inch; and between this age and sixty the droop increases -to two inches or more. Extravagant ideas are held as to the height -of an elephant. Such a thing as an elephant measuring twelve feet at -the shoulder does not exist in India or Burmah. An authority on the -subject says the largest male he ever met with measured nine feet ten -inches, and the tallest female eight feet five inches. The majority of -elephants, however, are below eight feet, and an animal rarely reaches -nine feet, the female being slightly shorter than the male. The carcass -of an elephant seven feet four inches tall, weighed in portions, gave -a total weight of thirty-nine hundred pounds; so an elephant weighing -two tons should be common enough. The skin was about three-quarters of -an inch to one inch thick. - -The training of elephants for exhibition purposes is accomplished by -a block and tackle and harness, so arranged as to force them into -required positions. They learn easily, as compared with the cat -family of animals. It is only by the most constant surveillance by -the keepers, however, that the elephant is kept in good humor and not -tempted to display the ferocity which is one of his natural attributes. - -The first elephant ever born in captivity in this country saw the -light at the winter quarters of Mr. Bailey’s Show, at the corner of -Ridge avenue and Twenty-third street, Philadelphia, on March 10, 1880, -at twenty-five minutes to three o’clock in the morning. The event -attracted a great deal of attention among scientists and students of -natural history. From the time the circus went into winter quarters, -several of the most distinguished physicians of the city regularly -visited the prospective mother, and the diet and conduct of the animal -were studied with great care. Crowds of people flocked to see the -baby. Its birth disproved a great many theories which scientific men -had accepted as facts of zoology since the days of Pliny. The chief -of these were that the period of gestation is twenty months and -twenty days, and not from twenty-two to twenty-three months as had -been supposed, and that the young does not suckle the mother through -the trunk but through the mouth. The baby, whose mother, Hebe, was -oftener called “Baby,” weighed one hundred and twenty-six pounds, was -thirty inches high and measured thirty-five inches from the tip of the -trunk to the crupper. It was of a pale mauve color. The trainer of -Hebe explained to the scientists that the other animals in the herd -were aware of Hebe’s condition for months and exhibited their form -of elephantine courtesy to her. Upon one occasion, he asserted, Hebe -was about to fall from a broken pedestal in the ring when the other -elephants rushed to the rescue. With their huge bodies they formed a -cushion against which she fell, sliding gently to the ground. Whenever -Hebe called, the other elephants invariably rushed to her side, and the -man who tried to abuse her would have met instant death. So great was -the interest aroused in the baby elephant’s birth that Stuart Craven, -manager of the circus, received telegrams from all parts of the United -States suggesting names for her. One man offered to buy a robe for her -if given a name he suggested. A lady wanted the baby called after her. -The name Columbia was finally selected. After the birth of her infant, -Hebe tossed the little one around like a shuttlecock, and in her frenzy -twisted off a large beam with her trunk. It was found necessary to -secure her with chains. - -[Illustration: ELEPHANTS “WORKING THEIR WAY.”] - -The next baby elephant came to life at the winter quarters of Barnum’s -circus at Bridgeport, Conn., at eight o’clock on the night of -February 2, 1882. It was another female, and the mother was Queen, a -fifteen-year-old animal. The event was expected, and at six o’clock in -the evening indications of its coming were noticed. Queen was carefully -chained. After fifteen minutes of laboring the baby was born. Mr. -Barnum and others who were summoned did not arrive in time. The baby -weighed forty-five pounds, or eighty-one less than Columbia. It was two -feet six inches high and three feet long, exclusive of the trunk which -was seven inches. It was perfect in form and quite strong. Its color -was bluish, and it was covered with shaggy black hair an inch long. -An hour after its birth it was sucking. Mr. Barnum offered fifty-two -thousand dollars for an insurance on the life of the baby for fifty-two -weeks. He was jubilant and said three hundred thousand dollars would be -no temptation to sell her. The sire of the baby was Chief. - -A woman mastering the leviathans of the animal kingdom was one of the -wonders of a circus in 1887. She was Mrs. William Newman, wife of -“Elephant Bill,” who had grown up with the circus. She was a matronly -looking person, quite stout and pleasant-mannered, devoid withal of -the masculine traits that her occupation might seem to require. -At her command the elephants, eight in number, marched, wheeled, -countermarched, halted promptly and “grounded arms” by lying on their -sides. Then, like schoolboys, delighted at a release from what they -deemed duty, the huge beasts broke ranks and assumed different postures -and occupations about the ring. One of them stood on his head, another -turned a grind-stone with his trunk, a third walked on a revolving -barrel, and several others respectively engaged, to their own apparent -amusement, in dancing on a pedestal, ringing a bell and “clapping -hands.” Mrs. Newman gave few public exhibitions, and there has never -since been a successful woman elephant trainer. For some reason, they -fail in this branch of circus work, whereas in other departments they -are fully the equals of the other sex. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -THE GENERAL MANAGER - - -The brisk and bustling person who predominates in the stir and -activity, hurry and excitement at the main entrance, is the general -manager. Nothing seems to escape his watchful eve and alert ear. - -He answers questions innumerable and all-embracing, settles all -disputes as to admission, conveys advice, makes suggestions, gives -orders, sends lieutenants all over the lot with instructions, sees -to it that the crowd gets in safely but without delay, watches -ticket-seller and ticket-taker, and is in general active charge of the -“door.” - -His is a very important department of circus life, requiring peculiar -natural talents, wide experience, correct knowledge of law and logic, -familiarity with affairs, and ability to manipulate men and mayors. The -grave responsibilities of the circus are his and they are enough to -weaken brain and body. - -He is one of the first men off the cars in the morning and his day -frequently ends when all his comrades are sleeping with the peace -and vigor perfect health and a clear conscience afford. There is no -working hour when some one of his multifarious duties does not claim -his attention. He is first of all a license and contract specialist. -There is nothing about their force or character or price in any part -of the country he has not at his finger ends. The pecuniary cost to -the show of the privileges it enjoys is entirely in his keeping. His -morning is devoted to municipal and county officers and office holders. -His long service has made him personally acquainted with many of them -in all parts of the country. He belongs to nearly all secret societies -and social organizations, which helps his purposes; he distributes -admission tickets with lavish freedom where they will “do good;” his -instinct tells him how long to entertain and not bore, and his errand -over, a favorable impression remains. The result has been the promise -of gratuitous official favors and almost invariably a reduced rate for -permits. - -The policing of the grounds and the protection of the show and of -its patrons are in the general manager’s charge. In this the circus -detective is his ally and adviser, but the burden of results is his. He -assures the chief of police of the honest motives of the organization, -tells him no thieves or criminals are tolerated, promises that there -shall be no disorder or violence on the part of the circus people, and -asks in return protection and cooperation. How inadequately the police -of many towns can meet the needs of the occasion is told in another -chapter of this book. - -The circus is subject to a system of plunder, blackmail and robbery -en route that is unheard of in any other business. All classes of -people seem ready to render a hand in the nefarious game, considering -the circus fair prey. It requires the most diplomatic management -to extricate the show without financial loss or legal proceedings, -and frequently, after all, it must submit to extortion to escape -attachments. These are usually levied upon the ticket wagon just before -the evening performance or upon a pole wagon as the tents are being -pulled down. This sort of legal robbery occurs in many towns. The show -may think it is getting off all right when suddenly some accident, some -chance injury to property or persons, affords an excuse for a levy. - -An amusing incident among the varied pretexts for “hold up” was that -we encountered in Biddeford, Maine. The day had progressed without -untoward incident and at nine o’clock we thought the chance of legal -trouble was past. Then, suddenly, appeared an irate resident, whose -home adjoined the lot, with the declaration that our monkey cage cat -was his wife’s, and with a demand that we return her forthwith. He -may have been laboring under a truly mistaken impression, but his -subsequent conduct made us believe not, for upon our decided refusal, -he made an attachment. The general manager decided then to grant the -visitor’s claim; the feline wasn’t worth legal bother and expenditure. -The proceeding cost the circus nine dollars in fees and left the -monkeys in mourning. It had been their playful practice to convey -struggling tabby to the top of the cage and then hurl her violently to -the floor. - -I recall the case of a Westerner who insisted that one of our elephants -had eaten his pig. Neighbors swarmed to the scene, ready with a tale -of having seen the huge beast’s trunk encircle the squealing victim -and thrust him into a capacious mouth. The owner wanted twenty-five -dollars. A canvasman, sent to investigate, found the porker under an -adjacent house. - -It is the solution of these and far more serious similar problems, -that are a highly important branch of the general manager’s work, and -upon his management and disposition of them depends much money and -annoyance. If the grievance is just and fair, he is ready to make ample -financial reimbursement. He expects and receives imposition, but if not -carried too far, he settles for cash and gets a full legal release. -If the demand made is outrageous in amount, and the claimant stubborn -and menacing and uncompromising, then, to his astonished dismay, he is -told to carry out his threats as he sees fit. Of course, the delay of -a trial or even a hearing would cost the circus thousands of dollars, -but the general manager has provided against this contingency. In every -town the circus exhibits, there, too, is the representative of the -American Surety Company, prepared with surety for any amount. The levy -is made, accepted with unconcern, financial pledge is given, and the -show moves to the train and away. It is all very perplexing and painful -to the man with the exaggerated sense of affliction, and he wishes he -had been more moderate in speech and demand and not so hasty in action. -If an amicable settlement be not made out of court, he finds that the -circus will fight him to the bitter legal end. - -The general manager appears like magic when there is an accident -or injury in which the circus is involved. These are of almost -daily occurrence. The lion or tiger may gleefully claw the too -far outstretched hand of the curious boy; a horse perhaps kicks -or bites; there are runaways and runovers, and a variety of other -mishaps extending from cars to lot and from arrival to departure. The -general manager always strives to be at the scene ahead of the artful -lawyer, who would fain share in the damages. He is apologetic and -regretful, offers cash remuneration and receives a written statement of -satisfaction. Not until then does he breathe freely; but rest assured -that in the transaction he has given no outward indication of his -troubled mind and that in the bargain he has made the circus has not -come out second best. The show people who watch him daily grow to look -on him as ubiquitous. - -Many and marvellous are the tales told him with the design of securing -free admission. The street commissioner is a permanent applicant. -The general manager knows the story by heart. The heavy pole wagons -have damaged the highways; a few tickets will wipe out the injury. -He generally gets in. The man whose land has been encroached upon by -the tents; the policeman with the small army of eager children; the -householder who avers the elephant’s prehensile trunk mutilated an -inviting tree; the alderman’s brother; the clergyman who declares -he has always heretofore been a welcome guest, and the long list of -others with claim to recognition, get a hearing with varying success. -The policeman is the most persistent. The circus is in a measure at -his mercy and he is insatiable. He becomes a numerous husband and his -relatives are legion. It is for the general manager to get quarter -and he must go about it without offending; for there may be need for -blue-coated service before the day is done, and the show must not lose -official favor. - -“Plain-clothes” men, the policemen assigned to duty at circus in -ordinary street attire, are usually a nuisance. In the smaller towns -they have little or no conception of their duties--to watch out for -crooks without exciting suspicion--and they hover about the entrance, -proud to be on familiar and confidential terms with the management, -“passing-in” acquaintances, bothering with questions and generally -obstructing the smooth progress of things. Their detective instinct -and experience are nil, and their questionable value to the circus is -confined to knowing the town drunkard and the tough of local notoriety, -whose demeanor is sober and demure enough when opposed to the ready -rank and file of the show. - -Numerous special officers and sheriff’s deputies have been sworn in -for the occasion. These throw wide their coats, displaying to the -ticket-taker their badges of office fastened to suspender or waistcoat, -and are permitted to enter the tents. Their presence is needed, -the general manager has been gravely assured, to aid in the police -arrangements in the contingency of riot or panic. The circus knows, of -course, that they are the friends and relatives of the official heads -of the town, who manage, with the immunity from payment the badge -conveys, to see the show free. In case of trouble or a call for their -services not one of them would respond. - -When the general manager is in a facetious mood and has an idle moment, -we have a stock joke ready for the “plain clothes” arrayed at the door. -I bustle up to the ropes, throw open my coat as if revealing a hidden -badge of office; the doortender, who enjoys the diversion immensely, -nods assent and I pass in. Then the stolid wits of the detectives -operate and they move in a body to the serious-visaged manager and -whisper that he has been imposed upon, that I am a stranger and not -a special officer as I represented, and therefore not entitled to -admission. My friend waxes very indignant, I, agitated and crestfallen, -am led back to the entrance, lectured sternly and threatened with -arrest as an impostor, and ejected. The detective force, glutted with -pride over the masterly accomplishment, receives profuse thanks. Later -the manager and I have a hearty laugh together. - -The canvasmen and teamsters, hearty, brawny fellows, and peaceable -unless inflamed with liquor, all respect and esteem the manager and -appreciate that, while he is unrelentingly severe when there is an -infraction of rules, his discipline is always fair and impartial. He -plays no favorites. For profanity and vulgarity he will accept no -mitigating excuse. In Johnstown, Pa., we were walking to the lot one -beautiful Sunday morning when the loud oaths of a driver attracted our -attention. He was directing his foul expressions at a child, who in its -curiosity to see the gorgeous wagon, had narrowly escaped being run -over. Residents, sitting at windows or on piazzas, were shocked at the -vile outpouring. They had never before appreciated the resources of the -language. - -“Come down off the seat!” sternly commanded the manager, his face grim -and hard with anger. “Now, go get your pay. You are discharged.” - -Then he mounted the red and gilded heights of the vehicle, clucked to -the eight horses and drove like a veteran to the show grounds. The -staff detective was instructed to see to it that the culprit was not -permitted on the lot. - -We showed two days in Pittsburg and there was afforded an opportunity -to witness the wealth of resource, the courage, the tactful skill and -the untiring energy of the man. All went smoothly and serenely the -first day. Then came Saturday, when the workmen of the circus received -their weekly pay. Across the street from the tents was a combined -saloon and hotel, which at once became the focus of dissipation. A -wave of inebriety seemed to sweep in upon teamsters and canvasmen. One -by one they became extremely drunk and reduced new-found friends to -the same condition. By night all order and decency had been abandoned -and they stood about the bar or lot shouting and swearing, and making -threats with knives or clubs. The season was just beginning and time -had been too short for a discovery and weeding out of the tough -characters among the help. The owner was making a hurried visit to his -home, three hundred miles distant, and the general manager met the -critical situation alone. How he managed to conduct the performance, -to break camp with the few employees who remained staunch and true, -and to load the trains and move out of the city, none of our feeble -brains could ever grasp. But he accomplished it without serious delay, -without an affray of consequence, and with a finish and skill which -veiled from the public the fact that anything out of the usual was -happening. Before the start from the railroad yard there was a careful -and systematic count of men, stock, wagons, baggage and apparatus, for -some of the drivers, continuing the debauch, had deserted their horses -and vehicles in front of saloons. All were finally rounded up. The -transgression cost seventy-five men their positions, and for the rest -of the season other circuses marvelled at our state of grace and piety. - -The general manager is rich in worldly possessions and free with cash -and credit. When one’s supply of money runs short, from “butcher” to -man of high rank, he turns for temporary relief to his more fortunate -and more provident comrade. His wants are always supplied, except in -isolated instances, for not to pay a just debt entails the blight -of universal condemnation and loss of confidence and honor. It is -in winter, when the general manager is hiding from mankind in a -Florida shelter, that the demands come fast and urgent and never pass -unheeded. For then it is that the thriftless circus man, who knows no -business except that which warm weather provides, is in a pecuniary -predicament. The manager’s bounty extends to his friends in all parts -of the country, but a few weeks of the next season sees it returned to -him with grateful appreciation. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -AMERICAN CIRCUS TRIUMPHANT - - - OFFICIAL ROUTE - CIRCUS - - [SAMPLE ITINERARY] - - ----------+---------------+-----------+--------------------+------ - DATE | TOWN | STATE | RAILROAD | MILES - ----------+---------------+-----------+--------------------+------ - Apr. 2-19 | New York | N. Y. | | - | Sunday | | | - “ 21-26 | Philadelphia | Penn. | Penn. R. R. | 99 - | Sunday | | | - “ 28-29 | Baltimore | Md. | “ | 113 - “ 30 |} | | | - May 1 |} Washington | D. C. | “ | 50 - “ 2 | Hagerstown | Md. | B. & O. R. R. | 77 - “ 3 | Cumberland | “ | “ | 124 - | Sunday | | | - “ 5 | Clarksburg | W. Va. | “ | 124 - “ 6 | Fairmount | “ | “ | 32 - “ 7 | Connellsville | Penn. | “ | 70 - “ 8 | Washington | “ | “ | 96 - “ 9-10 | Pittsburg | “ | “ | 42 - | Sunday | | | - “ 12 | Johnstown | “ | Penn. R. R. | 79 - “ 13 | Altoona | “ | “ | 39 - “ 14 | Lewistown | “ | “ | 75 - “ 15 | York | “ | “ | 97 - “ 16 | Reading | “ | “ | 89 - “ 17 | Pottsville | “ | “ | 36 - | Sunday | | | - “ 19 | Wilkesbarre | “ | “ | 118 - “ 20 | Scranton | “ | C. R. R. of N. J. | 18 - “ 21 | Allentown | “ | “ | 103 - “ 22 | Easton | “ | “ | 17 - “ 23 | Elizabeth | N. J. | “ | 62 - “ 24 | Jersey City | “ | Penn. R. R. | 14 - | Sunday | | | - “ 26-31 | Brooklyn | N. Y. | Ferry | - June 2 | Paterson | N. J. | Erie R. R. | 17 - “ 3 | Newburg | N. Y. | “ | 47 - “ 4 | Kingston | “ | West Shore | 32 - “ 5 | Schenectady | “ | “ | 70 - “ 6 | Gloversville | “ | W. S. F. J. & G. | 37 - “ 7 | Utica | “ | N. Y. C. & H. R. | 61 - | Sunday | | | - “ 9 | Poughkeepsie | “ | N. Y. C & H. R. | 165 - “ 10 | Danbury | Conn. | N. Y. N. H. & H. | 63 - “ 11 | Ansonia | “ | “ | 30 - “ 12 | Meriden | “ | “ | 31 - “ 13 | Holyoke | Mass. | N.Y.N.H.&H.-B.&M. | 49 - “ 14 | Greenfield | “ | B. & M. | 38 - | Sunday | “ | | - “ 16 | Gardner | “ | “ | 40 - “ 17 | Lowell | “ | “ | 13 - “ 18 | Lawrence | “ | “ | 13 - “ 19 | Concord | N. H. | “ | 45 - “ 20 | Manchester | “ | “ | 18 - “ 21 | Haverhill| | Mass. | “ | 33 - | Sunday | | “ | - “ 23 | Portsmouth | N. H. | “ | 33 - “ 24 | Biddeford | Me. | “ | 43 - “ 25 | Portland | “ | “ | 15 - “ 26 | Lewiston | “ | Grand Trunk | 35 - “ 27 | Berlin | N. H. | “ | 74 - “ 28 | Sherbrooke | Quebec | “ | 99 - | Sunday | | | - “ 30 | Montreal | “ | C. P. | 102 - July 1 | “ | “ | “ | - “ 2 | Valleyfield | “ | C. P. & C. A. | - “ 3 | Ottawa | Ont. | C. A. | 52 - “ 4 | Cornwall | “ | N. Y. & O. | 85 - “ 5 | Kingston | “ | Grand Trunk | 57 - | Sunday | | | - “ 7 | Belleville | “ | “ | 51 - “ 8 | Peterboro | “ | “ | 64 - “ 9 | Barrie | “ | “ | 88 - “ 10 | Toronto | “ | “ | 64 - “ 11 | Hamilton | “ | “ | 39 - “ 12 | Brantford | “ | “ | 27 - | Sunday | | | - “ 14 | Guelph | “ | “ | 36 - “ 15 | Stratford | “ | “ | 40 - “ 16 | Woodstock | “ | “ | 23 - “ 17 | London | “ | “ | 29 - “ 18 | St. Thomas | “ | L. E. & D. R. | 15 - “ 19 | Chatham | “ | Grand Trunk | 62 - | Sunday | | | - “ 21 | Buffalo | N. Y. | “ | 186 - “ 22 | Rochester | “ | N. Y. C. & H. R. | 69 - “ 23 | Geneva | “ | “ | 51 - “ 24 | Auburn | “ | “ | 26 - “ 25 | Cortland | “ | Lehigh V’y | 43 - “ 26 | Binghamton | “ | D. L. & W. | 43 - | Sunday | | | - “ 28 | Ithaca | “ | “ | 55 - “ 29 | Elmira | “ | “ | 70 - “ 30 | Williamsport | Penn. | Penn. Line | 78 - “ 31 | Lock Haven | “ | “ | 25 - Aug. 1 | Dubois | “ | “ | 101 - “ 2 | Butler | “ | “ | 122 - | Sunday | | | - “ 4 | Wheeling | W. Va. | B. & O. | 110 - “ 5 | Zanesville | Ohio | “ | 83 - “ 6 | Mansfield | “ | “ | 87 - “ 7 | Lima | “ | P. Ft. W. & C. | 86 - “ 8 | Springfield | “ | D. S. | 67 - “ 9 | Columbus | “ | Big Four | 45 - | Sunday | | | - “ 11 | Piqua | “ | P. C. C. & St. L. | 73 - “ 12 | Richmond | Ind. | “ | 47 - “ 13 | Indianapolis | “ | “ | 68 - “ 14 | Anderson | “ | Big Four | 36 - “ 15 | Marion | “ | “ | 33 - “ 16 | Logansport | “ | P. C. C. & St. L. | 40 - | Sunday | | | - “ 18 | Springfield | Ill. | Wabash | 195 - “ 19 | Jacksonville | “ | “ | 34 - “ 20 | Quincy | “ | “ | 87 - “ 21 | Keokuk | Iowa | Burlington | 43 - “ 22 | Burlington | “ | “ | 43 - “ 23 | Galesburg | Ill. | “ | 40 - | Sunday | | | - “ 25 | Kewanee | “ | “ | 32 - “ 26 | Sterling | “ | “ | 92 - “ 27 | Aurora | “ | C. & N. W. | 70 - “ 28 | Elgin | “ | “ | 27 - “ 29 | Racine | Wis. | “ | 72 - “ 30 | Waukesha | “ | “ | 42 - | Sunday | | | - Sept. 1 | Marinette | “ | “ | 205 - “ 2 | Green Bay | “ | “ | 52 - “ 3 | Oshkosh | “ | “ | 48 - “ 4 | Janesville | “ | “ | 103 - “ 5 | Freeport | “ | C. M. & S. P. | 50 - “ 6 | Rock Island | Ill. | “ | 93 - | Sunday | | | - “ 8 | Peoria | “ | C. R. I. & P. | 100 - “ 9 | Lincoln | “ | C. & A. | 93 - “ 10 | Pontiac | “ | “ | 64 - “ 11 | Bloomington | “ | “ | 35 - “ 12 | Danville | “ | Big Four | 80 - “ 13 | Lafayette | Ind. | Wabash | 47 - | Sunday | | | - “ 15 | Huntington | “ | “ | 84 - “ 16 | Defiance | Ohio | “ | 84 - “ 17 | Toledo | “ | “ | 29 - “ 18 | Findlay | “ | T. & O. C. | 44 - “ 19 | Bellefontaine | “ | Big Four. | 63 - “ 20 | Dayton | “ | “ | 58 - | Sunday | | | - “ 22 | Chillicothe | “ | C. H. & D. | 81 - “ 23 | Athens | “ | B. & O. S. W. | 60 - “ 24 | Charleston | W. Va. | T. & O. C. | 103 - “ 25 | Huntington | “ | C. & O. | 50 - “ 26 | Mt. Sterling | Ky. | “ | 107 - “ 27 | Lexington | “ | “ | 33 - | Sunday | | | - “ 29 | Chattanooga | Tenn. | I. & C. | 254 - “ 30 | Tullahoma | “ | N. C. & St. L. | 82 - Oct. 1 | Nashville | “ | “ | 69 - “ 2 | Paris | “ | “ | 117 - “ 3 | Jackson | “ | “ | 80 - “ 4 | Memphis | “ | “ | 85 - | Sunday | | | - “ 6 | Tupelo | Miss. | K. C. S. F. & M. | 105 - “ 7 | Birmingham | Ala. | “ | 146 - “ 8 | Anniston | “ | Southern | 64 - “ 9 | Rome | Georgia | “ | 62 - “ 10 | Atlanta | “ | “ | 74 - “ 11 | Athens | “ | S. A. L. | 73 - | Sunday | | | - “ 13 | Augusta | “ | S. A. L.-C. & W. C.| 119 - “ 14 | Anderson | S. C. | C. & W. C. | 103 - “ 15 | Greenwood | “ | C. & W. C.-S. A. L.| 63 - “ 16 | Greenville | “ | Southern | 59 - “ 17 | Spartanburg | “ | “ | 32 - “ 18 | Charlotte | N. C. | “ | 70 - | Sunday | | | - “ 20 | Wilmington | “ | S. A. L. | 187 - “ 21 | Florence | “ | A. C. L. | 110 - “ 22 | Columbia | “ | “ | 82 - “ 23 | Sumter | “ | “ | 43 - “ 24 | Charleston | “ | “ | 94 - “ 25 | Savannah | Georgia | “ | 115 - | Sunday | | | - “ 27 | Jacksonville | Florida | A. C. L. | 172 - “ 28 | Waycross | Georgia | “ | 75 - “ 29 | Valdosta | “ | “ | 59 - “ 30 | Thomasville | “ | “ | 45 - “ 31 | Albany | “ | “ | 58 - Nov. 1 | Americus | “ | C. of G. | 36 - | Sunday | | | - “ 3 | Macon | “ | “ | 70 - “ 4 | Columbus | “ | “ | 100 - “ 5 | Montgomery | Ala. | “ | 95 - “ 6 | Selma | “ | W. of Ala. | 50 - “ 7 | Meridian | Miss. | M. & O. | 73 - “ 8 | West Point | “ |Ill. Ct. Y. & M. V. | 9 - | Sunday | | | - “ 10 | Kosciusko | “ | Y. & M. V. | 70 - “ 11 | Greenwood | “ | “ | 73 - “ 12 | Greenville | “ | “ | 132 - “ 13 | Vicksburg | “ | “ | 82 - “ 14 | Ft. Gibson | “ | “ | 30 - “ 15 | Baton Rouge | La. | “ | 116 - | Sunday | | | - “ 17 | New Orleans | “ | “ | 89 - “ 18 | “ | “ | “ | - “ 19 | “ | “ | “ | - ----------+---------------+-----------+--------------------+------ - - Home Sweet Home 1,015 miles via I. C., B. & O., S. & W., and B. & O. - R. R. - - Summary: Number of miles travelled, 11,569. Number of States and - Provinces visited, 26. Number of towns visited, 167. - -[Illustration: TRANSFERRING FROM WATER TO RAIL.] - -The conquest of the Old World by the Barnum & Bailey circus will live -forever in the stirring history of tented organizations. It made -the enterprise an object of international interest. There is now -practically no country in the world that does not know the Barnum & -Bailey Show and recognize that it and its ally, the Forepaugh & Sells -Brothers Show, enjoy a happy, undisputed monopoly. - -As America reaches out for commercial predominance, so the American -circus challenged competition abroad, and foreign rivals quivered and -shrunk. England found and felt herself laboriously behind hand, and -other nations yielded pre-eminence. For five years crowned heads showed -gracious appreciation and vied with one another to express generous -sentiments of welcome and appreciation to the American envoy, and that -period records uniform success and not a single failure. This profound -impression made in other lands is one of the proudest achievements of -American sagacity, resolution and ambition, and directly stimulating to -the pride of all Americans, whose great good fortune it is now that the -Barnum & Bailey circus has returned to contribute to the happiness of -humanity here. - -Few, probably, appreciate the tremendous undertaking involved in this -picturesque invasion, and the difficulties met and overcome. All -methods had to be adjusted to new surroundings and new demands. The -manner and matter of work bore no resemblance to those here. The extent -and nature of changes affected all departments of the organization. -Every inch of the territory travelled was unfamiliar. Languages and -people were strange. Yet the campaign was instituted without prolonged -preparation and with no twinges of misgivings, so accustomed was this -great circus to demonstrating possibilities and so perfect was it in -planning and directing. It can truly be said that it caters for the -world. - -A volume in itself would be required to tell the story of how the -Barnum & Bailey circus, in the stern test of competition, forced all -others into insignificance during its travels abroad. Incidents grave -and gay, of life, action and adventure, crowd the history of those five -years. The then Prince of Wales, now King Edward VII., I recall, after -witnessing several performances, sent the personal message: “The circus -is justly deserving of the title ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’, for it -not only is certainly the greatest amusement enterprise ever organized, -but also the most wonderful example of organization and discipline one -can hope to see.” - -Even more signal an honor was that conferred by Emperor Francis Joseph -I., during the visit of the circus to Vienna. Following an afternoon -under tents, his delighted imperial majesty sent to Mr. James A. -Bailey, managing director, accompanying a letter of thanks for his -entertainment, a gold cigar case, relieved on one side by the royal -crown and the initials “F. J. I.” Twenty-five scattered brilliants -enhanced the intrinsic value of the gift. Later the royal household -requested a complete set of circus lithographs for the Emperor’s -library. - -The transportation of the show from London to Hamburg is noteworthy -from the fact that it was the first time railway cars sixty feet long -had ever been loaded on board ship without being taken apart. And they -were taken from the vessel and deposited on the tracks in Germany -just as they were removed from the tracks in London, wheels and all, -and were the first English-made cars ever operated in the Kaiser’s -domain. The Barnum & Bailey circus was the first tented institution -allowed to spread a canvas in Berlin. After a rigid examination of -the show in every detail, the officials signed permits with the frank -expression that they had no apprehensions of disaster in any form. -The city is the headquarters of the German army, and the discipline, -precision and business common-sense of the circus civilians so -impressed the principal officers that they were in constant attendance. -On the evening of departure members of the General Staff witnessed the -breaking of the encampment, taking copious notes, while another body -put in the night at the scene of embarkation at the railroad yards. - -Tributes like these to the enterprise and energy and superior skill of -the American circus men covered the almost continuous period of their -foreign wanderings. Of difficulties overcome, there was one whose -extraordinary character I feel certain would have caused any other -than Mr. James A. Bailey, the director of the Barnum & Bailey circus, -to have abandoned the project entirely. A few days before the opening -of the show in the Olympia in London, the County Council decided that -more precautionary fire measures were necessary, and ordered the -erection of a giant curtain of iron and asbestos, to cover one entire -side of the vast amphitheatre. The required outlay was $90,000, but Mr. -Bailey, not a bit dismayed, went at the task with characteristic vigor -and without delay, and accomplished it with a celerity which filled -the English mind with astonished wonder. Moreover, when it came to -hanging the tremendous area and the workmen in the employ of the firm -to whom the contract had been given feared to go aloft, he called his -own picked body of employees to the scene and they did the job without -friction or flinching. - -I can truly say that no one is more honored in circus history than Mr. -Bailey, the presiding head of this remarkable institution. It would -be a grateful duty to the world to rescue from self-imposed oblivion -the events connected with his life, but the unusual modesty of the man -forbids. While others boast and glorify themselves, the admitted “king -of circus men” chooses personal obscurity. All publicity attaching to -his movements is strangely distasteful; he wants the world to know -and approve only the enterprise to which his life has been devoted -and which his sagacious efforts have solely borne to supremacy. No -imagination save his was once bold and radical enough to grasp the -future, and no other prophet could foretell the rapid and enormous -development of the American circus. - -Only his old-time intimate associates know how visionary were once -accounted the broad methods which have won him success, and the -rebuffs and hindrances of no common sort which were his experiences. -Through them all he worked ceaselessly, patiently, resolutely, with -the courage and confidence of personal conviction, resigning personal -convenience, ease, social enjoyment and other valued privileges, and -the result has marked him as the one dazzling genius of the profession. -To his employees he is like a father who sympathizes with his children -in their varied circumstances of joy and sorrow. His benevolences -are large-hearted but judicious, and his integrity of the rugged, -old-fashioned type. He has shed a lustre upon the profession which -has won universal recognition and admiration, and little wonder that -his return to his native land, his rightful circus heritage, has been -hailed with a burst of cordial welcome and enthusiasm. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS - - -“The size of the tent was rather staggering at first, as the greatest -length of the oval is nearly two hundred feet, and standing at one end -it is impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the features of -those on the crowded seats at the other end.” - -I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a newspaper of 1877, as -illustrating by comparison the physical magnitude of the circus of -to-day. Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious depths half a -dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five years ago, and our “menagerie -top” covers more area. The scanty side-show cloth, an insignificant -detail of the encampment, is not much smaller. - -Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array of man and beast -marvels, an improvement from the public standpoint over the -old-fashioned show wherein the clown predominated and one ring -sufficed? Has there come with the expansion more skill and hazard -of performance? Do patrons relish the relegation to oblivion of -some time-honored circus accomplishments, and the interpolation of -vaudeville? The circus performer of former days will invariably answer -these interrogations in the negative; the circus owner and manager -makes no hesitation in disagreeing on all points, and his conviction -is that backed by the weight of ticket wagon receipts. Whatever the -artistic merits and the drifting away from things traditionary, -certainly the opportunities for profit have multiplied with the years. -Everything favorable, there is no more wonderful a money-maker than -the modern circus. Despite frequently expressed longing, it is not -likely that the public would receive with favor the return of the -old-fashioned circus, no matter how alluring the performance in its -meagerness. The case of the small circus of to-day bears this out. It -is ignored if a “big show” is headed its way. - -After retrospective talks with many old performers I cannot discover -that the modern generation of athletes has kept pace with the progress -of the business department of the circus. There are few legitimate -circus feats executed nowadays, so far as I have been able to learn, -which were not equalled in years gone by, and there are instances -where supremacy is yielded to the men now retired; many of their -accomplishments have not been duplicated. I cite the case of George -Bachelor, who was accustomed to single somersault over ten elephants, -and of “Bob” Stickney, who without apparent exertion turned two -somersaults in his flight over twenty-three horses. Oscar Lowanda -has been the only person to improve materially upon former equestrian -acts. He succeeds in doing a back somersault from the haunch of one -moving horse to that of another. In aerial performances few new -individual feats are in evidence. The strides forward seem solely in -the employment of more persons in a single act. The Potters perform ten -in number, an unheard-of achievement a few years ago. The strain of -planning and successfully carrying out the act, however, is so intense -that the head of the troupe had decided to partially disband it when I -talked with him. - -The life of the circus man of to-day is a continual round of ease and -luxury as compared with the strenuous, haphazard existence of his -brother of a few decades ago. The memory of this generation can shed -no light on the origin of the circus in this country, and there is no -literature definitely disclosing when the first travelling organization -reared its canvas. Seth B. Howe was the first circus owner of note. -“Bob” Stickney, still a vigorous reminder of former days, remembers the -stories told of that time by his father, Samuel Peck Stickney, who was -a member of the company. The advance agent made his lonely journey on -horseback. His saddle-bags bulged with circus “paper,” which he tacked -wherever his judgment suggested, for it comprised a welcome addition -to the community’s supply of reading matter. He was a smooth-tongued, -polished man of the times and full of wonderful tales of the -approaching circus. Curiosity and excitement were at high pitch when -the caravan put in its appearance a fortnight later. The line halted -on the outskirts of the town, uniforms were donned and a parade made -to the scene of exhibition. This was frequently in the spacious yard -of the local tavern. The centre pole of the tent was cut daily in the -abounding woods, trimmed and dragged into place. The tavern provided -chairs and the church was drawn upon for benches. An extra charge was -imposed for the use of these resting places. Admission to the circus -carried with it only the privilege of viewing the performance standing. -At night, candles furnished illumination. - -Trained horses and ponies composed much of the show. The feats of the -equestrian were amazing in their daring, to the onlookers of that -period. The ringmaster made a preliminary announcement. The rider, -he proclaimed, would stand erect on a horse in full motion_!_ This -accomplished, amid wild enthusiasm, the hero of the hour balanced -himself on one foot and concluded by playing a violin as the horse -cantered around the ring. This was before the broad saddle pad had gone -out of circus use. The rider who first jumped over banners was given a -fabulous salary, and he who dared plunge through the familiar paper -balloon became rich in a year. - -The night overland journeys of these old-time circuses were full of -dire peril. Highways were dark and dreary and places of pitfalls. Each -circus wagon bore a flickering candle torch, showing the route to -the driver behind. Soon menageries were added, and then an elephant. -Hannibal, the “war elephant,” was one of the first. There were few -nights when his services were not required to extricate a wagon from -mud or gully, or to urge it up some steep incline. The old Van Amburg -circus transported a giraffe, a mournful beast which few modern -circuses are possessed of. Wood choppers went ahead to clear the -road with their axes and permit the passage of the high cage. Then -came, in order of time, the side-show, with the free exhibition in -front--wire-walking, a balloon ascension, a high-diving performance, or -feats on the “flying” trapeze. - -Probably the most noted knight of the sawdust ring was Dan Rice, -who died in Long Branch, N. J., on February 22, 1900, at the age -of seventy-seven years. His history was practically that of the -circus--the real old-fashioned circus--in America. Daniel McLaren, -his father, nicknamed him Dan Rice, after a famous clown he had known -in Ireland, and the name clung to him. He touched the heights and -depths of circus luck, making in his life three independent fortunes -and losing one after another. He died comparatively poor. As acrobat -and later clown, he travelled every portion of the United States and -extensively in Europe. He first appeared as a clown in Galena, Ill., -the home of U. S. Grant, in 1844, and from that time his popularity as -a circus clown increased amazingly. He retired in 1882, a hale old man -of sturdy frame and resonant voice, whose hearty handshake it was a -pleasure to feel. - -Bobby Williams, Sam Lathrop, Sam Long, Joe Pentland, Billy Kennedy, -Jimmy Reynolds, William Wallett, Frank Brown, Nat Austin, Herbert -Williams, Dan Gardiner, Bill Worrell and Tony Pastor were other noted -clowns and “Shakespearian jesters” of his day, and most of them are -hale and hearty to this day. A press agent of their time, not behind -his lavish-languaged modern brother, called attention to this group -as “jolly, jovial representatives of Momus, whose fund of wit and -humor has given them the proud titles of America’s greatest wits and -punsters; scholarly, refined and every one fit to grace the proudest -court as its greatest jester. Merrier men within the limits becoming -mirth live not upon man’s footstool--this greatest earth.” - -[Illustration: HUMILIATION OF THE KING OF BEASTS.] - -In the old days of the clown, when one ring furnished satisfying -enjoyment, his was a very important and conspicuous part of the -performance. His efforts of entertainment occupied the sole attention -of the audience at times, as with voice or action he provided fun -and folly. It was as a songster that he was at his best. Perched on -a stool in the centre of the ring--thrown up of soil and not the -portable wooden, forty-two foot diametered affair of to-day--his vocal -enlivenments were a source of much laughter and merriment. Here is a -type of the old-time clown song, which none who ever witnessed one of -the shows will fail to recall: - - I don’t mind telling you, - I took my girl to Kew, - And Emma was the darling creature’s name. - While standing on the pier, - Some folks did at her leer, - And one and all around her did exclaim: - Whoa, Emma! Whoa, Emma! - Emma, you put me in quite a dilemma. - Oh, Emma! Whoa, Emma! - That’s what I hear from Putney to Kew. - - - I asked them “what they meant?” - When some one at me sent - An egg, which nearly struck me in the eye. - The girl began to scream, - Saying, “Fred, what does this mean?” - I asked again, and this was their reply: - Whoa, Emma! etc. - - I thought they’d never cease, - So shouted out “Police!” - And when he came he looked at me so sly - The crowd they then me chaffed, - And said “I must be daft,” - And once again they all commenced to cry: - Whoa, Emma! etc. - - An old man said to me, - “Why, young man, can’t you see - The joke?” And I looked at him with surprise. - He said, “Don’t be put out, - It’s a saying got about,” - And then their voices seemed to rend the skies: - Whoa, Emma! etc. - -After a round of jokes and other buffoonery at the expense of the -ringmaster, who retorted with threatening crackings of whip, he was -ready with more melody. Sometimes he appealed to the tender emotions. -“Baby Mine” was a favorite. It ran thus: - - I’ve a letter from thy sire, - Baby mine, Baby mine; - I could read and never tire, - Baby mine; - He is sailing o’er the sea, - He is coming back to me, - He is coming back to me, - Baby mine, baby mine; - He is coming back to me, - Baby mine. - - Oh, I long to see his face, - Baby mine, Baby mine; - In his old accustomed place, - Baby mine; - Like the rose of May in bloom, - Like a star amid the gloom, - Like the sunshine in the room, - Baby mine, Baby mine; - Like the sunshine in the room, - Baby mine. - - I’m so glad I cannot sleep, - Baby mine, Baby mine; - I’m so happy I could weep, - Baby mine; - He is sailing o’er the sea, - He is coming back to me, - He is coming back to thee, - Baby mine, Baby mine; - He is coming back to thee, - Baby mine. - -The clowns of the modern circus must needs possess, they confidently -assert, more vivacity, wit and observation than their predecessors. -The magnitude of the spread of canvas almost entirely precludes -the possibility of effective oral utterance, and their drollery is -confined to gesture, movement and posturing. This dumb acting places -the funmaker at a decided disadvantage, and the problem of creations -that will meet public favor is one requiring unusual natural aptitude. -Frank Oakley (“Slivers”), fitted by nature for the part, sprang into -wonderful public favor in a season. - -In the grateful shade of the “big top,” during the period between the -two performances, I sat one afternoon with an old-time performer whose -age keeps him from the ring, but the memory of whose famous feats -retains him in the employ of the circus. The seductive fascination and -charm of the life has never dulled within him, and until accumulated -years finally forbid, he declares he will be a member of the -organization. He was in a reminiscent mood and began: - -“In the old days I remember a feature of our circus was Nettie -Collins’s lilt ‘Dance me on Your Knee.’ The band played the flowing -melody, and she bowed and waved as she sang on a little platform in the -ring. It made a great hit for several seasons. Here’s how its lines -went, and many an old-time circus goer will call them to mind: - - When I was a little girl and full of childish joys - I used to play with all the girls, but oftener with the boys; - And with them climb the apple trees, and races, too, we’d run, - I’ll tell you, oh, ’twas then, my boys, we had such jolly fun; - But now those days are past and gone, no more them I will see, - If I could only call them back, how happy I would be. - You may dance me, darling, dance me, - You may dance me on your knee. - If there’s such a man among you - As can recommend himself to me, - Be sure he’s brave and strong enough - To dance me on his knee. - -“Then ‘Dick’ Turner, comedian, in bucolic attire, would stand up in a -conspicuous place in the reserved seats, gesticulate emphatically and -shout: ‘I’ll dance you on my knee, girl.’ Most of the audience would -be deceived as to his identity, supposing him to be a rural visitor to -the show, and there was great hilarity. ‘Come down here, then,’ the -ringmaster would respond, and amid shrieks of laughter ‘Dick’ would -make his way to the ring, where the fun continued. Oh, it was easy to -entertain in those simple old days! - -“‘Al’ Meaco was a favorite with his songs and jokes. He was one of the -first general clowns, and did a drunken act on stilts that convulsed -the house, but was a hazardous performance, withal. One of his idiotic -stories which afforded great amusement in the country districts was: -‘I’ve got a beautiful girl. Went to see her the other night. Met her -on the woodshed. Oh, the tears I would shed for her and the tears she -would shed for me would be shed more than the wood shed would shed -for me.’ Then he did some fancy steps, the band played and everybody -laughed. What a ghastly proceeding with the modern circus! - -“‘Al’ did an act with his brother ‘Tom’ which was considered a marvel -then. ‘Al’ swung head down from a trapeze, attached his teeth to a -strap which belted his brother and whirled him in circles. The act is -an old one now and vastly improved upon. I remember once ‘Al’ forgot -himself, opened his mouth to speak to ‘Tom’ and the latter revolved -forty feet through the air to the earth below. He broke four ribs and a -collar bone. - -“Here’s another joke which one of our clowns got off with success. -Nowadays it would be received with grief and shame. ‘I had a girl named -Sal Skinner. I called at her house one Sunday. She wasn’t home. Her -mother said she’d gone to church. I started out looking for her. Went -into the church and walked down the aisle, but didn’t see her. The -minister spotted me. “Are you looking for salvation?” he says. “No,” -I says, “but I’m looking for Sal Skinner.”’ The audience howled with -mirth. - -“Sam Lathrop used to make mock political speeches, with flings at the -politicians in the town we were playing. The best received of his -assortment of jests was this one, given as the ring horse halted: -‘Well, you stop, the horse stops, the music stops, I stop, but there’s -one thing nobody can stop.’ - -“‘What is the one thing nobody can stop?’ followed the ringmaster. - -“‘Why, a woman’s tongue!’ - -“The ringmaster, in apparent retaliatory discomfiture, would crack his -whip at the legs of the clown, who uttered ‘Ouch!’ as if in pain, and -the onlookers thought it all very funny. - -“Trained animals formed an important feature of our programme, and we -gave exhibitions which have not been repeated since. One of our men -drove a troupe of buffaloes in tandem line around the ring. ‘Grizzly’ -Adams had performing bears, a dozen of them, and never was greater -courage required. Dick Sands put a herd of camels through tricks and -raced with a hippopotamus. Dan Costello showed the full-blooded Spanish -bull, Don Juan; and John Hagenbeck taught a company of zebras difficult -paces. George Arstinstahl, I think, was the first to group different -animals. He bunched elephants, bears, lions, tigers and dogs before -astonished audiences without ever a suspicion of fight.” - -Three noted old-time circus riders, whose fame was world-wide a few -years ago, are members of our organization this season, assisting the -management. They are “Bob” Stickney, whose equestrian and acrobatic -feats are still fresh in the minds of all circus goers, and Frank J. -Melville and William E. Gorman, who were comfortable on any part of a -horse’s body, barring, perhaps, the ears. They will live forever in the -annals of the circus. Timothy Turner was the first to somersault on a -horse’s back. The thing was done in the old Bowery Theatre in New York -City in the ’50’s. Levi J. North, who was performing in an opposition -theatre, heard of the accomplishment and successfully imitated it the -same night. John Glenroy followed with a somersault--performed without -the presence of the pad then in general use and which his predecessors -had alighted upon. Then James Robinson, creator of many bareback -tricks, duplicated the act. Charles Fish, Frank Pastor, Romeo Sebastian -and David Richards were other celebrated circus horsemen of that -period. Billy Morgan inaugurated the now common mule riding act. - -Mrs. Walter Howard was the first circus equestrienne of public -prominence. Sixty years ago, her simple performance fairly dazed -spectators. She gave lessons in her art to many of the later woman -riders and made a sensation by being the only woman at that time to -cast herself through paper balloons. Alice Lake was a remarkably -skilful horsewoman. Of the foreigners who came here, Madame Tounaire -was easily the best performer. Her daughter, Molly Brown, was the first -woman in this country to somersault on a horse, and few women since -have accomplished the trick. Mrs. William Roland, Madame Dockrill, -Adelaide Cordona, Louise Rentz, and Pauline Lee attained prominence. -Linda Jeal was famous for several years and taught her niece, Dallie -Julian, seventeen years old, the somersault. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -THE CIRCUS PRESS AGENT - - -The wily press agent’s method of gaining publicity for his show varies -with the size and moral disposition of the cities in which he finds -himself. In executing his publicity-provoking designs in populous -centres there is in him no serious purpose to avoid an arrest. In the -smaller cities he must needs exercise his ingenuity to prevent the -action of the law. The notion that showmen are moral delinquents is -firmly settled in rural communities, especially in the East, and if in -the excess of his enthusiasm to bring to wide attention the presence of -the circus the press agent commits what an obdurate policeman considers -a public wrong, and there follows an appearance before a magistrate, -resentful townspeople look on him and his companions as lawbreaking -intruders, rudely defying the local government, disturbing the peace, -and ready, perhaps, to commit some more flagrant offence. A clergyman -may make the incident a text of protest. It is bound anyway to arouse -animosity and have a calamitous effect. - -But in New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and cities approaching -them in character and size, the standing of the circus is affected -neither one way nor the other by an ingenuously-explained legal -interruption, and the notice it attracts if it has unusual features -shows gratifyingly at the box office. It isn’t always easy to -accomplish the thing. “Splash” Austin, whose first name, Paul, was a -boyhood memory, was the high diver with one of the big circuses. He -performed for the free edification of the crowd which gathered on the -lot after the parade, which is the side-show harvest time. Later he -was one of the features of the show itself. “Splash” was always at the -press agent’s service. The circus arrived in Chicago on Sunday for a -week stand, and the press agent was ready with an elaborately planned -venture. He and his aquatic accomplice drove to Lincoln Park bridge, -where, by a coincidence which is not remarkable, a band of newspaper -men were in waiting. The performer shed a few garments and plunged -headforemost from the railing’s height into the water. The feat was a -simple one to the skilled acrobat, but its appearance was hazardous and -spectacular, and the reporters marvelled and interviewed at length. - -The beaming press agent’s ingenuity had not been exhausted. Two -frowning policemen intervened. Their pockets, the press agent alone -knew, bulged with circus tickets. They were accommodatingly indignant; -the law had been violated. “Splash” was put under arrest, and the -party started in a body for the station house. On the way, the -delighted author of the proceeding secured permission from “Splash’s” -captors to stop at a drink dispensary. The bluecoats waited outside -while the circus man entertained. All were thirsty and happy, and the -newspaper guests, in their innocence, cheerful over the unexpectedly -“good” story which had developed. They have never known they tarried so -long that one of the policemen called their host outside and whispered -that there must be haste, two posts had been left vacant too long -already, and they were half inclined to throw up the whole thing. - -The day was eminently successful from the circus standpoint. The -newspapers told at great length of the accomplishment of the daring -dive and its tragic ending, and the public curiosity to see the -performer added materially to receipts. And best of all none of the -reporters was so wanting in human charity as to reveal that, at the -police station, the captain had refused to hold the prisoner, remarking -grimly that no offence had been committed; and that the press agent, -searching frantically through the book of ordinances that his scheme -not miscarry at the end, had found that a penalty attached to the crime -of disturbing the fish in the lake, and patient “Splash” was locked up -on that charge. A small fine was promptly paid next day. - -Read one press agent’s circus literature and begin to understand that -the resources of the language are less limited than you suppose. He is -the world-renowned alliterator of the show business. He is better known -in the profession than Shakespeare, although Shakespeare never did much -for circuses. He has no acknowledged rival in the successive use of -the initial letter. The advance matter which he sends abroad for his -“moral” enterprises where presumably only moral people are admitted, -forms an extraordinary narrative. - -During each winter he writes, writes, writes, writes, whether he feels -right or not, but the annual incessant drain does not subtract from his -elaborate eloquence. He tells of “real and royal races for reward, -huge heroic hippodromes, genuine contests of strength, skill and speed, -superb struggles for success and supremacy between the short and the -stout, the tall and the tiny, the fat and the frail, the mammoth and -the midget, the adipose and the attenuate, the large and the little, -the massive and the minute, the swift and the slow; elephants in -ponderous, pachydermic progress, camels in cross and comical cantering, -horses in hurricane hustling for home, donkeys in deliberate, -dragging, droning pace, monkeys in merry meanderings on meek and mild -mules, whippets in whirlwind dashes swifter than a horse, runners in -record reducing running in rivalry, ponies in carts with clowns for -conductors, and the celebrated charioteer contestants of the Coliseum.” - -[Illustration: FAIR EQUESTRIENNE ON HER FAVORITE HORSE.] - -Proceeding in his product, after this gaudy prologue, this -adjective-millionaire is impressed with the “astral array of aerial -artists. The very air is filled with their flying forms, describing -the most intricate figures, far flights, swallow-like sweeps, gymnic -gyrations, castings and catches, revolutions and returns, swings -and somersaults, leapings and lightnings, soarings and sailings, -altitudinous ascensions, diving descensions, keeping the dizzy heights -of the lofty canvas dome alive with activity. Never before have the -satiated public seen a spectacle to so surely stir their sluggish -blood, arouse their admiration, excite their enthusiasm and command -their applause.” - -The clowns appeal to him. As phrased by him they are “a phenomenal -phalanx of phantastical, phuriously phunny phellows; silly and sedate, -short and stout, smile securers set scot free; loyal legion of long -and lean laugh liberators let loose. These extraordinary experts in -the creation of laughter have invented this year a new, novel, unique, -irresistibly comic, excruciatingly funny and simply surprising series -of skits, scenes, screaming sallies and silly situations.” - -Danger is “defiantly defied by one audacious aerial athlete, whose -deed is daring, desperate and death deriding, a fearless, fearful, -fascinating feat, the veritable pinnacle of perillous performances.” - -“Whirling Wonders of the World on Wheels” are “cycling champions in -clubs and coteries, in single, double and tandem teams, in wheeling -fads, fancy and freakish, in pictorial and picturesque peripatetic -posturings.” - -Proceeding, he describes the elephants as “mountains in motion, -ponderous and perspicacious pachyderms, in marvellous, military -manoeuvres.” - -The districts remote from New York are assured that “every element and -entity that enthused, excited and enthralled in the enormous Madison -Square Garden will be a part and parcel of the prodigious performance.” -And as a “super-splendid spectacular suggestion of greater, grander -glories yet to come, early in the forenoon of the day of exhibition -there will pass through the principal streets of the city the most -mammoth, monster mass of moving magnificence that ever fell athwart the -delighted, gratified, entranced vision of the human eye, the nearly -all new free street parade, including an interesting and instructive -illustration of the progress of our glorious Republic, showing in -correct uniform the soldiers of all American wars; gorgeous tableaux, -many massive, open dens, glittering cavalcades of knights and ladies, -representatives of the regiment of Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, comic -clowns and grotesque grimaldis, rollicking rubes and jolly jays, herds -of ponderous elephants, droves of camels, floods of music from military -bands, etc., etc.” - - * * * * * - -“Some circus owners never appreciate the valuable services we render -them,” lamented a veteran press agent who has toured two continents -under a tent. “The ignominious end of my graveyard specialty is an -example of the palpable lack of sentiment and business astuteness -sometimes disclosed when one least expects it. I observed that almost -every town has turned upon the public a circus man of high or low -degree, who finally returns to his native spot to pass his last days -and be put away in the local cemetery. With the arrival of the circus -his career becomes a topic of conversation among the townsfolk and -invariably newspaper reporter, hotel keeper or some other resident -engaged me in talk about the man. I always unblushingly remembered -him vividly and was able, after a few leading questions, to shed much -entertaining light upon his circus life, to express well-feigned -surprise that the body of so well-known a character was buried there -and to express a deep feeling of sorrow over the loss the profession -had sustained in his death. Sometimes I would urge the erection of a -more suitable monument and reproach townspeople for their neglect. - -“Not infrequently the subject of my solicitude had been a four-horse -driver, a trombone player or a stake driver. But his professional -insignificance was not appreciated by the friends of his life time, -my tender expressions made good feelings toward the show, and I let -no opportunity pass ungrasped. Sometimes the newspapers quoted my -sentiments, and it helped business. - -“If I had only been content with my own perfidious eloquence I wouldn’t -have got disgusted and quit. But I was ambitious and wanted to throw -away no chance to boom the show. So, soon, in every town in which -I could locate an appropriate headstone, I put on black clothes, a -countenance of becoming sadness and marched the band to the graveyard. -They played dirges all the way. Frank Morris, the orator of the circus, -accompanied us and I had him make an address at the grave. I wrote -out three non-committal speeches and there was no dead man whose life -didn’t fit one or judiciously selected parts of the three. They were -all very affecting, and made the women cry. On the way back to the lot -we always got a loving ovation. The newspapers spoke approvingly of the -proceedings and the residents thought it a great compliment. I was very -proud of myself. - -“The thing went along swimmingly for several weeks and my motives were -never openly assailed, although I think once or twice there lurked -a suspicion in the minds of shrewd townspeople that their departed -brother wasn’t all in life that we represented him. Anyway, I know -it brought money to the circus, and I could never understand the -boss’s secret disapproval. He never offered any sensible, legitimate -objection, but I could tell by his manner that he was afraid of some -kind of a boomerang finish some day. I persevered aggressively, -nevertheless, and was confident he would never get a valid excuse for -forbidding us to continue. I knew the experienced old man of affairs -was waiting warily for a chance. - -“The success or failure of the concert depended in a great measure -upon Morris’s oratory. When in good voice and spirits, he could fairly -glue his auditors to their seats. They wouldn’t budge until they had -seen all the concert attractions about which he had so insinuatingly -roared. So it was through him that the boss found opportunity to base -a complaint, put an end to my practices and lower my estimate of his -business intelligence. One unlucky day Morris caught a bad cold. He was -hoarse and depressed, and his announcement was received with little -favor. The concert attendance was small and the head of the show was -quick to seize his advantage--and strike at my burying-ground plot. - -“‘Morris got that cold in one of your graveyards,’ he addressed me, -reproachfully, ‘and we’ll have to give him a rest from this double -duty. Let those fellows rest in peace in their graves after this!’ - -“I left the show a month later, disgusted and discouraged, and found a -place where my fine art received support and confidence and gratitude.” - - * * * * * - -In the Southern States several years ago a circus now disorganized was -in high popular favor, and it was with great difficulty and at heavy -expense that the “big shows” of to-day succeeded in convincing the -population that its confidence had been misplaced. Finally, however, -they were welcomed and accepted. The colored public was the last to -forsake its cherished tradition. - -An advance press agent strolling past the flaring billboards announcing -the approach to an Alabama town of the metropolitan organization he -represented, observed an aged, tottering darkey, supported by a small -boy of his race. They were scrutinizing the posters. - -“Read it to me, son,” directed the old man. “What dey say about dis new -circus?” - -The lad stared ruefully at the polysyllabic collection and began -slowly: “Of all magnificent and master consolidations of rare, varied -and illustrious menageries, circus and hippodrome possessions and -possibilities this is greatest. Sept. 1, ----.” - -“Dat’s enough, my boy, dat’s enough,” interrupted the attentive old -listener, shaking his head grimly and chuckling, “’cept one, eh, ’cept -one. I know dat one. It’s de circus I’s been seein’ for years. Dis -false show don’t git none ob my money.” - -A free ticket, produced on the spot, helped to shake his faith, but -history does not record whether the performance made him a thorough -convert. - - * * * * * - -Adam Forepaugh was as ready a man in an emergency as circus life ever -developed, and was noted in the business for his skill in avoiding -legal entanglements. A resident of Auburn, N. Y., does not know to -this day how neatly the showman escaped a claim for damages at his -expense. The man had been drinking heavily, and in the menagerie tent -before the performance had begun offered Bolivar, an elephant noted -for his size, a bottle filled with whiskey. The smell of the liquid -always infuriates the beasts. In the spring of 1902, Tops, a usually -good-natured elephant, stamped the life out of a man who offended -her with whiskey, in Brooklyn, N. Y. The Auburn man was chased away -unharmed by the watchful keepers, but Bolivar’s small eyes gleamed -vindictively and he did not forget. The performance was well under way, -and the menagerie tent was being rapidly emptied of its collection of -animals and cages, when the man returned. The elephants and camels -were lined up preparatory to the march to the cars. The scene was -one of confusion and excitement, and the man was not observed by the -attendants. Bolivar, however, had his eyes fixed on his persecutor and -as the luckless stranger came within reach the big beast trumpeted, -struck with his trunk and prepared to stamp upon the victim. Keepers -rushed to the spot with pitchforks, subdued the angry elephant and -dragged the unconscious form away. An examination showed no serious -injury. - -Visions of a sheriff, attachment and suit for heavy damages oppressed -Mr. Forepaugh at once, but his quick wit suggested a way out of the -trouble. - -“Take this fellow to the cars,” he shouted to “Dan” Taylor, boss -canvasman, “and keep him locked there. Don’t let him out when he gets -his senses again, but bring him to me in the morning in Syracuse.” - -The bruised and wondering man was taken like a prisoner, according to -instructions, before the owner of the show next day. Mr. Forepaugh’s -attitude was that of a judge on the police court bench. A withering -frown was on his face. - -“You’re a nice specimen to hire out as a driver,” he observed -severely, “you were so drunk you fell off the wagon. You are -discharged. I can’t tolerate intoxication with my circus. It’s -fortunate you were not killed and the horses didn’t run away.” - -The effects of drink and the blow he received had driven memory from -the unfortunate man’s brain, and as Mr. Forepaugh perceived it a load -was lifted from him. He talked kindly but firmly to the penitent -before him, dwelt on the evils of intemperance and finally offered him -a day’s pay if he would promise not to drink liquor for a year. The -pledge was solemnly given and, I have been told, the man was ever after -consecrated to sobriety. - - * * * * * - -A good story is told by a former press agent of one of the big circuses -of how Samuel D. Clemens (Mark Twain) was out-humored at his home in -Hartford, Conn., by an untutored savage. The enterprising agent decided -it would be a good advertisement to get an interview between Mr. -Clemens and one of the Indians who were then a feature of the show. He -called on the humorist and laid the matter before him. Mr. Clemens said -that he didn’t care for the Indians, he was very busy, and didn’t see -what Indians had to do with him, anyway. - -“Why, the fact is,” replied the circus man, “they have heard of you in -the far West and want to see you.” - -Still Mr. Clemens was indisposed to grant the request until the press -agent swore solemnly that a big Sioux Chief had said that he would -never die happy, if compelled to return to his reservation without -seeing and speaking with the man whose fame was world-wide. - -“All right,” finally assented the humorist. “Have him here at six -o’clock this evening, but make it short.” - -Mr. Clemens sat on the broad porch of his home in Farmington avenue -at the appointed time. The house was a fine, long, rambling red -brick structure standing near the top of a green breezy hill. To the -astonishment of the man he perceived an immense cavalcade of mounted -warriors, more than half a hundred of them, tearing along the broad, -airy boulevard in a mad exhibition of horsemanship. They swept in -on the lawn, breaking down the shrubbery, wearing off the grass and -devastating the whole place like a destroying army. A crowd of boys -were at their heels, trampling flower beds and shrubs. The spokesman of -the party was a mighty hunter who had been previously told that Mark -Twain was famous for his slaughter of wild beasts. - -The Indian laid himself out for a game of brag. The interpreter, who -was in the deal, instead of repeating what the chief said, made a -speech of his own, extolling Twain’s literary achievements. - -“For Heaven’s sake, choke him off!” ejaculated the sad funny-man, with -blanched face. The cracking of boughs in the choice trees in which -the small boys had ensconced themselves were punctuating the Indian’s -remarks. - -The interpreter turned to the red man and soberly remarked that the -White Hunter wanted more talk, and on he went. Every time Twain cried -for quarter the chief was told to give another hunting story. Finally -his Indian vocabulary was exhausted and he quit. - -Twain made a brief reply which the interpreter translated into a -marvellous hunting yarn. The Chief listened stolidly, and when he got -away grunted contemptuously and muttered: - -“White man heap big liar.” - - * * * * * - -Adam Forepaugh, in the latter years of his circus life, carried with -his show a “Wild West” department. He had Indians, cowboys, Mexicans, -Cossacks, Arabs, scouts, guides, detachments of regular soldiers from -the armies of several nations and all the others that go to make a -spectacular rough-riding production. I remember an amusing incident -which illustrates that the veteran tented-amusement purveyor did not -allow sentiment to interfere with the ticket wagon end of the business. -One of the features of the exhibition was a representation of Custer’s -disastrous battle with the Sioux Indians under Sitting Bull. The -_mise en scène_ was correct in most particulars, and carried out with -fidelity to the subject. It was a graphic illustration of the Indian -mode of warfare. The cowboys who participated were true children of the -plains who had faced danger in many of its deadliest forms. They were -very proud of their records as scouts, plainsmen and warriors. - -Along about the middle of the season Mr. Forepaugh picked up a famous -addition to the show in Mt. Vernon, O. He was Sergeant George C. -Wagner, “representative frontiersman of the past.” He came unannounced, -looking for a job in the Wild West department, hopping on to the lot -like a clumsy bird. A wooden prop replaced the flesh and bone of his -right leg below the knee. He explained to Mr. Forepaugh that he was -the sole survivor of Custer’s immediate command; he had escaped death -in the last rally, because at the time of the fight he was riding the -plains with a message to Major Reno, seventy-two miles away. During -his lonely journey he had encountered Indians, and a poisoned arrow -received in the running conflict had necessitated amputation of his -leg. He looked the figure of romance and adventure, impressed the -circus owner as sincere and was hired on the spot. - -[Illustration: ACROBATS PRACTISING NEW FEATS.] - -As the days went by the sergeant became more and more a conspicuous -part of the show. He was a skilful horseman, despite his abbreviated -limb, although we all wondered how he was able to hold his seat. His -name appeared in black type on the programme, and he always got a -tremendous ovation when he scurried on a big bay horse around the -hippodrome amid the blare of trumpets, after a highly complimentary -introduction by the announcer. After the show, Grand Army posts -frequently gave him informal receptions, at which he regaled the -veterans with thrilling stories of life on the trail and of incidents -of the excitement and turmoil of the unsettled West. He drank whiskey -with great freedom and frequency, but it seemed to affect only his -tongue. His encounters with red men then became innumerable and his -life history was written all over with blood. His knowledge of Custer’s -campaigns was comprehensive to a detail. - -Mr. Forepaugh was mightily pleased with the acquisition, but not so -the cowboys, the true sons of the frontier. All the honors of the show -were Wagner’s and they were jealous. One day one of them suggested -a systematic review of their gallant comrade’s past in the hope of -uncovering an act of cowardice or crime, and the proposition met -general favor. They hired a lawyer to investigate and his report was -received in a surprisingly short time. The man who had represented -himself as cradled amid pioneer surroundings had never been out of the -Ohio county in which he revealed himself until the circus adopted him, -and he had lost his leg by a premature anvil explosion at a Fourth of -July celebration. - -It was at this juncture that Adam Forepaugh lost, in a great measure, -the respect and admiration of the cowboy fraternity, and proved, as I -have observed, that noble emotions and lofty ideals cannot always rise -supreme in the circus business. The cowboys, with many strange oaths -and threats, presented their damning narrative, confident that the hour -of retribution was at hand and that the owner of the show would express -sympathy and gratitude for the disclosure. Wagner, they thought, would -be clubbed off the lot. - -Mr. Forepaugh listened intently to the story of the imposition. He, -too, I know, had been as thoroughly deceived as the rest of us, but he -wasn’t willing the show should suffer. - -“What do I care,” he remarked quickly, and the expectant faces of the -cowboys blanched, “whether the fellow’s a fakir or not? He looks the -part better than any of you, he’s got a wooden leg to confirm it, he’s -the finest liar under the tent and he’s made a big hit. He stays with -the troupe.” - -“Sergeant” Wagner continued as hero, guide, and scout until the -season’s close, when he disappeared and the Wild West department heard -of him no more. The memory of his dare-devil appearance, long golden -locks floating in the wind, wide sombrero, buckskin breeches and -protruding guns will not be effaced for many years. - - * * * * * - -The gnawing fear of attachments is never absent from the circus owner’s -mind, and with all his mental wealth of resource, acquired by hard -experience, he cannot always escape imposition. The sheriff becomes -an object of hate and dread. His appearance with a levy, the showman -knows, is a portend of extortion. So it is that sometimes he submits to -injustice rather than bring about a conflict with the law. Unscrupulous -people appreciate this, with its fine opportunity for blackmail, but -sometimes the instigator comes as a shock and a surprise to the circus -owner and helps to shake his faith in the general honest impulses -accredited to human nature. - -We were playing the Ohio towns. Business was big, weather fine and -everybody was happy. One day a negro preacher, hat in hand and -apologetic in manner, approached the owner and explained a grievance. -His church edifice, eight miles outside the town, had been posted with -our glaring show bills, the congregation was angry and mortified and -threatening to go over in a body to another parish, and the church -receipts had fallen to nothing. One hundred dollars would set things -right. A lawyer who fingered a bunch of legal papers ominously was with -the outraged clergyman. The circus compromised for fifty dollars and -got a release. - -We showed next day in a town fourteen miles distant. Before the parade -had formed, the colored minister of the day before again confronted -us. He was humble and devout enough in appearance, but the same lawyer -was his companion, and a man whom we knew was the sheriff hovered on -the outskirts of the lot. The man of religion lamented his complaint -of the preceding day without a variation, and concluded the narrative -again with a demand for pecuniary balm. - -“Why, I settled with you yesterday,” the astonished owner retorted. “I -gave you fifty dollars, and hold your paper of satisfaction. You have -no further claim.” - -“You see, Mr. Circus man,” was the ready answer, “my church is on the -county line. Yesterday you paid for desecrating the house of God in -Lorain county. But you also profaned our sacred worshipping place in -Cuyahoga county. I want damages now for the actual and religious injury -done there.” - -If we hadn’t been so prosperous, I know the owner wouldn’t have -yielded. As it was, the unblushing effrontery of the thing appealed to -his sense of humor, and he gave the man another fifty dollars. He told -of the proceeding at dinner as a good joke at his expense, and remarked -that, after all, he was not sorry to have had the chance to contribute -to the finances of the struggling congregation. It might bring him good -luck. - -About three o’clock in the afternoon he told me to ascertain the -whereabouts of the church--he had become curious about the shrewd -preacher’s affairs--and we would drive out there. The church was about -six miles away, through a lonely country district. We lost our way once -and the circus owner was not in the best of humor when we arrived. The -sight that greeted him knocked out all the exalted sentiment that had -stirred him. The steeple of the building was on a level with the eaves, -two cows browsed off the pulpit, there was evidence of the nocturnal -presence of hens in the amen corner, and the whole edifice was in a -state of dilapidation and decay. Along the entire front was an inch -and a half accumulation of circus bills. Ours were the outside strata. -The minister couldn’t be found, fortunately for his physical welfare. -He was probably spending his booty. His wife told us the congregation -had dissolved months ago, and our adroit questioning disclosed that the -couple’s income consisted in a great measure of the money extracted -from the circuses who, innocently, utilized the inviting stretch of -ecclesiastical boards. The memory of the colored clergyman is still -green with the circus man, and religion is at a discount with the show. - - * * * * * - -P. T. Barnum, in the early years of his life, had no modern press -agent, but it is doubtful if the interesting person could have aided -the showman in advertising his enterprises. No one knew better than he -the value of printer’s ink, and of the men who made printer’s ink the -vehicle of news and information. Old circus men recall an illustration -of his unique but impressive way of attracting public attention in -1849, which would have done credit to this enlightened generation. He -sent an expedition to Ceylon, a formidable undertaking then, to capture -elephants. They returned to New York with ten of the animals, harnessed -them in pairs to a chariot and drove up Broadway. Not content with this -advertisement, he sent one of the elephants to his Connecticut farm and -engaged the beast in agricultural pursuits. A keeper, clad in oriental -costume, was the companion. They were stationed on a six-acre lot which -lay close beside the tracks of the New York and New Haven railroad. -The keeper was furnished with a timetable of the road with special -instructions to be busily engaged in plowing, with the animal dragging -the implement, whenever passenger trains passed. The proceeding made -a sensation and the showman gravely announced that he intended to -introduce a herd of elephants to do all his plowing and heavy draft -work. After the six acres had been plowed over at least a hundred -times, he quietly returned the animal to his museum. - -It is related in the circus world that the “Feejee Mermaid” was the -stepping-stone to Barnum’s road to wealth and circus renown. The thing -was made in Japan with an ingenuity and mechanical perfection well -calculated to deceive. Barnum bought it in 1842, when he was unknown, -modified by printer’s ink the general incredulity as to the possibility -of the existence of mermaids, and aroused great curiosity to see -and examine his specimen. Then, too, he persuaded some naturalist -to endorse it as genuine. The fame of his museum and its preserved -curiosity was wafted from one end of the land to the other. Money -flowed in rapidly and the notoriety he attained he never permitted to -fade. - -In the museum, the ladder by which he rose to fortune, Mr. Barnum a -few months later perpetrated another humbug which arrested public -attention. He purchased in Cincinnati, O., a well-formed, small-sized -horse, with no mane and not a particle of hair on his tail, while -his body and legs were covered with thick, fine hair or wool, which -curled tight to his skin. The animal had been foaled in Ohio and was a -remarkable freak of nature. The astute showman immediately advertised -the beast as “The Woolly Horse.” The news had just come that Colonel -John C. Fremont, who was supposed to have been lost in the snows of -the Rocky Mountains, was in safety. Mr. Barnum grasped the opportunity -and asserted that his horse had been captured by the explorer’s party. -The curiosity was a great attraction for many months, and no definite -exposure of the imposition was ever made. It added immeasurably to the -reputation and pecuniary success of the establishment. - - * * * * * - -The circus press agent is a welcome visitor to the country newspaper -office. In his gratitude over the influx of tickets and advertising, -the editor generally devotes space to a eulogy of the social and -professional merits of the visitor. Here are some truthfully reproduced -specimens, taken at random from a collection: - -“The bustling press agent of the vast concourse is the most popular man -with the circus.” - -“The press agent is built for a gentleman from the ground up, and he -acts it with the ease and dignity of a Chesterfield.” - -“The management is fortunate in having for its press representative -----, who is a gentleman in every way, and who understands his business -thoroughly.” - -“The press agent is one of the most genial gentlemen in the profession, -and he is much liked by the newspapers wherever he goes, not only -because he is liberal with the pasteboards, but because he is a hale -fellow well met.” - -“---- leaves nothing undone on his part to make the grand show popular.” - -“---- is a mighty clever gentleman. He called at our office to-day and -made himself agreeable.” - -“The press agent of the circus is undoubtedly an element of strength -in that big institution. He is a mighty pleasant gentleman and knows -exactly how to make himself popular with the newspaper men.” - -“He is the right man in the right place.” - -“The show has four aces in ----, the press representative, who is such -a thorough gentleman that his kindness to the press boys issues his own -patent to nobility.” - -“The press agent treated us nicely yesterday. Several little attentions -he gave us made us feel more than kind to him.” - -“The circus is lucky in having him for press agent. He is a refined and -courteous gentleman to whom much is due for the success and popularity -of this great show.” - -“The press of this section will always welcome the coming of this -genial gentleman.” - -“But probably the most versatile artist of this great aggregation was -----, the press agent of this enormous aggregation. He deserves special -mention.” - -“On last Thursday evening of the circus, the editor of the ----, upon -invitation of the pleasing and wide awake press agent, went ‘behind -the scenes’ on a tour of the dressing-rooms of the great institution. -We were first introduced to the great and only ----, just preparing -to mount the twenty-three bareback horses, which he rides to the -consternation of all who see him. Going to the left, the curtain was -raised and Trunktown was seen, that is, about one hundred and fifty -people sitting upon, diving into, standing or beside their trunks, in -various stages of deshabille, preparing for their various acts. Taking -off his plug, the press agent announced the presence of the editor, -and everybody came forward and shook us by the hand--for a little -while we thought we were running for President of the United States. -A chair was brought for us and a little chat indulged in with those -near, among whom was the great bareback rider. We had a chat with the -gladiators, also, who were making up for their act, one of the most -pleasing and artistic of the show. In shaking hands with those chaps we -got some white powder on our left shoulder, which they use to powder -their faces. After returning to our wife in the circus auditorium, we -had great difficulty in explaining the powder away. But the press agent -bore testimony that we had not visited the ladies’ dressing-rooms, not -being the right gender.” - - * * * * * - -An old-time press agent, writing a brief list of a few men met with -in the circus’s transitory career and who will continue to exist when -showmen of this generation have passed on, mentions: - -The man who travelled with Dan Rice. - -The man who when a boy carried water for the elephant. - -The man who knew the man who sold his cook stove to secure the price of -a circus ticket. - -The man who knows how many thousands of dollars the circus takes out of -town. - -The man who is anxious to know when “show folks” sleep. - -The man who sympathizes with us because of our “hard life.” - -The man who asks: “Where do you go from here?” - -The man who knows the show is “split up” in the smaller towns. - -The man who is sure “this is the best show town of its size in the -United States.” - - - - -TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES: - - - Italicized text is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - - Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized. - - Archaic or alternate spelling has been retained from the original. - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's On the Road With a Circus, by W. 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C. Thompson - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: On the Road With a Circus - -Author: W. C. Thompson - -Release Date: May 13, 2020 [EBook #62113] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ON THE ROAD WITH A CIRCUS *** - - - - -Produced by WebRover, MFR, David E. Brown, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="" /></div> - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_frontis.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p class="caption">EAGER THRONG AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_title.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<div class="titlepage"> -<h1>On the Road<br /> -With a Circus</h1> - -<p>W. C. THOMPSON</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_titlelogo.jpg" alt="" /></div> - -<p>NEW YORK<br /> - -NEW AMSTERDAM BOOK COMPANY<br /> - -1905 -</p></div> - -<hr class="tb" /> - - -<p class="center"> -Copyright, 1903,<br /> -By <span class="smcap">W. C. Thompson</span><br /> -<br /> -Copyright, 1905,<br /> -By <span class="smcap">New Amsterdam Book Company</span><br /> -<br /> -<i>On the Road With a Circus.</i> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"><span class="smcap">Table of Contents.</span></h2></div> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" summary="table"> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER I.</td></tr> - -<tr><td> </td><td class="tdr"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">The Modern Circus,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_5"> 5</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER II.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">Arrival and Debarkation,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_29"> 29</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER III.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">Early Scenes on the Lot,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_43"> 43</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER IV.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">The Parade,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_58"> 58</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER V.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">The Side-Show,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_67"> 67</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER VI.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">At the Main Entrance,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_86"> 86</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER VII.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">The Menagerie Tent,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_101"> 101</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER VIII.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">Life with the Performers,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_116"> 116</a></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER IX.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">Night Scenes and Embarkation,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_147"> 147</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER X.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">The Circus Detective,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_157"> 157</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XI.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">The Autobiography of a Circus Horse,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_164"> 164</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XII.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">The Circus Band,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_175"> 175</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XIII.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">With the Elephants,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_181"> 181</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XIV.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">The General Manager,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_197"> 197</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XV.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">American Circus Triumphant,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_208"> 208</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XVI.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">The Old-Fashioned Circus,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_219"> 219</a></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="tdc" colspan="2">CHAPTER XVII.</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="tdl">The Circus Press Agent,</td><td class="tdr"><a href="#Page_233"> 233</a></td></tr> -</table> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> - - - - -<p class="ph1">ON THE ROAD WITH A CIRCUS</p> - -<hr class="tiny" /> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I<br /> - -<small>THE MODERN CIRCUS</small></h2></div> - - -<p>The faithful recording of daily life with one of -the “big shows,” wandering with it under all vicissitudes, -fortunate or adverse, is the errand on -which this book is sent. You and I will travel -from the distraction and tumult of the summer -season to the congenial quiet of winter quarters, -and survey operations from the hour when new -and unwonted scenes and sounds startle city quiet -or country seat retirement until the stealthy -breaking of the white encampment and the departure -from town. We will scrutinize the entrance -of strangers into strange lands and observe the -rising and expansion of the tents as an army of -men stamp their image upon the earth. Our -astonished eye will gaze upon the gorgeous pageant -of the parade and returning to the grounds -will peer freely and familiarly about the place of -strange sounds and entrancing sights. We will -watch the master mind of the circus and his associates -in counsel and action. We will study the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> -life, character, and habits of the motley throng of -“show” people and learn of morals and manners, -of hopes and fears, of trials and solicitudes; and -we will pass sunny hours on meadows enamelled -with violets and daisies and goldened with buttercups -and dandelions, where the circus is passing -its day.</p> - -<p>We circus people have so high an opinion of -our good qualities that we are not ashamed to -introduce ourselves to you. As pilgrims with no -abiding city, leading a life of multiplied activities -and varied fortunes amid scenes of din and turmoil, -hurry and agitation, our platform is courage, -ambition, and energy, governed by honest -purpose and tempered by humanity. We have our -infirmities, our faults, and our sins, but also our -virtues, our excellences, and our standards of perfection, -and a discerning world has come no longer -to regard us as unscrupulous invaders, but as -invited and welcome guests. The voice of joy and -health resounds through our ranks; we are united -in fraternal good-will unbroken by dissension, our -life of weal and woe is ever invested with peculiar -delightful fascination, and boisterous relish transports -itself from town to town. Memory clings -with fond tenacity to halcyon days with the circus.</p> - -<p>Sometime between 1820 and 1830 (circus annals -tell not exactly the year), near what is now New -York City, while a red-coated band blew forth a -merry melody, a round-top tent swelled upward.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> -The parents of some of the present-day performers -remember the day. It was the first cloth circus -shelter erected in this country, and then what was -formerly an open-air show assumed the dignity -and importance of an under-cover performance. -A crude enough affair it was, as compared with -the perfection and finish of the modern circus. -The flags and streamers and bunting which add -grace and beauty waved no friendly greeting; the -clamorous welcome of side-show orators and ticket -sellers was wanting; no menagerie offered its accumulated -wealth of curious and snarling beasts; -human curiosity had not been awakened by the -overpowering splendor and magnificence of a preliminary -parade; there was a lack of sentiment -and excitement and appeal to the senses; only -din and confusion and broiling heat. From this -mean beginning has come the marvellous circus of -to-day, involving a business so extensive that few -people possess anything but the vaguest conception -of its magnitude, organization, and methods -of operation.</p> - -<p>Underlying the pomp and glitter and the odor of -sawdust and naphtha is a system of government -and management whose scale and scope are stupendous -and staggering. No human institution is -more perfect in operation and direction. Surely -no more flattering tribute could be paid than that -officially given us by the United States Government. -Officers from the army department, skilled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> -veterans in their profession, critically observed the -swift sequence of proceedings when we showed in -Washington—the early arrival of the trains; the -rapid debarkation; the magical growth of the -white encampment; the parade passing with measured -tread through deeply lined streets; the scene -on the grounds and at the performances, and the -pulling down at night and the hurried, though -orderly, departure. Then Gen. Nelson A. Miles -surveyed the scene and expressed wonder and admiration. -Finally there came a request that two -representatives of the department be permitted -to accompany the circus for two weeks. To the -Government had come a realization that the -modern circus offered lessons in the transportation -and handling of men and horses, canvas and -vehicles. And when the Barnum & Bailey Show -was in Europe, the monarch of one of the world-powers, -visiting under tents incognito, confessed -that he had profited immensely by what he had -witnessed, and proposed to put into immediate -effect many of the original working arrangements -of the circus. For instance, astonished at the ease -and celerity with which the heavy circus wagons -were run on to the cars by means of a block and -tackle and an inclined plane, he admitted, ruefully, -that in his vast army they had been hoisting their -artillery over the sides of the cars. It remained -for the American circus to bring appreciation of -the waste of time and labor.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span>So to the humble employee of the circus who -wanders with it from place to place, one day in -one town and the next perhaps one hundred miles -distant for a period of more than thirty weeks, is -a part of the strange daily life, witnesses the -emergencies constantly met and dealt with and the -perplexing obstacles overcome, comes a forcible -and convincing knowledge that it is not an ungodly -thing to be questioned and looked at -askance, but a genial, legitimate, business enterprise, -based upon sound principles and conducted -upon the highest lines of ability and responsibility -by men who assumed a risk at which the nerviest -professional gambler would hesitate. The amount -of capital invested is several million dollars; no -insurance company will give protection. The -dangers of the road are never absent. A cataclysm -of damage suits is a constant peril. Rainy -weather, preventing performance and profit, may -be a companion for months. There must be constant -renewal of costly perishable property. -Deaths of costly rare animals may swallow up -the receipts of days. Continual other dangers -and losses, of whose frequency, gravity, and magnitude -the general public has no adequate conception, -are encountered. Against these ruining -possibilities the circus stakes.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>There is a popular misapprehension regarding -the profits of the circus business. Some of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> -large organizations have continued in existence -for periods of several years without returning a -cent on the investment or at an actual operating -loss. Less strongly financed tented shows succumb. -The circus is an infallible register of the -monetary condition of the country. Hard times -are reflected in it, and prosperity fills it with joyous -evidence. The daily expenses of our circus are -placed by the management at over $5,000, and a -moment’s calculation discloses that the receipt of -this amount of money is not the quick operation -surface conditions often indicate. The average daily -free admissions are eleven hundred. These are -largely the tickets given for bill-posting privileges. -This territory embraces, generally, forty miles on the -lines of all converging railroads and a distance of -twenty miles in both directions from the tracks. -City officials, newspapers, and a throng of others -claim the remaining gratuitous entrance passes. -Sometimes the number is larger. In one city we -have been obliged to place three thousand free -tickets.</p> - -<p>Experienced circus owners reckon that one-quarter -of the attendance comprises children under -nine years of age and who pay half-rate, twenty-five -cents. Thus it will be seen that some thirteen -thousand persons, including those with free tickets, -must pass the door each day before a dollar’s -profit has been yielded from this source for the -management. Our “big top’s” capacity is ten<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> -thousand persons. One realizes, after consideration -of these facts and figures, how necessary it -is that there be few vacant seats at either performance -to insure a profit for the day, and how -often the net revenue is supplied entirely by side-show, -peanuts, popcorn, lemonade, and other -small departments. Moreover, when the casual -observer convinces himself that the huge tent is -full to repletion, he is often badly mistaken. The -circus usher must perform his duty with great -care and systematic thoroughness, else he will permit -the man who has paid for one seat to occupy -two or more.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The circus does not run its season, dissolve, and -disperse. In winter the entire establishment is -maintained. Only the performers and workmen -are dropped, and with the former this is generally -a mere suspension of service, for contracts are -frequently made for several years. Owners, managers, -contracting agents, advertising agents, -press agents, treasurer, bookkeepers, and others, -find no idle moments. Rolling stock, suffering -from the hard effects of a season’s campaign, -needs painter and carpenter; new acts and novelties -must be secured to keep abreast of the times; -the new route must be laid out and considered; -and to do this the management must know the -population and character of every town; have -information of the condition of business, vicissitudes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> -of the year and the prospects for the coming -season; know the national, state, and municipal -law and the character of licenses, and the price -of food for man and beast; keep track of floods, -droughts, or disasters to crops or people; be conversant -with the periods of ploughing and harvesting; -learn what railroads run in and out of -town, their grades and condition, the extent, -strength, and height of tunnels and bridges and -the relative positions of railroad yards and the -show lot; and find out the condition of the soil -wherever the circus is booked in case of rain, and -provide in advance for such a contingency. The -circus is a fair-weather show and the management -must have a definite knowledge of wet and dry -seasons, to avoid encountering, so far as human -foresight is possible, unpropitious meteorological -conditions.</p> - -<p>The question of transportation is the most -careful one involved, and upon its cost and facilities -the route of the circus is in a great measure -determined. For instance, up in agricultural -Windsor county, in southeastern Vermont, nestles -the village of White River Junction. It boasts a -weekly newspaper, a public school, and a national -and a savings bank. Its population does not -exceed fifteen hundred; yet the big circuses make -annual pilgrimages thither because it is a local -trade centre, the Boston and Maine, Central Vermont -and Woodstock railroads converge upon it,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> -and there the White and Connecticut rivers merge -their waters. Its selection for exhibition purposes -is a good illustration of the important part transportation -facilities play in arranging routes. -White River Junction itself would not turn out -patrons enough to pay for the menagerie’s food, -but the throngs conveyed there by train and boat -always fill the tents. So it is all over the country, -barring the large cities. It is not so much -the character and size of the place picked for the -tents as its topographical position and drawing -powers.</p> - -<p>All through the winter a corps of women is -busy on new uniforms and trappings for man, -woman, and beast. There are rich plush and gold -bullion galore in this workshop. The pretty spangles -that will glitter in the ring are being sewed in -place, the elephants are getting new jackets of -royal purple and gold, and the camels are being -fitted out afresh for the parade. Some of these -gorgeous fittings are very expensive, but the circus -management calculates that they must be renewed -every year. The outlay for hats, boots, and other -articles of attire for the army is heavy and ceaseless.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Circus day, to the men who have hundreds of -thousands of dollars invested, it will be seen, -means the culmination of long and careful and -systematic preparation. To get ready for the day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -has been the work of many months and has employed -the talents and attention of men wonderfully -expert in their particular fields. The advance -staff of one of the “big shows” usually consists of -a general agent, a railway contractor, an executive -agent, several general contracting agents, and -assistants; car No. 1, carrying eighteen to twenty -persons; first regular advertising car No. 2, bearing -the chief press agent, car manager, and from twenty -to twenty-five men; car No. 3, with eighteen to -twenty men; car No. 4, carrying a special press -agent and car manager and from twelve to fourteen -men, including “route riders” and special ticket -agents; next and finally, the “layer-out,” who is -one day ahead of the circus.</p> - -<p>The railroad contractor is the first man out. -He is familiar to the finest details with every railroad -in the country—its mileage, connections, -yard facilities, bridges and tunnels. He plans, -besides arranging for the transportation of the -circus trains, the special excursions which will -converge upon the town on the specified day of -exhibition. The general contracting agent follows. -He makes contracts for feed, lot, accommodations -for advance men, livery teams, and billboards. -The contracts of these two men involve -many thousands of dollars every week and must -pass the rigid scrutiny of the experienced general -agent. No detail of the business is unfamiliar to -him.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span>Car No. 1 is professionally known as the “skirmishing -car.” It is most frequently called into -service to fight opposition. As soon as a railway -contractor of a rival circus puts in an appearance -on the route the general manager is promptly -notified. There is at once a formidable concentration -of forces at the threatened point. No stone -is left unturned or chance overlooked to gain an -advantage; and the circus man is resourceful of -schemes and plots. Billboards, barns, fences, -hedges, trees, windows, and all other available -space is bought up with apparently reckless expenditures. -Banners, printed on muslin, are swung -from walls and awnings. Sometimes more money -than will be realized on show day is spent in this -fight for publicity, but the circus regrets not a -cent of it if the opposition has been taught a lesson -and will not venture again to cross the -path.</p> - -<p>Attached to a passenger train and about four -weeks ahead of the show, comes car No. 2. The -general contracting press agent is aboard with -his advertising cuts and prepared advertising matter, -or keeping pace with it on the route. Sometimes -there is a steam calliope, which produces -marvellous sonorific effects at sundown, to the dismay -of all who live in the immediate neighborhood, -but calling obtrusive attention to the approach -of the circus. The force of men bills and -lithographs for miles around. Each team has a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -native driver who knows every road and every -inhospitable bulldog. Permission is always secured -from the owner or lessee of the spot selected -for decoration, for without his consent, the -astute showman knows, a poster becomes soon a -thing of shreds and tatters. In return for the -privilege an order is given on the circus for -tickets, which is promptly honored if the agreement -has been honestly kept.</p> - -<p>The men on two other cars see to it that the -work of their predecessors is followed up carefully. -Various neglected preliminary work is in their -charge. They replace posters torn down or mutilated -and try to find new points of advantage. -They check up and report every discrepancy of the -other advance men, too, and send a detailed report -to the general agent. The last man before -the arrival of the circus is the “layer-out” or -“twenty-four-hour man.” He inspects the lot, -fixes the route of the procession, and performs a -variety of other final duties.</p> - -<p>Sometimes a stereopticon man is sent out, but -not unless there is opposition or the outlook for -the day’s business is bad. He stretches a big -white sheet on a popular corner and entertains -the town for an evening, adroitly advertising -the show and putting the people in good humor.</p> - -<p>A general agent estimates for me that the score -of pretentious circuses employ, during at least<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> -seven months of the year, an average of fifty bill-posters -each, making a total of six hundred men, -outside of agents, contractors, inspectors, etc. To -properly transport, supply, and provide for these -employees it requires not less than thirty-six advertising -cars, which, in the course of a season, cover -every part of the American continent and the better -part of Europe. These men post upward of one -hundred and seventy thousand sheets of paper -daily, and as their display of paper usually has a -thirty days’ showing for each day’s exhibition, it -is safe to estimate that from five millions to five -millions two hundred thousand sheets are in sight -for six months of the year. To-day the public often -measures the value of an enterprise largely by -the size and character of its posters. The development -of poster printing and bill posting is due -largely to the demands of the circus. Not all the -commercial advertisers put together use posters -so liberally as do the combined circus interests. -The requirements of the circus built the boards -and the results obtained forced the business to -become a permanent and recognized factor in active -commercial life.</p> - -<p>One big circus used in a season seventy-seven -kinds of posters, varying in size from one to -sixty sheets and let loose on the public twelve -publications, from a four-sheet to a twenty-page -courier. They had a total edition of five million -four hundred thousand copies.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>The elevated standard of morality among circus -men and women is a revelation to one who lives -with them from day to day and is their close -companion. The atmosphere and environment -seem charged with health and happiness, virtue -and vigor. Drunkenness is not tolerated in any -form. Immediate discharge, no matter who or -what the rank of the offender, is its penalty, and -except in isolated instances among the canvasmen -there is seldom provocation for punishment. -Of other vices which are prevalent in many walks -of life there is no evidence. The very nature of the -business, with its claims on brain and body, forbids -immoral or vicious excesses. Those who indulge -in them are looked upon with coldness by -their associates and made to feel themselves -delinquents. Gambling is strictly prohibited, and -fines are imposed upon the employee who is heard -using profane or vulgar language. The women of -the circus are not permitted even to engage in -conversation with any one not directly connected -with the show. Most of them spend a few hours -each Sunday in church. A fine awaits the luckless -man caught exchanging words with an outside -woman. It is the effort and aim of the management, -too, to inculcate a spirit of good-fellowship -and enduring affection, founded upon mutual respect -and esteem. It demands that all be obliging -and civil, answer questions politely, assist patrons -in distress, smooth ruffled tempers, in short, make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> -people who go to the circus feel at home, have a -good time, and want to come again.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Circus folk, like sailors, are perhaps the most -superstitious people in the world. They have -numerous curious beliefs and all possess pet -superstitions. Disease, disaster and death are -presaged in their minds by signs and wonders. -Few are without amulets and charms. Four-leafed -clovers, made as pendants in silver or glass, and -rabbits’ feet set in silver are favorites to ward -off evil. Many have horseshoes nailed to their -trunks for luck. To see three white horses in succession -and no red-headed woman is a forerunner -of good luck. So, too, they declare, is the sight of -a boxed corpse in a railroad station as the train -rolls in. It is an ill omen to catch a glimpse of -the death receptacle when leaving a town. Tapping -a hunchback on his hump is sure to result -favorably, and a white speck showing on the -finger nail indicates auspicious things. The appearance -of a white foamy spot on the surface of -a cup of coffee or tea denotes “money,” and -should be at once swallowed intact. To open an -umbrella in a house is sure to result in a shower -of trouble, and one’s future is risked by going -under a ladder. Breaking a mirror is significant -of death and seven years’ ill-luck. If undergarments -are put on wrong side out, it is tempting -fate to change them until removed for the night.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> -A peacock’s presence is fraught with promise of -dire evil, and a stuffed bird or a fan of its feathers -bodes ill for the owner. To eat while a bell is -tolling for a funeral will bring misfortune. The -hooting of owls at night is ominous of death. -Bad luck may be expected if a mouse gnaws a -gown. To rock an empty cradle will entail injury -to the child who should occupy it. Salt spilt at -the table is a warning of a quarrel, unless a pinch -of the mineral is promptly thrown over the right -shoulder. Stray cats have their terrors, but a -black one is welcome.</p> - -<p>Many performers invariably go into the ring -putting the right foot forward. If they neglect to -do this they back out and re-enter. All believe a -cross-eyed man should never be permitted inside, -the tents; evil times accompany him. Few foreigners -fail to cross themselves before performing, -and nearly all wear strange charms. Many circus -people regard a color or a combination of colors -as a hoodoo. None would venture to cross a -funeral, and I have seen those who turn their -backs until a death procession has passed out of -sight and hearing. All believe Friday an unlucky -day, and are sure there are fortunate and -unfortunate hours in every day. If Friday falls -on the thirteenth day of a month, it will bring -misfortune, for thirteen cuts a wide swath in the -profession.</p> - -<p>In marked contrast to the popular notions of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -the rank and file of circus men is the practice of -Mr. James A. Bailey, who founds his business -conduct along lines tending to discourage superstition. -Friday is his accepted choice upon which -to make an important move—the Barnum & -Bailey show left America on Friday—and he welcomes -the figure 13 in any transaction. His -marvellously successful career perplexes credulous -associates.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The slang and colloquialisms of the circus form -a secret language in themselves, a collection of -jargon, racy, pungent, and pregnant of meaning, -and always used in familiar conversation. “Stall,” -as noun or verb, is a popular and widely employed -expression. It indicates anything tending -to conceal real intention, a confederate who diverts -attention, an accomplice under cover. For -instance, “I am stalling for a walkaway,” if I -refrain from notifying a customer that he has -forgotten his change. The “walkaway,” a flurried, -absent-minded, or hurrying person who leaves -his return money behind, is legion and a constant -source of joy to the ticket-seller. “Nix” is a -significant circus watchword, whose utterance generally -is the signal announcing the approach -of some one in authority or who is not a confidant. -It is used, too, as the curt form of request -to desist from word or deed. The exhibition -place is never anything but a “lot” in circus parlance,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> -and the organization itself is referred to as -the “show.” A “snack-stand” is the improvised -structure at railroad depot or show ground where -a hasty bite of food can be obtained. The men -who sell candy, popcorn, lemonade and the like -are “butchers.” The tents are “tops” in the circus -vocabulary. The canvas under which the performance -is given is known as the “big top,” the -eating tent as the “cook top,” and so on. One -might travel a season with a circus and not hear -the word tent mentioned. The side-show is the “kid -show,” as the vernacular of the profession has it.</p> - -<p>Employees are “working” whether driving stakes, -throwing somersaults, or sitting on exhibition as -a curiosity. The broad license of the word is -amusing to the stranger who hears the Albino, -whose sole occupation is to receive the stares of -side-show visitors, remark that “she didn’t work -yesterday,” but remained in the car all day. The -rallying-cry, “Hey Rube!” has become a vague -memory among modern circuses. Ample police -protection is assured nowadays, the character of -circus employees is higher and the discipline is -sterner, and the days of sanguinary encounters -among themselves or with town rowdies are gone -forever. The inaugural procession around the -tent is the circus man’s “tournament.” A “grafting” -show is the circus with dishonest motives, as -described in another chapter, and its “fixer” or -“squarer” is the man who makes the corrupt<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> -arrangement with town officials. In circus dialect -“yap” and “simp” indicate a credulous rustic -who is easy prey for sharpers.</p> - -<p>The policeman in plain clothes is rather contemptuously -referred to as a “flattie.” A trunk is -known as a “keester” and a valise as a “turkey.” -Circus dialect for a man is always “guy,” and the -proprietor of the show is invariably styled “the -main guy,” or the “main squeeze.” The former -appellation is probably adapted from the fact -that the main guy rope holds the tent in position. -To “fan a guy” is to make an examination to -discover whether or not he is carrying concealed -weapons. A pocketbook is a “leather,” a watch -a “super,” and a watch chain a “slang.” “Lid” -signifies a hat and a ticket is called a “fake.” A -complimentary ticket or a railroad pass has no -other name than “brod.” An elephant in circus -language is never anything except a -“bull.” The showman’s word for peanuts is -“redhots,” and their lemonade concomitant is -designated “juice.” “Plain juice” is water. Human -eyes are “lamps,” and heads are chosen -“nuts.”</p> - -<p>The posters and lithographs sent out in advance -are “paper,” and the programmes and other literature -are distinguished as “soft stuff.” Side-show -orators have the cognomens “spielers” and -“blowers,” and the employee who has charge of -the naphtha torches, which are “beacons” in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> -circus world, is known as the “chandelier man.” -Reserved seats are alluded to as “reserved,” and -all other allotted sitting space is termed “the -blues,” derived from the painted color of the -boards. Clowns are “joys” and the other performers -“kinkers.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The history of the circus records many disasters -by fire, wind, and wreck, but only a few solitary -instances in which patrons have suffered. In none -of the vocations of life, in times of crisis, are -given better examples of energy, daring, discipline, -and power of command and obedience. For more -than a score of years, since the old method of -overland horse and wagon mode of transportation -was abandoned for the swift, modern steam-engine -way, hardly a year has failed to catalogue -a catastrophe entailing loss of life and property -and human and animal misery. Yet death and -damage are confined to the ranks of the show -people.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_024f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">CIRCUS ENCAMPMENT AT EARLY DAWN.</p> - -<p>Railroads are notoriously indifferent to the interests -of the long, heavy circus trains in their -temporary keeping. Accidents in transit are frequent. -A misplaced switch, confusion in running -schedules, a careless engineer or trainman, may -bring impoverishing adversity. The circus is never -exempt from peril, when planted for the day -in apparent security, when journeying from town -to town or when housed in wood or brick. Misfortune<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> -follows, too, even to winter quarters, -where, perhaps, general impression assumes to the -circus owner freedom from care and apprehension. -There are many things conspiring to make him -old before his time.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The Southern States generally yield good profits, -but the crowds are more disorderly, often, than in -any other section of the country. Guns protrude -from many pockets and their owners are eager -for a chance to brandish or discharge them. Inflamed -by whiskey, these circus visitors are a constant -menace to life and property. It is only by -an exercise of great diplomacy that we escape -frequent trouble. Mississippi is greatly accredited -among showmen with being the most dangerous -State in the Union, as is the police force of Philadelphia -called the most efficient for their purposes. -The New York bluecoats are called upon for little -display of their ability and organization with the -circus established in the stone and wood of Madison -Square Garden. Municipal officers throughout -the South have the reputation, whether justified -or not, of being past grand masters in the subtle -art of “shake-down,” the circus man’s parlance -for palpably unfair means of extracting money. -Extortionate fees are levied for all privileges, and -in many cities hordes of professional damage -seekers await a pretense of excuse for demanding -money.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>In one city, for instance, the owner of the land -on which we exhibited gave plain directions as -to its area and they were abided by. At eleven -o’clock, when all the preliminary work of the day -had been performed, his neighbor rushed to the -lot and demanded four hundred dollars; his property, -a worthless patch of rocky soil, had been -encroached upon six feet by one end of the “big -top!” It was a frank attempt at extortion and -the native nursed the conviction that the circus -was powerless to do aught but pay. Little did he -imagine the resourceful energy of the showman in -a crisis! Under the owner’s personal supervision, -the big reaches of canvas were levelled again, -while the landholder stood by in amazement. At -noon, an hour and a half after the unreasonable -demand, the circus had moved itself the required -distance and taught the Southerner a lesson he -will not forget.</p> - -<p>The incident is an example of the deliberate -purpose of many persons to take unfair advantage -of the circus and illustrates how completely their -nefarious plans sometimes go awry.</p> - -<p>Trouble came unceasing that same day. The -crowd was ugly and seeking fight, and some of its -members even invaded the rings and insulted performers. -We were told that night that ours was -the only circus that ever left town without undergoing -the annoyance of having the side ropes cut, -a playful prank of the place. On the night journey<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> -from lot to cars, the hippopotamus cage -tipped over and was righted with great difficulty, -while the huge inmate roared his fright and disapproval. -Later, the big vehicle conveying the -side-show paraphernalia collapsed near the same -spot and made more work and delay, and filled -the roughs with glee at our plight. The colored -“snack stand” proprietors, who, of course, are no -part of the show, were robbed of their proceeds -by native thieves, amid great wailing, and a colored -man was killed by the cars in the confusion -at the loading place. The circus men were the -only witnesses to rush to him in the hope of giving -relief. Never were men, women, and children -happier over a change of scene than when our -trains moved to new environments.</p> - -<p>During the night run, a desperate attempt was -made to rob the money wagon. Two men were -busily working with brace and bit and hammer -and saw, when the watchman, patrolling his lonely -beat along the line of cars, came upon them. -They jumped from the slow-moving train and -escaped in the darkness.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The well-organized circus seldom misses a performance. -Rain and mud are its enemies, but -their combined endeavors only infrequently prevent -erection of tents, and the parade and exhibition -which then infallibly follow. There are instances -in which the elements have upset plans for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> -two or three successive days, but conditions are -seldom so unkind. Shovel and pickaxe and beds -of absorbing straw accomplish wonders. If denied -the opportunity to erect the “big top,” sometimes -the show is given in the less expansive -menagerie tent and the animal cages are kept on -the cars. The enforced arrangement is unsatisfactory -to circus man and patron, but to the -former it gives the consolation that the day will -not be entirely without receipts.</p> - -<p>The recuperative powers of the circus are marvellous. -Many a show which has been almost entirely -exterminated by a railroad wreck or other -disaster has within a few weeks again taken up -the thread of dates. The reason for this quick -restoration is that duplicates of almost every -necessity can be obtained. A hurry call brings a -new tent to replace the damaged one. Men who -make a business of supplying circus menageries -with animals ship a great new variety at once, -and in an incredibly short time the renewed show -is on the move once more.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II<br /> - -<small>ARRIVAL AND DEBARKATION</small></h2></div> - - -<p>Through the gloom of night and the dusk of -early morning the heavy circus train labors on its -journey to transient destination. The distance -diminishes slowly. Sometimes the line of cars is -shunted to one side and stands patient and inert -while expresses clatter by; again, its dragging -weight defies the straining efforts of the engine, -and it is left in solitary helplessness while the -iron horse scurries off for aid; often the cars are -rattled together with body-racking violence. Farmers -in the barnyards rub their eyes in mute -astonishment at the moving spectacle, and cattle -scamper from fright. Other trains are in hot pursuit. -Their burden, too, is man and beast and -varied showy paraphernalia. Four or five sections -are required to transport the vast and -wondrous effects of the circus.</p> - -<p>A quiet, unpretending village has already begun -to assume an air of stir and animation. Festal -circus day is at hand. Parents and children line -the railroad approach and eagerly seize upon all -points of vantage. Keen curiosity and joyful anticipation -are depicted on every face. The railroad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> -yards are empty of rolling stock, and switchmen -and engines are ready to receive and admit the -travelling pageant and pilot it to a place convenient -to its needs. No preparatory arrangement -that human foresight can conceive has been neglected.</p> - -<p>The intuitive welcoming shouts of boys and -girls, a blurred slender outline in the distance, the -screeching of railway whistles and the hurried -orders of officials. Then a pressure of brakes, a -crunching of wheels and a rattle of coupling pins. -The circus has arrived!</p> - -<p>One of the first to alight is the circus mail-carrier, -who hurries off to the post-office. Important -mail may await his coming and there must be no -delay in its delivery. This is the first of three -trips to the government station he will make that -day, and between these journeys, which are frequently -long and tedious, he will perform a variety -of other work allotted to him at the lot. He -knows by name every employee of the show, and -his prompt and accurate service is rewarded at the -close of each season with a purse of contributed -money which invariably approaches a thousand -dollars. At his heels is the general manager -whose multifarious duties require early rising. -The circus detective follows behind, scrutinizing -faces and figures, conferring with railroad officials -and approaching by easy stages the local police -station. There are two sleeping-cars carrying performers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> -and business staff on the first section. A -great brushing of clothes and final completion -of toilet, performed generally on the car platforms, -precede their departure from the railroad -yards.</p> - -<p>The first section is known as the “baggage -train.” It bears the paraphernalia necessary to -the immediate wants of the encampment, as follows: -stake and chain wagons, canvas wagons, -side-pole and centre-pole wagons, side-show wagon, -stable wagons, water-tank wagons, cook-tent and -blacksmith wagons, chandelier wagon, about two -hundred draft horses, all dressing-room necessities -except the trunks, the two performers’ and business -staff’s sleeping-cars and the cars of most of -the workingmen and their horses.</p> - -<p>In the second train are jack wagon, the tableaux -wagons, the elephants and camels and their keepers, -performing, ring and baggage horses, seat and -stringer wagons, “property” wagons, and all the -appliances for performers and their baggage. The -third and other sections carry more sleeping-cars -and all the cages.</p> - -<p>Twenty-two horses are allotted to each stock -car. There are animals of all kinds and colors -and sizes, from the saucy ponies and fleet, slender -chariot beasts to the big, white ring and the -heavily harnessed draft horses. The circus carries -close to half a thousand of these equines. They -are so loaded that they must needs stand erect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> -during the journey, for injury and perhaps death, -experience has taught, is the inevitable result of -one of the brutes disposing himself, by accident -or design, in any other position. The packing of -them so close together that the possibility of this -disaster is precluded is a duty delegated to the -“wedge horse” of each car. After every other animal -has taken his accustomed place at night and -when to the lay observer they are as tightly compressed -as safety demands, the trained “wedge -horse” scampers up the inclined plane and burrows -his way between the two animals in the -centre of the car. He shoves and pushes until he -is accommodated, and not until then is the boss -hostler satisfied that there will be no accident. -Although it would appear that they are crowded -to unnecessary extreme, the circus man understands -that the compression in reality renders the -railroad trip more comfortable, for the wrenches -and jars incidental to the journey have far less -deleterious effect upon them than would be the -case if they were loosely loaded.</p> - -<p>Each driver has his team of two, four, six, -eight, or ten horses and he makes two trips to the -exhibition ground. Each wagon has its number, -and each day and night the same man and beasts -have it in charge. The drivers seem to have an -intuitive knowledge of topography. Often the lot -is several miles distant from the place of arrival -and unloading, but these men of the reins<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> -are never confused as to locality or direction. -They make the most complicated journeys without -hesitation or mistake, seldom resorting to -interrogating the native residents. Roads curve -and wind in a manner most bewildering, but -they keep steadily toward the scene of exhibition. -These rides through pretty suburban streets in the -gray light of the morning are often very delightful -and invigorating. Generally, sidewalks are -lined and porches packed with people eager to get -their first glance of the circus, though its beauty -and grandeur are hid. Frequently the trains are -shifted during the day, and night, with its blackness, -finds the circus cars awaiting their loads -in an entirely different section of the town. The -drivers are informed of the change, but it is left -to their keen perceptions to make the trip by the -shortest route. This is no simple accomplishment, -in the gloom of streets and with landmarks entirely -unfamiliar, but it is performed without -blunder or inaccuracy. The number of accidents -to man and beast in these nocturnal wanderings -is remarkably insignificant, due, in a great measure, -to the skill of the reinsmen and their coolness -in emergencies. Sometimes steep hills, rough -roads, or sharp corners bring disaster, but not -frequently. The wagons progress to their destination -behind four-, six-, eight-, and ten-horse teams -as smoothly, safely, and swiftly as the local doctor -goes his rounds.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>The money wagon is early off the train and on -its way to the lot. Inside is the assistant treasurer -of the show, who has been shuffled about -continually during the time allotted to slumber, -but whom long service has inured to the racking. -He is there to guard that part of the coin and -bills which has not been expressed to New York. -There is not an instance on record of a successful -attempt to loot the money wagon of a circus, although -many showmen wonder that the apparently -inviting opportunity offered has not been -seized. This immunity, I suppose, rests on the -basis of knowledge that there are no more courageous, -determined fighters than circus employees. -For daring, hardihood, and bodily prowess they -have no superiors. The boldest highwayman may, -well hesitate before he takes liberties with the -money wagon. He would find a man inside ready -and experienced in gun play, and a party of circus -workmen whose duty it is to be prepared for -invaders would appear like men from the ground. -If the marauder escaped with his life, much less -the plunder he sought, the prediction often made -would be inexact.</p> - -<p>Arrived at the lot, the money wagon is a scene -of stir and activity. The press agent is there to -receive the money for newspaper advertising. -Then all the bookkeeping which the circus demands -in great variety must be accomplished, -for the morning is the only period of the day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> -which gives opportunity for the work. Later the -sale of tickets and the balancing of accounts -engrosses all time and attention. Pay day comes -each week to every employee of the circus. The -performers are paid on Saturday during the time -between the afternoon and evening performances. -On Wednesdays, during the afternoon show, the -long line of workmen forms and several hours are -consumed in the exchange of money. The operation -is laborious, for sometimes the coming and -leaving of the men is frequent. Each has a name -and number for identification assurance, and the -two men who make the payments are thoroughly -exhausted when the operation is over.</p> - -<p>The owner’s private car is attached to the last -section, a position which makes it certain that -the owner be on the scene if there is accident -to the other sections. In case of breakdown or -other railroad misfortune, his section would speedily -overtake and he would thus be soon in personal -command. The sections usually halt at -the given point within a half hour of one another, -and soon the last employee has stumbled -over ties and rails toward the lot and all the -wagons have departed from the scene. Long -lines of empty cars await the repeated activity of -night. These cars, incidentally, are as extended -as safety and convenience permit, for railroad -companies charge for transportation by the single -car. The fewer cars drawn from town to town,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> -the smaller the amount of money the circus is -called upon to pay.</p> - -<p>It is easy to distinguish the performer from his -fellow employee as the men leave the cars. The -acrobats and gymnasts limp down the car steps -as if every bone and muscle were lame and sore, -and progress with halting tread toward the lot, -very different in aspect from the firm, elastic-stepped -men who entered the place the night before. -It is an unhappy condition in which every -one of the athletes finds himself the morning after -the violent exercise of the ring or bar. None of -them takes any unusual precaution to guard -against physical affliction, and the wonder is that -often they are not more seriously handicapped -after sleep. After a few preliminary exercises their -sound, strong, vigorous constitutions assert -themselves and they are ready and eager for any -required feat.</p> - -<p>The veteran circus man is superficially acquainted -with the physical features of most of the -towns visited. Alighting from the car, he surveys -the landscape and heads straight for the lot. He -has been there before and he recalls it all. Here a -sleeping car was burned two years ago; in another -town two elephants had a thrilling duel to the -death; there is the jail where a ticket taker was -locked up without just cause; “Mr. Lew” remembers -the bank where he secured bonds when a man -with a claim for damages attached the ring horses<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> -with the mistaken notion that he would be bought -off for a large sum of money; through that low -bridge a heavy pole wagon once crashed. Every -place in the country is associated with some personal -incident in the circus man’s mind.</p> - -<p>I walk often to the lot with a gray-haired man -whose form is unbent by age, whose eye is undimmed, -and whose active manner still evinces -readiness to plan and will to execute. He is one -of the ringmasters and has other duties of the -arena and the business office. He has dwelt his -long life in circus precincts, and for him the whole -circus fraternity cherishes a peculiar veneration. -Honesty and godliness mark his career, and his is -the example pointed out to the circus young. Well -may they imitate his virtues and walk in his footsteps! -His presence recalls the faint memory of -overland journey and one ring, and the stern hardships -of the days of long ago. Those were times -when his name was familiar wherever the show -tent penetrated, and when his exploits made him -the marvel of the profession and the prominent -feature of performances—for none in all the world -could equal his feats of horsemanship and acrobatic -skill. From the haunch of the white circus -beast he executed revolutions which even the modern -show has not duplicated, and aloft he tumbled -and turned in dare-devil accomplishments which -now only the reassuring stretches of the net concede.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span>Simple modesty characterized his life of spectacular -success, and now, when time has forbidden -active participation and a new generation has -entered upon the stage, he accepts with cheerful -philosophy his relegation, to a uniform which bespeaks -only the cracking of a whip. His wife, -many years his junior, is one of the conspicuous -performers, for he has taught her all the finish -and art of bareback riding, and made her one of -the cleverest wire-walkers with the show. He is -always at her side when she performs, advising, -correcting, praising, and, as she elicits admiring -gaze, few in the audience recognize his figure as -the one in whom so much sentimental interest -centres. The press agent, extolling the youth and -beauty and grace of the performer, points him -out casually to the reporters as her “father” and -flatters himself that he is subserving the interests -of the show; but if the woman knew of the tale -she would promptly put a stop to its circulation. -She is proud of her kindly old husband and wants -the world to know it. She boasts no circus pedigree, -as do most of her comrades, and was -schooled in the circus arena after she had reached -her majority. She is a living refutation of the -tradition that one must be born to the ring.</p> - -<p>We watch her rehearsals in the spring with -curiosity, and the other performers always profit -by the directions and advice the veteran gives her. -Sometimes, to his practised mind, she is awkward<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> -and slow of comprehension. Then I have seen him -jump to his feet and leap to the horse’s back. He -forgets his forbidding age, in the emotions of the -past, and would fain give her the benefit of a -demonstration. But his feet have lost their inspiration, -his hold is unsteady and his muscles -do not respond. He alights rather shamefacedly. -The young athletes pat him kindly on the back -and cheer him with words of his former glory; -and his wife puts her arms around his neck and -says he’s a dear old fellow. Love and loyalty will -be his enduring memorial.</p> - -<p>The inherent energy of the circus is never more -fully demonstrated than when there is tardiness in -arriving at the town of exhibition. The fault is -seldom the circus’s and generally the railroad’s. -Connections have been faulty, the engines inadequate -to the requirements of the heavy trains, -facilities for loading bad, or there has been delay -in ferrying the sections. There are no faint hearts -or falterers with the show and no weakness in -these crises. Out of confusion worse confounded, -order and convenience speedily reassert themselves, -and the tremendous amount of preparation for the -exhibition is rushed to wonderfully quick completion. -Sometimes it has been nearly noon before -we were able to drag a single wagon from the -cars, but the programme for the day has been -followed as implicitly as though there had been -no hindrances. The parade emerged with customary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> -roar and glare, the performance followed in -regular sequence, and left behind was the same -satisfactory trail of desolated pockets that the -usual early coming would have accomplished.</p> - -<p>Sunday is the circus man’s day of rest and relaxation. -After the pitching of the menagerie and -the smaller tents, necessary to the accommodation -to the animals, the day is granted for freedom -and enjoyment. The start from the Saturday -stand is always made the same night, and the -Sabbath respite is improved for long railroad -runs. The route is so planned in advance that on -no one night except Saturday is the journey so -long that, everything favorable, there will be -tardy arrival. It is not deemed expedient to risk -a longer “jump” than eighty or ninety miles unless -transportation facilities are unusually advantageous. -The trips of one hundred and fifty -or two hundred miles are reserved for the night -which precedes the day of exemption. So it is -that the circus folk, ending their slumber, find the -train still on the move, with a possible prospect -of several more hours in their cramped quarters. -The sagacious ones have examined the railroad -schedule the day before and laid in a supply of -fruit and food for this contingency. They preconceive -how sorely taxed will be the resources of -the train restaurant, for circus appetites are voracious -in the morning. Chairs are soon placed on -platforms and at windows, and the workingmen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> -gather in groups on car tops or under the ample -spread of the wagons.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_040f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">DISEMBARKING FROM THE CIRCUS TRAIN.</p> - -<p>These Sunday morning railroad pilgrimages -carry the circus through all climates and localities -and, unless too protracted, afford a sense of keen -enjoyment. There are inviting expanses of woodland -and water, moor and mountain. Summer -verdure clothes the scenery, and the view is often -entrancingly beautiful to the crowd-surfeited vagrants. -Smiling villages and beautiful cities pass -in procession. The gazing native is bombarded -with interrogations as to the proximity of the -circus train’s ephemeral goal. Sometimes there -are brief stops at wayside stations, while the engine -takes water or gives place to another iron -hauler. Then occurs an exodus from the cars. -Men, women and children improve the opportunity -to exercise their cramped bodies, for nothing is -more distasteful to their active persons than restricted -movement, or to invade with hurried dash -the humble railroad restaurant. Never before has -its composure been so rudely disturbed. Coffee is -gulped down eager throats, and the return to the -train is made with hands and pockets overflowing -with sandwiches. Two sharp warning shrieks from -the engine and the start is made anew.</p> - -<p>Few of the performers or staff members go to -the lot for Sunday meals, although the tent -awaits their presence. They register at the local -hotels and spend much time in writing and reading.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> -Many take advantage of the chance for a -change and spend the night away from their accustomed -sleeping apartments. In the evening a -large number of the women attend church and the -men pass a few hours in simple pleasures. At the -lot the scene is one of peace and quiet. The canvas -of the “big” and other “tops” which have -not been elevated lie passive on the ground ready -for the men who will haul them aloft at sunrise. -They are not raised until immediate necessity -demands, for the reason that the danger of -fire or “blow down” is thus minimized in the -one and rendered impossible in the other instance. -Curious crowds flock about the grounds -and are permitted free scrutiny. It is particularly -a Sunday assembling-place for women. They desert -household cares and domestic duties for the -fascinations which invest the circus in repose.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER III<br /> - -<small>EARLY SCENES ON THE LOT</small></h2></div> - - -<p>The selection of the place of exhibition is a duty -which requires careful study and practical observation -and involves a variety of considerations. -Ten acres is the smallest piece of ground on which -our circus can spread itself, and an unoccupied -site of this size which has the requisite advantages -is not always easy to find in these days of rapid-growing -communities. A plot which had all the -conditions demanded the year before may be the -foundation of many houses when the show arrives -on its next visit. The spot chosen is generally -rural in its situation—the claim on space makes -this unavoidable—but it imperatively must be -urban in convenience. Swift-moving trolley cars -have added joy to the circus business, for they -make accessible these remote localities. Obviously -when transportation facilities are awkward, the -show suffers. And so it is that usually we find -ourselves settled for the day where stretches of -electric wires are a constant menace to towering -chariots and a source of terror to their fair occupants. -Of course, the conformation of the immediate -ground and the condition of the soil are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> -taken into important account in the choice of the -lot, but the difficulties which they offer often submit -to the mastery of the army of workmen. -Water must be convenient, abundant and wholesome.</p> - -<p>Sometimes nowhere in a town can be found -empty room for all the big and small tents, -huddle them as we will. Then the “big,” menagerie -and side-show “tops” are given places in -the allotted limit, and the canvas adjuncts are -planted down the road, in neighboring back yards -or in distant fields. It is an irritating and inconvenient -compromise, but one that cannot be -always avoided. These annoying conditions, however, -do not present themselves as a general rule. -Our destination is more often a fragrant spacious -pasture where the air is pure, the sun brilliant -and nature’s tranquil beauty all-pervading.</p> - -<p>The boss canvasman is first on the ground and -remains in supreme control of the horde of brawny -men who trail after him. With the arrival of the -chain-and-stake wagon the active work of erecting -the tents begins. The “cook tent” is first placed -in position, for food must await the throngs of -men, women and children who are on the way. -This is a simple and expeditiously accomplished -duty, as compared with the elevation of the “big -top,” a swelling fabric within whose folds fifteen -thousand persons can accommodate themselves. -The boss canvasman combines with other qualifications<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> -a practical knowledge of surveying. His -comprehensive scrutiny of the area determines -accurately boundaries, positions, extent, lines and -angles, and indicates to his experienced mind how -best to avoid roughness and depressions and how -to overcome the other resistances the tract offers. -Sometimes huge rocks or spreading trees make the -task one of great difficulty, for it must be accomplished -with haste. His examination finished, he -unwinds a metal tape line and traverses the lot. -Slender iron rods are planted where he indicates. -These are immediately replaced by strong wooden -stakes to which the “guys” or ropes of the tents -will be fastened. Soon the ground bristles with -these pegs, thrust into place with unerring aim -and in perfect cadence by gangs of sledge-hammer -drivers.</p> - -<p>Teams of horses pull the towering centre poles -into upright position and the skeleton of the -monster is in place. The vast reaches of canvas -are unrolled in sections and laced together while -flat on the ground. Then the mammoth white -cloth rises like a canvas-backed Aladdin’s palace -and is attached to the side-poles, which are twelve -feet high and twelve feet apart around the outer -edges of the white spread. The scene is one of -bustle and activity. Small boys are pressed into -service, receiving a ticket to the show as remuneration. -Menagerie, side-show, stable, blacksmith, -harness, dressing, wardrobe, and barber<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> -tents yield to diligent exertion, and soon the delegated -proprietors of the broad green space have -finished their morning labors. Meanwhile the -wagons and apparatus have arrived, and owner, -manager, riders, ringmasters, animal trainers, -gymnasts, jugglers, clowns, ticket-sellers and all -the rest of the heterogeneous throng put in appearance. -Curious crowds rivet their attention -upon the unwonted doings. They come from -farm and merchandise and from seats of learning -and courts of justice, and find keen enjoyment in -the sights and sounds.</p> - -<p>The “cook tent” is one of the marvels of the -modern circus. It was the custom for many years -for the circus management to send its employees to -the local hotels for their food. The undertaking -of providing meals for the army on the grounds -was so stupendous that the most comprehensive -and well-organized show hesitated to make the -essay. Finally, the objections to the old method -made the accomplishment imperative. As circuses -grew in size, the combined resources of the hotels -in many towns were unable to meet the demand -made upon them. There was too much delay and -unsatisfactory provisions, and the circus felt their -injurious effects. The arrangement now in vogue -does away with all these difficulties. Advance men -see that all the needs of the commissary department -are provided for, and meat, vegetables, -water and the other requirements await the hand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> -of the chefs. There are two separate and distinct -culinary establishments. One is occupied by the -workingmen, whose stomachs are not gratified -until the tents are raised and all the apparatus is -on the lot. This is a wise provision which insures -prompt work. There are no laggards in their -ranks in the early morning.</p> - -<p>Under an adjoining canvas are fed the executive -staff and performers, men, women and children. -There are three long rows of tables, and crossing -them at one end a shorter set of boards where is the -owner’s place and those of his immediate -associates. It is from this position, his abundant -family collected around him, that he -makes his announcements, administers rebukes -and extends praise. He surveys the scene critically -and is immensely pleased at the healthy -relish which pervades the place. Curious sightseers -peer through the apertures and he abruptly -bids them retreat with the assurance that “we -are not wild animals. We eat just like other -human beings.” Outside the tent rest hogsheads, -from which are dipped panfuls of pure, clear -water, for grimy hands and dusty faces. Long -towels slung over stretches of rope are ready for -use. Scrupulously clean cloths cover the table, -and no spot or stain afflicts the dishes. The food, -cooked in the open, has its own peculiarly delicious, -appetizing flavor. It is served in abundance, -and a happier, heartier party never did<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> -justice to a meal. Skilful waiters do prompt, -experienced attendance. Service and quality could -not be improved upon in the large hotels of many -cities. As the “cook tents” are the first to be -raised, so they are the first to be levelled and -packed away on the cars. The last meal of the -day is served at five o’clock in the afternoon, and -two hours later there is no perceptible trace of the -improvised restaurant, save the coals which glow -in the twilight.</p> - -<p>The harness and blacksmith tents are as complete -in their facilities as any stationary establishments. -In the former, waxed thread, needle and -hammer are busy through the day. The showy -equine accoutrements and trappings require constant -care, and among the tangled mass of collars, -traces, saddles, reins and other framework of -straps there is always labor of repair. The blast-furnace -of the blacksmith blazes from morning -until night, and his anvil knows no rest. There -are horses to be shod, iron pieces to be forged, -wagons needing attention, and a variety of work -which must be done with dispatch and thoroughness.</p> - -<p>Across the field in a shady and sheltered spot -the ashen cloth of the circus barber shop shows. -No detail of a well-equipped city shop is missing. -Even is seen the pole, striped red and white spirally, -denoting the presence of the profession. -Here the men of the circus are shaved and have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> -their beards trimmed and their hair cut and -dressed with great expedition and much perfume. -It is a time-saving convenience.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_048f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">CIRCUS COOKS PREPARING BREAKFAST.</p> - -<p>The whir of sewing machines is never absent -from the wardrobe tent, and seamstresses work -with needle and thread from light to dark. Wear -and weather work sad havoc with resplendent -uniforms and trappings of human and brute, and -the need of repair or replenishment is always -pressing.</p> - -<p>Cages are thrust under the menagerie tent only -long enough for the feeding of the animals, and a -hasty burnishing of gilt and cleaning of wagon -wheel and body. Horses reappear soon, now -plumed and ornamented, and drivers don the uniform -of the parade. This tent, like its big canvas -companion, will be empty and silent, save for the -arranging of apparatus, until the parade returns -from its formal journey to town.</p> - -<p>In the stable tents the Shetland ponies delight -the children and command the admiration of the -elders. They come from the wild and sterile -islands between the Atlantic Ocean and the North -Sea, where they run at large. They are very -hardy, and their strength is great in proportion -to their size. Rough hair covers them, and their -manes and forelocks are large and shaggy. Very -useful in active, sure-footed work, and very valuable -to the show from an artistic standpoint, are -these small breeds of horses, but also are they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> -very vicious and tricky. They bite and kick at -small or no provocation, at keepers and strangers -alike, and frequently engage in violent combat -among themselves. They are the subjects of -eternal espionage, but human vigilance cannot -always thwart their mischief. The dun or tan -color, with a black stripe along the back, is -prevalent among their shades, and they compose -one of the prettiest scenes on the circus lot. The -tricks they perform in the ring always meet enthusiastic -favor.</p> - -<p>In the Southern States, “snack stands” line the -limits of the circus lot. Colored people conduct -them, and the food they provide is wholesome and -wonderful in variety. No Northerner who has not -witnessed circus day in the old Confederate section -has any adequate conception of the extent to -which these eating places flourish. The appetizing -odor of food pervades the air, patrons are filled -with the exuberance of the occasion, and the scene -is one to add a measure to the joy of living. No -dish often has a price exceeding five cents, and the -ham and chicken and cakes and biscuits served -have a peculiar charm of flavor, which sometimes -even lures the showman from the canopied canvas -of the “cook tent.”</p> - -<p>Applicants to join the circus come by the score -in every town. There are few changes in the -ranks, however, during the season, except in the -cases of canvasmen and hostlers. These desert,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -are discharged or find other places frequently. -After a spell of rainy weather, never more wearing -on man and beast than with the circus, the less -stout-hearted or robust leave rapidly for easier -work. All the performers contract for the season -or longer, and are philosophic and satisfied at all -times. Sometimes the eager candidate for circus -honors is awaiting us at the railroad station, follows -to the lot, and often no rebuff or decided -denial of his demand for a position will suffice. -This persistent person we turn over to the head -clown and watch the cure. He is escorted with -great deference to the dressing-room, received by -the performers with keen anticipatory delight and -ostentatiously welcomed to their ranks. It is explained -that he must begin his career as a laugh-provoker. -His hair is filled with powdered sawdust, -he is daubed with chalk and dye-stuffs, put -in tights and ordered to the ring. There the ringmaster, -prepared to do his part, awaits him. The -luckless victim feels the sharp lash of the whip on -his almost naked legs, and is put through a -course of sprouts which finally drives him from -the arena, a sorry fun-producing specimen. Desire -for sawdust and spangles has left him.</p> - -<p>An awkward problem which sometimes presents -itself is the replenishing of the horse stables. No -stauncher troupe of draft horses can be found anywhere -than the circus carries. Great strength is -a prime requisite, but they must needs be handsome,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> -handy and gentle. These qualifications are -not frequently grouped in one animal. So it is -that great care is lavished upon the circus equine -that his condition remain all that is necessary. -Despite all attention of the practised men of the -stables, however, sickness and accidents often send -the beasts to the stock farm or the graveyard. -Facilities for their treatment in wet weather are -inadequate, notwithstanding an expert veterinary -always is in attendance upon them, and is on the -regular pay roll. The strain of sleeping in a -moving train of cars at night and heavy hauling -at day is tremendous, and strange, rough roads -invite misfortune. Ailing animals cannot be transported, -and replacing begins.</p> - -<p>At the outset of the season we were in particularly -bad straits. A rainy night when we first -paraded, in New York, caused an epidemic of pneumonia, -which our proficient veterinarian could not -stay. The supply of horses diminished rapidly, -and in two weeks it was with some difficulty that -we accomplished unloading, parade and departure -without serious delay. Then were displayed, conspicuously, -on the phalanx of stable tents and at -the entrance to the lot, announcements that we -desired to purchase native animals. The show -was then in West Virginia. For a fortnight the -scene in the horse quarters resembled a gypsy -camp. The owner and his associates knew just -what they wanted, made the fact plain and were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> -ready to pay spot cash when they found it. But -the farmers and horse traders at once conceived -the notion that this was a heaven-sent opportunity -to rid their stalls of the aged, infirm beasts -which had accumulated on their hands. Concealing -defects with adroit craft, they would flourish -up to tents and with great gravity of manner -dwell upon the merits of the animal which fitted -him perfectly for circus requirements. They reckoned -not upon the familiar knowledge of the men -with whom they dealt. A keen glance or a practised -touch revealed all blemishes. No trick or -stratagem, and I am sure every one known to -sharp equine transactions was employed, availed -against the showman’s discernment. A favorite -dodge was to exhibit the animal in the -shadow of the naphtha torches at night, but -exposure followed at once. The circus traversed -three States before the proper horses were procured.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile “Boscow” unremittingly consumes -snakes in a gaudy canvas booth at the entrance -to the grounds. Clyde, a man of long established -integrity and not deficient in lungs, gives personal -assurances of the progress of the reptilian feast. -“Eighteen years old, not married, pretty; and -eats snakes like you eat strawberry short-cake! -Eats ’em alive! Bites their heads off!” is his -frequently repeated promise, and the constant, -eager procession passing his stand and into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> -ophidian enclosure, testifies to the weight of his -forceful eloquence.</p> - -<p>Squatting in a cavernous serpentarium, patrons -find “Boscow,” feminine in appearance only because -of long, coarse black hair, surrounded by coiling, -crawling reptiles. “She” has presumably just -completed an especially elaborate animal meal, for -to the nostrils comes the breath of tobacco and -upwards winds the suspicion of cigar smoke. But -“Boscow” waves away the muttered insinuations -which penetrate even into “her” wild, untutored -mind, and at the word of command eats ravenously -of the amphibian mass which surrounds -“her” on all sides.</p> - -<p>“Boscow” was captured in the far-off jungles of -Africa, Harry, the lecturer explains, and in wonderful -words he continues of “her” fight for liberty, -the ineffectual efforts to tame “her” savage -nature, and “her” sullen refusal to discontinue -snake diet. It is very awesome and impressive, -and the audience, before making way for the -clamoring ones behind, look with renewed interest -at the strange creature. “Her” appearance lends -belief to the fluent narrative, and to the more -shrinking ones is proof of the need of precautionary -measures in the dismal clanking of heavy -binding chains as “she” springs scowling about -the compartment. Little wonder no credence is -placed in the bold assertion of one who proclaims -that he saw “Boscow’s” brother, or surely a near<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -blood relative, perspiring freely as he helped in the -erection of the booth that morning. Her kin are, -of course, in a remote, uncivilized land, and as -ferocious as the girl herself. The incredulous person -saunters off with dim wonder at the remarkable -likeness filling his mind, Clyde’s frantic invitation -to go inside pours out tirelessly, and Harry -paints again and again the glowing picture of the -snake-eating wonder.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_054f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">TWO HEN’S EGGS, HAMMER, FILE AND NAIL-CLAW<br /> PRESENTED A PLEADING, PENNILESS -MISSISSIPPI<br /> NEGRO BOY TO SECURE ADMISSION. HE GOT IN.</p> - -<p>There is nothing like a spell of rainy weather to -breed a feeling of despair in the showman. The -route has been planned with the idea of evading -as far as human foresight permits, unfavorable -meteorological conditions, but it is inevitable that -sometimes rain and mud and wind be encountered. -There can then be nothing more mournful and disheartening -than life with the circus. If, for a brief -succession of days, performances have to be abandoned, -profits are consumed with a ruining rapidity. -It is not infrequent that this form of misfortune -bankrupts the scantily-financed circus -which has started out with hopeful prospects, for -the overwhelming expense of maintaining the -organization is not reduced whether it remains -huddled on the cars or is displaying its glories to -lucrative crowds. So resolute and so prepared for -exigencies are the bigger shows, however, that -nothing less than a flood can prevent unloading -and presenting some sort of an exhibition. If the -rain is continuous, there is no immediate prospect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> -of relief, and the lot is a quagmire, the animal -cages are often left on the cars. A staggering -march to the marsh is made by the other vehicles -and a semblance of show is given in the menagerie -tent. In the space usually allotted to the animals, -seats are put in position and a gallant effort -made to get some financial return. A doleful, -drenching sight it is, horses wallowing in the ring, -acrobats and gymnasts shivering and slipping, -and clowns feebly trying to call to life the smile of -pleasure. Straw is littered over the premises in -the endeavor to absorb the moisture, but avails -little. Where the stretches of canvas are sewed together -the water penetrates through, and muttering -spectators leave reluctantly or elevate umbrellas. -The heavy laboring of the groaning tent -adds to the feeling of misery and melancholy. -The circus people gaze longingly across the empty -fields where are houses snug and tight. Then the -heaped-up gloom of the night, the black, wet -journey to the cars and a possible awakening to -identical conditions in the morning. These are -times that strain the buoyant temperament and -the rugged constitution. Sunshine, however, restores -human spirits, tarnished gilt and saturated -canvas, and drives away the ghastly memory of it -all. Exuberance reasserts itself and the panoplied -colony emerges in all its former order, convenience -and beauty.</p> - -<p>It is the first heavy rainfall of the season that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> -brings the most overwhelming woe. The custom -of circus owners is to wash their tents with paraffine -at the beginning of each season. The waxy -mixture renders the cloth waterproof and preserves -it from atmospheric influences. The treatment -is not efficacious, however, until the fabric -has been thoroughly soaked with rain and succeeding -sunshine has dried it out. So it is that a -dull dread of approaching calamity fills every professional -heart when the initial storm sets in. The -water falls upon showman and patron as if no so-called -protection was above. A wan and spectral -“big top” it is at night, sometimes with vivid -lightning filling it with sulphur-smelling blazes, -and the frail dressing-room tent clinging to it -like a luminous bulb.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER IV<br /> - -<small>THE PARADE</small></h2></div> - - -<p>Breakfast over, active preparations are on -for the parade. Well-fed horses and ponies in -shining harness and waving plumes take their -places before glittering vehicles; the sound of -music is heard from bands perched hazardously -high; clowns, charioteers, jockeys, Roman riders -join the line; camels and elephants, some bearing -a weight of feminine beauty in Oriental costume, -make appearance, and a picturesque cavalcade -nearly a mile long is in motion.</p> - -<p>One of the managers leads the line down to -town and back. He has already been over the -course once, noting its conditions with caution -born of long experience. Sometimes his foresight -bids him change the route. A corner is too sharp -for the forty-horse team, a hill may be dangerously -steep, a bridge too low or unsafe, the road -too rough, or perhaps the advance man did not -appreciate that at a certain point the parade -would “double” on itself.</p> - -<p>Behind him a drum corps blows and beats, and -then Jeanne d’Arc, in polished armor, with clanking -curtains of chain mail. The flush of tan is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> -beginning to tint ears and cheeks under her helmet -and her two mounted knights are very happy -and proud. She is a young woman who was -adopted by a wealthy aunt in Pittsburg, who sent -her to Europe to keep her from entering circus -life. Her sudden return, romantic marriage with -a tattooed man, enlistment as a jockey rider in -Cedar Rapids, Ia., and rapid rise to the front -ranks of equestriennes is a matter circus folk -never tire of discussing.</p> - -<p>Through densely crowded streets the procession -measures its gaudy passage, a handsome lovelorn -young acrobat yearning for the return to the tent, -where an eighteen-year-old girl somersault rider -eagerly awaits him; the stepmother behind, who -doesn’t approve of their devotion; a uniformed -marshal, whose thoughts are for his wife, seriously -ill in a Philadelphia hospital; a brother -who fears for his sister; a bicycle rider at the -performance, now high on the back of an elephant -whose temper has been bad for several days; Sultan, -a majestic lion, viewing it all calmly from the -top of a high cage; bands playing, horses prancing, -wagons rumbling, calliope screaming, clowns -frollicking—truly a fantastic panorama. And -sometimes ahead, then behind, again on the side, -a tramp bicyclist, darting up steps and down, -scaling fences, into stores and houses, often one -wheel off the ground, seldom on both, but never -dismounting.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span>By the side of the band wagons and behind the -shrieking calliope a cloud of boys keeps tireless -pace, reeling off mile after mile, but gorged with -happiness. Street cars make time with the procession, -jammed with passengers and scores hanging -to platforms, paying no fares but this eloquent -testimony to the passing show. The tigers -and lions look bored, and the hyena yawns with -accumulated ennui. Behind, the gorgeously caparisoned -riders, men and women in tights and -spangles and breastplates of shining gold and -steel; behind, the richly-decked camels with riders -from the great desert and the elephants swaying -to and fro with monotonous tread, and near the -end of the gaudy line, the fairy outfit of Santa -Claus, the old woman of nursery fame, Bluebeard -in decapitation attitude and the other -tableau wagons of burnished gold and flaming -red.</p> - -<p>The clowns are very much in evidence. Behind -all manner of steeds, from the camel treading like -a dusty spectre with his cushioned feet, to the -proud pony, and from the four-horse teams to the -decrepit agricultural equine; on foot and on elephant -and on bicycle; in costume weird and wonderful, -they are an amusement-affording part of -the cortege. Boys flock by their sides, and their -ready wit is equal to all exigencies. Well has the -press agent written:</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span></p> -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="verse">Clowns on four legs,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns on two,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns the cutest you ever knew;</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns on the earth,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns in the air,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns in the water,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns everywhere;</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns in seal-skins,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns in hair,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns with whom no others compare;</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns in motley,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns with wings,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns that accomplish marvellous things;</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns in dress suits,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns in kilts,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns in long skirts,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns on stilts,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns that mimic every fad,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns that make the millions glad,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns that cause the buttons to fly,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns at whom you laugh till you cry;</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns of every nation and clime,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns uproarious all the time,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns and more than you ever saw,</div> -<div class="verse">Clowns that make the world haw-haw.</div> -</div></div> - -<p>The clowns’ band is near the end. In grotesque -attire, the “musicians” blow and beat on the top -of one of the chariots. The production is what -the alliterator of the show calls “a slaughter of -symphonies, a murder of melodies, a wrecking of -waltzes, a massacre of marches, a strangling of -songs, a total of terrific tonal tragedies!”</p> - -<p>The inevitable hay wagon is in the column, and -nimble acrobats toss lightly on its fresh-mown -burden. Their costumes are bucolic throughout,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> -but offer no impediment to their agile movements. -Country boys look on and marvel. The clown in -dilapidated wagon behind tottering horse is not -absent. His countryman disguise is so perfect -that his identity is not suspected. He narrowly -escapes being run down by the big circus wagons; -he is always in the way and impeding the smooth -progress of the parade; he becomes involved in all -sorts of plights, but emerges unscathed. It furnishes -great fun for the spectators. Sometimes -policemen threaten and oftener take him in custody. -Then he tells who he is and the crowd -roars again, this time at the bluecoat’s expense. -Hilarity reigns wherever is his presence.</p> - -<p>Above the shrill tones of the fife and the blast -of the cornet and the clamor of drums and cymbals, -rises the oft-repeated admonition, “Look -out for your horses, the elephants are right behind!” -A clarion-voiced equestrian rides up and -down the line of bespangled magnificence with this -warning to those who view the spectacle in wagon -or saddle. A quick, keen, trained glance reveals -to him the probable effect the “led” animals will -have on each equine within eye and scent. He -knows, too, what the man who holds the reins -is not aware of, that the animal with the hump -alarms horses more than his ponderous companion. -Often the parade is brought to a standstill -while this precautionary person insists that a -horse displaying the initial signs of disquiet be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> -removed to a place of safety, or, while with the -skill of long practice he assists in subduing a -beast whom the distant approach of the procession -has already alarmed. Women are his <i>bte -noir</i>. They have full faith in their horsemanship, -they tell him, and, anyway, their horses have been -thoroughly trained and broken. Then he is gently -but firmly obdurate, accepts with good grace the -denunciation to which he is subjected, but sees -that the possibility of disaster has been removed -before he permits the line to pass. He is a saver -of life and limb whose services few but showmen -appreciate.</p> - -<p>Once the tents are pitched, no weather can be -so unpropitious as to thwart the parade. Rain -may fall in copious measurement; mud, perhaps, -is deep to the knees. But on with the parade! A -much weather-beaten and woe-begone lot of performers, -to be sure, and a drenched and blinking -lot of drivers, but all forgotten when the sunshine -comes again. This display is what circus folk call -a “wet day” parade. Women and children are -excused, much of the finery is kept in the shelter -of the tents, men wear mackintoshes and rubber -boots, and protecting canvas hides the gilt and -glory of the chariots. It has been advertised as -“positive,” however, and the management must -keep faith with the public or lose its confidence. -Then, too, it serves to show some of the glory -and fame of the organization, whets public curiosity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> -and the possible return of clear skies will -draw to the grounds the multitude which, without -its promise, would have returned home for the -day. Business instinct bids there be a parade -without fail.</p> - -<p>Down in the town the press agent is paying the -newspaper bills for advertising, distributing tickets, -and seeing to it that editors and reporters -are put in good humor, and arranging as far as it -is in his power that notices before and after the -performances are complimentary. Sometimes he -accompanies a body of reporters to an advantageous -position and they survey the parade together. -He buys cigars and refreshment—at the -circus’s expense—and impresses his companions as -being affable, courteous and a good fellow generally. -They part company on fine terms of friendship, -and he assures them that he will consider it -a personal affront if they don’t all come to the -show and bring their friends. Sometimes his hospitality -has been so affecting that they will be -tempted to write pretty things about him; that -the “genial press agent” is with the circus, or, -“the circus is fortunate to have so efficient an employee” -and, following a description of his virtues. -But his prudence begs them to desist, for he knows -“the boss” doesn’t approve. The owner takes the -view that newspaper space devoted to the circus -itself is more to pecuniary advantage than an -enumeration of the qualities of the press agent.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span>The keen eye of the general manager follows the -parade on its tortuous journey. If there be accident -or delay, or any other unforeseen trouble, he -is at the scene promptly and takes command. A -two-seated carriage follows the line. In it he, the -press agent, and the circus detective are conveyed -back to the lot. It is a convenience which dispenses -with a hot, dusty walk or an uncomfortable -journey in packed trolley cars.</p> - -<p>The “$10,000 Beauty” was a parade feature of -one of the big circuses for several years. The -owner, a man deep in many schemes for advertising -his tented organization, boldly asserted that -he paid that amount of salary to a young woman -who proceeded through the streets striving to live -up to her reputation for grace and charm, on the -back of one of the largest elephants. She wore a -pained and anxious look as she clutched grimly to -the animal’s canopied hide, and there was little -appeal to aesthetic nature. Later she exhibited -her harmonious proportions in the menagerie -tent. She is now embellishing the variety stage, -whence she emerged upon the circus world, and -where, perhaps, her costly beauty is better appreciated.</p> - -<p>Many will remember the telescopic affair which -P. T. Barnum exhibited in his parades for several -seasons in the early ’70’s. It was a massively -carved chariot, and he called it the “Temple of -Juno.” When extended to its full height, by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> -means of internal machinery, it reached an altitude -of forty feet. A gorgeous effect was given it -by the precious metals which studded it and by -numerous mirrors. Upon an elevated seat, just -beneath a rich and unique oriental canopy of the -most elaborate finish, sat, in perfect nonchalance, -the representative queen, surrounded by gods and -goddesses in mythical costume. Elephants, camels -and dromedaries completed the tableau. During -that period of his career, a season of great prosperity, -Mr. Barnum used frequently to lecture on -temperance in his tents. He was shrewd enough -to appreciate how much to his pecuniary advantage -was his devotion to what he called the -“noble cause.” Crowds came as much to get a -glimpse at him and to hear him talk as for a -sight at the circus.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER V<br /> - -<small>THE SIDE-SHOW</small></h2></div> - - -<p>Order has come out of the confusion at the lot -when the parade returns. All is in readiness for -the performances, seats and stands and rings and -trapezes in place, and every man at his post. -The cages are dragged from the parade to the -menagerie tent, the horses led to their canvas -stables, and elephants push the red and gilt vehicles -into place. Down drops the sidewall, ropes -are set, and the preparation is complete.</p> - -<p>Stolid yokels fill the enclosure in front. Two -men are proclaiming with fluency and skill and -oratorical effect the wonders of the side-show, and -a row of huge banners adds weight to their discourse. -Pictured by word and brush are the -wild man, the midget, the Egyptian giant, the -woman ventriloquist, the knife throwers, the fortune -tellers, the electric lady, the snake charmer, -the others who make up the collection of oddities, -and the group of negro jubilee singers. The band -thumps seductively inside and frequently, as an -evidence of good faith, one of the freaks is called -to the front for a moment’s survey. Doubts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> -vanish and the crowd hesitates no longer, when -suddenly as the <i>pice de resistance</i> is brandished -aloft, impaled on a slender iron rod, a raw hunk of -beef. It is to be the wild man’s dinner!</p> - -<p>By far the most interesting specimen in our side-show -is this wild man. His history is long and -eventful. The side-show lecturer tells it vividly, -many times a day, and invariably the same when -he is not in a facetious mood. The narrative, -however, is always thrilling, never commonplace. -A curtain shrouds the interior of the cage in which -the creature “lives and subsists in a state of -nature.” Pulled aside, it reveals a gloomy den, -half filled with hay, where crouches, clawed and -tusked, and scantily clad in skins, the rude savage. -The fleeting and obscure view of the monster -afforded is amply satisfying to the timid, -and the venturesome see the curtain drawn, impressed. -A discharged employee in a spirit of -malice spread a tale of unexpected exposures. The -fellow asserted that once the wild man was eagerly -“shooting craps” with a colored canvasman, and -a second time had hastily torn a clay pipe from -his mouth and become again a weird, uncivilized -being. The manager was very indignant over the -infamous recital; and that very evening came a -full exoneration. The wild man escaped. (Business -had been unsatisfactory for several days.)</p> - -<p>The alarm was sounded throughout the town -and spread terror. We all said we feared the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> -worst. Armed men were sent in pursuit. The -fugitive was captured in a forest back of the lot -and returned, shrieking, biting and fighting fiercely, -to his den. Order was restored and the circus -turned away a thousand persons for lack of room -at the evening’s performance. The side-show was -not empty of visitors for a month afterwards.</p> - -<p>We retain the services of our wild man with -some difficulty. His wife, a very indiscreet colored -woman from Vermont, has a pernicious habit of -appearing inopportunely and accusing our black -prize of gambling away his wages and not providing -for the support of his family. She is ample of -form, emphatic in manner, and prodigal of words, -and when she begins to bellow and boister, side-show -proceedings stop abruptly and the overwhelmed -orator hangs his diminished head and -yields verbal supremacy. It is not until she receives -from the management positive assurance -of a cash advance that she can be persuaded to -retreat. At these times the wild man is a very -meek and subdued person, and no amount of -urging will lure him from the security of his cage -until his wife is well out of town.</p> - -<p>The original circus wild man, the denizen of -Borneo, was white, but his successors have almost -invariably had dark skins. “Waino” and “Plutano,” -exhibited together, are now before the -public. “Tom” and “Hattie,” wild children from -Australia, are dead. “Wild Rose” and “Wild<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> -Minnie” are still in the field of savage honor, as -is “Old Zip, the What-is-it?” whose head is cone-shaped, -and who utters mournful guttural sounds.</p> - -<p>The life of the professional wild man is an unhappy -one at best. The story is told of a Baltimore, -Md., colored man, who, finding himself penniless -in Berlin, Germany, enlisted as an untamed -arrival from Africa with a small American circus -then playing abroad. He endured the torture he -was compelled to undergo for a month and then -stole away to a hospital. He was required to -explain how and why he came there.</p> - -<p>“You see, boss,” he observed sadly, “I’se been -working here, got ten dollars a week to play wild -man. I was all stripped ’cept around the middle -and wore a claw necklace; had to make out as if -I couldn’t talk. ’Twas mighty tiresome to howl -and grin all day. Then times got hard. I had to -eat raw meat and drink blood. The circus man, -he stood off as if he was afraid of me and chucked -meat on the floor to me. I had to lean over, -pick it up in my teeth and worry it like I was a -dog. It was horse meat and pretty tough, boss, -but it brought crowds for a while. Then it got -drefful cold for a nigger with no clothes on and -they put a snake around my neck. I couldn’t -stand that, so I’se come to the hospital.”</p> - -<p>He was given clothes and medical treatment, -which he sorely needed, and a kindly American -sent him back to Maryland.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span>Calvin Bird, a negro who hailed from Pearson, -Ga., was a famous wild man for several years -with divers small circuses, and toured most of the -country, mystifying all who saw him and sending -them away impressed with a conviction that he -was all he was represented to be. Not until he -appeared at a Syracuse hospital with a request -that his horns be removed was the secret of his -unnatural appearance disclosed. Under his scalp -was found inserted a silver plate, in which stood -two standards. Into these, when he was on exhibition, -Bird screwed two goat horns. Thousands -of people had paid admission to see the curved -bone projections and hear him bark. The artificial -additions were the idea of a physician in -Central America who gave the man an anaesthetic -and inserted the plate. The operation of -removing the support was a simple one and Bird -started for home from Syracuse with a normal -head a few days later. The wild man business had -got monotonous, he said, and anyway, he had -made enough money out of his deception to maintain -him in idleness for a long time.</p> - -<p>The “electric lady” is one of the phenomena of -our side-show, and a source of great wonder to the -gullible visitor. She is saturated with the mysterious -force. A continuous supply passes from her -finger tips to whoever touches her flesh. Scoffers -are confounded at the manifestation, and there is -a general feeling among the side-show sightseers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> -that she is a supernatural being. There is nothing -indicating a violation of natural law in the lady’s -appearance, and nobody appears to enjoy the -curiosity she excites more than her own merry -self. A strange feature of the exercise of the invisible -agent is that it generates only for commercial -purposes. For instance, the power leaves -her when the performance closes for the night, and -does not develop again until she is on exhibition -the following day. Then, too, the current confines -itself to a fixed spot. It passes away instantaneously -if she moves from her chair.</p> - -<p>The “electric lady” in private life is a very -domestic and studious person. She is Mrs. E. N. -Willis, whose husband is one of the managers of -the tent and a recognized authority on “freaks.” -When I asked her for a contribution to the story -of the side-show she took pencil and paper and -evolved the following product. It was done under -the circus canvas on a hot September afternoon -in Illinois, while country visitors stared in wonder -at the sight of the “freak” in the act of composition -and thought. It is attached in the exact -phraseology in which it was handed to me.</p> - -<p>“So much has been written regarding circus life -as seen only in the ‘Big Show,’ it will not come -amiss to chat a while with a member of the side-show -fraternity. When the parade returns to the -show grounds, it is followed by a large crowd of -people, who have been invited by men with megaphone<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> -voices to witness a series of free exhibitions -which are used as a means of getting the people -together for the opening of the side-show, which -is the attraction until the ‘Big Show’ is ready to -admit its visitors at one p.m. The side-show presents -a most attractive appearance to the rural -visitor, showing as it does upon huge banners the -many wonderful sights to be seen within.</p> - -<p>“As a means of collecting the followers, a platform -is erected directly in front of the side-show -entrance. In showmen’s parlance it is known as a -‘bally-hoo stage,’ where, as promised the multitude, -these free exhibitions are given.</p> - -<p>“Fearing that there may be a few stragglers or -sweethearts who have failed to keep up with the -procession, and wishing to give them all an equal -chance, the band is called outside, and with great -strength plays its loudest and swiftest selections. -Then the principal orator mounts the ‘bally-hoo -stage,’ and striking upon a huge triangle enjoins -silence. In glowing terms he describes the row of -paintings, proving the truthfulness of his assertions -by bringing out a few of the subjects and -dilating upon their merits. After this there is another -‘hurry up’ tune, and then pandemonium -reigns supreme, as from their elevated stands the -ticket-sellers, each trying to outdo the other in -lustiness of tone, proclaim the price of admission—ten -cents. Very few resist the eloquence of the -orator and the cries of the ticket-sellers, and in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> -short space of time the outside workers have a -chance to rest their lungs, as nearly all have -passed inside.</p> - -<p>“In the old days of circus business the side-show -was justly styled the annex or museum department, -and contained only living curios and a performance -of Punch and Judy. Of late years this -has been greatly changed, there being such a -scarcity of freaks of nature that vaudeville acts, -and even minstrel shows, have been introduced to -fill up this vacuum. The interior is in charge of a -lecturer, who is usually either a magician or a -Punch and Judy man, he thereby serving a double -purpose.</p> - -<p>“There is always a feature upon which the side-show -revolves, either a giant or some other wonderful -freak of nature, and it always occupies a -high platform in the centre of the canvas. The -other stages are arranged in horseshoe shape, and -upon these the different curios are seated. All side-shows -have a snake enchantress, this being an -attraction that never fails to please, and the -rural visitor stands open-mouthed, with a look of -astonishment as the lady lifts these large serpents -one by one from their boxes and allows them to -coil about her person. She is supposed to answer -all questions put to her regarding the reptiles, and -is asked many strange ones, such as ‘Do you keep -them on ice?’ ‘How do you feed them?’ ‘Are they -stuffed?’ ‘Did you catch them yourself?’ As experience<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> -has made her quick-witted, she is ever -ready with a reply. The other curios are generally -a midget, a long-haired lady, or a tattooed man.</p> - -<p>“Few would be considered complete without a -mind reader or fortune teller, who by merely tracing -the lines of the hand is able to foretell the -future. So, when Mary and John stand before -her, the lines of Mary’s hand always read that -John is the favored suitor and is to be her husband, -while those in John’s hand plainly indicate -that Mary is for him alone, and that their union -will be blessed with many little ones; which good -news sends them giggling and blushing on their -way, thoroughly satisfied at having parted with -their money, as it has brought them such good -results. All curios have the privilege of selling -their photos, which is really a part of their revenue, -and many a stray dime is coaxed from the -pockets of the country visitor to that of the -curio who is collecting a ‘pork chop fund’ for the -winter. The initiated photo-seller knows which -States will be the most productive. This calls to -mind a remark made by a giant while on a trip -through Canada. One day after a fruitless endeavor -to foist his photos on the public, he demanded:</p> - -<p>“‘How long here? Me want to go back to -Yankee-land.’</p> - -<p>“Thus he proved that the Yankees part with -their dimes more readily than the Canucks.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>“In order to fill the side-show with small circuses -there is always a candy stand, and whenever -there is a lull in the proceedings the voice -of the candy ‘butcher’ may be heard calling his -wares in this manner: ‘Strawberry lemonade, ice -cold, is five cents to-day. Lemonade, peanuts, -cakes, candies, everything is five cents.’</p> - -<p>“The space not taken up by stages is usually -occupied by slot machines, and many a stray -nickel is dropped into them during the day. The -lecturer, after going the rounds and giving a detailed -description of each curio, concludes the performance -with Punch and Judy, which, though the -oldest attraction before the public, is always a -source of amusement for the little folks, and even -the grown folks laugh and cheer as if they had -never seen it before. This being finished, the reed -manipulator steps from behind the frame and explains -to the gaping multitude how easily any -one can do the same with the aid of a reed made -by himself of silver and silk and ‘only costing ten -cents.’ Children and grown folks alike, in their -eagerness to obtain one, push and almost knock -one another down, and within a few seconds old -and young alike have them in their mouths trying -to say ‘Oh! Judy, go get the baby.’ The side-show -has been likened to a church fair, there being -something doing every time one turns around.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_077f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">BAREBACK RIDERS READY FOR THE RING.</p> - - - -<p>“The band is always placed upon a high platform -directly behind the entrance, so that only a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> -thin canvas separates it from the outside public. -This is done in order that its noise may be easily -heard by the passing visitors, whom the ticket -sellers are always trying to entice to part with -their dimes to see the many wonders exhibited -within. This band stage is also used for the minstrel -and vaudeville performances which are given -as frequently as the occasion demands. The side-show -may be justly termed a continuous performance, -as there is always something going on -to entertain the visitors, who are continually -dropping in. When the eloquence of the orators -fails to arouse the many hangers-on who have -become listless, a curiosity is occasionally brought -out upon the ‘bally-hoo stage,’ and the huge -triangle is struck upon to stir up those who are -still wavering. There is no let-up until all the -people have left the big show and concert. There -is then an opportunity for these hard-worked -people to eat supper and get a rest until 6:30, -when the side-show is again opened and remains -in operation until the big show is over, about -ten p.m.”</p> - -<p>Hassan Ali, the Egyptian giant, eight feet two -inches tall (one has the orator’s word for it), -comes each year from the land of his nativity to -arouse American wonder and earn American -money. He is the pest of hotel keepers on the -route, for on Sunday nights he chooses to pass -the time for slumber away from the cramped<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -recesses of the circus car and in the regulation -bedstead of commerce. The view of Hassan, -dreaming of his far-off home, with his brown legs -protruding, from the knees down, over the foot-board -and his skull rammed against the headpiece, -is a sight people flock from all parts of the -house to witness. About midnight, generally, -there is a noise like an explosion, a rattle, crash -and shimmer. The other circus guests turn over -and resume sleep; they know the familiar sound, -it is the shattering of the giant’s bed. The landlord, -hurrying to the apartment, finds Hassan on -the floor, enveloped in slats, sheets, counterpane -and mattress. This is almost a weekly performance -and causes Hassan to breathe awful Egyptian -imprecations against modern American furniture. -No visitor to the side-show has ever approached -him in height, and only one person, an aged man -wearing a G. A. R. badge, has been able to seize, -by standing on a chair, the photograph guaranteeing -circus admission which the giant holding -between upraised fingers and resting on the floor -is accustomed to offer as a reward for the feat. -Hassan was much mortified over the veteran’s -accomplishment, but finds balm in the consciousness -that no one else has duplicated the achievement. -His favorite exploit is to spread his extended -fingers from edge to edge of the top of an -ordinary waterpail. If you think it a simple digital -trick, try it.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>The whole energies of a slender man with a trim -figure are devoted to entertaining the side-show -visitors. He talks almost unceasingly from morning -until night in brief but lucid descriptions of -the assembly of oddities. His addresses are delivered -with great ostentation and search after -effect. He is a man of easy wit and repartee, and of -tact and practical intelligence; qualifications necessary -to the successful conduct of his vocal calling. -Each “freak,” barring the “wild man,” has for -sale personal photographs, the receipts for which -the management lays no claim to. This is an -important part of their incomes, and the lecturer’s -failure to call attention to the offering brings -upon him reproach and censure. I attach one of -his harangues, exactly as he delivered it one -afternoon before an audience of grinning Connecticut -countrymen. It is interesting as a truthful -reproduction of a style of unique oratory which -prevails nowhere else.</p> - -<p>“Now in about five minutes we will start our -regular show in here and have it all over forty-five -minutes before the circus commences. (The -band blows hard for five minutes.) Everybody -pay your attention this way. We commence our -show here first. I call your attention to Signor -Arcaris and sister. They will entertain you with -a wonderful performance known as the impalement -act, better known as knife-throwing, -without a doubt the best act of its kind in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> -world. (The act and music.) Now down this -way next. I take great pleasure in introducing -Princess Ani, the wonder worker and mind reader. -We will have what is known as spirit calculations -on the blackboard. We will have a number of -gentlemen place some figures on the board. The -minute you place a figure on the board she knows -what figure you place there, although she is -blindfolded. She can describe anything and tell -you while blindfolded what you are thinking -about.</p> - -<p>“Now, ladies and gentlemen, I am going to tell -you how this lady tells fortunes. She reads the -lines of your hand. Every line denotes some -peculiar trait in your character. Tells you what -you ought to do for your own benefit; tells you -what talent you possess; tells you when you are -going to get married; tells you how many children -you are going to have, if any. The line is there -in your own hand, you can’t get away from it. -Tells your lucky day, lucky number, family affairs, -love affairs. Tells how long you ought to -live by the life line of your hand! Now, it is all -private. She don’t tell it out loud. First she -explains about the large lines. She whispers so -that no one can hear but yourself. And for the -small lines you get what is known as the number. -The rest your hand-reading calls for is all printed -on this slip of paper. No two alike. Every one’s -fortune is different. Just show her your left hand.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> -The price fifteen cents all the way through. Walk -right up and show her your left hand.</p> - -<p>“Now to the stage. I call your attention to the -smallest lady ever placed on exhibition, Miss -Bertha Carnihan, twenty-nine years of age, stands -thirty-nine inches in height and weighs thirty-eight -pounds. The most perfectly formed little -lady on exhibition. She is well educated; has been -all over the world. Step up and have a talk with -her. She will answer all questions in regard to -herself. She also has her photographs for sale.</p> - -<p>“Now direct your attention to the large stage -in the centre. You will be entertained by Professor -Lowry’s Nashville students. (When the -negro concert is finished, the “big song book, -words and music, fifty songs, five cents a copy,” -are sold.) Now, fix your interest this way, please. -I call your attention to Miss Millie Taylor, better -known as the Queen of Long-haired Ladies. This -lady has without a doubt the longest hair of any -lady before the public. The length of the lady’s -hair is seven feet four inches. Step up and examine -it for yourselves. She also has her photos. -Now we come to Miss Julien, the world’s greatest -snake hypnotist. The lady will entertain you -with her large den of living monster reptiles, introducing -anacondas, boa constrictors, pythons -and the turtle-head snake of Florida. (The performer -coils snake after snake around her form.) -The lady now has one hundred and sixty-eight<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> -pounds of snake around her body, neck and arms. -You will find her entertaining to converse with. -She will tell you all about snakes, etc. She also -has her photographs for sale.</p> - -<p>“Over this way next. I call your attention to -the crowning feature of our side-show. The tallest -man in human history, Hassan Ali, better known -as the Egyptian giant. Born in Cairo, Egypt, -twenty-six years of age, stands eight feet two -inches in height and weighs three hundred and -twelve pounds. To give you a better idea in regard -to his height and reach we will allow the -tallest man in the audience to stand on this high -chair. The giant will stand on the ground. If the -man reaches up and touches the photograph Hassan -Ali holds up between his fingers, we will make -him a present of a ticket, taking him all the way -through the big show. There (pointing) is a tall -man. Would you be kind enough to stand on -this chair and reach with him. All right, you see -(turning to the audience) he comes about six -inches from it. This gives you an idea in regard -to the size of the giant’s hand. Here is a good-sized -water pail. See how far you can span it -Goes about half way. The giant spans it. His -fingers go two inches over the rim. Now, he has -no thick soles on his shoes, no high heels. There’s -his foot, No. 18. He also has his photographs -for sale.</p> - -<p>“Now pay your attention over that way. That’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> -Neola, the electric lady. By shaking hands with -her, you will receive a slight current of electricity, -the same as you would from a battery. Don’t be -backward, walk right up and shake hands with -her. She won’t harm you. She also has photos.</p> - -<p>“Now, the wild man! Down this way for the -wild man! Now, stop that crowding there! Take -your time, remember there are ladies and children -in the crowd. (He pulls the curtain aside and -pokes at the inmate with an iron bar.) There he -is, with flat head and low forehead, showing he -has very little brain. You notice the maniac -look of the eyes, just the same as a beast. He -has teeth just like a lion, arms four inches longer -than our arms and walks on all fours. Captured -in the everglades of Florida, a little over four and -a half years ago. Handcuffed and shackled ever -since he was caught. Now if you stop to think, -you know there is a cause for a monstrosity of -that kind. Just before he was born his mother -was frightened by a beast. It left the mark on -that freak of nature, just as you see for yourselves. -Half Indian, half negro, don’t understand -a word, don’t talk, growls like a beast, eats nothing -but raw meat. (He draws the curtain.)</p> - -<p>“Now pay your attention there. You will be -entertained by musical Swarts. (A man gets -melody from bells and various instruments.) Over -this way next. The old-time funny Punch and -Judy. (He enters a booth, gives the familiar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> -show and reappears.) Now, I will show you how -I change my voice. It is done with a reed, made -of silver and silk. All you have to do is place it -on your tongue and talk right. The sound of the -words goes through the reed just like this. (He -illustrates.) That’s the way to do it. There are -full directions how to use it. Ten cents, three for -a quarter. If they don’t blow as I represent, hand -them back and I will give you back your money. -(When the sales are finished he concludes in loud -tones:) The big show commences in five minutes. -All over in here.”</p> - -<p>The lusty-lunged orators on the outside make a -great clamor as the crowd passes out, and one of -them shouts: “The gentlemanly lecturer will now -pass around again, explaining the curiosities, -monstrosities and freaks of nature. Come on! -Come on!” The heartless band lures with brazen -notes and the scene is repeated without variation.</p> - -<p>No feature of the side-show is more keenly relished -in the country towns than the Punch and -Judy show. The lecturer works the figures and -carries on the dialogue. The movements of the -puppets are managed simply by putting the hands -under the dress, making the second finger and -thumb serve for the arms, while the forefinger -works the head. Punch’s high back, distorted -breast and long nose give an increased zest to his -witticisms, and his career of violent crime is followed -with absorbed attention until he is dragged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> -away to expiate it, and the curtain falls amid the -shouts of his conqueror.</p> - -<p>The freak business is divided into about three -varieties, foreign, domestic and fake. In the first -class, the collectors travel all over the world in -search of rarities, but the very best freaks come -from India and the Malay peninsula. In those -countries there are people who breed freaks. They -buy young children and animals and deform them -while their bones are soft, by all manner of means. -Then they are constantly on the lookout for -genuine, natural freaks, and in those lands the -birth of a freak occurs very frequently. The headquarters -of this business is at Singapore. There -are, too, a number of men who devote themselves -to the discovering and placing of freaks of all -kinds and varieties, and scarcely a day goes by -in winter that we do not receive photographs and -illustrated circulars from some freak merchant -or other. Of course, there are faked freak men—a -perfect host in themselves. If the proprietor of -some little show needs an additional attraction -and does not have any money to hire something -good—for, like everything else, freaks have their -price—he can get something for little money that -will serve his purpose. The real, genuine, live -freaks always command high prices—from $50 to -$800 per week each—and travel all over the world -in order to exhibit themselves.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER VI<br /> - -<small>AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE</small></h2></div> - - -<p>I have always regarded the two men who sell -tickets with a feeling of profound awe and solemn -wonder. There is something almost uncanny -about their daily exhibition. Their flying hands -put to shame the clutching display of the octopus. -No quicker-brained, more resolute or more peculiarly -gifted men are with the show. They face, -undaunted and calm, twice a day, a scene of confusion, -disorder and clamoring demand which -would put to his heels one not fitted perfectly by -nature and experience for the part. To see them -working their hands with lightning rapidity, directing, -advising and correcting, is to me as interesting -a study as the whole passing show affords.</p> - -<p>When the crowd begins to gather about the -ticket wagon ready with the price of admission, it -would make infinitely easier the work of the men -inside if the sale began then. But business astuteness -bids delay. The throng grows fast, fills the -enclosure and swarms over the grounds. The -side-show orator, meanwhile, directs his seductive -eloquence at the perspiring mass and reaps a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> -harvest. This is an advantage gained by no -undue haste in distributing tickets.</p> - -<p>While this preliminary maneuvring is very -gratifying in its results to the management, the -burden it accumulates upon the two anxious men -in the ticket wagon grows every minute. When -finally the signal to begin operations is given, they -face a sea of upturned, distorted, perspiring faces, -and aloft the air is peppered with hands brandishing -admission money. Everybody is irrational, -unreasonable and excited. Children cry, women -are on the verge of collapse, and men push and -strain and mutter strange oaths. Uniformed employees -strive in vain to maintain order. The -wheels of the red wagon have been buried to the -hubs, or it would be swept away in the rush. The -mad, violent struggle continues for an hour, and -thousands force their path or are carried bodily -to the window and labor away with the cherished -strips of printed pasteboard. A mountain of bills -and coin grows and is toppled into baskets at -their side. Soon these are filled and money litters -the floor. There is no chance to assort or collect -it now. With eyes fixed steadily before them, -fingers and hands never lingering or sluggish, but -intercepting a counterfeit offering like a flash, they -work as if human automatons. Not until solitary -arrivals denote the end of the rush do they relax. -Thousands of dollars have changed hands in the -brief period, yet the scene will be duplicated a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> -hours hence and the day will record a balance as -correct in detail as the most exacting banking -institution’s.</p> - -<p>There is a popular misapprehension about the -moral purposes of the men in the ticket wagon. -The impression seems to prevail among many -sensible persons that they are modern highwaymen, -lurking there for prey. An intimate knowledge -of their character and conduct makes a -definite denial only fair to them. In the swift -shuffle of money, there is no intention on their -part to take advantage of the circus’s patron. It -is the fixed design of the management to inspire a -feeling of security and confidence, and the selection -of ticket-sellers has this end in view. Dismissal -and possible criminal prosecution would be the -penalty of detected “short change” or other -swindling methods.</p> - -<p>There is only one legitimate source of outside -profit, and that is furnished by the “walkaway,” -circus vernacular for the person who unconsciously -leaves his change behind. He is legion, strangely -enough, and more remarkable still, it seldom -seems to occur to him to return for his own. -When he does it is promptly given him. Ticket-sellers -insist vehemently that the “walkaway’s” -contribution is not more than enough to reimburse -them for mistakes in count which are unavoidable -in the tumult, and more frequently than -not to the benefit of the purchaser. Whether their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> -comrades accept this assertion without reservation -is not a subject to be discussed here.</p> - -<p>Rates of admission are conspicuous everywhere. -Children under two and a half years of age are -admitted free; from that age to ten a half-ticket is -required, and older persons must pay full charge. -Wonderful and varied are the devices resorted to -in the effort to evade legitimate payment. Children -who at home are in their teens have dwarfed -to babyhood at the circus entrance. Parents -glibly insist that robust offsprings are under nine -years, and panting fathers and mothers present -themselves, in the palpable attempt to deceive, -with an armful of boy or girl who has reached the -full-rate limit. Watchful and inexorable door-keepers -receive them, demand and finally are -handed the correct sum, and composedly hear -themselves styled “a pack of villains and swindlers.” -Ill-grace characterizes those who would -cheat the circus.</p> - -<p>To the main entrance come the hundreds of -written orders for tickets, issued by the advance -agents who have covered the district with bills -and posters. As a precautionary measure against -imposition, two sets of keen-eyed employees have -subsequently prowled over the routes and made -note when storekeeper or householder has not -kept faith. If the flaring advertisement has been -removed, disfigured, or hidden under that of a -rival show, a memorandum is made. Thus a list<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -of those who are and who are not entitled to -recognition is in the hands of the management -when the doors open. Each claim presented to -the ticket taker has a corresponding number on -the large sheet of paper which the general manager -holds, and whether or not the holder enters -free depends on its report. Very crestfallen and -embarrassed, generally, is the man who thought -he could profit without rendering service in return. -He had not calculated on the thorough business -system with which he was in contact. If the applicant -has kept his promise he is welcomed to -the show, given what his order calls for in the -way of seats and number of admissions, and -passes inside.</p> - -<p>Each one of the men at the main entrance understands -his manifold duties perfectly and there -is no confusion. Annoying problems enough present -themselves, but the quick-witted, ready circus -man solves them without hesitation. Complaints -innumerable flow to the main entrance, but everybody -receives a fair hearing and just treatment in -so far as human effort can bring it about. Fault-finding -women are the bane. There is almost no -extreme of compromise to which the showman -will not go to rid himself of the presence of a -member of the other sex when she is wrought up -over a conviction that she has been imposed upon. -She blocks the passage way, gesticulating madly, -protesting volubly and threatening all manner of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> -things. She is generally tall and angular, wears -spectacles, carries a cotton umbrella, has a crying -child by the hand and is famous in the town as -a virago. Dutch and Curley cower before her outburst, -and the general manager promises her all -she demands if she will only pass on. With a -parting volley of abuse she flaunts into the menagerie -tent and a feeling of great relief pervades -all. Her reappearance, with a lament about the -unsatisfactory locality of her seat, may be confidently -expected later.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_090f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">BEFORE THE CROWD COMES.</p> - -<p>Vigilant canvasmen picket the stretches of -cloth, alert lest the small boy or his older relative -crawl under the fabric and gain free admission. -The duty is one demanding keen eye and active -body, for once the canvas folds after the invader -he is generally secure from capture; a scamper under -the low rows of seats or into the crowd eludes -successful pursuit and recognition. So watchful, -however, are these patrolmen and so obdurate -against pleading juvenile persuasion that surreptitious -entrance is effectually barred. The -circus-fascinated but impecunious youngster must -needs vicariously satisfy his longing by turning -handsprings outside the barrier. The stirring -band music carried to his ears conjures immeasurable -pleasures in his mind and is madly irritating.</p> - -<p>The press agent receives his newspaper guests at -the main entrance. They have been provided with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> -tickets bearing his name. To the reporter assigned -to write up the circus and to the responsible -heads of the newspaper he gives slips of paper -passing them into an enclosure from which is -afforded an undisturbed survey of all that is -transpiring, and brings to closer view the excelling -features of the performance. Later he joins them -there, explains the show’s superiority over all -competitors and is generally entertaining. He -presses peanuts and lemonade upon them and -sends them away in friendly mood.</p> - -<p>That manly young fellow who appeared from -the inner recesses of the festive tent for a whispered -conversation at the main entrance with the -general manager is Fred Ledgett, equestrian. He -is one of the principals in the season’s romance of -the circus. Dallie Julian, eighteen years old, who -turns back somersaults from the broad, rosined -haunch of her horse Gypsy, is the other party to -the charming affair. What they dared and suffered -before they could win the countenance and support -of management and relative and carry out their -matrimonial longing, only those who know intimately -the prosaic circus institute can appreciate. -If there is one thing frowned upon more than all -others in tented life, it is adventures of the heart. -But Fred and Dallie emerged triumphant and conquering, -and the seed of love sown in April came -to golden harvest in Iowa, many miles transplanted, -where an earnest, curious company of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> -show people witnessed the wedding ceremony and -participated in the celebration.</p> - -<p>My mind reverts to the early spring when little -Dallie, done up in a heavy coat and sitting on -one of the tubs which served as a seat for a trick -elephant, was holding an informal reception in -Madison Square Garden. Preparations for the -opening of the circus were in full swing—literally -in some instances—for the acrobats, practising for -the first time in a new place, were suspended by -“mecaniques”—the leather belts with rope attachments -that made living pendulums of them when -they missed their try. Even one of the bareback -riders, forming a pyramid on her husband’s shoulders, -while he went around the ring on three -horses, had the life-saving apparatus around her -waist. For she was new at the business and her -husband was not letting her take any more -chances than he could help. And while father and -mother were doing their great aerial act on horseback, -both of them looking as though only boy -and girl, their two-year-old baby cooed down at -the ringside, brought over from Boston to spend -three weeks with them. She thought it was fine -when her mother jumped and balanced, but her -mother thought of nothing except not to fall off -and not to hang her husband with the rope that -was her safeguard. They were in the middle ring -and beside it, swathed in top coats and wrappings -of all kinds, were performers waiting for their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -turns to go in. From beneath their street clothes -came glimpses of pink and white fleshings with -slippers to match, and over the slippers were clogs, -wooden-soled shoes, with leather tops, to prevent -their feet from being injured while walking in the -ring.</p> - -<p>The circus was getting ready to open and everybody -was practising to start in a blaze of glory. -In one of the end rings a woman was riding bareback, -“the best hurdle jumper in the business” -said one of the men. It looks easy to run and -jump on a horse, but it requires work and practice. -Not being a dress rehearsal, every one -was in working togs, and the women were wearing -bloomer suits, with waists of red, pink and -blue, and with that innate sense of decoration -that is part of the true artist in the ring, each -wore a rosette in her hair that matched the -suit.</p> - -<p>Dallie’s interest was centred on the ring where -her aunt, who is also her foster mother, was -breaking in a new horse.</p> - -<p>“Many of the people use the company’s horses, -but my aunt has her own and so have I,” she -explained. “She always breaks them herself and -this one is new to the business; that is why there -is a rope on him and the ringmaster hangs to it. -You see the horse might get frightened and bolt -over the side or try to go through the doorway,” -pointing to a niche that served as an entrance;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> -“there is a man standing at the door to prevent -the horse from going out.”</p> - -<p>The horse was perfectly well aware of the fact -and not altogether reconciled, although he was -fast approaching that state. Ropes swinging -from all sorts of corners where trapezes and -“looping-the-loop” contrivances were being put -up disconcerted him, but the rope and whip were -arguments that appealed in inducing him to stay.</p> - -<p>“He will be all right before the performance,” -Dallie went on with the air of a connoisseur. -“There will be two more rehearsals to-day and -some chance to practise to-morrow. I am riding -the same horse I ride always,” she went on, tucking -her small feet out of the way of dirt and -draught, “and it is lucky for me because I have -only been practising two weeks this season. You -see I was in the hospital last winter, and all I -got of the circus was hearing the band play as I -lay in bed while all the others were getting ready -for this season. But I practised a lot this year -and now I do better than I did last year.”</p> - -<p>In the upper ring the Rough Riders were putting -their horses through their acts and the horses -were not altogether pleased. The thing they -hated most was being made to lie down when -they did not feel the least bit tired, and many of -them were inclined to argue the matter until the -whip convinced them that really they preferred to -do what was wanted. The whip as a convincer in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> -a circus is a great ethical force. At one end of the -course were the acrobats doing a complete double -shoulder twist. They were swinging by ropes -attached to their belts when they missed a leap.</p> - -<p>“You see,” said Dallie, shedding the great white -light of information, “they have never done their -turn here before and they are used to a smaller -place, so they are practising to get distances. If -one of them should miss and fall it would hurt, -for they haven’t any net under, but the ‘mecanique’ -will keep them swinging clear from the -ground. You ought to see the ‘mecanique’ in the -rings of the winter quarters. They are put on -people just learning to go bareback. Sometimes -they miss a horse and the persons go swinging -round and round the ring until they land on their -horses again. It is awfully funny. Some of the -people are scared this season because they are -new and there are a lot of new horses and so they -are nervous. My aunt told me the other day she -could not sleep nights for worrying about me and -how I would get through, but I told her she was -silly. I will get through all right and there is no -use any way in worrying, even if anything does -happen.”</p> - -<p>“And isn’t it remarkable that some persons do -not get hurt?” she went on. “Now, here are all -of us and there hasn’t a thing gone wrong to hurt -any one. Why, yesterday one of the walking tight -wires broke when there were five people on it.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> -There was not one of them hurt; but a little boy -that was on the end had every one fall on him -and it scared him pretty bad and bruised him a -little, but he is practising to-day as usual.”</p> - -<p>Her aunt’s horse by dint of much persuasion -was taking some baby hurdles while the aunt -hung on behind clinging to a strap, for the horse -did not seem to care about having a person -perched on his haunches, but he accepted it for the -same reason that he had all the rest. But at last -he was led from the ring and some one called -“Dallie!” She jumped down from her tub, -dropped off her long skirt, danced into the ring -and up to a big white horse. She wore a short -skirt over her dark bloomers and in her hand was -a very weather-beaten little whip.</p> - -<p>“I have tried a lot of others,” she said, as she -bent it, “but I cannot turn somersaults with any -other. I am so used to this and the way it feels -in my hand that I cannot get along with any -other. I have lost this several times but some of -the men always find it and bring it back to me.”</p> - -<p>Her horse, with its tightly checked head, waited -for her and she felt the head strap with the air of -an old professional.</p> - -<p>Dallie stood up like a bit of thistle-down and, -poised lightly on her horse, went riding around. -First one of her feet and then the other went forward -to balance, and then suddenly both went -tight together and she took several preliminary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> -leaps in the air to get herself limber. Having -stretched her muscles, she gave a little cry. Three -men, lined up together to catch her if she fell, got -ready, and up and over in the air she went like a -little human ball. The first time she did not land -on the horse but in the ring. But after that she -did her turn all right and was driven out to make -room for others needing practice.</p> - -<p>Cupid had picked the little horsewoman out for -his mark in these early days of the circus, but so -closely guarded was the secret that it was days -before we knew that her heart had taken up its -lodging in young Ledgett’s breast, and his breast -had become the cabinet of her affections. Shy -glances and low and tender voices in secluded -spots finally told a revealing tale and we watched -the progress of the devotion with intense interest -and some concern. We knew the stern traditional -circus antipathy toward affairs of the kind and -wondered whether the fixed opposition of the aunt -could be overcome. No comrade was so disloyal -and unchivalrous as to carry the story to those -in authority, but soon the love-making conveyed -itself to their very eyes. Then began a systematic -effort to end it abruptly, and the memory of the -courage and faith and hope which forced surrender -to Hymen’s cause will linger with us long.</p> - -<p>The burden of obstructions was directed at the -girl—he was too strong and self-reliant; and when -her aunt was not advising against her conjugal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> -plans, the ringmaster engaged himself in telling -that marriage would jeopardize her future. So it -was that between the prodigious shakings of the -head and the love that absorbed her, Dallie grew -thin and pale and unsteady in her work. Her -judge of distance, so necessary in her dangerous -aerial revolutions, became bad, and often she -alighted on wooden ringbark or horse’s head or -tail when her feet should have been fixed to Gypsy’s -moving back. She became a bruised and -humble maiden, but with purpose unwavering. -Her aunt’s vigilance was unrelaxing and unrelenting; -she vowed that the two should not have each -other’s company.</p> - -<p>To the casual circus goer, this determined disapproval -of innocent attachment may seem brutal -and unreasonable, but there are reasons underlying -which those directly involved feel justify -their course. It is the history of circus love -affairs which progress during the active season -that they impair performances. Once the yearning -enters show persons, indolence and indifference -characterize them in the ring. It is not a desire -to oppress, but a warning instinct of professional -deterioration, that causes sardonic smiles and -harsh flings. To the relative who has acted as -mother for years, the prospect of premature separation -is naturally obnoxious.</p> - -<p>It was not until summer was on the wane that -we saw signs of approaching capitulation. Dallie<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> -had risen supreme over her temporary weakness -and was again the skilful mistress of the ring. -Fred, patient and artful, had won first an enduring -place in the aunt’s esteem and then her permission -and encouragement. The management -yielded before their combined eloquence.</p> - -<p>So it was that one Sunday afternoon, Dallie, -swaying under a great breadth of silk, and her -sweetheart, awkward in encumbering black, but -looking very proud and joyful, started hand in -hand down the long road of life. A very glorious -supper was served that evening in honor of the -event. The owner gracefully proposed the health -of the bride, and the tent resounded with the enthusiasm -of the response. Fred expressed his -thanks in well-put words, and Mrs. Fred blushed -prettily in her happiness. And best of all, about -the corners of the aunt’s lip there rested a smile -of pleasure, of approval and of contentment.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER VII<br /> - -<small>THE MENAGERIE TENT</small></h2></div> - - -<p>Into the menagerie tent, with its great variety -of animals caged and unconfined, streams the -open-mouthed human parade, stopping to comment -and observe on its way to the “big top.” -The lions and tigers pace up and down their -cages with hungry eyes that gleam in green and -gold. They stare steadily through the iron bars -but take no heed of the pigmy humans who stare -back. There is something in those shining eyes -that tells of thoughts far from the circus, perhaps -of a jungle in far-off Asia. The insatiable elephant -swings his greedy trunk tirelessly, and the black -leopard sulks in the darkest corner of his den. -Watching closely the scene in all its aspects is a -jovial, deep-voiced man who urges the immediate -necessity of securing advantageous seats under the -adjoining canvas. He controls the peanut and -lemonade privilege. Long experience has taught -him all the arts and devices of his business. He -appreciates that his sales will not begin in any -volume until the audience is comfortably settled -inside. Then he displays his commercial craftiness -by overwhelming the big area with peanut and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> -popcorn vendors. No lemonade is in evidence. -Thirst comes on apace. Throats become dry and -salty, and there is clamor for liquid. When its assuaging -presence is finally seen in the hands of -dozens of hawkers, the sale is invariably tremendous. -If sudden rain comes on during the -performance, he varies his sales with the disposal -of umbrellas. He is ready for any meteorological -condition.</p> - -<p>He has been associated with red wagons and -white canvas for many years, and there is no -department of circus life in which he has not at -some time excelled. As a clown his fame covered -all parts of the country. He was, an old-time -programme before me tells, “a grotesque, whimsical -satirist. A wit brimful of ridiculously extravagant, -fanciful mirth and eccentric humor, -comic attitudes, funny songs, derisive sayings, -quaint arguments and pleasant drolleries; entirely -devoid of low jests and vulgar tricks and -postures.”</p> - -<p>The monkey cage is the most popular institution -in our menagerie tent. We have outgrown -the “variety cage” of old days, which was a collection -in one den of monkeys, pigs, cats, dogs -and rabbits. It was an interesting collection, I -suppose, to country people, but an insufferable -nuisance to the showman. Circus monkeys die in -droves. The show which starts the season with -one hundred and fifty of the animals and returns<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> -to winter quarters with twenty-five is fortunate. -The climatic changes act with quick fatality upon -the sensitive creatures. Tuberculosis, animal doctors -call the killing disease. There is always a -bully in the cage and always an inmate ready to -give battle for the honor. The privileges of the -bully are alluring. He takes for himself the choicest -morsels of food, chooses the most comfortable -perch or corner, gives orders and demands instant -obedience, and cuffs and bites and annoys his fellows -until one, rendered desperate, turns and -administers a thrashing and succeeds to the position. -The monkey cage at nightfall is a sure -register of the degree of generosity of a community. -In some towns they are gorged with -food; the audience has fed them lavishly. Again, -they give pleading indication of hunger; the place -has probably a reputation for penuriousness. -Those who believe in the Darwinian theory assert -that the resemblance between the human race and -the monkey is most marked in sick monkeys. -Several scientists who watched our sick chimpanzee -noticed many peculiarities of a child. It -coughed like a child and made wry faces like one -when asked to take medicine. Doctors felt its -pulse and it received all the care and attention of -a child of the rich.</p> - -<p>Natural history is one of the most interesting -and absorbing of all studies, and the visitor to -our menagerie finds much zoological gratification.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> -The hippopotamus, sleeping or floundering in his -tank, and raising his head at intervals above the -surface of the water for the purpose of respiration, -is never without a wondering audience. His is a -harmless disposition and he is a pet with the animal -keepers. His den is too small for the water -to cover him completely and frequently he is -scrubbed with soap. He enjoys the operation -immensely unless the soapsuds enter his cavernous -mouth, which surely is annoying enough to provoke -the most mild-mannered being. His skin is -of a dark reddish-brown color, full of cracks, -chaps and cross-etchings, with dapplings of irregular -dark spots, and is probably two inches thick. -He is more than ten feet long and nearly six feet -high. When he gives voice, the lions are humiliated -and the tigers acknowledge defeat. It is a -deafening kind of interrupted roar, between that -of a bull and the braying of an elephant. His -daily diet is bushels of potatoes, apples, carrots, -oats, bran, hay and salt. Keepers say that the -only hippopotami born in captivity are in the zoo -of one of the big cities. Ignorance permitted the -first one which saw the light to die. Keepers -feared to put it in the water, thinking it would -drown, and tried to nurse it with a bottle. It -was dead in ten days. Then it was decided not to -interfere when the mother brought forth its next -young. The result was the discovery that it -nursed under water. The first genuine hippopotamus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> -ever seen in America was exhibited by Barnum -in his New York museum in August, 1861. -He advertised the animal extensively and ingeniously -as the “great behemoth of the Scriptures,” -and thousands, including many biblical students, -flocked to see it.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_104f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">A “MAN KILLER,” PHOTOGRAPHED HALF AN<br /> HOUR AFTER -HAVING SLAIN AN ANNOYER.</p> - -<p>Circus people will travel miles into the presence -of a giraffe. They want the animal with the -elongated neck to rub their hand with its tongue. -They say that good luck is sure to follow the -operation. The privilege is one rarely accorded, -for giraffes are very costly and delicate, and, -though popular menagerie inmates, are infrequently -seen nowadays. The first one born in -captivity in America saw the light of day in Cincinnati -on October 20, 1889. It was five feet -high. Daisy, measuring eighteen feet from the -ground to the tips of her ears, and the last giraffe -then on exhibition with any travelling show, was -killed during a voyage to Europe—a lurch of the -ship broke her neck.</p> - -<p>Circus owners are vainly searching the jungles -of India and the wilds of Africa for rhinoceroses. -There are none in the open markets and the -world’s visible supply is limited to twelve specimens. -The market value of the beast ranged -from $4,000 to $5,000 until the present shortage -set in. Now a large circus would willingly pay -many times that sum. The rhinoceros has always -been a problem to animal keepers, for captivity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> -generally results in early death. He is a beast -so essentially of the wilds that all efforts at -breeding in captivity have failed. Old showmen -remember the attempt to take performing liberties -with one of the spike-nosed monsters in a -small town in Illinois in 1872. He killed two -men, upset four dens of animals, tore down a -museum tent, stampeded people for blocks and -finally brought up in a vacant house, the door -of which stood open. No fixed desire to exhibit -a rhinoceros has ever since been displayed.</p> - -<p>To many persons who go to a circus there is -probably nothing that causes more wonder than -to see the keepers of the lions, tigers, leopards, -panthers and other wild beasts sitting in the -cages among them, patting them on their ugly -heads, slapping them on their saliva-dripping -jowls, or fearlessly lashing them with their whips -if necessary. Mastery expresses better than training -what the keepers have accomplished with the -beasts.</p> - -<p>“There is a tremendous amount of work to be -done in winter quarters, of which the public knows -nothing,” explained our keeper, as he surveyed the -scene in the menagerie tent early one August -evening. “We are getting new wild animals all the -time, and as they come to us there is not a man -living who would dare go into the cages with -them. During the winter we have to break those -beasts so that we can handle them on the road.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> -When they come to us they have thick leather collars -around their necks, with heavy chains attached. -The beasts are then more savage than -they were before capture, that having served only -to bring out all that is ugly in them. They will -spit and growl at anybody who comes near their -cage, and jump at the bars until they exhaust -themselves. We begin to teach them manners the -very day we get them, and they take a lesson in -etiquette every day after that until the show -starts out. My men catch the end of the chain -fastened to the collar and secure it in such a manner -to the bars that the beast can move only a -short distance. Then I take a stout rawhide whip -and strong club and enter the cage. I take a -chair and sit down in a corner. The instant I -get in, the beast will give a roar and spring for -me. I would be torn to shreds if I were within -reach; but the chain holds and instead of getting -at me, the lion, tiger, panther or leopard is -brought up with a shock that sends him in a heap -to the floor and I give him a lash with the rawhide.</p> - -<p>“The beast is at me again in an instant; again -he goes down and again I lash him. I always -keep the club handy, but never use it unless it is -absolutely necessary. I keep drawing my chair a -little closer to the animal as this goes on until I -get so close he can touch me with his nose but -cannot bite me. Then I just sit there and talk to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> -him and you would be surprised at the power the -human voice will finally be made to exercise over -wild beasts. They seem to understand much that -is said to them.</p> - -<p>“While I am talking just out of reach of their -teeth,” he went on, “if they get ugly and attempt -to spring at me I give them the rawhide. I keep -this up, and after a dozen or fifteen lessons they -get so they only snarl and growl at my entrance -to the cage. As soon as I think it is safe I try -the beasts without a chain. It is a little ticklish -business at first but I have plenty of help ready -for the first effort. If it is a success the first time, -you generally have your beast mastered, although -once in a while a brute that has been tractable -enough will break out and go for his keeper. We -had such a case once when an experienced lion -tamer was clawed by a lioness and nearly killed. -We usually cut the claws of the cat species, however. -Lions will not stay in the same cage with -tigers. We tried this once, putting a lioness in -with a Bengal tiger. There was a fierce fight and -the lioness nearly killed the Bengal.”</p> - -<p>Our keeper takes very little stock in the theory -of the power of the human eye over wild beasts. -The organ plays an insignificant part, he thinks; -it is the power of the man behind the eye and -the qualifications he possesses that are efficacious.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_108f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">REHEARSING IN WINTER QUARTERS.</p> - -<p>“It is a pretty thing to say, and that is all,” he -said. “The man who wants to subdue a wild<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> -beast has to be fearless and go about his task in -a courageous way, and of course the eye plays its -part. The man who attempted to handle a wild -beast that was not chained, with nothing else -than a fearless eye would be in a pretty bad hole, -though. What the man must have is a good -heart, plenty of pluck and lots of sand. The -secret of successfully handling wild beasts is to become -imbued with a confidence that all wild beasts -are really cowardly, especially if they belong to -the cat family. If you are not afraid and you -know how to do it, it is easy enough.</p> - -<p>“A circus man once determined to put the question -whether the human eye has power over wild -animals to the test. Approaching a large ostrich -he gazed fixedly at it, and to his delight the mesmeric -glance seemed to meet with instant success. -The bird crouched and flapped its wings nervously. -Some hours later, however, the man’s body was -found with the ostrich alternately sitting and -jumping upon it. The negro guide of a circus -expedition, it is told, was more successful, although -there is some doubt as to whether it was -the power of the eye that gave him victory. He -surprised two lion cubs at play and began to play -with them. They liked it so much that when he -would take his departure they refused to let him -go. Their cries of enjoyment finally brought the -mother lioness. The negro was paralyzed with -fear, and kept his eyes glued to those of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> -lioness. Man and beast kept steadily watching -each other. The lioness moved around the negro -several times but he never shifted his gaze. Several -times the lioness crouched as if to spring, but -finally after what seemed an age to the negro she -called her cubs to her side and disappeared in the -forest. This is the story brought home from -Africa.</p> - -<p>“A man once experimented with a wildcat in -our circus, and only the bars of the cage prevented -him from being badly scratched for his -pains. As soon as he looked into the eyes of the -wildcat the animal sprang fiercely at him.</p> - -<p>“Some interesting experiments were made at -our winter quarters in Bridgeport one year with -the object of ascertaining the exact influence of -music on animals. That animals like to hear a -violin played seems to be clearly proved. A zoologist -played in the menagerie many times, and -found that the music pleased them. A puma, at -the sound of the violin, stretched himself at full -length in his cage and listened quietly as long -as the music was soft and low, but the moment it -became loud and fast he sprang to his feet, lashed -his sides with his tail and began to pace nervously -up and down his cage. A jaguar at the -sound of lively music showed great uneasiness, -but became quiet when soft music was played. He -thrust his paws through the bars of the cage to -detain the violinist. On leopards the music made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> -hardly any impression. A lioness and three cubs -seemed somewhat disturbed, but as soon as the -player started to go to the next cage they came -forward and lay down. He then played soft music -which seemed to please them. He followed it with -a lively dance, at the first sound of which the -cubs sprang up and gambolled wildly about the -cage. On the other hand, two striped hyenas, -when they heard the music, drew back to the -other end of their cage and tried to get out -through the bars.</p> - -<p>“I remember well the year 1889,” he continued, -“because then the question of electrocuting, instead -of hanging, prisoners condemned to die came -up. A party of scientists came on to our winter -quarters and conducted a series of electrical experiments -upon the animals. Mr. Bailey placed the -entire menagerie at the service of the scientists, -and twenty of us keepers assisted in the work. -The instruments employed were a powerful battery -of forty-two Leclanche cells and a resistance box -of one hundred thousand ohms. The experiments -began at eleven o’clock in the morning and continued -until nightfall.</p> - -<p>“The first animal experimented with was a -savage baboon, which fought furiously before he -was tied. He bit one keeper severely and tore the -clothing off another. A sponge, that was used as -the end of one wire, was forced into his mouth. -A second sponge was fastened on one of his paws.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> -A current of two cells was then passed through -the simian and was promptly resented by a fierce -attempt to break his bonds and escape. The -baboon’s irritation increased with the current -until twenty-eight cells had been used. When -forty cells had been used, the animal became lethargic -and almost comatose, looking for all the -world like a man overcome by strong drink. The -highest point of resistance was eight thousand -ohms, a surprisingly large figure. When finally -released, the baboon became wild with rage and -attacked the nearest keeper, inflicting a dozen -scratches on him. A tame seal was next operated -on. It allowed the experts to fasten one roll of -copper wire around its neck and a second around -its tail flippers. The moment the current was applied -it snapped viciously in every direction. The -savants sprang right and left, upsetting chairs -and writing materials in their haste to get out of -reach. When the current was increased the seal -gnawed at the wires and succeeded in disengaging -itself from both. The resistance could not be -ascertained on account of its wet coat acting as -a conductor to the electric fluid.</p> - -<p>“The gnu or horned horse, did not take kindly -to science. When one of the savants entered its -cage it attacked him so savagely, that three keepers -were obliged to go to his assistance. The animal -showed a resistance of eleven thousand ohms -and seemed paralyzed the moment the current was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> -turned on. The small monkeys behaved very much -like little children. The moment they felt the -current they screamed and seemed to be undergoing -agony. When the wires were removed, they -appeared puzzled and three of them took up the -electrodes as if to study them. A large blue monkey -was so interested that when released he seized the -large sponge and began to tear it apart as if to -see what it contained that hurt him so. The monkeys -offered a resistance of from five thousand to -seven thousand ohms. The hippopotamus and sea -lion took the full force of the current without -wincing; but a dog, after having a moderate current -passed through his brain, showed signs of -hydrophobia and had to be killed. The wild -carnivora showed much sensitiveness to the electric -current, manifesting every symptom of rage -and distress when only a single cell was employed. -A wolf to which a mild current was applied, stood -upon its haunches and cried piteously.</p> - -<p>“But the elephants proved the star attractions. -They actually enjoyed the sensation in every instance, -except when a strong current was passed -through the trunk. When only a few cells were -employed, the huge beasts did not seem to observe -the fact, but when the full battery was employed, -they rubbed their legs together, caressed savant -and keeper alike and squealed their pleasure. No -odder sight was ever seen than an elephant with -mouth wide open, with one scientist holding a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> -sponge to the huge tongue and a second another -to the root of his tail, and manifesting every sign -of glee.</p> - -<p>“The manner in which animals endure pain always -awakens our sympathies. Horses in battle -are a striking example of power of endurance and -unyielding courage. After the first stinging pain -of the wound, they make no sound, but bear their -agony with mute, wondering endurance. Elephants -also suffer agonies without flinching. -When they are shot in a vital spot they sink -down on the ground with a low cry, and silently -pass away. A dog will go for days with a broken -leg without complaint, and a wounded cat will -crawl to some quiet place and brood silently over -agonies which humans could not endure. A -stricken deer will go to some thick wood and there -in pitiful submission await the end. Lions, tigers -and other beasts will do the same. Seldom do -they give utterance to cries of pain. Cattle will -meet the thrust of the butcher’s knife without a -sound, and a wild dove, with shot from a hunter’s -gun burning in its tender flesh, will fly to some -high bough or lie on the ground to die, and no -sound will be heard save the dripping of its life -blood upon the leaves. The eagle, stricken high in -air, will struggle to the last, but there will be no -sound of pain, and the proud defiant look will not -leave the eyes until the lids close over them and -shut out the sunlight they love so well.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>Sunday is fast-day in the menagerie tent, and -every occupant, caged or uncaged, knows when -the day arrives. When the week-day feeding hour—five -o’clock in the afternoon—approaches, not -one of the animals betrays the feeling of eager -desire on Sunday which characterizes them all the -other six days. They understand instinctively -that there will be no meal. Then on Monday the -“cat” animals begin to pace their cages nervously -and peer through the bars awaiting the coming of -the keepers. They are well aware that liver, which -they relish keenly and which keeps them in good -physical condition, will be the food. The Sunday -abstinence is deemed by the trainers an aid to -good health, as copying to some extent the habit -of beasts in their native haunts, where food is not -obtainable every day. There is little sickness in -the menagerie. The animals are studied closely -and given assiduous attention if the slightest indisposition -is manifested.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER VIII<br /> - -<small>LIFE WITH THE PERFORMERS</small></h2></div> - - -<p>The art of seating the audience in the big tent -plays a prominent part in the receipts of the day. -“Fill the highest rows first,” is the instruction -forced upon each usher, and censure or dismissal -is the penalty of disobedience. By skilful and -systematic arrangement of the crowds, it is possible -to utilize every inch of seating space in the -vast enclosure. Indifferent or careless performance -of the duty leaves the tent, to the casual observer, -packed to completion, but in reality here and -there are spots not occupied. Hence all ingenuity -must be brought to bear to prevent this condition -and its consequent financial loss, for the sale -of tickets stops when no more seats are available. -Sometimes a prosperous day has not been confidently -expected and the management orders a -four- instead of the usual five-centre-pole tent -raised. The difference in seating capacity is several -hundred. Then, but not often, for circus -foresight is keen, people flock to the lot in thousands -and there is no room for their accommodation. -The owner is shame and mortification personified.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span>On the hippodrome track one of the clowns, -clad in sober black and looking to be all he represents, -waits with imitation camera and tripod for -victims. He is an experienced master of human -nature. With exaggerated politeness and scrupulous -care of detail he poses unsuspecting new-comers, -to the boisterous amusement of those -already seated. Sweethearts stand in affectionate -attitude, mightily pleased and unsuspecting, while -he pretends to impress their likeness upon photographic -plates. Sometimes he turns their faces -from him, tells them not to move until instructed, -and then moves quietly away. Very infrequently -they take the joke seriously. When anger and -retaliation are manifested, he is agile enough to -escape punishment.</p> - -<p>A boy sings on the topmost seats. His voice is -powerful, but pure and sweet, and the tent is -filled with the sounds of approval when he finishes. -The musical director discovered him in Rochester, -N. Y., and has great hopes for his professional -future.</p> - -<p>The military band is discoursing popular selections, -and the equestrian director makes a last -critical survey of the network of suspended bars, -trapezes, rings, perches and wires. Finishing -touches are being added to the “loop-the-loop” -apparatus. A score of men have been putting it -together since early morning. Now the band is -at the dressing-room exit and the cornet sounds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -a melodious call. The inaugural tournament is -on, comprising, the press agent is telling his -guests, “spectacular pageantry, zoologic, equestric, -hippodromatic and aerial elements, indicative -of the limitless resources of this colossal consolidation -of circus chieftains, collection of celebrities -and congress of champions; a comprehensive, -kaleidoscopic and illustrative review upon the -ellipse of the hippodrome, upon the two stages -and in the three rings.”</p> - -<p>Then the clowns’ carol, the herds of trained elephants -and the circus performance that is familiar -to the young and old. The ringmaster’s whip -cracks merrily; ponies and dogs show the results -of patient teaching; slack wire equilibrists, head -balancers and daring horizontal bar heroes are -innumerable; there are graceful flights upon flying -trapeze and swinging rings; living classic statuary -pleases the eye; hurdle riding, a hazardous form -of equestrianism, gives the audience a thrill; -prancing thoroughbreds engage in a cakewalk, -and the clowns burlesque it; a crowd of acrobats -and jugglers fill the rings simultaneously, while a -septette of men and women engage in fancy and -trick bicycle riding, and the most intrepid wheelman -rides down a ladder which stretches to the -dome of the canvas; a performing bear shows almost -human intelligence, and some one dressed -like a monster rooster evokes general mirth; a -young man, standing on the pedals of a single<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> -wheel with no support save his nerve, makes his -perilous journey up and down a spiral arrangement, -which has a curious effect upon the snare -drum; an eighteen-year-old girl turns somersaults -upon a moving white horse’s back, and the onlookers -read that she is the only one of her sex -accomplishing the feat.</p> - -<p>So the show progresses to the rushing hippodrome -races, contests between women on fiery -thoroughbreds, double standing Roman bareback -races, tandem hurdle races, jockey races, pony -races with monkey jockeys, clowns in comical -competition, and the breath-taking chariot race. -It is now that the country crowd perhaps gets a -thrill that is denied the New York city audience. -In Madison Square Garden the hippodrome track -is dry and firm and smooth and true. The country -course offers none of these conditions. No -time is granted to make it perfect. And so it is -that sometimes there is a wild cry from rider or -driver, a confused heap of hoofs, legs, wheels and -dust, breathless silence from the thousands of -onlookers and then, generally, a loud burst of applause -as horse and human struggle to their feet, -not seriously damaged. The danger of disaster is -especially great when the four fleet horses are -dashing with the heavy, low Roman chariots. -Great skill is required to prevent collision or collapse -on the abrupt course; and rough, uneven -grounds make serious strain upon the vehicle.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> -The accidents seldom have disastrous endings. I -remember vividly when an axle broke in a Pennsylvania -town. The woman driver jumped and -escaped with a sprained wrist. The band instantly -stopped its thumping. The horses, racing -madly and unguided to the finish post came to an -abrupt standstill. The audience, on a verge of a -panic, resumed their seats, marvelling. They did -not understand, that as a precautionary measure -against just such accidents, the fiery animals are -trained to run with the music. They have been -taught not to move rapidly until the band begins -and to stop whenever its melody ceases.</p> - -<p>It will be observed that the women who rush -around the hippodrome track in the jockey races -ride in an opposite direction from that of the -other sex, and the reason is not apparent to the -lay visitor. The explanation is that thus their -feet swing on the horse’s side not exposed to the -supporting quarter-pole, as would be the case did -they follow the course of the men. Disregard of -this precautionary measure has resulted in serious -injury in many circuses, for the circus woman -makes light of danger in many forms which -would appall her unprofessional sister. The natural -route is the men’s, and she would take it every -time did the equestrian director permit.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_120f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">RING “STARS” LINED UP FOR INSPECTION.</p> - -<p>Of course, most skilled performers “stall.” That -is, in the execution of a particularly dangerous or -difficult feat, they pretend to barely escape a serious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> -fall or make an unsuccessful attempt at accomplishment. -It gives the audience an exaggerated -idea of the extreme peril or difficulty of the -undertaking, and ensures an outburst of applause -when finally triumphantly done. It is a sidelight -on the mild vanity of the circus man, but incidentally -serves a commercial purpose, for he -knows that public approval carries with it renewal -of engagement at no smaller salary.</p> - -<p>Nearly all on the list of circus performances -have inherited their strength and skill. They have -been literally born to the arena. Some of them -represent the third and fourth generations of -famous circus families. The boys and girls of our -circus, comprising two tiny concert dancers, a -smart young bicycle rider, several acrobats and -gymnasts and two Japanese boys, are a modest, -healthy, honest party of playmates whose parents -find time each day to hear lessons and give advice -in manners and morals. They are “chums” -in all the word implies, and an occasional clash -with words or fists always ends without the call -for parental adjustment and serves to cement the -juvenile friendship. Of young men and women, -those who have not yet reached their majorities, -we have half a dozen, all of whom have conspicuous -parts in the show. One of the girls, a skilled -acrobat, took up riding recently and bids fair to -achieve fame, the veterans say. The act does not -interfere with her other performance and she is in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> -receipt of a handsome income. The most finished -tumbler among the lads is a boy who also participates -in a wire-walking act. In this performance -he is disguised as a girl, for the feminine sex -always lends interest to any feat. The deception -is perfect, but it was very annoying to the management -and embarrassing to the youth when his -blonde wig dropped off one afternoon and he -stood revealed in his masculinity. So it is with a -“family” who do a graceful and dangerous aerial -act. The youngest member of the troupe is a -boy, although appearance indicates the other sex. -They are both eagerly biding the time when age -will do away with the disguise.</p> - -<p>The training of these children begins almost at -birth. Indeed, in the vast majority of cases there -is the powerful effect of heredity, which exercises -an influence upon the child and helps it to overcome -obstacles to others well-nigh impossible. The -chief effort is to create courage and daring, to -develop those qualities where they already exist. -The lungs are expanded and broadened by hearty -exercise, and the muscles are hardened and developed -by athletic work. At the same time it -has been found by the modern gymnast that the -body, to perform this extraordinary work, must -be well nourished. The necessity for a clear head, -a steady eye and unflinching hand requires that -the brain shall likewise be well nourished; so the -education of the little pupils is not neglected;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> -indeed, many a gymnast has mental abilities often -lacking in the ordinary man. He has to understand -some geometry and mathematics, else how -can he calculate the exact distance of a jump, a -fall, a somersault? He very often is the inventor -of his own apparatus and this has to be exact in -shape, size and strength. The suppleness of the -limbs and joints comes from long practice, not, as -is usually thought, from straining the soft joints -of a child. The result of such straining would be -weakness, not strength. Only those whose business -it is know or understand what can be done -with those joints, how much strain they will bear -and which will endure the greatest strain. When -to hold on and when to let go are important -items, too, in an acrobat’s training. These can -be learned only when young. It is natural for a -child to “catch at something” when it thinks it is -falling. It must be taught to do the catching -only at precisely the right moment, and to turn -at the instant when required.</p> - -<p>In these days, the net is an element of safety in -all mid-air feats. But so fearless and confident do -gymnasts become that they hardly know and -certainly do not notice whether it is in place. -There is a piece of apparatus largely used among -circus riders when training or learning new feats -called the “mecanique.” It consists of a belt, -which goes around the waist of the performer, to -which is attached a strong, elastic rope, which is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> -again fastened to a wooden, gibbet-like arm. The -tyro knows that he cannot possibly fall beyond -the length of the rope and that, therefore, no -matter how many times he fails, he cannot by -any possibility come to physical grief. The use of -this machine is deprecated by some performers as -reducing the nerve training to a minimum. It is, -however, in great favor with all whose nerves are -already steadied by experience and who are trying -new tricks. In the case of women and children the -“mecanique” is very frequently employed.</p> - -<p>There is no phase of work that requires more -patient and faithful study, more steadiness of -nerve or a greater command of the muscles than -feats of balancing on trapeze, rings and slack -wire. To balance well, one must be systematically -developed, and each muscle must be ready to act -instantly and do its work with certainty. The -legs must be strong and firm to sustain the body -in its various poses. The back must be sinewy, -so that the recovery may be made quickly and the -upright maintained without a chance of failure, -and the arms and hands must be hard and strong; -for when a man, falling from a trapeze, grasps at -the bar, he must catch it and hold to it if he -desires to emerge unhurt. Balancing on the slack -wire is essentially different from trapeze balancing. -On the slack wire the balance must be kept by -working the body from the waist down, and is -mainly done with the legs. It is the reverse on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> -the trapeze, where the legs must be kept rigid and -the balance worked from the leg up. The slack -wire is harder to learn at first than the trapeze, -as it is radically different from a person’s natural -balance, which is kept more with the arms and -body and less with the legs.</p> - -<p>The triple somersault has slain its scores, yet -as long as men tumble over elephants in the circus, -and as long as springboards are made, the acrobats -will be trying to accomplish this most difficult -of feats. There have been acrobats who have -done it. They are dead now. They were carried -out of the ring to a hospital immediately -thereafter, and lived for the various periods of -from one to three days. There have been men -who have asserted that they can turn the triple. -They are generally the acrobats who have left -the circus ring forever and are devoting the last -years of their lives to the sale of cigars or some -other stirring occupation. The men who have -followed the circus all their lives say that no -man has ever turned the triple from a springboard -and lived to boast of his triumph. The -triple somersault is done from a flying trapeze, -but it is simply a series of revolutions in the air -as the performer drops. Even then it should be -called two and a half revolutions, for the acrobat -falls on his back in a net and depends upon the -rebound to hurl him to his feet. He can make -these two revolutions and a half from a springboard,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> -sometimes, with the difference that nine -hundred and ninety-nine times out of a thousand -he alights on his head or on the back of his neck -which brings instant death. A man who even -falls that way in a net is a subject for the coroner.</p> - -<p>It is circus tradition that in 1842, when even -the double somersault was deemed a difficult and -dangerous feat, a performer tried the triple turn. -It happened in Mobile, Alabama, and the rash -acrobat broke his neck. W. J. Hobbes, a tumbler, -was killed attempting the trick in London four -years later. John Amor, a Pennsylvania circus -leaper, who was a famous double somersault -revolver, paid with his life for his ambition in -1859. He was travelling with an English circus, -essayed the death-dealing act, struck on his forehead -and died.</p> - -<p>The somersault, whether it be single or double, -is a feat which requires the most assiduous practice -and the most accurate calculation. The first -thing which the tumbler learns is to jump from a -springboard. The sensation of springing through -the air is an uncanny one. Next is the “stock” -somersault, which consists of merely springing up -in the air and slowly, and with practically no -muscular exertion, turning over. The motion is -so slow that the spectators hardly realize that the -man has revolved. Then begins the drill for the -real somersault. The acrobat learns the “tuck,”<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> -which consists of grasping both legs tightly half -way between the knee and ankle and pressing -them closely together. At the same time the acrobat -puts the muscles of his shoulders and back -into play. This muscular force acts like the balance -weight of the wheel. It aids him to complete -the revolution. The taking of the “tuck” requires -the nicest calculation. The acrobat must wait -until he has sprung as far in the air as the force -of the springboard or his legs will carry him. If -he “tucks” too soon he will fall like a coffee sack. -If he waits until too late he finds himself cast, a -human wheel at a dead centre. He is likely to -have broken bones in either case in spite of carpet -or mattress. The double somersault requires more -muscular force. The trained acrobat knows exactly -where he is at every point in the revolution. -He has a strange sense which makes him feel it. -It is when he summons his almost exhausted -energies for a third turn that he feels like a ship -without a rudder. Harry Costello, Wm. Kinkead, -John Armstrong, Arthur Mohring, and “Little -Bob” Hanlon, well-known circus performers, have -broken their necks and died in executing the -double somersault within a score of years.</p> - -<p>The dressing-rooms—the “green room” of the -circus—are as convenient to the centre of the tent -as the topography of the lot will permit. Passing -through the canvas connection, the women of the -show enter quarters to the left and the men’s<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> -accommodations are on the other side. Between, -stand the horses and wagons and other “property” -which for various reasons cannot be stored -near the rings. Very cosy and comfortable are the -two canvas compartments, although room is at a -premium. Trunks replace chairs, and mirrors are -of a dimension to discourage vanity. The process -of “making up” is a laborious, and tedious undertaking, -but accepted as one of the conditions -which are unavoidable. Of cold water there is a -plenty, and soap and towels abound. Naphtha -lights furnish illumination. Electric experiments -have never been successful.</p> - -<p>The music of the band furnishes the circus man’s -cue. He knows by its brazen notes when to -leave the dressing-room for the ring. If the -musical director changes an air, the dressing-room -inmates must be thoroughly informed to avoid -delay and confusion. No performer is permitted -to leave until the entire show is over. The danger -of accident in the ring is never absent, and as -many do several “turns” others must be ready -if one becomes incapacitated. When the nights -grow cold in the early and late season, the chill -air which penetrates the canvas would drive any -but the hardy circus folk to a sick-bed. Their -trained systems are equal to all demands the elements -put forward, however, and a cough or a -cold are almost unknown. A miserable enough -place it is when the rain falls freely. Scant as is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> -the dressing-room protection, the journey to and -from the rings is infinitely worse. Performers return -to their trunks wet in the feet and generally -bestrewed with drops from the head down. Pretty -costumes are spotted and the effect is very depressing. -There is peril to life and limb, too, -when bars and trapezes and rings and other apparatus -becomes drenched. Hands may slip, feet -may not hold, a horse may stumble, and there -are numberless other chances of misfortune. The -equestrian director decides whether or not the -possibility of disaster is too great for the act. If -he deems the risk not too venturesome, the performer -accepts cheerfully, no matter what is his -own conviction. Sometimes he enters upon the -duty with grim forebodings as to the outcome, -for he appreciates that perhaps the director, in -his desire not to disappoint the audience, has -imposed a critical undertaking. The circus concert -offers opportunity for a display of talents -other than those presented in the ring. Many performers -with nimble foot or tuneful voice add to -their incomes by this extra work.</p> - -<p>Circus performers are persons of large and unwearied -charity and compassion. No comrade is -deserted in affliction or distress. Contributions -of money and sympathy flow in upon him, and -none fails to subscribe. If the situation requires -more money than one circus is able to provide, -word of the need is sent to friends with other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> -similar organizations and there is always prompt -and ready response. I know of a dozen invalids -who are to-day being supported solely by the -liberal benevolence of comrades.</p> - -<p>Two benevolent societies are with the Barnum & -Bailey circus, the B.O.S.S. and the Tigers. Each -makes a weekly collection from the members and -pays $15.00 weekly to the sick or disabled. Last -year $9,000 was collected and $8,000 disbursed. -The balances remained in the treasurers’ hands for -this year.</p> - -<p>Many of the people of the circus accumulate -competences after a few years’ work, and there is -no reason why all who live prudently should not -soon be financially independent. Their expenses of -travel, board and bed are all borne by the management, -and other requirements of a circus campaign -are few and small. It is a common practice -with some to draw only a small share of their -salaries each week. The accumulated balance -awaits them in the money wagon at the close of -the season. Then, there is the “mother” of the -circus with whom many of the unmarried men and -the boys deposit a weekly stipend. No plea, however -piteous, will force her to disgorge, they -know, until the last stand has been played. Then -the amassed wealth is handed to them with a -parting kindly injunction to be moderate through -the winter and return next year with as much -unspent as consistent. This interest in his welfare<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> -has started many a circus man on the road to -prosperity and fortune.</p> - -<p>The “mother” is one of the most interesting -characters of the circus. Her life is devoted particularly -to the welfare of the woman performers -under tents. Her official duty is as matron of the -women’s dressing-room. She it is who supervises -their wardrobe, mends sudden breaches in the -tarlatan and bespangled skirts and cares for her -charges in case of illness or accident. Should an -equestrienne fall from her horse, it is the “circus -mother” who brings the cup of black coffee, which -is the only stimulant ever given to gymnasts and -acrobats in such an emergency.</p> - -<p>At night, after the performance, she presides over -the performers’ luncheon of sandwiches and tea, -which the circus women enjoy in the sleeping car. -In short, she is a general chaperon, hospital -nurse, friend and counsellor in one. Our -“mother’s” long experience in circus life has made -her familiar with every detail of the business and -she knows what to do, without any prompting, -whenever any emergency arises. Men and women -alike come to her with the petty troubles that are -bound to occur in the uncertain and strenuous -existence they lead. She is cheery, sympathetic or -admonitory as the occasion may require, and no -one leaves her presence without being the better -for having come into contact with the motherly -matron. It is an axiom among circus people that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> -the good-will of the “mother” is equivalent to -lasting favor with the management, and that to -incur her ill-will is to stand an imminent risk of -losing an engagement.</p> - -<p>A large part of her duty is the care of the circus -wardrobe, and during the winter she devotes her -entire time to it. With her deft fingers and the -judicious use of naphtha she makes old circus costumes -look like new. Trappings which are worn -by the animals in the grand entry are all made -by the “mother” and her assistants during the -idle winter season. She is as expert at cutting a -pattern for the costumes of the animals as a -Fifth avenue modiste is at cutting those for her -smart clientele. She is, in short, the Worth of -circusland. Although nearly sixty years old, she -is as lively as a woman half her age.</p> - -<p>The domestic instinct is very strong among the -circus women for the reason that they are deprived -of home life, a great part of every year. It -finds an outlet in many little ways, one of which -is an appeal to the chef in charge of the dining -car to be allowed to bake a cake. If he is in a -mood to give them permission they are pleased as -children, and begin a hunt for eggs and milk. -The train may be standing just outside of some -village, and they run out and buy the things and -come back and cook as though it were the greatest -fun in the world. When their cake or pie is -done, it is passed through the car, and no matter<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> -how small it may be, there is always a bit for -everyone. Sometimes the cook is ill-tempered and -won’t let them fuss around, but that doesn’t -always stop them. It isn’t at all unusual for -them to go to one of the houses along near the -track and ask the woman who lives there to let -them use her kitchen. Almost always they get -permission and afterwards pay for it.</p> - -<p>They sew, too, and many do exceedingly pretty -fancy work. They don’t have to keep their circus -clothes in order. The “circus mother” does that, -but they do all the mending of personal garments, -and besides keep some sort of pickup work on -hand. There isn’t a home of a circus woman that -is not furnished with the covers of some sort she -has made during the season. One seldom sees a -circus woman in a city after the season is over. -She flees from it. She detests the noise and bustle, -and, almost without exception, they all live in -little country towns, where they practise during -the winter, go early to bed and are in fine condition -when the season opens.</p> - -<p>I know that it is a common thing to believe -that a circus woman has no modesty, but the -impression is a mistaken one. She can dress as -she does and perform, and still be a perfectly -good, pure woman. That is because no town has -any identity to her, nor any person any individuality. -It makes no difference to her whether the -show is in New York City or Kalamazoo. There is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> -simply a performance to be given, and she is not -playing to any one person. There is no “he” in -the audience who may be attracted to take her -out to supper afterwards. He wouldn’t have the -chance to speak to her, if he wanted to, and if she -seems to him an earth-born fairy, she never knows -it. No women could live more protected lives. -The performance isn’t over until eleven o’clock, -and all must be in the cars of the circus train by -midnight, when the cars are usually locked for the -night; and when one remembers that a circus -woman is almost invariably married, and that -her husband is with her, it can be appreciated -that the moral standard of the profession is high. -Most of the circus women support families, and -their leisure between performances is spent in -sewing—perhaps garments for younger children at -home, or, as a matter of economy, for themselves; -for they save every possible penny, finding incentive -and practical aid in the fact that they need -not consider the expense of living in the necessary -outlay.</p> - -<p>After the night performance, they return to their -private cars, which are by that time prepared to -start for another town as soon as the tents and -other paraphernalia are aboard. Week after week -of this routine, as regularly carried out as the -work of a factory, requires physical stamina as -well as the actual gymnastic or acrobatic circus -faculty, for which a clear brain is the most requisite.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> -These things are not maintained except by -regular living. The motto of the circus acrobat, -therefore, might be “plain living and high jumping.” -Beneath the white canvas, as under the -brick and iron of city office buildings, there is no -room for those who complain. “Headaches” and -similar excuses for a non-appearance must for disciplinary -reasons be frowned upon by the equestrian -director—the stage manager of the circus. -It is the “circus mother” who pleads with him to -excuse the women who are not able to appear. -She it is to whom they go with griefs and complaints -and upon whose sympathy in their concern -they may rely.</p> - -<p>Frivolity, even in the innocuous guise of a waiting -maid, is discouraged in circus life, and no -woman performer, be she ever so celebrated, is -allowed to carry a handmaiden to aid in dressing -her. “No room for ’em,” is the terse but eloquent -excuse of the management.</p> - -<p>Circuses of the better class look after the welfare -of their woman performers with a surprising regard -to detail. They are provided with a special -car in which they live while on the road, except -when the show plays a three-night or week’s -stand; in that case they are quartered in a hotel. -How very comfortable their travelling quarters -may be they are nevertheless pleased when an opportunity -is had to spend a few days in a room -which affords sufficient space to allow of unpacking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> -and repacking trunks, for in one-night stands -the trunk containing personal belongings is never -moved except from car to lot. Woman riders frequently -own their own horses. It is indeed considered -a breach of circus etiquette, or more particularly -speaking a lowering of one’s “caste” to -be content to ride an animal owned by some one -else. The sharp little vibrant “clucks,” with which -the equestrienne commands her horse in the ring, -are “cues” which he understands as well as he -does the swaying of the ringmaster’s whip from -left to right, or the pressure of his rider’s satin -slipper. Each of these is a suggestion to his -memory that brings instant response in some -change of movement.</p> - -<p>The disadvantage under which a circus woman -“makes up” would drive an actress to despair. -She sits upon a small stool before the stationary -mirror in the upraised lid of the trunk, and -“makes up” as best she can in the big dressing -tent. There are perhaps thirty other women in -the tent, and a wardrobe mistress in charge, prepared -to mend suddenly acquired rents in emergencies. -The use of alcohol for spirit lamps is not -allowed unless with a special permit from the -“mother.” Many of the woman acrobats, gymnasts -and jugglers are foreign. They have homes -abroad, perhaps, and work industriously in leisure -hours to beautify them. One woman who travelled -last season with us completed during the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> -tour an entire bed set of renaissance lace, cover -and pillow shams. This same woman who is one -of a troupe of acrobats, when twitted for her -“stinginess,” was wont to reply: “Well, it is another -brick in my house—very dollar I save.” -She was buying a home for her mother and sister.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_136f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">PRACTISING TRICKS IN THE OPEN.</p> - -<p>Any one who witnesses the performance of these -professional female athletes must marvel at the -strength, skill and endurance that a woman is -capable of. There are on both sides of the Atlantic -more than two thousand women who earn -their living in this way, and of these nearly one -half are found in America. They like the West -best; for they tell you the Westerner is the most -ardent admirer of muscle and nerve as displayed -by the gentler sex. The women like their business. -They have no special dietary. They eat when they -feel like it; eat heartily, too, and of anything they -crave. Their remuneration varies from fifty to -one hundred and fifty dollars a week. The best of -them and, of course, the few, command the latter -sum.</p> - -<p>A woman performer with whom I talked one -afternoon gave it as her opinion that women are -more proficient as animal trainers than men. She -said: “One need not seek far for a reason for -this. In the first place, women are more patient, -and it is quite a mistaken idea to suppose that -rough methods are necessary in training animals.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> -One sees many more woman animal trainers -abroad than in this country, but a number of -them have been celebrated in the United States. -I think it is the mother instinct in women which -enables them to command the obedience of animals. -It is a well-known fact among circus people -that monkeys are particularly fond of women. -Horses, too, are readily trained by women.</p> - -<p>“Some years ago I trained successfully a number -of sheep, supposedly the stupidest of animals. I -cannot say that I found them overweaningly intelligent, -but with much patience, the virtue which -I insist makes a woman capable as an animal -trainer, I succeeded in teaching them a series of -tricks both original and clever, such as are usually -performed by a dog circus. Dogs and horses have -the best memories, though some trainers contend -that the elephant has. A dog or horse will respond -to a nod or the slightest swaying motion -of a whip from side to side. Elephants, being -more ponderous of body, naturally require more -time to train.”</p> - -<p>Few people distinguish between the gymnasts -and acrobats of a circus, yet there is a distinction -with a decided difference. The acrobat is he who -tumbles and turns somersaults, and usually -“starts the show” by running from a springboard -and jumping over the wide backs of elephants -in line. The gymnast is an aerial artist, -and his work has little in common with that of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> -the other performer. Some people, according to -an authority on circus matters, are born with a -balance. Presence of mind has not only to be a -habit but an exact science, as it were, with the -man or woman performer who would master the -art of the flying ring. This is one of the reasons -for the abstemiousness of the circus fraternity. -No drugs or alcohol are permitted inside the circus -tent. This is a law the violation of which means -inevitable dismissal for any performer. Perhaps -the very obvious necessity for its enforcement is -at the same time the reason why it is so seldom -broken. Performers must needs be springy of -step, clear of head, keen of eye and sound of -liver.</p> - -<p>Perhaps few in a circus audience who have many -times admired the graceful gesticulations of the -tight rope and slack rope walkers realize the -utility of the small Japanese umbrella which they -wield with apparently careless grace. As a matter -of fact, the umbrella and other paraphernalia -thrown to them by the attendants and which -they manipulate for no apparent reason save -that of adding effectiveness to the act, are in reality -used for balancing purposes. Many a wire walker -has been saved from perhaps fatal accident by a -dexterous swerving of the light parasol from right -to left, readjusting the balance just in the nick of -time.</p> - -<p>Most of the circuses abroad are enclosed indoor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> -affairs, and as the buildings in which such attractions -are seen are of much greater height than -anything we have in this country, the opportunity -for daring gymnastic acts is far greater than here. -At the Crystal Palace, the Olympia and the -Royal Aquarium and also at the Alhambra, many -feats are performed which it would be impossible -to duplicate here. Children are oftener seen as -acrobats and gymnasts in the old country than in -America. They begin to train as early as three -years of age and many tots of six and seven are -wonderfully accomplished circus performers, in -lands where the Children’s Society holds not -sway. These children are in many instances apprenticed -out to old performers who train them, -and are repaid in return by their services for a -certain number of years.</p> - -<p>Few of the members of the so-called acrobatic -families bear any individual relationship to one -another, and the name taken by the troupe -is usually that of the trainer or leading acrobat.</p> - -<p>Of late years costumes for acrobats have -changed considerably. It used to be the fashion -to wear tights and blouses which would be as -little impedimental as possible to the free swing of -the body. Now, however, the latest acrobatic -actors imported from Europe are affecting evening -dress, the women in decollete gowns, full-skirted, -and the men in the black and white habiliments<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> -prescribed by convention for dress occasions. Needless -to say it is much more difficult for both men -and women to perform acrobatic feats thus attired, -but the fashions of the circus world like -those of society are inexorable.</p> - -<p>Nothing could be more incongruous than the -devotion existing between our French animal -trainer and his performing grizzly bear. The -animal is the largest of the bear species and the -most powerful and formidable, yet this owner has -taught his specimen gentleness and good manners. -He is its constant companion and attendant. Its -long and shaggy brown coat is brushed and -combed at frequent intervals, and food is proffered -in bare outstretched hands. It obeys commands -with all the sagacity of a well-trained dog and -gives an exhibition of wrestling, pugilism and -other difficult displays which interest and amuse. -Its enormous paws and long sharp claws are a -menace against which pads and gloves sometimes -avail nothing and the foreigner is ever a sorely -wounded person. Bruin has been elevated to a -state of intelligence which seems to give him keen -enjoyment of bear humor. Thus it is that the -circus folks declare that whenever the beast slaps -or hugs its human friend with unusual violence, -great glee is depicted in every characteristic. No -matter how the resentful trainer exerts himself, he -cannot retaliate with any effect. The sight of the -Frenchman chattering angrily at the unconcerned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> -furry humorist after their performance is a weekly -source of merriment in the menagerie tent.</p> - -<p>The “rooster man” is one of the novelties of the -show and of the dressing-room. He is an Englishman -who costumes himself like a monstrous fighting -cock, gaffed and ready for the fray, and astonishes -the audience with an exhibition in which -an audacious little natural game cock participates. -It concludes with a battle between the pseudo and -the genuine bird in which the one engages eagerly -and is impressed with an exultant, strutting conviction -of victory when its huge antagonist flops -fluttering to the ground. The diversion is as entertaining -as any in the sawdust precincts and to -the show persons the most remarkable for patience -in training and endurance in execution. How little -the onlookers imagine that after the act the -human rooster frequently drops in a state of collapse -and exhaustion! The feathers which envelop -him are of necessity fastened to stiff and -smothering supports, and their encumbering -weight on a hot day is tremendous. This is one -of the secrets of the arena which probably no one -who has witnessed the unique performance ever -divined.</p> - -<p>For intrepid bravery and wild exploits I doubt -if the equal of the trick bicyclist can be found. -In the parade, the chances of injury he gleefully -assumes fill the sightseer with horror and dread. -Under the canvas the greater the risk the more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> -enjoyment it accords him. He rides, in one exhibition, -down an ordinary ladder which stretches -to the dome of the tent. Down the smooth rungs -he dashes, like a spectral flash, and his comrades -wonder what the final end will be. Nothing can -prevent the feat. When wet weather makes other -performers hesitate or they are directed not to -try their acts, he mounts merrily to his perch and -trusts to luck and skill. Water drips from the -apparatus and his mad flight seems impossible of -safe accomplishment. He emerges unscathed. -He is, too, the dare-devil of the “cycle whirl,” a cup-shaped -apparatus made of wooden slats. He has -four companions, but the neck-breaking scorching -is delegated to him. Around the inclined track he -rushes, with hands spread out and arms upraised, -the contrivance shivering and rattling. Faster -and yet faster he whizzes until he no longer looks -like a man on a bicycle; he is a blurred line -drawn around the track. Within an inch of the -rim and disaster, down the drop to the very edge -of the floor he rumbles with no power of guidance -over his machine save his wonderful balance, -and spectators catch their breath. Then a wild -jump and he is bowing and smiling in the centre -of the cup.</p> - -<p>The invention of new acts engages the attention -of acrobats and gymnasts most of the winter. -Many of them rehearse in the gymnasiums of -large cities, although aerial performers have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> -difficulty in finding sufficiently ample quarters. -They tell, in dressing-room conversation, of many -queer experiences with the flabby-muscled, hollow-chested -men who seek their aid and advice to -attain better physical condition, and find much -amusement in relating their observation of -methods employed in this effort. A very rich -weakling who patronizes one of the New York -city gymnasiums is a never-ending source of hilarious -reminiscence. He is ridiculous in all his body-building -plans, but firm in his belief in their efficacy. -One of his practices is to run for hours -with a bag of shot tied to his head. He has -persuaded himself that it will develop and -strengthen his chest!</p> - -<p>It is in the knees that the evidences of age first -manifest themselves in the acrobats. The strain -on this part of the body is always intense. Suddenly -the veteran finds accustomed life and spring -have left them. Then he knows the end of his active -career has come. Many of these men, barred -physically from somersaults and the like, become -“understanders,” that is, they are the members of -troupes who catch and support their twisting -comrades who alight on shoulder or ground. -Their strength is still in shoulder and arm, but -agility is a wistful memory.</p> - -<p>Circus rehearsals are delayed until two or three -days before the formal opening, which affords -ample time for guaranteeing a smooth performance.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> -The reason that no more preliminary time -is required is due to the fact that each performer -appears for the season’s work perfect in his individual -act. There remains only the necessity for -blending into a harmonious whole. Minor details -are speedily adjusted by the equestrian director. -The celerity with which intelligent order is evolved -from chaos is amazing to the inexperienced observer.</p> - -<p>The pretty and pleasant and picturesque part of -daily life under canvas comes after the substantial -meal at five o’clock, when for two hours there is -rest for all save the hard worked side-show establishment. -The woman performers, busy with fancy -work and sewing; the men talking over the gossip -of the ring; the children playing among themselves, -and with the pet ponies, form a charming -picture on the greensward back of the tents. -Down from the southern hills steals the softly -descending darkness, swift shadows move through -the lingering twilight across the big tent and -hang about the lot, and color comes into the -white moon above. A breeze, long desired and -grateful, sweeps through the place. Naphtha -torches flare as the wind blows them about. Inside -the “big top,” the long stretches of seats -barren of spectators, the equestrian director is disciplining -an obstinate “cake walking” horse; the -cycle sextet perfect a new pose; the clown is acting -as ringmaster, while his wife rehearses her riding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> -act, and ten gymnasts in the high white dome -of the canvas plan more breath-taking aerial -flights. Suddenly the shrill shriek of a whistle, a -scampering to dressing-rooms, ushers in place and -the evening audience pours into the seats.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER IX<br /> - -<small>NIGHT SCENES AND EMBARKATION</small></h2></div> - - -<p>Active preparations for the departure from town -begin with the setting of the sun. When the naphtha -torches spread their fluttering glow and when -the men in the ticket wagon lift up its end and -are ready for the evening sale, then canvasman, -driver and porter swarm from the comfort of hay -couch or from idling group, and are ready for the -night’s work. Team horses feel again the weight -of harness, and the march to the railroad yards is -on. Horse, cook, wardrobe, blacksmith, barber -and the other tents spread over the lot drop to -earth, are quickly rolled up and packed away. -The sound of loading stakes, chains, ropes and -poles resounds through the premises. Heavy -wagons are soon rumbling through the streets -and left convenient to the man at the cars. Then -the teamster, returning leisurely to the lot, finds -his second vehicle awaiting final transfer.</p> - -<p>Ten minutes after the performance has begun, -there is a scattering of the executive force at the -main tent entrance and the canvasmen take -possession. The ropes and stakes holding in position -the marquee and menagerie tent are loosened,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> -and the doorkeeper moves to the open fly in the -big tent, called the back door. The evening exhibition -programme is arranged with the view to -finishing with the trained animals as soon as possible -that they may be placed safely away for the -night. So it is that the elephants, camels, zebra, -ponies and other led animals are off with measured -tread for the cars before the show is well under -way. Then cages are closed, horses hitched, side -walls lowered and the caravan passes out into the -night. The order “lower away!” rings sharply, -and the menagerie tent drops with a heavy puff -and sigh. The denuded centre poles follow it to -the ground and, where a few hours before was a -white encampment is now a dark, bare area, rutted -with wheels, trodden by many feet and littered -with peanut shells and sawdust. Only -the noisy “big top,” glowing like a mammoth -mushroom, and the side-show canvas, where the -band thumps and the “barkers” roar with tireless -energy, remain to mark the spot. The work of -stripping the larger tent continues throughout the -performance. As fast as a performer finishes his -act his appliance is deftly conveyed to a waiting -wagon. The entire arena has been divested of its -maze and mass of apparatus before the audience -have reached the open. They stare in amazement -at the changed scene, as revealed in the lights and -shadows of the torches. So expeditious and so -smooth has been the work of the circus men that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> -no knowledge of the magnitude of the accomplishment -was conveyed to the crowd inside. The side-show -orators receive the outgoing throng with -renewed clamorings. To take this last advantage -and let no chance for profit escape, the tent has -been kept open. The inmates yawn with the -weariness and monotony of it all and eagerly -await their last call to the front. Then begins a -dash for the freedom and privacy which has been -denied them since morning.</p> - -<p>In the “big top” the concert band is fiddling -valiantly and a woman in skirts tries to raise her -voice above the noise of falling wood and stentorian -command. Workmen are lugging the seats -away, and tugging at ropes and stakes. The side-walls -peel off as the last spectator emerges and -performers hurry from their dressing-room. Then -the thin white cloth roof comes tumbling from -above like a monster bird; the encampment is no -more. Through dark, deserted, silent streets the -last man and wagon make their way. Nothing is -left behind in the hurried leave taking. Everything -large and small must be individually accounted -for by its custodian.</p> - -<p>At the railroad yards the blazing torches show -a picturesque, animated spectacle. Here again -orderly precision prevails. The wagons are drawn -on to the cars by horses and a block and tackle, -while a man guides the course of the vehicle by its -pole as it is passed to the far end of the car.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> -There is a “skid” or inclined plane at the end of -the first car, and an iron plate bridges the space -between the other cars, making a continuous -platform. Each wagon has its number and allotted -place again, and is placed to the best advantage -for convenience of unloading and for -utilizing space. A wrongly-packed vehicle would -cause endless confusion and delay. It is seldom -later than one o’clock when the three sections are -on the move. Rain and mud annoy and retard, -sometimes, but extra efforts nullify, in a great -measure, the effect of their presence. Working-man -and beast are slumbering deeply when the -engines couple for the journey, and only the watch-men, -patrolling the long stretches of cars, give -sign of life and wakefulness. At one end of the -line of Pullman sleepers, where are placed the performers -and members of the business staff, is the -most ornate piece of rolling stock, the Thelma, -named for the general manager’s daughter, a tot -who is eagerly awaiting her father’s winter cessation -from toil. Here is a queer little lunch room -where gather each evening, for a bite, after the -show, the men and boys of the circus. An hour -or two passes with much laughter and jollity and -with many innocent jokes, intermingled with serious -discussion. Ice-cream is the popular dish, and -plateful after plateful vanishes down dusty -throats. The frozen mixture is a nightly requisite -of the body-weary circus colony. It is to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> -them what the night cap of liquor represents to -the toper. No headache or clouded brain or dulled -body is its concomitant, only health-giving properties. -Strong drink is tabooed in the Thelma, as -is its fate elsewhere with the circus, and no demand -for its presence has ever been manifested. -The scene is one the most approved moralist -would endorse.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_150f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">PERFORMERS AT THEIR MIDDAY MEAL.</p> - -<p>Hassan Ali, the giant of the side-show, is the -most unwelcome visitor. Room is at a premium, -and he occupies about double space. Somebody is -always stepping on his protruding feet, to his intense -disgust, but to the ill-concealed amusement -of the others. There is a general feeling of impending -disaster when Hassan is seen stooping -into the room. If his huge bulk doesn’t shatter a -chair, his awkward movements seldom fail to -break a dish, crush a by-stander or scatter food -indiscriminately. Colonel Seely, the privilege man, -grumbles vigorously, and none of us are at ease -until the giant has retired to bed and the nightly -ordeal is over. Through it all Hassan never loses -his temper or composure. His good nature knows -no bounds.</p> - -<p>A veteran of the ring tells of railroad accidents -and other circus disasters and reverts to the days -of P. T. Barnum. “That man certainly had his -troubles,” he observes. “His pecuniary catastrophes -and fiery ordeals would have utterly discouraged -a man less stout-hearted than he. Three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> -times his museums were burned to the ground. -The number thirteen he always considered ominous, -for the first of his buildings was consumed -on that day of the month, while the thirteenth -day of November saw the opening of the second -establishment, which was likewise subsequently -destroyed by fire. On July 13, 1865, while he was -speaking in the Connecticut legislature at Hartford, -the American Museum was consumed. Nothing -remained but the smouldering debris when he -arrived in New York. It had been probably the -most attractive place of resort and entertainment -in the United States. Here were burned up the -accumulated results of many years of incessant -toil in gathering from every quarter of the globe -myriads of curious productions of art and nature. -The indefatigable showman immediately began -the erection of new buildings at Nos. 535, 537 -and 539 Broadway, New York, and started a new -chapter in his career. The place was levelled by -flames in March, 1868, completely frustrating his -plans for the future. The loss did not disturb his -tranquillity and he established a “museum, menagerie -and hippodrome” in Fourteenth street. -Four weeks after the opening, it, too, was ablaze -and no effort could prevent its total loss.</p> - -<p>“Fire did not, either, confine its devouring -presence to his professional enterprises. On December -18, 1857, his home, ‘Iranistan,’ at Bridgeport, -became the prey of flames. His assignees<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> -sold the grounds to Elias Howe, Jr., inventor of -the sewing machine, for fifty thousand dollars, -which went toward satisfying the Barnum creditors, -for the showman was at that time in one of -his periodical financial difficulties, from which, -however, he finally extricated himself. His faculty -for making money always successfully asserted -itself.</p> - -<p>“I was in his employ for many years and wonder -that I escaped alive. I was in a dozen crashes -on the railroad, and was in Bridgeport both times -the winter quarters were swept by flames. Fire -first came in 1887 and destroyed the main building. -The white elephant and two others, Alice -and Sampson, were burned, and nearly all the -other animals except a rhinoceros, one lion and a -white polar bear, perished. The blaze was of incendiary -origin, for the watchman told me he saw -a man coming down the outside stairs of the -paint shop and a few moments later was struck -on the head from behind and knocked down. -Immediately after, the fire burst out and illuminated -the horizon for miles around. The flames -spread so rapidly that the firemen could do nothing -more than save the adjoining buildings, cars -and wagons. The rhinoceros made his escape -through a window but was so badly burned that -he died. An elephant came as far as the door of -the building, then turned back into the flames. -Alice and Sampson also made an attempt to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> -escape. One large lion ran out into the yard and -the spectators fled in all directions. It took refuge -behind a car and a policeman fired several shots -into his body. This partially disabled him and a -keeper succeeded in caging him. Many of the -museum and menagerie curiosities were in the -burned building and were destroyed. One of the -engines on the way to the fire was stopped by a -large elephant on the streets. There was a panic -among the people and they tumbled over each -other trying to get out of the way. An escaped -tiger also caused a great commotion. The elephant -trainer was out of town and the other -keepers were unable to quiet the frightened animals. -Thirty of the elephants and one large lion -started across the country in the direction of -Fairfield and Easton, scattering the people right -and left. It was several days before they were all -recaptured.</p> - -<p>“The other fire was in 1898 when Barnum was -dead and the show was in Europe. The loss was -one hundred thousand dollars. We got most of -the animals stored there out safely. Fifty green -horses, I remember, broke from their stalls and -ran mad through the streets. The townspeople -were pretty frightened, for they thought some of -the wild beasts were loose.”</p> - -<p>The husband of “the mother of the circus” -drops in for a sandwich. His wife has retired, -longing for the happiness of all and full of plans<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> -to promote it. He has been twitting the unicycle -performer because the latter’s wonderful feat has -been made almost insignificant by comparison -with the “loop-the-loop” accomplishment. The -equilibrist retorts that for next season he has -arranged an act that will discount anything ever -seen under tent. He proposes to hoist the “cycle -whirl” apparatus thirty feet from the ground and -ride on its track with nothing between him and -earth. There is a general protest that he hasn’t -the nerve or skill; but he smiles knowingly.</p> - -<p>The discussion turns to feats of agility; it is -agreed that the tight rope walker is the best -tumbler with the show. The clown laments because -he hasn’t received the usual daily letter -from the little woman he married in New York in -the spring. The equestrian director tells of the -circus as it used to be, and all enjoy his stories. -One of the trick bicyclist’s arms is in a sling; he -had a bad fall during the evening performance. -The family of Italian acrobats jabber tirelessly in -the corner; they know nothing of our language, -but their superior skill commands a big salary. -A somersault rider dashes in after a sandwich for -his wife, with whom he does a carrying act. The -Japanese juggler and his son retire together; they -are never apart. There is a laugh at the expense -of the two horizontal bar performers who lost -their way in the sombre village streets and were -an hour in finding the car. A partial exodus begins<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> -when the word goes forth that the first section -is ready to move. Those whose berths are -on one of the other divisions bid good-night. So -the scene and its actors shift. At midnight or -soon after, the Thelma lunch-room is deserted, save -for the busy porter. Dusty clothes and shoes -that show inconsiderate treatment occupy his -time until the yawning cook appears. Then the -delicious odor of coffee pervades the quarters, and -breakfast food awaits the hearty order of hungry -men. They are far removed from the scene of a -few hours before and gaze curiously at the surroundings. -To-morrow morning the setting will -be new and strange again.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER X<br /> - -<small>THE CIRCUS DETECTIVE</small></h2></div> - - -<p>To the circus organization with honest purpose -the problem of dealing with the horde of “guns,” -“dips,” “grafters” and others of their criminal -ilk, who would fain be its daily companion, is -perplexing and formidable. Next season the duty -of protecting the person and pocket of our patrons -will be a duty entrusted to new hands. Frank -Smoot, for many years the circus detective, is -resting a long sleep in an Illinois graveyard. A -hemorrhage took his life as the circus was folding -itself away for the winter. The record of his acts -and his virtues will ever be inscribed upon the -fleshly tablets of our hearts.</p> - -<p>No person was ever more thoroughly equipped -by nature and experience for the hidden but tremendously -valuable part he played in the daily -life with the circus. It was confidently averred of -him that he was familiar with the figure, face and -method of almost every crook in the circus world. -No person of doubtful or dishonest purpose could -remain for more than a few hours in company -with the circus without being singled out and -summarily dealt with. The treatment varied materially.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> -Its mildness or ferocity rested entirely -with the wicked one’s conduct after he received the -order that he take quick passage out of vision -and return no more.</p> - -<p>Mr. Smoot possessed great coolness of nerve and -quickness of hand and eye. In the smaller cities -his appearance at the local police station was almost -simultaneous with the arrival of the circus -train. He found, generally, a commander whose -criminal experience had been confined to the -peaceful country borders, who was entirely unaware -whether or not the community had been -invaded by those who would profit by the lack of -worldly knowledge of the thousands of show-day -visitors, and whose precautions consisted of the -swearing in of numerous deputies, who wore conspicuously -a bright badge of office in the happy -assurance that it would permit them free entrance -to the tent. But the police chief was always alive -to the responsibilities of his position, offered aid, -if not advice, and was ready to act when his duty -was pointed out.</p> - -<p>Then the circus detective hurried to the railroad -station and scrutinized the passengers on all incoming -trains. Here he sometimes found the -railroad watchdog. Many of the big railroads -send their detectives wherever the circus uses their -lines. Their aim is to see to it that those who -patronize their service do so at no financial -risk. The peripatetic crook is quickly given to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> -understand that he must use other means to -travel.</p> - -<p>The thick crowds which awaited the coming of the -parade was the next scene of Mr. Smoot’s activity. -Here was frequently uncovered the first prey of the -day, and seldom a morning passed that at least -one cunning lawbreaker did not feel the weight of -a heavy hand on his shoulder, and hear, sullenly, -the word to march to the police station and undergo -the damp solitude of a county jail cell for -twenty-four hours. Then, when the circus was -miles away on its course, he passed out to freedom. -Where were yesterday the throng of sightseers, -which had filled him with promise of great -profit, were only the trodden peanut shells and the -accustomed monotony of the country town. The -venturesome crook who invaded the circus lot -proper, was an especial object of vigilance. Sometimes -Mr. Smoot stood for hours on the top of -the ticket wagon, a stalwart figure outlined above -the crowds, watching for his professional enemies, -where he could see on every hand; again he was -at the main entrance with a steady, critical survey -of all who passed under the broad spread of -canvas.</p> - -<p>A promise made to him in good faith by a -crook had never been broken, he used to say. I -remember an interesting demonstration I witnessed -of his confidence in the word of a man to -whom no crime was unfamiliar. He had been discovered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> -loitering about the grounds, and had been -ordered off with a threat of immediate arrest. He -resembled much a country gentleman of ample -means and genial nature.</p> - -<p>“Well, you got me quick,” was his ready remark, -“but seeing as I came all the way from -Pittsburg and can’t catch a train back until -night, won’t you let me see the show? I pledge -you I won’t do any ‘business,’ no matter how -tempted.”</p> - -<p>His ingenuous request was granted with a feeling -of security in his word by the detective, which the -day showed was not misplaced.</p> - -<p>The work of the circus detective, which calls for -all his shrewdness and courage is in dealing with -the dangerous, determined characters who disregard -the warning to part company with the show -at once, and who rejoin the organization as soon -as released from a preceding day behind bars; -men of plausible manners and engaging address -who are ready for any desperate chance. Upon -these recalcitrants swift retribution is visited. -Formidable machinery which exercises a vague -and terrible power is put in motion. And thus it -is that the moon, rising over a country district, -sometimes shines on the circus train speeding on -its journey, and its clear rays stream over a deserted -lot, casting strange shadows from a figure -which lies as it has fallen, huddled in an ungainly -heap upon the wet grass. Dawn brings animation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> -to the form and to a hardened criminal a feeling -of thanksgiving that he is still alive, and a deep -conviction that hereafter his world of “graft” will -be far removed from the circus and its primitive -punishment.</p> - -<p>The personality of circus men has changed materially -for the better in recent years. Time was -when they invariably wore high silk hats and -clothes of many checks and hues. To be without -diamonds on fingers and in shirt and necktie was -a standing reproach to the profession. Nowadays -the circus man affects little jewelry, and that unobtrusive, -or none, and in his attire and speech he -differs none from the man of ordinary commercial -pursuits. He has established a reputation for -honesty and sobriety and is an element of order -and decency. He surrounds himself with associates -of good character and business integrity, and -cherishes highly his good standing in the community.</p> - -<p>The increased police vigilance and protection -accorded has helped to bring about this happy -condition of affairs. In the past it was often -necessary to save life and property by meeting the -attacks of roughs and rowdies with equal violence -and disorder. Circuses expected and received -little or no help from supine or frightened police, -and learned to fight their own battles. It has -never been charged that any circus was not fully -capable of meeting force with force, and the lawless<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> -affrays of the circus lot would form a bloody -narrative. No show in the old days dared venture -forth without a squad of picked fighters, and if -the occasion demanded the whole encampment was -eager and ready for the fray. The war cry “Hey -Rube!” had forceful significance then. The circus -man’s favorite weapon was the guy stake, a shaft -of wood used to support chains and ropes. An -iron ring circled one end, the other was pointed -enough to penetrate the hardest ground. Wielded -by brawny workmen, experienced in its manipulation -and skilled by long practice in the art of -rough combat, the instrument mowed down the -ranks of the enemy with deadly execution. Fists, -knives and pistols availed nothing against the -onslaught. Fear and mercy were unknown in -those lawless times.</p> - -<p>Years ago if murder was done the guilt was not -always fixed upon the circus employee. The hasty -concealment of a body in the hay behind the cages -in the menagerie tent temporarily hid evidence of -the crime. In the darkness of the departure, there -was a surreptitious burial. The lifeless form was -hastily conveyed under ground where had been the -circus ring and where the chances of discovery and -disinterment were remote. Many a victim of savage -circus warfare rests in these unmarked graves, -and pick and shovel would solve the mystery investing -scores of circus day disappearances. Particularly -in the Southern States, soon after the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> -war, were these sanguinary battles waged and -with fatal results. In justice to the circus men, -let it be said that their consciences gave no reproof -and they felt no sense of moral guilt for the -reason that they were never the instigators of -riot, that they strove to quell trouble in its incipient -stages and that they fought for their lives -and their employer’s property. They knew, too, -that public prejudice would prevent a fair legal -trial and saw to it, if human ingenuity could prevail, -that no serious charge could be laid against -them, much less that of homicide.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XI<br /> - -<small>THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A CIRCUS HORSE</small></h2></div> - - -<p>When the circus bill posters swarmed over the -farm a month ago and garnished my stable with -products of their pot and brush, a shadow of -sadness and melancholy oppressed me. Curiosity -urged me to approach, but a sense of mortification -over my ignominious fate bade me restrain -myself. I kept in seclusion under a distant apple-tree -and hoped to escape detection. However, I -was doomed to disappointment, for soon I observed -my owner, whom I detest, coming with -halter and whip. Then I knew that he had revealed -my identity to the showmen and they had -expressed a desire to view me. At first I was disinclined -to enter their presence, but the master -cornered me and adjusted straps, despite my protestations. -How shameful a spectacle, Tom Keene, -who made for himself, at home and abroad, a -place among the greatest horses in circus history, -being led by a New Hampshire farmer—for the vulgar -scrutiny of a group of cheap posters!</p> - -<p>They inspected me with many evidences of interest, -although I am convinced I would not have -been recognized had not one of the visitors called<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> -attention to a scar on my flank and recalled the -incident of a train wreck in which it was received. -Then I remembered him as one of the stable men -of my professional career. He called me by name -and stroked me tenderly, but I was too ashamed -at my position to respond to his greetings. He -handed the master an order for circus seats and I -felt more miserable. I knew it was inevitable that -my old comrades spy me hitched to the old carry-all, -along with the nags of the neighborhood, as -they paraded by amid the joyous flourish of trumpets -and proud and plumed. I loathed myself in -the contemplation.</p> - -<p>The succeeding days were a period of dismal -foreboding. Adding to my sorrows and regret -was the scarlet paper which confronted me when I -entered the stable. It depicted the performance of -one “Senator,” a low-born pony, of whom I had -a vague memory. He had displaced me with my -associate of many years, Frank J. Melville. He -was represented in all sorts of accomplishments, -which I secretly feared were really carried out. A -wave of emotion and sentiment overcame me -whenever I permitted myself to gaze at the familiar -figure of the man. My mind reverted to the -time when he was one of the champion bareback -riders and I contributed to the brilliant artistic -results. How I longed to feel his slippered feet on -my broad back, and hear again the plaudits of -onlookers! I shall always have a warm, deep<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> -feeling for him. Perhaps, after all, he had no -other recourse than to dispense with my services. -I know he was much affected at the parting, and -exacted a promise that I should always be given -kind treatment, and that every consideration be -shown my impaired leg.</p> - -<p>Instinct told me when the hateful day was at -hand. The master was up and about early and I -could hear the glad shouts of the children. I had -little appetite for the bountiful breakfast he spread -before me, and he seemed much concerned over my -want of spirit and worn appearance. I had -wasted appreciably in anxiety over the ordeal before -me and felt a faint sympathy for the man. I -appreciated that he would feel that Mr. Melville -would decide that I had not received proper care -and would be angry. For myself, I was in that -desperate condition of mind which is the recklessness -of despair.</p> - -<p>I was guided, to a hitching post in the main -street of the town, where eager crowds awaited -the arrival of the parade. We were a shabby -enough outfit, the farm wagon and I, and I could -summon no interest in the scene. I heard, with -listless feeling, the master confide, boastfully, to -all who would listen, that once I had shed great -lustre upon the circus ring, and felt no humiliation -when they scoffed at his words. He seemed -to find great exultation in dwelling upon my -former renown and my downfall, and in his present<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> -proprietorship. I caught a glimpse of several -familiar faces in the throng, notably the circus -detective and the commissary department man, -but gave no sign of recognition. If they observed -me at all, they doubtless saw nothing not in common -with my neighbors from the rural districts. -The crowd wondered at the tardiness of the parade, -and I felt a silent contempt for their ignorance. -The cages had just passed on the way to -the lot and they come on the last section. The -man who leads the procession passed in his carriage, -inspecting and familiarizing himself with the -route. I, of all the throng, alone knew him and -his mission.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_166f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">TEACHING HER HORSE NEW TRICKS.</p> - -<p>Soon the faint music of the bands and the distant -shriek of the calliope. The cortege was approaching. -I braced myself for the trying experience. -Some one shouted: “Look out for your -horses! The elephants are right behind!” A -policeman grabbed my bridle and I gazed at him, -indulgently. I afraid! I who lived for years -among them! I remembered the solemn joke of -my former loved master, who used to cry, when -the crowd wouldn’t make way: “Keep back! A -drove of loose lions are coming!” Then there had -been no further pushing; everybody scampered to -sidewalk or doorstep. I think it was the third -uniformed horseman who recalled in me their old -acquaintance. He called the attention of the rider -behind, was corroborated and then the word<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> -seemed to pass instantaneously back through the -parade. Some reached over and patted my sides, -others spoke words of encouragement and praise, -and all had a look of profound veneration. I -tried to look very spruce and sprightly through it -all, but candor confesses that the attempt was -a feeble imitation of the old days. My blood -stirred for the first time since I was in the foremost -circus ranks and I lamented bitterly. Oh, -for the staunch, true leg of a few years ago -and Mr. Melville on my back! Again we would -make all other performances appear commonplace.</p> - -<p>The man I sought everywhere with my eyes was -not in the procession and a fear possessed me -that I might not be permitted to feel his hand -and hear his voice. But it developed that this -was farthest from my master’s thought. Up to -the circus grounds we progressed and I ambled to -the horse tents and stopped mechanically. I was -living again in former glories. Then my eyes were -blessed with the appearance of my old comrade. -How he kissed and hugged me and looked me over -critically and asked about my welfare! And how -ineffably proud and happy I was when he insisted -there was never my equal in all the requirements -of the ring, and there was none to say him nay! -I fancied there were tears in his eyes as we hopped -away toward the farm, and I gave him a last beseeching -plea for a return to the old life. My<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> -three sound legs are as gifted, I’ll warrant, as any -four in the circus stables.</p> - -<p>Thus was broken, for a little space, the dull -tenor of my sombre life. I often assure myself -that death will be brighter than the contemptuous -existence I am leading. Of one thing I am convinced, -the history of the circus can never be -written without mentioning me, the pioneer of -horses born with all the true circus instincts. I -first saw the light of day in Keene, N. H., not far -from the spot where I am passing my last days in -oblivion. I was distinguished by a strong frame, -was hardy, gentle and active, and could properly -be called handsome. Mr. James A. Bailey singled -me out when his circus came to New Hampshire, -and my career certainly justified all the prophetic -things he said about me. I was disappointed -when they attached me to the pole-wagon, but -felt confident that I would soon rise superior to -the rather humble position. The work was long -and arduous, and it was several weeks before I -became accustomed to the nocturnal train rides, -jammed erect among a score of other equines, but -I endured it better than many of my companions. -Some of them contracted a disease of the foot, -caused by continued rain and mud, and in many -cases it resulted fatally. I was patient and hopeful -through all vicissitudes and arrived at winter -quarters in physical condition that attracted -general attention. Mr. Melville happened upon me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> -soon after arrival and stopped short in admiring -wonder. I knew him as a noted rider and connoisseur -of horseflesh and was much elated. Next -day Martin Welsh led me to new quarters. He -was Mr. Melville’s groom, and the delicious consciousness -came that I was in their famous hands. -Soon practice began as a ring animal and a great -future opened before me. I meditate over the -past, here in my loneliness, and wonder if mine is -not a career which no other circus animal has -equalled. Some of its striking features occur -vividly to me.</p> - -<p>I remember first, with pardonable pride, that it -was generally conceded that I was the best -“broke” horse in the history of the ring. There -seemed to be a vein of harmony in the feeling -existing between Mr. Melville and myself. Nothing -ever made me nervous or shy. I trusted my master -implicitly and I was as accurate and certain -in my movements when he was turning somersaults -or leaping through fire rings or balloons as -when we made the preliminary canter. My broad, -muscular back was ever waiting for him to alight -just where he planned. Many said much of the -credit for his feats was mine. Modesty prevents -an expression on my part. We toured America a -season and were everywhere received with warm -approval. Then we set out for England. Bessie, -a fine, gray horse, also from New Hampshire, accompanied -us. She was a wonderfully intelligent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> -animal, and the only horse, I understand, who -ever was trained to trot in the circus ring. She -used to circle the ring at a forty gait, with our -owner doing all sorts of tricks upon her back. -Poor girl, she died in Hamburg and I missed her -sorely for years.</p> - -<p>Our itinerary, as I recall it, was about like this: -From London to Hamburg, to Russia, to Poland, -to Liverpool, to France, to Holland, to France -again, to Belgium, back to Hamburg, returning -to London and Liverpool, once more in Hamburg -and then aboard ship for our native country. -Here we visited all states and territories, toured -Mexico and passed on to Cuba. Ten years were -consumed in our travels and nowhere did we fail -to achieve emphatic success. It is a record I -contemplate with a feeling of great elation, and -which I have heard circus men say is entitled to -unique distinction. We gave eleven private matinees -before the royal family of Russia, and some -of the prominent persons who witnessed our performances -during our professional career were -Grover Cleveland, President of the United States; -the late Queen Victoria of England and her son, -the present king; the Marquis of Salisbury, prime -minister of England and the great leader in the -House of Commons; Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany -and his wife and their son, Prince Fritz; the late -Prince Von Bismarck, the “man of iron;” the late -Count Von Moltke, field marshal and chief of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> -staff of the German Army, one of the world’s -greatest soldiers; President Carnot, of the French -Republic, since assassinated; Queen Emma of Holland -and her daughter, the present queen; King -Leopold of Belgium; the last three Emperors of -Russia, Alexander I., Alexander II., and Nicholas -II; and Francis Joseph, emperor of Austria, and -his accomplished wife who was later stabbed to -death. What other lowly horse ever helped to -enthrall the attention of such a galaxy of notables?</p> - -<p>Many ludicrous and many sober incidents of my -eventful circus life come to my mind. I was in -many train wrecks. Once my car caught fire on -the journey from St. Petersburg to Warsaw. -There were four of us in the place and I was the -only one to escape alive. Martin Welsh, my devoted -friend, helped me to safety. Again, when -twenty-five horses were packed in one of the circus -cars in Indiana, it rolled down an embankment. -I was one of five to emerge unhurt; most of the -others had their necks broken. I remember, too, -when I was thrown with four carloads of equine -companions into the Ohio river. It happened on -a Sunday run from Cairo, Ill., to Detroit, Mich. -Many were drowned or perished from exposure. I -floated about eight hours before being rescued and -never felt any ill effects. Mr. Melville and I were -on the steamer Stork which became waterlogged -during the trip from Hamburg to England. We<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> -were nine days at sea, and I passed most of the -time in water above my knees. I was ready for -the ring when we finally landed.</p> - -<p>I am sure that I have travelled more miles in -my life than any other horse ever born and have -displayed through it all more hardihood than any, -save perhaps Mayfly, whose famous career has -been recited many times in circus camps. He -antedated me many years. They tell of his standing -trip of one hundred and ninety days from -Sydney, Australia, to Valparaiso, Chili, and his -subsequent rough overland journey to various -parts of the republic and back again to the Pacific -Ocean. Then he was taken by water to San -Francisco, a three months’ trying experience, and -later around the southern continent to New York. -It was enough to wreck the finest constitution, -but he never flinched. He and his sister, Black -Bess, were of pure Arab extraction, and some of -the finest horses in California to-day date their -parentage from them. As bareback performers -they have had few superiors.</p> - -<p>Then I remember, too, many renowned animals -of my time. The Russian horse Zib, who was -poisoned in Mexico, achieved fame more for his -tricks than his ring exhibitions. Dan Rice’s horses -Excelsior and Excelsior, Jr., although both blind, -were wonderfully intelligent. Obeying their master’s -directions, they would grope to a pedestal, place -the left foot on its staff, bend the right leg gracefully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> -and incline both ears forward as if in the act -of listening. How often have I, in an adjacent -ring, seen the veteran clown turn proudly to the -audience and heard him announce: “Mark well the -beauty of the curve of the right leg, which strikes -the eye of the sculptor. Horace Greeley calls -them the horses with souls of men!” Levi J. -North’s horse Cincinnatus was probably the first -“dancing” equine, and Stickney’s Tammany was -the best jumper that ever came to my knowledge. -Wicked Will, owned by Spalding and Rogers, -eclipsed most animals in difficult feats of various -kinds. Rarey’s horse Cruiser, although never a -circus performer, was invaluable to his owner in -horse “taming” exhibitions, and seemed to execute -his duties with human intelligence.</p> - -<p>Thus I live again the days of old and unfold the -roll of my eventful history. My thoughts travel -fondly back to the scenes I am to behold no more, -and my heart throbs with emotions excited by -their reminiscences. I remember those gone to -their rest and shed a tear to their memory. For -myself, only ignominy and mental anguish. I, -who have been an honor to my birthplace and an -ornament to my race, wearily await the final summons. -In the array of names of illustrious circus -horses, may my memory be cherished faithfully is -the hope of miserable</p> - -<p class="right"> -<span class="smcap">Tom Keene.</span></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER XII<br /> - -<small>THE CIRCUS BAND<br /> - -<small>BY BANDMASTER WILLIAM MERRICK</small></small></h2></div> - - -<p>Few people who watch the circus parade as it -comes down the street and who, almost invariably, -cry, “Strike up the band!” “Why don’t you -play!” “Let her go!” etc., have ever given a -thought to the amount of work that falls to the -circus musician, and the experience, care and patience -it requires to organize and successfully conduct -this nowadays necessary adjunct to the big -tent enterprises. The earlier circus bands were far -from being the complete affairs of to-day, and -perhaps nothing gives a more striking example of -the growth in civilization and culture of our country -than the evolution of the circus band.</p> - -<p>The bands carried by the first circuses and menageries -were necessarily limited in size and not -always composed of the best talent. Travelling as -they did by wagon, and being forced by lack of -transportation facilities to curtail the number of -their people, and the accommodation of the performers -coming in for first consideration, the band -was looked upon in those days much in the light<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> -of a disagreeable necessity. Often the engaging of -the music was left to the last moment, and frequently -the earlier shows were content with picking -up a roving gypsy band, similar to the ones -we now see playing for pennies, under the windows -of the residential quarters of our large cities.</p> - -<p>As might have been expected, the first really -military bands that were introduced into the circus -business were of European origin, but even -they were not so complete in numbers and so -especially adapted in character to the purpose as -the present circus military band. Still among -them were occasionally musicians of exceptional -ability, and many of the better soloists of our -metropolitan bands and orchestras were at one -period of their career members of a travelling circus -band. But it is not the intention of this -article to attempt a history of all the musical -notables connected with the circus, but rather to -contrast the circus band of to-day with that of -the past.</p> - -<p>Let us take a glance at the repertoire of the old -time circus band. The overtures and grand entree -were played by brass instruments alone, the -usual instrumentation being three cornets (generally -two E and one B), two E horns, one B -tenor, baritone and bass, the drums being played -by such performers as could (to use a slang expression) -“fake” a little. Two to four overtures, -and perhaps one or two selections or pot-pourris,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> -composed their entire libraries in this respect. The -incidental music for the various acts was almost -invariably played with string instruments, the -orchestra being composed of two violins (first and -second), flute or piccolo, clarionet, two cornets, -trombone, and bass.</p> - -<p>I recall an amusing incident connected with the -piccolo player of one of these travelling orchestras. -The leader, a very good violinist by the way, had -occasion to correct the piccolo player, and asked -in a very pompous manner, “Bill, why don’t you -play that last strain an octave higher?” To -which Bill nonchalantly replied, “Professor, I am -now playing higher than my salary goes.” As the -company was not noted for its liberality in the -way of salaries, the retort was highly relished by -the balance of the orchestra.</p> - -<p>The numbers that could be produced by a small -number of instruments were exceedingly few, so the -libraries of the travelling leaders were of a consequence -limited.</p> - -<p>Now all this is changed. The extreme competition -between the music publishers of to-day and the -practicability of our experienced modern managers, -render it possible for a leader who is at all enterprising -to obtain not only all the standard and -classical overtures and selections, but an almost -endless programme of popular music for the -promenade concert that now precedes the performance -with every large or well regulated circus.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>But to be thoroughly efficient and “up-to-date,” -the latter-day circus leader must not rest content -with a pleasing or popular concert programme. -There is the performance or incidental music to be -looked after, and for this purpose the leader, to -suit the varying tastes of the performers and public, -must frequently draw on his own powers of -composition. Every act, or series of acts, requires -music exactly in keeping with its character. Nor -will it do to keep one programme on too long; the -performer grows tired of it, the musicians become -careless, and the music itself (so fast is the age in -which we live) becomes mildewed, and out of date.</p> - -<p>By this it will be seen that the circus leader’s -life, if he keep abreast of the times, is a very busy -one, nor is the improvement confined solely to the -augmentation of the musical library. The band, -instead of being confined to the poorly balanced -and limited instrumentation that we have just -mentioned, is composed of sufficient reed to soften -the natural harshness of the brass instruments, -and the individual performers are selected from the -youngest and best talent our country affords. I -say “youngest,” for the rising generation having -had the advantage of the experience and teaching -of their predecessors in the “art divine,” possess -in a marked degree that mobility of temperament, -accuracy of attack, and facility of execution, so -necessary in rendering properly the circus music of -the present day. Then they must begin young in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> -the circus business to acquire the proper embouchure -for playing almost an unlimited amount -double forte, over rough streets, and still be able -to render pianissimo in the concert programme -following the parade.</p> - -<p>No amount of practice in the conservatory or -concert room can obtain this embouchure. It -must be acquired by actual experience, on the -circus band wagon. A band composed of the better -class of musicians that have “come up” in the -circus business will render almost double the -volume of tone of the same number taken from -the theatre orchestra or concert stage, and if they -have been properly handled by a painstaking and -efficient leader, the quality will be also be found -superior.</p> - -<p>The life of the circus musician, filled as it is with -plenty of hard work, is not without its sunny side. -The constant change of scene incident to travel -alone is a great factor in dispelling weariness. -The open air life renders it the most healthful of -occupations, while the antics of the rustic who -comes into town to see the parade and hear the -band, are an endless source of amusement. The -music for the parade, played as it is in a very -lively tempo, causes all manner of grotesque -movements among the listeners on the streets. -This is particularly noticeable on the southern -tours. It is no uncommon thing for a number of -“darkies” to start at the circus grounds and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> -dance through the entire route of the parade; and -when in doubling back on the main street, which -is often necessary in the smaller towns, the band -passes the steam calliope, which brings up the -rear, the din caused by the mingling of the band-music -with the shrill whistle of this instrument, -seems to throw them into a veritable frenzy. During -one of these parades the following colloquy -was overheard between two of these over-excited -“darkies”:</p> - -<p>“Jim,” yelled a particularly dusky individual, -“look at dat man up yonda with dat slip ho’n!”</p> - -<p>“Deuce wid de slip ho’n,” replied Jim, “look at -dat steam fiddle!”</p> - -<p>I remember an astonishing but blessed effect the -music of our circus band had on a woman in -Grand Island, Nebraska, in 1882. She had been -blind for years and was sitting dejectedly at a -window as we approached in parade. When opposite -her, we burst suddenly into brazen harmony, -and the woman gave a scream of great joy. The -shock of the music had caused her to regain her -eyesight.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER XIII<br /> - -<small>WITH THE ELEPHANTS</small></h2></div> - - -<p>“Jumbo was the biggest elephant ever in this -country, and few are in the secret that the tremendous -success of the animal’s tour was an accident -of fortune,” observed our elephant man. -“He was an African animal and very stupid, but -always good-natured. An agent of the big American -circus heard that he was the tallest pachyderm -in captivity and that London was anxious to sell -him. The man closed the sale for two thousand -pounds with no conception of the money-making -prize he was securing. The beast had been a pet -with the children in the London Zoological Gardens, -but the announcement of his purchase by -Americans was received with no especial expressions -of regret. It required two weeks to build a -van-like cage for the journey by sea, and then -keepers went to the zoo to lead Jumbo to the -ship. He strode along all right until the gate of -the garden closed behind them and then lay down -in the street. It was a pure case of elephantine -obstinacy and the animal wouldn’t budge. There -he measured his length in the dust for twenty-four -hours despite all urging and entreaty, to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> -despair of his custodians, who little realized the -wonderful effect the incident would have on the -owner’s pocketbook.</p> - -<p>“The English newspapers soon heard of the -occurrence and promptly seized upon it for an -effective ‘story.’ ‘Dear old Jumbo,’ they said, -‘refused to leave the scene of his happy days with -the children; his exhibition of protest was one of -remarkable sagacity; they hoped he would continue -to defy the Yankee showmen and remain in -London; he was the pet and friend of the little -ones and ought never to have been disposed of, -any way.’ The elephant when in repose or resistance -rests on his knees, and one of the newspaper -sagely remarked that Jumbo was in an attitude -of prayer. The Humane Society was appealed to -and someone made a sympathetic hit by telling -how lonesome and melancholy was Alice, the -abandoned ‘wife.’ The pathos of the thing was -very affecting, on the surface, but a phenomenal -advertisement.</p> - -<p>“The animal finally got on his feet and marched -to the boat. Weeping women and children lined -the way. The circus owners were then alive to the -possibilities and, concealing their identity, got out -an injunction, ‘in the interests of the London -public,’ attempting to restrain the brute’s departure. -Of course, it was dissolved, but it kept -feeling at high pitch up to the time of sailing. I -remember the Baroness Burdett-Coutts and a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span> -party of distinguished companions visited the -steamer to say good-bye and left a big box of -buns, of which Jumbo was very fond, for his use -during the voyage.</p> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_182f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">ELEPHANT HERD “AT ATTENTION.”</p> - -<p>“The story of the brute’s reluctance to leave his -young friends in England was judiciously spread -broadcast here and he became the feature of the -circus, whereas otherwise he would probably have -attracted only passing attention. It was his own -fortuitous conduct and not the superior skill of -the showman that made his circus career so profitable. -Jumbo was killed by a train at St. -Thomas, Ontario, in July, 1885. A dwarf elephant -with him escaped injury, and the show -made some capital by asserting that the big elephant -sacrificed his own life in shielding his small -companion. As a matter of fact, he was seized -with another fit of unyielding stubbornness and -wouldn’t step down an embankment out of an -express’s path. He was never south of Louisville -or west of Omaha. Matthew Scott was his keeper. -He shared not only his bed, but his bread and -tobacco with his charge. After the brute’s death -he followed the circus wherever it went, and during -the winter visited almost daily the preserved skin -and bones of his late companion.</p> - -<p>“There was, of course, a Jumbo II., but he was -nowhere near the size of the original beast. Harnessed -with electrodes and other apparatus he -stood in the middle of the Stadium at the Exposition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> -Grounds at Buffalo, N. Y., on November 9, -1901, and gave the world a practical demonstration -that an elephant can take twenty-two hundred -volts of electricity with apparent unconcern. -If the electric current reached his nerves he manifested -no sign of it. Electric wires had been run -from the Exposition power house to what was to -be Jumbo II.’s death platform, and when the signal -was given, twenty-two hundred volts were -turned on. It merely tickled the beast. Jumbo II. -was unharnessed and taken back to his home in -the Midway. Explanations made by the electricians -were that the elephant’s hide had the resistance -of rubber and formed a non-conductor -impervious to electricity. Others said the voltage -was not sufficient. He had developed man-killing -qualities, but is still alive.</p> - -<p>“When Jumbo was brought into this country, -Adam Forepaugh made great claims for his elephant -Bolivar. He insisted in large type and in -many newspapers and on the billboards of his -route that Bolivar was bigger than the elephant -from London. W. W. Cole, then conducting a show -of his own, claimed, too, that his animal, Samson, -was no smaller than Jumbo. Bolivar attracted -great attention through the country while with -Mr. Forepaugh. Finally he became so vicious that -he was given away to the city of Philadelphia, -where he could be more closely watched. I remember -the story of the narrow escape of two lumbermen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> -in Michigan. They came to the show very -drunk and wanting to fight. They threatened Mr. -Forepaugh, who stood at the door, but he said he -wasn’t a fighting man and sent them on into the -menagerie tent. They were stalwart fellows, with -muscles hardened by rough out-door work, but I -doubt not the owner of the circus could have -bested either one in a pugilistic encounter. Mr. -Forepaugh was a man of tremendous strength and, -when aroused, a match for the most skilful slugger. -The boasting visitors had not been under -canvas five minutes before the sound of lamentations -penetrated to the door. Hurrying inside, -Mr. Forepaugh found one of the men, he who had -been particularly bold and aggressive and threatening, -crying like a baby. Tears dropped from his -eyes as he explained that he had sought out -Bolivar and challenged the huge beast to personal -combat. The elephant appeared to have relished -the joke keenly, for he had swung his powerful -trunk at the man and deftly plucked his soft felt -hat from its uncombed resting place. The beast’s -eyes had twinkled merrily, it was averred, as he -conveyed the headpiece to his capacious mouth -and swallowed it at a gulp. The terrorized victim, -his swagger changed to cringing fright, was -too overcome to even ask for the price of a new -hat as he fled toward home. Mr. Forepaugh -laughed gleefully. Bolivar’s digestive powers were -equal to the demands of the morsel.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span>“Bolivar had a long and eventful history. -Probably his most thrilling experience was a terrific -fight with an untamed Nubian lion named -Prince at circus winter quarters in Philadelphia, in -December, 1885. The lion escaped from his cage, -chased a keeper out of the building and proceeded -to the elephant quarters. Bolivar stood nodding -where he was chained to a stake near the door. -Prince hesitated for a moment and then lay back -on his haunches. He crept slowly forward until he -was within reach of the elephant. Then he raised -his paw and struck at the supine trunk. The -tough skin was somewhat torn and Bolivar became -instantly fully awake, and raising his trunk -made a blow at the lion. The latter escaped by -jumping backward, then crouched again and prepared -to spring. Quick as a lightning flash was -the movement which landed him on the elephant’s -head. But he had to deal with a power greater -than his own, over which his only advantage was -his agility. Bolivar easily shook him off and -tossed him some distance. The contest was then -quickly decided. The lion prepared for another -spring. With ears flattened against his head and -eyes gleaming like balls of fire he crept forward -stealthily, cautiously measuring the distance. -With a suppressed growl the lithe, tawny form -shot through the air. The elephant’s trunk was -then turned over his back and his little black eyes -were snapping viciously. With a motion so quick<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> -as to be almost imperceptible, the proboscis was -lowered and elevated twice and then descended -with terrific force, striking the lion as he was in -mid-air. The beast of prey fell stunned, and before -he could recover the elephant dealt him a terrific -blow in the side, and reaching forward the full -length of his chain he drew his antagonist toward -him. Then lifting his free foot he leaned his entire -weight on the fallen foe. The effect was to crush -the ribs of the conquered monarch of the forest. -In this manner he trampled all over the lion until -life was gone. Then he raised it with his trunk, -and tossed it contemptuously to the other end of -the room. Bolivar sustained no serious injury in -the affray. There would have been general relief -among the employees if the lion had killed him, for -all were in fear of their lives near the monster.</p> - -<p>“The white elephant campaign in the ’80s was -about the fiercest bit of circus rivalry I was ever -mixed up in,” he continued. “The Barnum show -was the first to get one of the brutes. Their -agent bought him from King Theebaw, the erratic -sovereign of Burmah. The elephant was not -white, but a leprous-looking shade of flesh color. -It was really the first time one of these Albinos -had ever been brought out of Asia. All that the -king had done in the extravagant execution of -his autocratic power was as nothing compared to -the sale of the white elephant, and his subjects -were furious. You see, the white elephant is a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> -sacred emblem. It is addressed as the ‘Lord of -Lords.’ Priests prostrate themselves as it passes -by and all the honors of worship are paid to it. -A noble of high rank has to be its chamberlain. -Its retinue is fit for a prince of the blood royal. -Sickness in the sacred animal is ominous of coming -evil. Its demeanor and gestures afford auguries, -auspicious or sinister. For three years the -Barnum white elephant made a lot of money for -the show. Crowds flocked to see it, serene and -placid and gently fanning itself with its wide ears, -under a large Japanese parasol, native keepers -meanwhile playing their queer musical instruments. -It was burned to death in 1887.</p> - -<p>“The history of the Forepaugh white elephant -is more picturesque and eventful than that of the -rival circus. The boss was taken all by surprise -when the other show sprang the natural curiosity, -but he was quick to act. Before the Barnum animal -had reached this country from London, a -dispatch in the newspapers from Algiers announced -the purchase there by Forepaugh of a -white elephant for ten thousand pounds. Its entry -into America must needs have been accomplished -with great secrecy and haste, for the beast was -on exhibition in less than a month after the -story of the sale. Then the competition for white -elephant supremacy began, and it continued bitterly -during the existence of the two animals. -We made all sorts of charges of deceit and trickery<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> -against the Barnum elephant, and that show -advertised us all over the land as cheats and impostors -and swindlers. Our elephant was almost -pure white. He had a car all to himself and on -the way to and from the lot was swathed in cotton -cloth. Only his eyes were visible and public -curiosity was heightened considerably when was -observed the pains we exerted to prevent a free -view of the curiosity’s hide. In the menagerie -tent we had a performance of religious rites before -the animal by reputed Burmese priests, clad in -shimmering robes of yellow, red and white silk. -Some observing visitor once remarked unkindly -that the religious act terminated suddenly when -the menagerie tent was empty and was resumed -with wonderful alacrity when spectators approached. -It is true that the elephant was a -more snowy white on Monday than at any other -time of the week, although sometimes the skin -had been spotted and stained on Saturday. To -prove that it was no artificial color, Forepaugh -used sometimes to send the brute into the water. -He was rubbed and scoured without affecting his -shade. The boss was sure that there could be no -charge of disguise or pretence after that, although -suspicious onlookers sometimes said something -about waterproof paint. Any way, we got an international -authority on zoology in Philadelphia -to endorse the white elephant. His sponsorship -made the Barnum people furious and their circus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> -followed us west, denouncing us everywhere. We -made them madder still by buying a white monkey -and making it the elephant’s companion.</p> - -<p>“In Chicago we came across an embassy from -Siam which was touring this country. Forepaugh -had the audacity to invite the heir-apparent to -the Siamese throne, who was one of the party, to -visit the show and inspect the white elephant. -The royal person came, accompanied by other -dignitaries, looked the beast over and muttered -to the interpreter something which was apparently -not complimentary. The press agent saw to it, -however, that the newspapers said that the -prince had declared the animal the genuine article.</p> - -<p>“Our white elephant died from pneumonia, the -newspapers told, at the winter quarters in Philadelphia. -There were no details of the burial. -White elephants are delicate in constitution, any -way. Certain persons who thought themselves -wise said that the ‘dying’ experience was a cessation -of ‘dyeing,’ but they were inspired by the -Barnum show. The following season a dark, -natural beast, in form much resembling the white -elephant appeared as ‘John L. Sullivan,’ the -boxing elephant. He wore a glove on the end of -his trunk and swung gently at ‘Eph’ Thompson, -a colored trainer. His career as a pugilist continued -for five years, when he became so big and -strong that no human being could withstand his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> -blows. He is now one of the Forepaugh herd -which perform a famous dancing act.</p> - -<p>“As a matter of fact, I know that R. F. Hamilton, -the accomplished director of the Barnum & -Bailey press department, has in his possession -affidavits from the Forepaugh employees whose -duty it was to see that the white elephant never -faded, in which they confess their perfidy. A brush -and snowy liquid were the only requirements.”</p> - -<p>Our circus carries a herd of twenty-five elephants -and most of them are trained in all sorts of difficult -elephant performances, a task requiring patience -and perseverance, and a close and continuous -study of the nature of each individual animal. -Of all beasts, the elephant is probably the most -sagacious. He never forgets. Trainers aver that -after a lapse of half a century the elephant will -conduct his performance as perfectly as if but -twenty-four hours had gone by. Their value to a -circus rests not merely upon the attraction of -their ring exhibition. Their great strength makes -them useful when heavy wagons defy the straining -efforts of horses, and they are frequently called -into other service which requires unusual power. -The application of the broad head gives motion -to the most obstinately stationary vehicle, and -often extricates the show from annoying plight -and delay.</p> - -<p>There are two distinct species of elephants. The -Asiatic differs from the African, not only in its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> -greater size and in the characteristics of the teeth -and skull, but also in the comparative small form -of the ears, the pale-brown color of skin and in -having four nails on the hind feet instead of three. -The intelligence of the former class is greater, too, -than that of the African brute, whose head is -much shorter, the forehead convex and the ears of -great breadth and magnitude, covering nearly a -sixth of the entire body.</p> - -<p>The average term of an elephant’s life is probably -about eighty years, and he is not in possession -of full vigor and strength until more than -thirty years old. An approximate idea of the age -can be gained by the amount of turn-over of the -upper edge of the ear. The edge is quite straight -until the animal is eight or nine years old; then it -begins to turn over. By the time the beast is -thirty the edges lap over to the extent of an inch; -and between this age and sixty the droop increases -to two inches or more. Extravagant -ideas are held as to the height of an elephant. -Such a thing as an elephant measuring twelve -feet at the shoulder does not exist in India or -Burmah. An authority on the subject says the -largest male he ever met with measured nine feet ten -inches, and the tallest female eight feet five inches. -The majority of elephants, however, are below -eight feet, and an animal rarely reaches nine feet, -the female being slightly shorter than the male. -The carcass of an elephant seven feet four inches<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> -tall, weighed in portions, gave a total weight -of thirty-nine hundred pounds; so an elephant -weighing two tons should be common enough. -The skin was about three-quarters of an inch to -one inch thick.</p> - -<p>The training of elephants for exhibition purposes -is accomplished by a block and tackle and harness, -so arranged as to force them into required -positions. They learn easily, as compared with -the cat family of animals. It is only by the most -constant surveillance by the keepers, however, -that the elephant is kept in good humor and not -tempted to display the ferocity which is one of his -natural attributes.</p> - -<p>The first elephant ever born in captivity in this -country saw the light at the winter quarters of Mr. -Bailey’s Show, at the corner of Ridge avenue and -Twenty-third street, Philadelphia, on March 10, -1880, at twenty-five minutes to three o’clock in the -morning. The event attracted a great deal of attention -among scientists and students of natural history. -From the time the circus went into winter -quarters, several of the most distinguished physicians -of the city regularly visited the prospective -mother, and the diet and conduct of the animal -were studied with great care. Crowds of people -flocked to see the baby. Its birth disproved a great -many theories which scientific men had accepted as -facts of zoology since the days of Pliny. The chief -of these were that the period of gestation is twenty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> -months and twenty days, and not from twenty-two -to twenty-three months as had been supposed, -and that the young does not suckle the mother -through the trunk but through the mouth. The -baby, whose mother, Hebe, was oftener called -“Baby,” weighed one hundred and twenty-six -pounds, was thirty inches high and measured -thirty-five inches from the tip of the trunk to the -crupper. It was of a pale mauve color. The -trainer of Hebe explained to the scientists that the -other animals in the herd were aware of Hebe’s -condition for months and exhibited their form of -elephantine courtesy to her. Upon one occasion, -he asserted, Hebe was about to fall from a broken -pedestal in the ring when the other elephants -rushed to the rescue. With their huge bodies they -formed a cushion against which she fell, sliding -gently to the ground. Whenever Hebe called, the -other elephants invariably rushed to her side, and -the man who tried to abuse her would have met -instant death. So great was the interest aroused -in the baby elephant’s birth that Stuart Craven, -manager of the circus, received telegrams from all -parts of the United States suggesting names for -her. One man offered to buy a robe for her if -given a name he suggested. A lady wanted the -baby called after her. The name Columbia was -finally selected. After the birth of her infant, Hebe -tossed the little one around like a shuttlecock, -and in her frenzy twisted off a large beam with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> -her trunk. It was found necessary to secure her -with chains.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_194f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">ELEPHANTS “WORKING THEIR WAY.”</p> - -<p>The next baby elephant came to life at the winter -quarters of Barnum’s circus at Bridgeport, -Conn., at eight o’clock on the night of February -2, 1882. It was another female, and the mother -was Queen, a fifteen-year-old animal. The event -was expected, and at six o’clock in the evening -indications of its coming were noticed. Queen was -carefully chained. After fifteen minutes of laboring -the baby was born. Mr. Barnum and others who -were summoned did not arrive in time. The baby -weighed forty-five pounds, or eighty-one less than -Columbia. It was two feet six inches high and -three feet long, exclusive of the trunk which was -seven inches. It was perfect in form and quite -strong. Its color was bluish, and it was covered -with shaggy black hair an inch long. An hour -after its birth it was sucking. Mr. Barnum offered -fifty-two thousand dollars for an insurance on the -life of the baby for fifty-two weeks. He was jubilant -and said three hundred thousand dollars -would be no temptation to sell her. The sire of -the baby was Chief.</p> - -<p>A woman mastering the leviathans of the animal -kingdom was one of the wonders of a circus in -1887. She was Mrs. William Newman, wife of -“Elephant Bill,” who had grown up with the circus. -She was a matronly looking person, quite -stout and pleasant-mannered, devoid withal of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> -masculine traits that her occupation might seem -to require. At her command the elephants, eight -in number, marched, wheeled, countermarched, -halted promptly and “grounded arms” by lying -on their sides. Then, like schoolboys, delighted at -a release from what they deemed duty, the huge -beasts broke ranks and assumed different postures -and occupations about the ring. One of -them stood on his head, another turned a grind-stone -with his trunk, a third walked on a revolving -barrel, and several others respectively engaged, -to their own apparent amusement, in dancing on -a pedestal, ringing a bell and “clapping hands.” -Mrs. Newman gave few public exhibitions, and -there has never since been a successful woman elephant -trainer. For some reason, they fail in this -branch of circus work, whereas in other departments -they are fully the equals of the other sex.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER XIV<br /> - -<small>THE GENERAL MANAGER</small></h2></div> - - -<p>The brisk and bustling person who predominates -in the stir and activity, hurry and excitement at -the main entrance, is the general manager. Nothing -seems to escape his watchful eve and alert -ear.</p> - -<p>He answers questions innumerable and all-embracing, -settles all disputes as to admission, conveys -advice, makes suggestions, gives orders, -sends lieutenants all over the lot with instructions, -sees to it that the crowd gets in safely -but without delay, watches ticket-seller and ticket-taker, -and is in general active charge of the -“door.”</p> - -<p>His is a very important department of circus -life, requiring peculiar natural talents, wide -experience, correct knowledge of law and logic, -familiarity with affairs, and ability to manipulate -men and mayors. The grave responsibilities of -the circus are his and they are enough to weaken -brain and body.</p> - -<p>He is one of the first men off the cars in the -morning and his day frequently ends when all his -comrades are sleeping with the peace and vigor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> -perfect health and a clear conscience afford. There -is no working hour when some one of his multifarious -duties does not claim his attention. He is -first of all a license and contract specialist. There -is nothing about their force or character or price -in any part of the country he has not at his -finger ends. The pecuniary cost to the show of -the privileges it enjoys is entirely in his keeping. -His morning is devoted to municipal and county -officers and office holders. His long service has -made him personally acquainted with many of -them in all parts of the country. He belongs to -nearly all secret societies and social organizations, -which helps his purposes; he distributes admission -tickets with lavish freedom where they will “do -good;” his instinct tells him how long to entertain -and not bore, and his errand over, a favorable -impression remains. The result has been the -promise of gratuitous official favors and almost -invariably a reduced rate for permits.</p> - -<p>The policing of the grounds and the protection -of the show and of its patrons are in the general -manager’s charge. In this the circus detective is -his ally and adviser, but the burden of results is -his. He assures the chief of police of the honest -motives of the organization, tells him no thieves -or criminals are tolerated, promises that there -shall be no disorder or violence on the part of the -circus people, and asks in return protection and -cooperation. How inadequately the police of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> -many towns can meet the needs of the occasion is -told in another chapter of this book.</p> - -<p>The circus is subject to a system of plunder, -blackmail and robbery en route that is unheard -of in any other business. All classes of people -seem ready to render a hand in the nefarious -game, considering the circus fair prey. It requires -the most diplomatic management to extricate the -show without financial loss or legal proceedings, -and frequently, after all, it must submit to extortion -to escape attachments. These are usually -levied upon the ticket wagon just before the evening -performance or upon a pole wagon as the -tents are being pulled down. This sort of legal -robbery occurs in many towns. The show may -think it is getting off all right when suddenly -some accident, some chance injury to property or -persons, affords an excuse for a levy.</p> - -<p>An amusing incident among the varied pretexts -for “hold up” was that we encountered in Biddeford, -Maine. The day had progressed without -untoward incident and at nine o’clock we thought -the chance of legal trouble was past. Then, suddenly, -appeared an irate resident, whose home -adjoined the lot, with the declaration that our -monkey cage cat was his wife’s, and with a demand -that we return her forthwith. He may have been -laboring under a truly mistaken impression, but -his subsequent conduct made us believe not, for -upon our decided refusal, he made an attachment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> -The general manager decided then to grant the -visitor’s claim; the feline wasn’t worth legal -bother and expenditure. The proceeding cost -the circus nine dollars in fees and left the monkeys -in mourning. It had been their playful -practice to convey struggling tabby to the top -of the cage and then hurl her violently to the -floor.</p> - -<p>I recall the case of a Westerner who insisted that -one of our elephants had eaten his pig. Neighbors -swarmed to the scene, ready with a tale of having -seen the huge beast’s trunk encircle the squealing -victim and thrust him into a capacious mouth. -The owner wanted twenty-five dollars. A canvasman, -sent to investigate, found the porker under -an adjacent house.</p> - -<p>It is the solution of these and far more serious -similar problems, that are a highly important -branch of the general manager’s work, and upon -his management and disposition of them depends -much money and annoyance. If the grievance is -just and fair, he is ready to make ample financial -reimbursement. He expects and receives imposition, -but if not carried too far, he settles for cash -and gets a full legal release. If the demand made -is outrageous in amount, and the claimant stubborn -and menacing and uncompromising, then, to -his astonished dismay, he is told to carry out his -threats as he sees fit. Of course, the delay of a -trial or even a hearing would cost the circus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> -thousands of dollars, but the general manager has -provided against this contingency. In every town -the circus exhibits, there, too, is the representative -of the American Surety Company, prepared -with surety for any amount. The levy is made, accepted -with unconcern, financial pledge is given, and -the show moves to the train and away. It is all -very perplexing and painful to the man with the exaggerated -sense of affliction, and he wishes he had -been more moderate in speech and demand and -not so hasty in action. If an amicable settlement -be not made out of court, he finds that the circus -will fight him to the bitter legal end.</p> - -<p>The general manager appears like magic when -there is an accident or injury in which the circus -is involved. These are of almost daily occurrence. -The lion or tiger may gleefully claw the too far -outstretched hand of the curious boy; a horse -perhaps kicks or bites; there are runaways and -runovers, and a variety of other mishaps extending -from cars to lot and from arrival to departure. -The general manager always strives to be at the -scene ahead of the artful lawyer, who would fain -share in the damages. He is apologetic and regretful, -offers cash remuneration and receives -a written statement of satisfaction. Not until -then does he breathe freely; but rest assured that -in the transaction he has given no outward indication -of his troubled mind and that in the bargain -he has made the circus has not come out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> -second best. The show people who watch him -daily grow to look on him as ubiquitous.</p> - -<p>Many and marvellous are the tales told him -with the design of securing free admission. The -street commissioner is a permanent applicant. -The general manager knows the story by heart. -The heavy pole wagons have damaged the highways; -a few tickets will wipe out the injury. He -generally gets in. The man whose land has been -encroached upon by the tents; the policeman with -the small army of eager children; the householder -who avers the elephant’s prehensile trunk mutilated -an inviting tree; the alderman’s brother; -the clergyman who declares he has always heretofore -been a welcome guest, and the long list of -others with claim to recognition, get a hearing -with varying success. The policeman is the most -persistent. The circus is in a measure at his -mercy and he is insatiable. He becomes a numerous -husband and his relatives are legion. It is for -the general manager to get quarter and he must -go about it without offending; for there may -be need for blue-coated service before the day -is done, and the show must not lose official -favor.</p> - -<p>“Plain-clothes” men, the policemen assigned to -duty at circus in ordinary street attire, are usually -a nuisance. In the smaller towns they have -little or no conception of their duties—to watch -out for crooks without exciting suspicion—and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> -they hover about the entrance, proud to be on -familiar and confidential terms with the management, -“passing-in” acquaintances, bothering with -questions and generally obstructing the smooth -progress of things. Their detective instinct and -experience are nil, and their questionable value to -the circus is confined to knowing the town drunkard -and the tough of local notoriety, whose -demeanor is sober and demure enough when opposed -to the ready rank and file of the show.</p> - -<p>Numerous special officers and sheriff’s deputies -have been sworn in for the occasion. These throw -wide their coats, displaying to the ticket-taker -their badges of office fastened to suspender or -waistcoat, and are permitted to enter the tents. -Their presence is needed, the general manager has -been gravely assured, to aid in the police arrangements -in the contingency of riot or panic. The -circus knows, of course, that they are the friends -and relatives of the official heads of the town, -who manage, with the immunity from payment the -badge conveys, to see the show free. In case of -trouble or a call for their services not one of them -would respond.</p> - -<p>When the general manager is in a facetious -mood and has an idle moment, we have a stock -joke ready for the “plain clothes” arrayed at the -door. I bustle up to the ropes, throw open my -coat as if revealing a hidden badge of office; the -doortender, who enjoys the diversion immensely,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> -nods assent and I pass in. Then the stolid wits -of the detectives operate and they move in a body -to the serious-visaged manager and whisper that -he has been imposed upon, that I am a stranger -and not a special officer as I represented, and -therefore not entitled to admission. My friend -waxes very indignant, I, agitated and crestfallen, -am led back to the entrance, lectured sternly and -threatened with arrest as an impostor, and -ejected. The detective force, glutted with pride -over the masterly accomplishment, receives profuse -thanks. Later the manager and I have a hearty -laugh together.</p> - -<p>The canvasmen and teamsters, hearty, brawny -fellows, and peaceable unless inflamed with liquor, -all respect and esteem the manager and appreciate -that, while he is unrelentingly severe when there is -an infraction of rules, his discipline is always fair -and impartial. He plays no favorites. For profanity -and vulgarity he will accept no mitigating -excuse. In Johnstown, Pa., we were walking to -the lot one beautiful Sunday morning when the -loud oaths of a driver attracted our attention. -He was directing his foul expressions at a child, -who in its curiosity to see the gorgeous wagon, -had narrowly escaped being run over. Residents, -sitting at windows or on piazzas, were shocked at -the vile outpouring. They had never before appreciated -the resources of the language.</p> - -<p>“Come down off the seat!” sternly commanded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> -the manager, his face grim and hard with anger. -“Now, go get your pay. You are discharged.”</p> - -<p>Then he mounted the red and gilded heights of -the vehicle, clucked to the eight horses and drove -like a veteran to the show grounds. The staff -detective was instructed to see to it that the culprit -was not permitted on the lot.</p> - -<p>We showed two days in Pittsburg and there was -afforded an opportunity to witness the wealth of -resource, the courage, the tactful skill and the untiring -energy of the man. All went smoothly and -serenely the first day. Then came Saturday, when -the workmen of the circus received their weekly -pay. Across the street from the tents was a combined -saloon and hotel, which at once became the -focus of dissipation. A wave of inebriety seemed -to sweep in upon teamsters and canvasmen. One -by one they became extremely drunk and reduced -new-found friends to the same condition. By -night all order and decency had been abandoned -and they stood about the bar or lot shouting -and swearing, and making threats with knives or -clubs. The season was just beginning and time -had been too short for a discovery and weeding -out of the tough characters among the help. The -owner was making a hurried visit to his home, -three hundred miles distant, and the general -manager met the critical situation alone. How he -managed to conduct the performance, to break<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> -camp with the few employees who remained -staunch and true, and to load the trains and -move out of the city, none of our feeble brains -could ever grasp. But he accomplished it without -serious delay, without an affray of consequence, -and with a finish and skill which veiled from the -public the fact that anything out of the usual was -happening. Before the start from the railroad -yard there was a careful and systematic count of -men, stock, wagons, baggage and apparatus, for -some of the drivers, continuing the debauch, had deserted -their horses and vehicles in front of saloons. -All were finally rounded up. The transgression cost -seventy-five men their positions, and for the rest -of the season other circuses marvelled at our state -of grace and piety.</p> - -<p>The general manager is rich in worldly possessions -and free with cash and credit. When one’s -supply of money runs short, from “butcher” to -man of high rank, he turns for temporary relief -to his more fortunate and more provident comrade. -His wants are always supplied, except in -isolated instances, for not to pay a just debt entails -the blight of universal condemnation and loss -of confidence and honor. It is in winter, when the -general manager is hiding from mankind in a -Florida shelter, that the demands come fast and -urgent and never pass unheeded. For then it is -that the thriftless circus man, who knows no -business except that which warm weather provides,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> -is in a pecuniary predicament. The manager’s -bounty extends to his friends in all parts -of the country, but a few weeks of the next season -sees it returned to him with grateful appreciation.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER XV<br /> - -<small>AMERICAN CIRCUS TRIUMPHANT</small></h2></div> - - -<p class="ph2"> -<span class="large">OFFICIAL ROUTE</span><br /> -<span class="xlarge">CIRCUS</span><br /> -<br /> -[<span class="smcap">Sample Itinerary</span>]</p> - -<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> - -<tr><td class="btr" align="center"><span class="smcap">Date</span></td><td class="btr" align="center"><span class="smcap">Town</span></td><td class="btr" align="center"><span class="smcap">State</span></td><td class="btr" align="center"><span class="smcap">Railroad</span></td><td class="bt" align="center"><span class="smcap">Miles</span></td></tr> - - -<tr><td class="btr">Apr. 2-19</td><td class="btr">New York</td><td class="btr" align="center">N. Y.</td><td class="btr"> </td><td class="bt" align="center"> </td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> “ 21-26</td><td class="br">Philadelphia</td><td class="br" align="center">Penn.</td><td class="br" align="center">Penn. R. R.</td><td class="tdr">99 </td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> “ 28-29</td><td class="br"> Baltimore </td><td class="br" align="center"> Md. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 113</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> “ 30 </td><td class="br" rowspan="2" valign="middle"><span class="xxlarge">}</span> Washington</td><td class="br" align="center" rowspan="2" valign="middle"> D. C.</td><td class="br" align="center" rowspan="2" valign="middle">“ </td><td class="tdr" rowspan="2" valign="middle"> 50</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br">May 1 </td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> “ 2 </td><td class="br"> Hagerstown </td><td class="br" align="center"> Md. </td><td class="br" align="center"> B. & O. R. R. </td><td class="tdr"> 77</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> “ 3 </td><td class="br"> Cumberland </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 124 </td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> “ 5 </td><td class="br"> Clarksburg </td><td class="br" align="center"> W. Va. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 124 </td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> “ 6 </td><td class="br"> Fairmount </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 32 </td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> “ 7 </td><td class="br"> Connellsville </td><td class="br" align="center"> Penn. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 70</td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> “ 8 </td><td class="br"> Washington </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 96 </td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> “ 9-10 </td><td class="br"> Pittsburg </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 42 </td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> - -<tr><td class="br"> “ 12 </td><td class="br"> Johnstown </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> Penn. R. R. </td><td class="tdr"> 79 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 13 </td><td class="br"> Altoona </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 39 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 14 </td><td class="br"> Lewistown </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 75 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 15 </td><td class="br"> York </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 97 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 16 </td><td class="br"> Reading </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 89 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 17 </td><td class="br"> Pottsville </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 36 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 19 </td><td class="br"> Wilkesbarre </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 118</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 20 </td><td class="br"> Scranton </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> C. R. R. of N. J. </td><td class="tdr"> 18 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 21 </td><td class="br"> Allentown </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 103</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 22 </td><td class="br"> Easton </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 17</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 23 </td><td class="br"> Elizabeth </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. J. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 62 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 24 </td><td class="br"> Jersey City </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> Penn. R. R. </td><td class="tdr"> 14 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 26-31 </td><td class="br"> Brooklyn </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. Y. </td><td class="br" align="center"> Ferry </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br">June 2 </td><td class="br"> Paterson </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. J. </td><td class="br" align="center"> Erie R. R. </td><td class="tdr"> 17</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 3 </td><td class="br"> Newburg </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. Y. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr">47</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 4 </td><td class="br"> Kingston </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> West Shore </td><td class="tdr"> 32 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 5 </td><td class="br"> Schenectady </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 70 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 6 </td><td class="br"> Gloversville </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> W. S. F. J. & G. </td><td class="tdr"> 37 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 7 </td><td class="br"> Utica </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. Y. C. & H. R. </td><td class="tdr"> 61</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 9 </td><td class="br"> Poughkeepsie </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 165 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 10 </td><td class="br"> Danbury </td><td class="br" align="center"> Conn. </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. Y. N. H. & H. </td><td class="tdr"> 63 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 11 </td><td class="br"> Ansonia </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 30</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 12 </td><td class="br"> Meriden </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 31</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 13 </td><td class="br"> Holyoke </td><td class="br" align="center"> Mass. </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. Y. N. H. & H.-B. & M. </td><td class="tdr"> 49</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 14 </td><td class="br"> Greenfield </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> B. & M. </td><td class="tdr"> 38</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 16 </td><td class="br"> Gardner </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 40</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 17 </td><td class="br"> Lowell </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 13 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 18 </td><td class="br"> Lawrence </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 13</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 19 </td><td class="br"> Concord </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. H. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 45 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 20 </td><td class="br"> Manchester </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 18</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 21 </td><td class="br"> Haverhill </td><td class="br" align="center"> Mass. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 33</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 23 </td><td class="br"> Portsmouth </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. H. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 33 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 24 </td><td class="br"> Biddeford </td><td class="br" align="center"> Me. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 43 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 25 </td><td class="br"> Portland </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 15 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 26 </td><td class="br"> Lewiston </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> Grand Trunk </td><td class="tdr"> 35 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 27 </td><td class="br"> Berlin </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. H. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 74 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 28 </td><td class="br"> Sherbrooke </td><td class="br" align="center"> Quebec </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 99</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 30 </td><td class="br"> Montreal </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> C. P. </td><td class="tdr"> 102 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br">July 1 </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 2 </td><td class="br"> Valleyfield </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> C. P. & C. A. </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 3 </td><td class="br"> Ottawa </td><td class="br" align="center"> Ont. </td><td class="br" align="center"> C. A. </td><td class="tdr"> 52 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 4 </td><td class="br"> Cornwall </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. Y. & O. </td><td class="tdr"> 85 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 5 </td><td class="br"> Kingston </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> Grand Trunk </td><td class="tdr"> 57 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 7 </td><td class="br"> Belleville </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 51 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 8 </td><td class="br"> Peterboro </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 64 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 9 </td><td class="br"> Barrie </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 88 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 10 </td><td class="br"> Toronto </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 64 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 11 </td><td class="br"> Hamilton </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 39 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 12 </td><td class="br"> Brantford </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 27 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 14 </td><td class="br"> Guelph </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 36 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 15 </td><td class="br"> Stratford </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 40 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 16 </td><td class="br"> Woodstock </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 23 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 17 </td><td class="br"> London </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 29 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 18 </td><td class="br"> St. Thomas </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> L. E. & D. R. </td><td class="tdr"> 15 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 19 </td><td class="br"> Chatham </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> Grand Trunk </td><td class="tdr"> 62 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 21 </td><td class="br"> Buffalo </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. Y. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 186 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 22 </td><td class="br"> Rochester </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. Y. C. & H. R. </td><td class="tdr"> 69 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 23 </td><td class="br"> Geneva </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 51 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 24 </td><td class="br"> Auburn </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 26 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 25 </td><td class="br"> Cortland </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> Lehigh V’y </td><td class="tdr"> 43 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 26 </td><td class="br"> Binghamton </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> D. L. & W. </td><td class="tdr"> 43 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 28 </td><td class="br"> Ithaca </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 55 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 29 </td><td class="br"> Elmira </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 70 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 30 </td><td class="br"> Williamsport </td><td class="br" align="center"> Penn. </td><td class="br" align="center"> Penn. Line </td><td class="tdr"> 78 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 31 </td><td class="br"> Lock Haven </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 25</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br">Aug. 1 </td><td class="br"> Dubois </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 101</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 2 </td><td class="br"> Butler </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 122 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 4 </td><td class="br"> Wheeling </td><td class="br" align="center"> W. Va. </td><td class="br" align="center"> B. & O. </td><td class="tdr"> 110 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 5 </td><td class="br"> Zanesville </td><td class="br" align="center"> Ohio </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 83 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 6 </td><td class="br"> Mansfield </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 87</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 7 </td><td class="br"> Lima </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> P. Ft. W. & C. </td><td class="tdr"> 86 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 8 </td><td class="br"> Springfield </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> D. S. </td><td class="tdr"> 67 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 9 </td><td class="br"> Columbus </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> Big Four </td><td class="tdr"> 45 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 11 </td><td class="br"> Piqua </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> P. C. C. & St. L.</td><td class="tdr"> 73 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 12 </td><td class="br"> Richmond </td><td class="br" align="center"> Ind. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 47 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 13 </td><td class="br"> Indianapolis </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 68</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 14 </td><td class="br"> Anderson </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> Big Four </td><td class="tdr"> 36</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 15 </td><td class="br"> Marion </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 33</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 16 </td><td class="br"> Logansport </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> P. C. C. & St. L. </td><td class="tdr"> 40 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 18 </td><td class="br"> Springfield </td><td class="br" align="center"> Ill. </td><td class="br" align="center"> Wabash </td><td class="tdr"> 195 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 19 </td><td class="br"> Jacksonville </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 34 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 20 </td><td class="br"> Quincy </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 87 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 21 </td><td class="br"> Keokuk </td><td class="br" align="center"> Iowa </td><td class="br" align="center"> Burlington </td><td class="tdr"> 43 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 22 </td><td class="br"> Burlington </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 43</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 23 </td><td class="br"> Galesburg </td><td class="br" align="center"> Ill. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 40 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 25 </td><td class="br"> Kewanee </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 32 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 26 </td><td class="br"> Sterling </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 92</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 27 </td><td class="br"> Aurora </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> C. & N. W. </td><td class="tdr"> 70 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 28 </td><td class="br"> Elgin </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 27</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 29 </td><td class="br"> Racine </td><td class="br" align="center"> Wis. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 72 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 30 </td><td class="br"> Waukesha </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 42 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br">Sept. 1 </td><td class="br"> Marinette </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 205</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 2 </td><td class="br"> Green Bay </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 52 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 3 </td><td class="br"> Oshkosh </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 48 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 4 </td><td class="br"> Janesville </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 103 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 5 </td><td class="br"> Freeport </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> C. M. & S. P. </td><td class="tdr"> 50 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 6 </td><td class="br"> Rock Island </td><td class="br" align="center"> Ill. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 93 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 8 </td><td class="br"> Peoria </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> C. R. I. & P. </td><td class="tdr"> 100 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 9 </td><td class="br"> Lincoln </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> C. & A. </td><td class="tdr"> 93 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 10 </td><td class="br"> Pontiac </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 64 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 11 </td><td class="br"> Bloomington </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 35 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 12 </td><td class="br"> Danville </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> Big Four </td><td class="tdr"> 80 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 13 </td><td class="br"> Lafayette </td><td class="br" align="center"> Ind. </td><td class="br" align="center"> Wabash </td><td class="tdr"> 47 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 15 </td><td class="br"> Huntington </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 84</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 16 </td><td class="br"> Defiance </td><td class="br" align="center"> Ohio </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 84 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 17 </td><td class="br"> Toledo </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 29 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 18 </td><td class="br"> Findlay </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> T. & O. C. </td><td class="tdr"> 44 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 19 </td><td class="br"> Bellefontaine </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> Big Four. </td><td class="tdr"> 63 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 20 </td><td class="br"> Dayton </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 58 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 22 </td><td class="br"> Chillicothe </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> C. H. & D. </td><td class="tdr"> 81 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 23 </td><td class="br"> Athens </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> B. & O. S. W. </td><td class="tdr"> 60 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 24 </td><td class="br"> Charleston </td><td class="br" align="center"> W. Va. </td><td class="br" align="center"> T. & O. C. </td><td class="tdr"> 103 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 25 </td><td class="br"> Huntington </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> C. & O. </td><td class="tdr"> 50 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 26 </td><td class="br"> Mt. Sterling </td><td class="br" align="center"> Ky. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 107 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 27 </td><td class="br"> Lexington </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 33<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 29 </td><td class="br"> Chattanooga </td><td class="br" align="center"> Tenn. </td><td class="br" align="center"> I. & C. </td><td class="tdr"> 254 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 30 </td><td class="br"> Tullahoma </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. C. & St. L. </td><td class="tdr"> 82 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br">Oct. 1 </td><td class="br"> Nashville </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 69</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 2 </td><td class="br"> Paris </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 117 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 3 </td><td class="br"> Jackson </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 80 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 4 </td><td class="br"> Memphis </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 85 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 6 </td><td class="br"> Tupelo </td><td class="br" align="center"> Miss. </td><td class="br" align="center"> K. C. S. F. & M. </td><td class="tdr"> 105 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 7 </td><td class="br"> Birmingham </td><td class="br" align="center"> Ala. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 146 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 8 </td><td class="br"> Anniston </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> Southern </td><td class="tdr"> 64 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 9 </td><td class="br"> Rome </td><td class="br" align="center"> Georgia </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr">| 62</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 10 </td><td class="br"> Atlanta </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 74 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 11 </td><td class="br"> Athens </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> S. A. L. </td><td class="tdr"> 73 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 13 </td><td class="br"> Augusta </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> S. A. L.-C. & W. C.</td><td class="tdr"> 119 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 14 </td><td class="br"> Anderson </td><td class="br" align="center"> S. C. </td><td class="br" align="center"> C. & W. C. </td><td class="tdr"> 103 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 15 </td><td class="br"> Greenwood </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> C. & W. C.-S. A. L.</td><td class="tdr"> 63 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 16 </td><td class="br"> Greenville </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> Southern </td><td class="tdr"> 59 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 17 </td><td class="br"> Spartanburg </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 32 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 18 </td><td class="br"> Charlotte </td><td class="br" align="center"> N. C. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 70 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 20 </td><td class="br"> Wilmington </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> S. A. L. </td><td class="tdr"> 187</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 21 </td><td class="br"> Florence </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> A. C. L. </td><td class="tdr"> 110 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 22 </td><td class="br"> Columbia </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 82</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 23 </td><td class="br"> Sumter </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 43 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 24 </td><td class="br"> Charleston </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 94 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 25 </td><td class="br"> Savannah </td><td class="br" align="center"> Georgia </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 115 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 27 </td><td class="br"> Jacksonville </td><td class="br" align="center"> Florida </td><td class="br" align="center"> A. C. L. </td><td class="tdr"> 172 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 28 </td><td class="br"> Waycross </td><td class="br" align="center"> Georgia </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 75 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 29 </td><td class="br"> Valdosta </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 59 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 30 </td><td class="br"> Thomasville </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 45 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 31 </td><td class="br"> Albany </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 58 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br">Nov. 1 </td><td class="br"> Americus </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> C. of G. </td><td class="tdr"> 36</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 3 </td><td class="br"> Macon </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 70 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 4</td><td class="br"> Columbus </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 100 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 5 </td><td class="br"> Montgomery </td><td class="br" align="center"> Ala. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 95</td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 6 </td><td class="br"> Selma </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> W. of Ala. </td><td class="tdr"> 50 <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 7 </td><td class="br"> Meridian </td><td class="br" align="center"> Miss. </td><td class="br" align="center"> M. & O. </td><td class="tdr"> 73 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 8 </td><td class="br"> West Point </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center">Ill. Ct. Y. & M. V. </td><td class="tdr"> 9 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 10 </td><td class="br"> Kosciusko </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> Y. & M. V. </td><td class="tdr"> 70 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 11 </td><td class="br"> Greenwood </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 73 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 12 </td><td class="br"> Greenville </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 132 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 13 </td><td class="br"> Vicksburg </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 82 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 14 </td><td class="br"> Ft. Gibson </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 30 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 15 </td><td class="br"> Baton Rouge </td><td class="br" align="center"> La. </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 116 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> Sunday</td><td class="br"> </td><td class="br"> </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 17 </td><td class="br"> New Orleans </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="tdr"> 89 </td></tr> -<tr><td class="br"> “ 18 </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td><td class="br" align="center"> “ </td></tr> -<tr><td class="bbr"> “ 19 </td><td class="bbr" align="center"> “ </td><td class="bbr" align="center"> “ </td><td class="bbr" align="center"> “ </td><td class="bb"> </td></tr> - -</table> - -<blockquote> - -<p>Home Sweet Home 1,015 miles via I. C., B. & O., S. & W., -and B. & O. R. R.</p> - -<p>Summary: Number of miles travelled, 11,569. Number of -States and Provinces visited, 26. Number of towns visited, 167.</p></blockquote> - - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_212f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">TRANSFERRING FROM WATER TO RAIL.</p> - -<p>The conquest of the Old World by the Barnum -& Bailey circus will live forever in the stirring history -of tented organizations. It made the enterprise -an object of international interest. There is -now practically no country in the world that does -not know the Barnum & Bailey Show and recognize -that it and its ally, the Forepaugh & Sells -Brothers Show, enjoy a happy, undisputed -monopoly.</p> - -<p>As America reaches out for commercial predominance, -so the American circus challenged competition -abroad, and foreign rivals quivered and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> -shrunk. England found and felt herself laboriously -behind hand, and other nations yielded pre-eminence. -For five years crowned heads showed -gracious appreciation and vied with one another -to express generous sentiments of welcome and -appreciation to the American envoy, and that -period records uniform success and not a single -failure. This profound impression made in other -lands is one of the proudest achievements of -American sagacity, resolution and ambition, and -directly stimulating to the pride of all Americans, -whose great good fortune it is now that the -Barnum & Bailey circus has returned to contribute -to the happiness of humanity here.</p> - -<p>Few, probably, appreciate the tremendous undertaking -involved in this picturesque invasion, -and the difficulties met and overcome. All -methods had to be adjusted to new surroundings -and new demands. The manner and matter of -work bore no resemblance to those here. The -extent and nature of changes affected all departments -of the organization. Every inch of the -territory travelled was unfamiliar. Languages and -people were strange. Yet the campaign was instituted -without prolonged preparation and with -no twinges of misgivings, so accustomed was this -great circus to demonstrating possibilities and so -perfect was it in planning and directing. It can -truly be said that it caters for the world.</p> - -<p>A volume in itself would be required to tell the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> -story of how the Barnum & Bailey circus, in the -stern test of competition, forced all others into -insignificance during its travels abroad. Incidents -grave and gay, of life, action and adventure, -crowd the history of those five years. The -then Prince of Wales, now King Edward VII., I -recall, after witnessing several performances, sent -the personal message: “The circus is justly deserving -of the title ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’, -for it not only is certainly the greatest amusement -enterprise ever organized, but also the most -wonderful example of organization and discipline -one can hope to see.”</p> - -<p>Even more signal an honor was that conferred -by Emperor Francis Joseph I., during the visit of -the circus to Vienna. Following an afternoon -under tents, his delighted imperial majesty sent to -Mr. James A. Bailey, managing director, accompanying -a letter of thanks for his entertainment, -a gold cigar case, relieved on one side by the -royal crown and the initials “F. J. I.” Twenty-five -scattered brilliants enhanced the intrinsic -value of the gift. Later the royal household requested -a complete set of circus lithographs for -the Emperor’s library.</p> - -<p>The transportation of the show from London to -Hamburg is noteworthy from the fact that it was -the first time railway cars sixty feet long had -ever been loaded on board ship without being -taken apart. And they were taken from the vessel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> -and deposited on the tracks in Germany just -as they were removed from the tracks in London, -wheels and all, and were the first English-made -cars ever operated in the Kaiser’s domain. The -Barnum & Bailey circus was the first tented institution -allowed to spread a canvas in Berlin. -After a rigid examination of the show in every -detail, the officials signed permits with the frank -expression that they had no apprehensions of -disaster in any form. The city is the headquarters -of the German army, and the discipline, precision -and business common-sense of the circus -civilians so impressed the principal officers that -they were in constant attendance. On the evening -of departure members of the General Staff witnessed -the breaking of the encampment, taking -copious notes, while another body put in the -night at the scene of embarkation at the railroad -yards.</p> - -<p>Tributes like these to the enterprise and energy -and superior skill of the American circus men -covered the almost continuous period of their -foreign wanderings. Of difficulties overcome, -there was one whose extraordinary character I -feel certain would have caused any other than -Mr. James A. Bailey, the director of the Barnum -& Bailey circus, to have abandoned the project -entirely. A few days before the opening of the -show in the Olympia in London, the County -Council decided that more precautionary fire<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> -measures were necessary, and ordered the erection -of a giant curtain of iron and asbestos, to cover -one entire side of the vast amphitheatre. The required -outlay was $90,000, but Mr. Bailey, not a -bit dismayed, went at the task with characteristic -vigor and without delay, and accomplished it with -a celerity which filled the English mind with -astonished wonder. Moreover, when it came to -hanging the tremendous area and the workmen in -the employ of the firm to whom the contract had -been given feared to go aloft, he called his own -picked body of employees to the scene and they -did the job without friction or flinching.</p> - -<p>I can truly say that no one is more honored in -circus history than Mr. Bailey, the presiding head -of this remarkable institution. It would be a -grateful duty to the world to rescue from self-imposed -oblivion the events connected with his -life, but the unusual modesty of the man forbids. -While others boast and glorify themselves, the -admitted “king of circus men” chooses personal -obscurity. All publicity attaching to his movements -is strangely distasteful; he wants the world -to know and approve only the enterprise to which -his life has been devoted and which his sagacious -efforts have solely borne to supremacy. No imagination -save his was once bold and radical -enough to grasp the future, and no other prophet -could foretell the rapid and enormous development -of the American circus.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span>Only his old-time intimate associates know how -visionary were once accounted the broad methods -which have won him success, and the rebuffs and -hindrances of no common sort which were his -experiences. Through them all he worked ceaselessly, -patiently, resolutely, with the courage and -confidence of personal conviction, resigning personal -convenience, ease, social enjoyment and -other valued privileges, and the result has marked -him as the one dazzling genius of the profession. -To his employees he is like a father who sympathizes -with his children in their varied circumstances -of joy and sorrow. His benevolences are -large-hearted but judicious, and his integrity of the -rugged, old-fashioned type. He has shed a lustre -upon the profession which has won universal -recognition and admiration, and little wonder -that his return to his native land, his rightful -circus heritage, has been hailed with a burst of -cordial welcome and enthusiasm.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER XVI<br /> - -<small>THE OLD-FASHIONED CIRCUS</small></h2></div> - - -<p>“The size of the tent was rather staggering at -first, as the greatest length of the oval is nearly -two hundred feet, and standing at one end it is -impossible to distinguish with the naked eye the -features of those on the crowded seats at the -other end.”</p> - -<p>I quote the foregoing paragraph, taken from a -newspaper of 1877, as illustrating by comparison -the physical magnitude of the circus of to-day. -Our “big tent” could stow away in its capacious -depths half a dozen of the canvas arenas of twenty-five -years ago, and our “menagerie top” covers -more area. The scanty side-show cloth, an insignificant -detail of the encampment, is not much -smaller.</p> - -<p>Is the modern circus, with its bewildering array -of man and beast marvels, an improvement from -the public standpoint over the old-fashioned show -wherein the clown predominated and one ring -sufficed? Has there come with the expansion more -skill and hazard of performance? Do patrons -relish the relegation to oblivion of some time-honored -circus accomplishments, and the interpolation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> -of vaudeville? The circus performer of -former days will invariably answer these interrogations -in the negative; the circus owner and -manager makes no hesitation in disagreeing on -all points, and his conviction is that backed by -the weight of ticket wagon receipts. Whatever the -artistic merits and the drifting away from things -traditionary, certainly the opportunities for profit -have multiplied with the years. Everything favorable, -there is no more wonderful a money-maker -than the modern circus. Despite frequently expressed -longing, it is not likely that the public -would receive with favor the return of the old-fashioned -circus, no matter how alluring the performance -in its meagerness. The case of the small -circus of to-day bears this out. It is ignored if a -“big show” is headed its way.</p> - -<p>After retrospective talks with many old performers -I cannot discover that the modern generation -of athletes has kept pace with the progress of -the business department of the circus. There are -few legitimate circus feats executed nowadays, so -far as I have been able to learn, which were not -equalled in years gone by, and there are instances -where supremacy is yielded to the men now retired; -many of their accomplishments have not -been duplicated. I cite the case of George Bachelor, -who was accustomed to single somersault over -ten elephants, and of “Bob” Stickney, who without -apparent exertion turned two somersaults in his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> -flight over twenty-three horses. Oscar Lowanda -has been the only person to improve materially -upon former equestrian acts. He succeeds in doing -a back somersault from the haunch of one -moving horse to that of another. In aerial performances -few new individual feats are in evidence. -The strides forward seem solely in the employment -of more persons in a single act. The Potters perform -ten in number, an unheard-of achievement -a few years ago. The strain of planning and -successfully carrying out the act, however, is -so intense that the head of the troupe had decided -to partially disband it when I talked with -him.</p> - -<p>The life of the circus man of to-day is a continual -round of ease and luxury as compared -with the strenuous, haphazard existence of his -brother of a few decades ago. The memory of -this generation can shed no light on the origin of -the circus in this country, and there is no literature -definitely disclosing when the first travelling -organization reared its canvas. Seth B. Howe -was the first circus owner of note. “Bob” Stickney, -still a vigorous reminder of former days, remembers -the stories told of that time by his -father, Samuel Peck Stickney, who was a member -of the company. The advance agent made his -lonely journey on horseback. His saddle-bags -bulged with circus “paper,” which he tacked -wherever his judgment suggested, for it comprised<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> -a welcome addition to the community’s supply -of reading matter. He was a smooth-tongued, -polished man of the times and full of wonderful -tales of the approaching circus. Curiosity and -excitement were at high pitch when the caravan -put in its appearance a fortnight later. The line -halted on the outskirts of the town, uniforms -were donned and a parade made to the scene of -exhibition. This was frequently in the spacious -yard of the local tavern. The centre pole of the -tent was cut daily in the abounding woods, -trimmed and dragged into place. The tavern provided -chairs and the church was drawn upon for -benches. An extra charge was imposed for the -use of these resting places. Admission to the circus -carried with it only the privilege of viewing -the performance standing. At night, candles furnished -illumination.</p> - -<p>Trained horses and ponies composed much of the -show. The feats of the equestrian were amazing -in their daring, to the onlookers of that period. -The ringmaster made a preliminary announcement. -The rider, he proclaimed, would stand -erect on a horse in full motion<i>!</i> This accomplished, -amid wild enthusiasm, the hero of the -hour balanced himself on one foot and concluded -by playing a violin as the horse cantered around -the ring. This was before the broad saddle pad -had gone out of circus use. The rider who first -jumped over banners was given a fabulous salary,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> -and he who dared plunge through the familiar -paper balloon became rich in a year.</p> - -<p>The night overland journeys of these old-time -circuses were full of dire peril. Highways were -dark and dreary and places of pitfalls. Each circus -wagon bore a flickering candle torch, showing -the route to the driver behind. Soon menageries -were added, and then an elephant. Hannibal, the -“war elephant,” was one of the first. There were -few nights when his services were not required to -extricate a wagon from mud or gully, or to urge -it up some steep incline. The old Van Amburg -circus transported a giraffe, a mournful beast -which few modern circuses are possessed of. Wood -choppers went ahead to clear the road with their -axes and permit the passage of the high cage. -Then came, in order of time, the side-show, with -the free exhibition in front—wire-walking, a balloon -ascension, a high-diving performance, or -feats on the “flying” trapeze.</p> - -<p>Probably the most noted knight of the sawdust -ring was Dan Rice, who died in Long Branch, -N. J., on February 22, 1900, at the age of seventy-seven -years. His history was practically that -of the circus—the real old-fashioned circus—in -America. Daniel McLaren, his father, nicknamed -him Dan Rice, after a famous clown he had known -in Ireland, and the name clung to him. He -touched the heights and depths of circus luck, -making in his life three independent fortunes and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> -losing one after another. He died comparatively -poor. As acrobat and later clown, he travelled -every portion of the United States and extensively -in Europe. He first appeared as a clown in Galena, -Ill., the home of U. S. Grant, in 1844, and -from that time his popularity as a circus clown -increased amazingly. He retired in 1882, a hale -old man of sturdy frame and resonant voice, -whose hearty handshake it was a pleasure to feel.</p> - -<p>Bobby Williams, Sam Lathrop, Sam Long, Joe -Pentland, Billy Kennedy, Jimmy Reynolds, William -Wallett, Frank Brown, Nat Austin, Herbert -Williams, Dan Gardiner, Bill Worrell and Tony -Pastor were other noted clowns and “Shakespearian -jesters” of his day, and most of them are -hale and hearty to this day. A press agent of -their time, not behind his lavish-languaged modern -brother, called attention to this group as “jolly, -jovial representatives of Momus, whose fund of wit -and humor has given them the proud titles of -America’s greatest wits and punsters; scholarly, -refined and every one fit to grace the proudest -court as its greatest jester. Merrier men within -the limits becoming mirth live not upon man’s -footstool—this greatest earth.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_224f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">HUMILIATION OF THE KING OF BEASTS.</p> - -<p>In the old days of the clown, when one ring -furnished satisfying enjoyment, his was a very -important and conspicuous part of the performance. -His efforts of entertainment occupied the -sole attention of the audience at times, as with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> -voice or action he provided fun and folly. It was -as a songster that he was at his best. Perched -on a stool in the centre of the ring—thrown up of -soil and not the portable wooden, forty-two foot -diametered affair of to-day—his vocal enlivenments -were a source of much laughter and merriment. -Here is a type of the old-time clown song, which -none who ever witnessed one of the shows will -fail to recall:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">I don’t mind telling you,</div> -<div class="indent">I took my girl to Kew,</div> -<div class="verse">And Emma was the darling creature’s name.</div> -<div class="indent">While standing on the pier,</div> -<div class="verse">Some folks did at her leer,</div> -<div class="indent">And one and all around her did exclaim:</div> -<div class="indent3">Whoa, Emma! Whoa, Emma!</div> -<div class="indent2">Emma, you put me in quite a dilemma.</div> -<div class="indent3">Oh, Emma! Whoa, Emma!</div> -<div class="verse">That’s what I hear from Putney to Kew.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">I asked them “what they meant?”</div> -<div class="indent">When some one at me sent</div> -<div class="verse">An egg, which nearly struck me in the eye.</div> -<div class="indent">The girl began to scream,</div> -<div class="verse">Saying, “Fred, what does this mean?”</div> -<div class="indent">I asked again, and this was their reply:</div> -<div class="indent3">Whoa, Emma! etc.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">I thought they’d never cease,</div> -<div class="indent">So shouted out “Police!”</div> -<div class="verse">And when he came he looked at me so sly</div> -<div class="indent">The crowd they then me chaffed,</div> -<div class="verse">And said “I must be daft,”</div> -<div class="indent">And once again they all commenced to cry:</div> -<div class="indent3">Whoa, Emma! etc.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> - -<div class="verse">An old man said to me,</div> -<div class="indent">“Why, young man, can’t you see</div> -<div class="verse">The joke?” And I looked at him with surprise.</div> -<div class="indent">He said, “Don’t be put out,</div> -<div class="verse">It’s a saying got about,”</div> -<div class="indent">And then their voices seemed to rend the skies:</div> -<div class="indent3">Whoa, Emma! etc.</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>After a round of jokes and other buffoonery at -the expense of the ringmaster, who retorted with -threatening crackings of whip, he was ready with -more melody. Sometimes he appealed to the -tender emotions. “Baby Mine” was a favorite. -It ran thus:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">I’ve a letter from thy sire,</div> -<div class="indent">Baby mine, Baby mine;</div> -<div class="verse">I could read and never tire,</div> -<div class="indent2">Baby mine;</div> -<div class="verse">He is sailing o’er the sea,</div> -<div class="verse">He is coming back to me,</div> -<div class="verse">He is coming back to me,</div> -<div class="indent">Baby mine, baby mine;</div> -<div class="verse">He is coming back to me,</div> -<div class="indent2">Baby mine.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">Oh, I long to see his face,</div> -<div class="indent">Baby mine, Baby mine;</div> -<div class="verse">In his old accustomed place,</div> -<div class="indent2">Baby mine;</div> -<div class="verse">Like the rose of May in bloom,</div> -<div class="verse">Like a star amid the gloom,</div> -<div class="verse">Like the sunshine in the room,</div> -<div class="indent">Baby mine, Baby mine;</div> -<div class="verse">Like the sunshine in the room,</div> -<div class="indent2">Baby mine.</div> -</div> -<div class="stanza"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> - -<div class="verse">I’m so glad I cannot sleep,</div> -<div class="indent">Baby mine, Baby mine;</div> -<div class="verse">I’m so happy I could weep,</div> -<div class="indent2">Baby mine;</div> -<div class="verse">He is sailing o’er the sea,</div> -<div class="verse">He is coming back to me,</div> -<div class="verse">He is coming back to thee,</div> -<div class="indent">Baby mine, Baby mine;</div> -<div class="verse">He is coming back to thee,</div> -<div class="indent2">Baby mine.</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>The clowns of the modern circus must needs -possess, they confidently assert, more vivacity, -wit and observation than their predecessors. The -magnitude of the spread of canvas almost entirely -precludes the possibility of effective oral utterance, -and their drollery is confined to gesture, -movement and posturing. This dumb acting -places the funmaker at a decided disadvantage, -and the problem of creations that will meet public -favor is one requiring unusual natural aptitude. -Frank Oakley (“Slivers”), fitted by nature for the -part, sprang into wonderful public favor in a -season.</p> - -<p>In the grateful shade of the “big top,” during -the period between the two performances, I sat -one afternoon with an old-time performer whose -age keeps him from the ring, but the memory of -whose famous feats retains him in the employ of -the circus. The seductive fascination and charm -of the life has never dulled within him, and until -accumulated years finally forbid, he declares he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> -will be a member of the organization. He was in -a reminiscent mood and began:</p> - -<p>“In the old days I remember a feature of our -circus was Nettie Collins’s lilt ‘Dance me on Your -Knee.’ The band played the flowing melody, and -she bowed and waved as she sang on a little -platform in the ring. It made a great hit for -several seasons. Here’s how its lines went, and -many an old-time circus goer will call them to -mind:</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="verse">When I was a little girl and full of childish joys</div> -<div class="verse">I used to play with all the girls, but oftener with the boys;</div> -<div class="verse">And with them climb the apple trees, and races, too, we’d run,</div> -<div class="verse">I’ll tell you, oh, ’twas then, my boys, we had such jolly fun;</div> -<div class="verse">But now those days are past and gone, no more them I will see,</div> -<div class="verse">If I could only call them back, how happy I would be.</div> -<div class="indent6">You may dance me, darling, dance me,</div> -<div class="indent6">You may dance me on your knee.</div> -<div class="indent6">If there’s such a man among you</div> -<div class="indent6">As can recommend himself to me,</div> -<div class="indent6">Be sure he’s brave and strong enough</div> -<div class="indent6">To dance me on his knee.</div> -</div></div> - -<p>“Then ‘Dick’ Turner, comedian, in bucolic attire, -would stand up in a conspicuous place in the -reserved seats, gesticulate emphatically and shout: -‘I’ll dance you on my knee, girl.’ Most of the -audience would be deceived as to his identity, -supposing him to be a rural visitor to the show, -and there was great hilarity. ‘Come down here, -then,’ the ringmaster would respond, and amid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> -shrieks of laughter ‘Dick’ would make his way to -the ring, where the fun continued. Oh, it was -easy to entertain in those simple old days!</p> - -<p>“‘Al’ Meaco was a favorite with his songs and -jokes. He was one of the first general clowns, and -did a drunken act on stilts that convulsed the -house, but was a hazardous performance, withal. -One of his idiotic stories which afforded great -amusement in the country districts was: ‘I’ve got -a beautiful girl. Went to see her the other night. -Met her on the woodshed. Oh, the tears I would -shed for her and the tears she would shed for me -would be shed more than the wood shed would -shed for me.’ Then he did some fancy steps, the -band played and everybody laughed. What a -ghastly proceeding with the modern circus!</p> - -<p>“‘Al’ did an act with his brother ‘Tom’ which -was considered a marvel then. ‘Al’ swung head -down from a trapeze, attached his teeth to a -strap which belted his brother and whirled him in -circles. The act is an old one now and vastly -improved upon. I remember once ‘Al’ forgot -himself, opened his mouth to speak to ‘Tom’ and -the latter revolved forty feet through the air to -the earth below. He broke four ribs and a collar -bone.</p> - -<p>“Here’s another joke which one of our clowns -got off with success. Nowadays it would be received -with grief and shame. ‘I had a girl named -Sal Skinner. I called at her house one Sunday.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> -She wasn’t home. Her mother said she’d gone to -church. I started out looking for her. Went into -the church and walked down the aisle, but didn’t -see her. The minister spotted me. “Are you -looking for salvation?” he says. “No,” I says, -“but I’m looking for Sal Skinner.”’ The audience -howled with mirth.</p> - -<p>“Sam Lathrop used to make mock political -speeches, with flings at the politicians in the town -we were playing. The best received of his assortment -of jests was this one, given as the ring -horse halted: ‘Well, you stop, the horse stops, the -music stops, I stop, but there’s one thing nobody -can stop.’</p> - -<p>“‘What is the one thing nobody can stop?’ -followed the ringmaster.</p> - -<p>“‘Why, a woman’s tongue!’</p> - -<p>“The ringmaster, in apparent retaliatory discomfiture, -would crack his whip at the legs of the -clown, who uttered ‘Ouch!’ as if in pain, and the -onlookers thought it all very funny.</p> - -<p>“Trained animals formed an important feature -of our programme, and we gave exhibitions which -have not been repeated since. One of our men -drove a troupe of buffaloes in tandem line around -the ring. ‘Grizzly’ Adams had performing bears, -a dozen of them, and never was greater courage -required. Dick Sands put a herd of camels -through tricks and raced with a hippopotamus. -Dan Costello showed the full-blooded Spanish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> -bull, Don Juan; and John Hagenbeck taught a -company of zebras difficult paces. George Arstinstahl, -I think, was the first to group different -animals. He bunched elephants, bears, lions, -tigers and dogs before astonished audiences without -ever a suspicion of fight.”</p> - -<p>Three noted old-time circus riders, whose fame -was world-wide a few years ago, are members of -our organization this season, assisting the management. -They are “Bob” Stickney, whose equestrian -and acrobatic feats are still fresh in the -minds of all circus goers, and Frank J. Melville -and William E. Gorman, who were comfortable on -any part of a horse’s body, barring, perhaps, the -ears. They will live forever in the annals of the -circus. Timothy Turner was the first to somersault -on a horse’s back. The thing was done in -the old Bowery Theatre in New York City in the -’50’s. Levi J. North, who was performing in an -opposition theatre, heard of the accomplishment -and successfully imitated it the same night. John -Glenroy followed with a somersault—performed -without the presence of the pad then in general -use and which his predecessors had alighted upon. -Then James Robinson, creator of many bareback -tricks, duplicated the act. Charles Fish, Frank -Pastor, Romeo Sebastian and David Richards -were other celebrated circus horsemen of that -period. Billy Morgan inaugurated the now common -mule riding act.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span>Mrs. Walter Howard was the first circus equestrienne -of public prominence. Sixty years ago, her -simple performance fairly dazed spectators. She -gave lessons in her art to many of the later -woman riders and made a sensation by being the -only woman at that time to cast herself through -paper balloons. Alice Lake was a remarkably -skilful horsewoman. Of the foreigners who came -here, Madame Tounaire was easily the best performer. -Her daughter, Molly Brown, was the first -woman in this country to somersault on a horse, -and few women since have accomplished the trick. -Mrs. William Roland, Madame Dockrill, Adelaide -Cordona, Louise Rentz, and Pauline Lee attained -prominence. Linda Jeal was famous for several -years and taught her niece, Dallie Julian, seventeen -years old, the somersault.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> -<h2 class="nobreak"> -CHAPTER XVII<br /> - -<small>THE CIRCUS PRESS AGENT</small></h2></div> - - -<p>The wily press agent’s method of gaining publicity -for his show varies with the size and moral -disposition of the cities in which he finds himself. -In executing his publicity-provoking designs in -populous centres there is in him no serious purpose -to avoid an arrest. In the smaller cities he -must needs exercise his ingenuity to prevent the -action of the law. The notion that showmen are -moral delinquents is firmly settled in rural communities, -especially in the East, and if in the excess -of his enthusiasm to bring to wide attention the -presence of the circus the press agent commits -what an obdurate policeman considers a public -wrong, and there follows an appearance before a -magistrate, resentful townspeople look on him -and his companions as lawbreaking intruders, -rudely defying the local government, disturbing -the peace, and ready, perhaps, to commit some -more flagrant offence. A clergyman may make -the incident a text of protest. It is bound anyway -to arouse animosity and have a calamitous -effect.</p> - -<p>But in New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> -and cities approaching them in character and size, -the standing of the circus is affected neither one -way nor the other by an ingenuously-explained -legal interruption, and the notice it attracts if it -has unusual features shows gratifyingly at the -box office. It isn’t always easy to accomplish the -thing. “Splash” Austin, whose first name, Paul, -was a boyhood memory, was the high diver with -one of the big circuses. He performed for the free -edification of the crowd which gathered on the lot -after the parade, which is the side-show harvest -time. Later he was one of the features of the -show itself. “Splash” was always at the press -agent’s service. The circus arrived in Chicago on -Sunday for a week stand, and the press agent was -ready with an elaborately planned venture. He -and his aquatic accomplice drove to Lincoln Park -bridge, where, by a coincidence which is not remarkable, -a band of newspaper men were in -waiting. The performer shed a few garments and -plunged headforemost from the railing’s height -into the water. The feat was a simple one to the -skilled acrobat, but its appearance was hazardous -and spectacular, and the reporters marvelled and -interviewed at length.</p> - -<p>The beaming press agent’s ingenuity had not -been exhausted. Two frowning policemen intervened. -Their pockets, the press agent alone -knew, bulged with circus tickets. They were accommodatingly -indignant; the law had been violated.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> -“Splash” was put under arrest, and the -party started in a body for the station house. -On the way, the delighted author of the proceeding -secured permission from “Splash’s” captors to -stop at a drink dispensary. The bluecoats waited -outside while the circus man entertained. All -were thirsty and happy, and the newspaper guests, -in their innocence, cheerful over the unexpectedly -“good” story which had developed. They have -never known they tarried so long that one of -the policemen called their host outside and whispered -that there must be haste, two posts had -been left vacant too long already, and they were -half inclined to throw up the whole thing.</p> - -<p>The day was eminently successful from the circus -standpoint. The newspapers told at great length -of the accomplishment of the daring dive and its -tragic ending, and the public curiosity to see the -performer added materially to receipts. And best -of all none of the reporters was so wanting in human -charity as to reveal that, at the police station, -the captain had refused to hold the prisoner, -remarking grimly that no offence had been committed; -and that the press agent, searching frantically -through the book of ordinances that his -scheme not miscarry at the end, had found that -a penalty attached to the crime of disturbing the -fish in the lake, and patient “Splash” was locked -up on that charge. A small fine was promptly -paid next day.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span>Read one press agent’s circus literature and begin -to understand that the resources of the language -are less limited than you suppose. He is the -world-renowned alliterator of the show business. -He is better known in the profession than -Shakespeare, although Shakespeare never did -much for circuses. He has no acknowledged -rival in the successive use of the initial letter. -The advance matter which he sends abroad for -his “moral” enterprises where presumably only -moral people are admitted, forms an extraordinary -narrative.</p> - -<p>During each winter he writes, writes, writes, -writes, whether he feels right or not, but the -annual incessant drain does not subtract from -his elaborate eloquence. He tells of “real and -royal races for reward, huge heroic hippodromes, -genuine contests of strength, skill and speed, -superb struggles for success and supremacy between -the short and the stout, the tall and the -tiny, the fat and the frail, the mammoth and the -midget, the adipose and the attenuate, the large -and the little, the massive and the minute, the -swift and the slow; elephants in ponderous, pachydermic -progress, camels in cross and comical cantering, -horses in hurricane hustling for home, -donkeys in deliberate, dragging, droning pace, -monkeys in merry meanderings on meek and mild -mules, whippets in whirlwind dashes swifter than a -horse, runners in record reducing running in rivalry,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> -ponies in carts with clowns for conductors, -and the celebrated charioteer contestants of the -Coliseum.”</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_236f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">FAIR EQUESTRIENNE ON HER FAVORITE HORSE.</p> - -<p>Proceeding in his product, after this gaudy prologue, -this adjective-millionaire is impressed with -the “astral array of aerial artists. The very air -is filled with their flying forms, describing the -most intricate figures, far flights, swallow-like -sweeps, gymnic gyrations, castings and catches, -revolutions and returns, swings and somersaults, -leapings and lightnings, soarings and sailings, -altitudinous ascensions, diving descensions, keeping -the dizzy heights of the lofty canvas dome -alive with activity. Never before have the satiated -public seen a spectacle to so surely stir their -sluggish blood, arouse their admiration, excite -their enthusiasm and command their applause.”</p> - -<p>The clowns appeal to him. As phrased by -him they are “a phenomenal phalanx of phantastical, -phuriously phunny phellows; silly and sedate, -short and stout, smile securers set scot -free; loyal legion of long and lean laugh liberators -let loose. These extraordinary experts in the creation -of laughter have invented this year a new, -novel, unique, irresistibly comic, excruciatingly -funny and simply surprising series of skits, scenes, -screaming sallies and silly situations.”</p> - -<p>Danger is “defiantly defied by one audacious -aerial athlete, whose deed is daring, desperate -and death deriding, a fearless, fearful, fascinating<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> -feat, the veritable pinnacle of perillous performances.”</p> - -<p>“Whirling Wonders of the World on Wheels” are -“cycling champions in clubs and coteries, in single, -double and tandem teams, in wheeling fads, fancy -and freakish, in pictorial and picturesque peripatetic -posturings.”</p> - -<p>Proceeding, he describes the elephants as -“mountains in motion, ponderous and perspicacious -pachyderms, in marvellous, military -manoeuvres.”</p> - -<p>The districts remote from New York are assured -that “every element and entity that enthused, -excited and enthralled in the enormous Madison -Square Garden will be a part and parcel of the -prodigious performance.” And as a “super-splendid -spectacular suggestion of greater, grander -glories yet to come, early in the forenoon of the -day of exhibition there will pass through the -principal streets of the city the most mammoth, -monster mass of moving magnificence that ever -fell athwart the delighted, gratified, entranced -vision of the human eye, the nearly all new free -street parade, including an interesting and instructive -illustration of the progress of our glorious -Republic, showing in correct uniform the -soldiers of all American wars; gorgeous tableaux, -many massive, open dens, glittering cavalcades of -knights and ladies, representatives of the regiment -of Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, comic clowns<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> -and grotesque grimaldis, rollicking rubes and -jolly jays, herds of ponderous elephants, droves of -camels, floods of music from military bands, etc., -etc.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>“Some circus owners never appreciate the valuable -services we render them,” lamented a veteran -press agent who has toured two continents under -a tent. “The ignominious end of my graveyard -specialty is an example of the palpable lack of -sentiment and business astuteness sometimes disclosed -when one least expects it. I observed that -almost every town has turned upon the public a -circus man of high or low degree, who finally returns -to his native spot to pass his last days and -be put away in the local cemetery. With the arrival -of the circus his career becomes a topic of -conversation among the townsfolk and invariably -newspaper reporter, hotel keeper or some other -resident engaged me in talk about the man. I -always unblushingly remembered him vividly and -was able, after a few leading questions, to shed -much entertaining light upon his circus life, to -express well-feigned surprise that the body of so -well-known a character was buried there and to -express a deep feeling of sorrow over the loss the -profession had sustained in his death. Sometimes -I would urge the erection of a more suitable -monument and reproach townspeople for -their neglect.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span>“Not infrequently the subject of my solicitude -had been a four-horse driver, a trombone player -or a stake driver. But his professional insignificance -was not appreciated by the friends of his -life time, my tender expressions made good feelings -toward the show, and I let no opportunity -pass ungrasped. Sometimes the newspapers -quoted my sentiments, and it helped business.</p> - -<p>“If I had only been content with my own perfidious -eloquence I wouldn’t have got disgusted -and quit. But I was ambitious and wanted to -throw away no chance to boom the show. So, -soon, in every town in which I could locate an -appropriate headstone, I put on black clothes, a -countenance of becoming sadness and marched the -band to the graveyard. They played dirges all -the way. Frank Morris, the orator of the circus, -accompanied us and I had him make an address -at the grave. I wrote out three non-committal -speeches and there was no dead man whose life -didn’t fit one or judiciously selected parts of the -three. They were all very affecting, and made the -women cry. On the way back to the lot we always -got a loving ovation. The newspapers -spoke approvingly of the proceedings and the residents -thought it a great compliment. I was very -proud of myself.</p> - -<p>“The thing went along swimmingly for several -weeks and my motives were never openly assailed, -although I think once or twice there lurked a suspicion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> -in the minds of shrewd townspeople that -their departed brother wasn’t all in life that we -represented him. Anyway, I know it brought -money to the circus, and I could never understand -the boss’s secret disapproval. He never offered -any sensible, legitimate objection, but I could tell -by his manner that he was afraid of some kind of -a boomerang finish some day. I persevered aggressively, -nevertheless, and was confident he -would never get a valid excuse for forbidding us -to continue. I knew the experienced old man of -affairs was waiting warily for a chance.</p> - -<p>“The success or failure of the concert depended -in a great measure upon Morris’s oratory. When -in good voice and spirits, he could fairly glue his -auditors to their seats. They wouldn’t budge -until they had seen all the concert attractions -about which he had so insinuatingly roared. So -it was through him that the boss found opportunity -to base a complaint, put an end to my -practices and lower my estimate of his business -intelligence. One unlucky day Morris caught a -bad cold. He was hoarse and depressed, and his -announcement was received with little favor. The -concert attendance was small and the head of the -show was quick to seize his advantage—and strike -at my burying-ground plot.</p> - -<p>“‘Morris got that cold in one of your graveyards,’ -he addressed me, reproachfully, ‘and we’ll -have to give him a rest from this double duty.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> -Let those fellows rest in peace in their graves -after this!’</p> - -<p>“I left the show a month later, disgusted and -discouraged, and found a place where my fine art -received support and confidence and gratitude.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>In the Southern States several years ago a circus -now disorganized was in high popular favor, and -it was with great difficulty and at heavy expense -that the “big shows” of to-day succeeded in convincing -the population that its confidence had -been misplaced. Finally, however, they were welcomed -and accepted. The colored public was the -last to forsake its cherished tradition.</p> - -<p>An advance press agent strolling past the flaring -billboards announcing the approach to an -Alabama town of the metropolitan organization -he represented, observed an aged, tottering darkey, -supported by a small boy of his race. They -were scrutinizing the posters.</p> - -<p>“Read it to me, son,” directed the old man. -“What dey say about dis new circus?”</p> - -<p>The lad stared ruefully at the polysyllabic collection -and began slowly: “Of all magnificent -and master consolidations of rare, varied and -illustrious menageries, circus and hippodrome -possessions and possibilities this is greatest. -Sept. 1, ——.”</p> - -<p>“Dat’s enough, my boy, dat’s enough,” interrupted -the attentive old listener, shaking his head<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> -grimly and chuckling, “’cept one, eh, ’cept one. -I know dat one. It’s de circus I’s been seein’ for -years. Dis false show don’t git none ob my -money.”</p> - -<p>A free ticket, produced on the spot, helped to -shake his faith, but history does not record -whether the performance made him a thorough -convert.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Adam Forepaugh was as ready a man in an -emergency as circus life ever developed, and was -noted in the business for his skill in avoiding -legal entanglements. A resident of Auburn, N. Y., -does not know to this day how neatly the showman -escaped a claim for damages at his expense. -The man had been drinking heavily, and in the -menagerie tent before the performance had begun -offered Bolivar, an elephant noted for his size, a -bottle filled with whiskey. The smell of the liquid -always infuriates the beasts. In the spring of -1902, Tops, a usually good-natured elephant, -stamped the life out of a man who offended her -with whiskey, in Brooklyn, N. Y. The Auburn -man was chased away unharmed by the watchful -keepers, but Bolivar’s small eyes gleamed vindictively -and he did not forget. The performance -was well under way, and the menagerie tent was -being rapidly emptied of its collection of animals -and cages, when the man returned. The elephants -and camels were lined up preparatory to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> -march to the cars. The scene was one of confusion -and excitement, and the man was not observed -by the attendants. Bolivar, however, had -his eyes fixed on his persecutor and as the luckless -stranger came within reach the big beast trumpeted, -struck with his trunk and prepared to -stamp upon the victim. Keepers rushed to the -spot with pitchforks, subdued the angry elephant -and dragged the unconscious form away. An examination -showed no serious injury.</p> - -<p>Visions of a sheriff, attachment and suit for -heavy damages oppressed Mr. Forepaugh at once, -but his quick wit suggested a way out of the -trouble.</p> - -<p>“Take this fellow to the cars,” he shouted to -“Dan” Taylor, boss canvasman, “and keep him -locked there. Don’t let him out when he gets his -senses again, but bring him to me in the morning -in Syracuse.”</p> - -<p>The bruised and wondering man was taken like -a prisoner, according to instructions, before the -owner of the show next day. Mr. Forepaugh’s -attitude was that of a judge on the police court -bench. A withering frown was on his face.</p> - -<p>“You’re a nice specimen to hire out as a driver,” -he observed severely, “you were so drunk you fell -off the wagon. You are discharged. I can’t tolerate -intoxication with my circus. It’s fortunate -you were not killed and the horses didn’t run -away.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span>The effects of drink and the blow he received had -driven memory from the unfortunate man’s brain, -and as Mr. Forepaugh perceived it a load was -lifted from him. He talked kindly but firmly to -the penitent before him, dwelt on the evils of intemperance -and finally offered him a day’s pay if -he would promise not to drink liquor for a year. -The pledge was solemnly given and, I have been -told, the man was ever after consecrated to sobriety.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>A good story is told by a former press agent of -one of the big circuses of how Samuel D. Clemens -(Mark Twain) was out-humored at his home in -Hartford, Conn., by an untutored savage. The -enterprising agent decided it would be a good advertisement -to get an interview between Mr. -Clemens and one of the Indians who were then a -feature of the show. He called on the humorist -and laid the matter before him. Mr. Clemens -said that he didn’t care for the Indians, he was -very busy, and didn’t see what Indians had to do -with him, anyway.</p> - -<p>“Why, the fact is,” replied the circus man, -“they have heard of you in the far West and -want to see you.”</p> - -<p>Still Mr. Clemens was indisposed to grant the -request until the press agent swore solemnly that -a big Sioux Chief had said that he would never -die happy, if compelled to return to his reservation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> -without seeing and speaking with the man -whose fame was world-wide.</p> - -<p>“All right,” finally assented the humorist. -“Have him here at six o’clock this evening, but -make it short.”</p> - -<p>Mr. Clemens sat on the broad porch of his -home in Farmington avenue at the appointed -time. The house was a fine, long, rambling red -brick structure standing near the top of a green -breezy hill. To the astonishment of the man he -perceived an immense cavalcade of mounted warriors, -more than half a hundred of them, tearing -along the broad, airy boulevard in a mad exhibition -of horsemanship. They swept in on the -lawn, breaking down the shrubbery, wearing off -the grass and devastating the whole place like a -destroying army. A crowd of boys were at their -heels, trampling flower beds and shrubs. The -spokesman of the party was a mighty hunter who -had been previously told that Mark Twain was -famous for his slaughter of wild beasts.</p> - -<p>The Indian laid himself out for a game of brag. -The interpreter, who was in the deal, instead of -repeating what the chief said, made a speech of -his own, extolling Twain’s literary achievements.</p> - -<p>“For Heaven’s sake, choke him off!” ejaculated -the sad funny-man, with blanched face. The -cracking of boughs in the choice trees in which the -small boys had ensconced themselves were punctuating -the Indian’s remarks.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span>The interpreter turned to the red man and soberly -remarked that the White Hunter wanted more -talk, and on he went. Every time Twain cried for -quarter the chief was told to give another hunting -story. Finally his Indian vocabulary was exhausted -and he quit.</p> - -<p>Twain made a brief reply which the interpreter -translated into a marvellous hunting yarn. The -Chief listened stolidly, and when he got away -grunted contemptuously and muttered:</p> - -<p>“White man heap big liar.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Adam Forepaugh, in the latter years of his circus -life, carried with his show a “Wild West” department. -He had Indians, cowboys, Mexicans, -Cossacks, Arabs, scouts, guides, detachments of -regular soldiers from the armies of several nations -and all the others that go to make a spectacular -rough-riding production. I remember an amusing -incident which illustrates that the veteran tented-amusement -purveyor did not allow sentiment to -interfere with the ticket wagon end of the business. -One of the features of the exhibition was a representation -of Custer’s disastrous battle with the -Sioux Indians under Sitting Bull. The <i>mise en scne</i> -was correct in most particulars, and carried out -with fidelity to the subject. It was a graphic illustration -of the Indian mode of warfare. The cowboys -who participated were true children of the -plains who had faced danger in many of its deadliest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> -forms. They were very proud of their records -as scouts, plainsmen and warriors.</p> - -<p>Along about the middle of the season Mr. Forepaugh -picked up a famous addition to the show -in Mt. Vernon, O. He was Sergeant George C. -Wagner, “representative frontiersman of the past.” -He came unannounced, looking for a job in the -Wild West department, hopping on to the lot like -a clumsy bird. A wooden prop replaced the flesh -and bone of his right leg below the knee. He explained -to Mr. Forepaugh that he was the sole -survivor of Custer’s immediate command; he had -escaped death in the last rally, because at the -time of the fight he was riding the plains with a -message to Major Reno, seventy-two miles away. -During his lonely journey he had encountered -Indians, and a poisoned arrow received in the -running conflict had necessitated amputation of -his leg. He looked the figure of romance and adventure, -impressed the circus owner as sincere and -was hired on the spot.</p> - -<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_248f.jpg" alt="" /></div> -<p class="caption">ACROBATS PRACTISING NEW FEATS.</p> - -<p>As the days went by the sergeant became more -and more a conspicuous part of the show. He -was a skilful horseman, despite his abbreviated -limb, although we all wondered how he was able to -hold his seat. His name appeared in black type -on the programme, and he always got a tremendous -ovation when he scurried on a big bay horse -around the hippodrome amid the blare of trumpets, -after a highly complimentary introduction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span> -by the announcer. After the show, Grand Army -posts frequently gave him informal receptions, at -which he regaled the veterans with thrilling stories -of life on the trail and of incidents of the excitement -and turmoil of the unsettled West. He drank -whiskey with great freedom and frequency, but it -seemed to affect only his tongue. His encounters -with red men then became innumerable and his -life history was written all over with blood. His -knowledge of Custer’s campaigns was comprehensive -to a detail.</p> - -<p>Mr. Forepaugh was mightily pleased with the -acquisition, but not so the cowboys, the true sons -of the frontier. All the honors of the show were -Wagner’s and they were jealous. One day one of -them suggested a systematic review of their gallant -comrade’s past in the hope of uncovering an -act of cowardice or crime, and the proposition -met general favor. They hired a lawyer to investigate -and his report was received in a surprisingly -short time. The man who had represented -himself as cradled amid pioneer surroundings -had never been out of the Ohio county in -which he revealed himself until the circus adopted -him, and he had lost his leg by a premature -anvil explosion at a Fourth of July celebration.</p> - -<p>It was at this juncture that Adam Forepaugh -lost, in a great measure, the respect and admiration -of the cowboy fraternity, and proved, as I -have observed, that noble emotions and lofty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span> -ideals cannot always rise supreme in the circus -business. The cowboys, with many strange oaths -and threats, presented their damning narrative, -confident that the hour of retribution was at -hand and that the owner of the show would express -sympathy and gratitude for the disclosure. -Wagner, they thought, would be clubbed off the lot.</p> - -<p>Mr. Forepaugh listened intently to the story of -the imposition. He, too, I know, had been as -thoroughly deceived as the rest of us, but he -wasn’t willing the show should suffer.</p> - -<p>“What do I care,” he remarked quickly, and the -expectant faces of the cowboys blanched, “whether -the fellow’s a fakir or not? He looks the part -better than any of you, he’s got a wooden leg to -confirm it, he’s the finest liar under the tent and -he’s made a big hit. He stays with the troupe.”</p> - -<p>“Sergeant” Wagner continued as hero, guide, -and scout until the season’s close, when he disappeared -and the Wild West department heard of -him no more. The memory of his dare-devil appearance, -long golden locks floating in the wind, -wide sombrero, buckskin breeches and protruding -guns will not be effaced for many years.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The gnawing fear of attachments is never absent -from the circus owner’s mind, and with all his -mental wealth of resource, acquired by hard experience, -he cannot always escape imposition. The -sheriff becomes an object of hate and dread. His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> -appearance with a levy, the showman knows, is -a portend of extortion. So it is that sometimes -he submits to injustice rather than bring -about a conflict with the law. Unscrupulous people -appreciate this, with its fine opportunity for -blackmail, but sometimes the instigator comes as -a shock and a surprise to the circus owner and -helps to shake his faith in the general honest impulses -accredited to human nature.</p> - -<p>We were playing the Ohio towns. Business was -big, weather fine and everybody was happy. One -day a negro preacher, hat in hand and apologetic -in manner, approached the owner and explained a -grievance. His church edifice, eight miles outside -the town, had been posted with our glaring show -bills, the congregation was angry and mortified -and threatening to go over in a body to another -parish, and the church receipts had fallen to -nothing. One hundred dollars would set things -right. A lawyer who fingered a bunch of legal -papers ominously was with the outraged clergyman. -The circus compromised for fifty dollars -and got a release.</p> - -<p>We showed next day in a town fourteen miles -distant. Before the parade had formed, the colored -minister of the day before again confronted us. -He was humble and devout enough in appearance, -but the same lawyer was his companion, and -a man whom we knew was the sheriff hovered on -the outskirts of the lot. The man of religion lamented<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> -his complaint of the preceding day without -a variation, and concluded the narrative -again with a demand for pecuniary balm.</p> - -<p>“Why, I settled with you yesterday,” the astonished -owner retorted. “I gave you fifty dollars, -and hold your paper of satisfaction. You have -no further claim.”</p> - -<p>“You see, Mr. Circus man,” was the ready answer, -“my church is on the county line. Yesterday -you paid for desecrating the house of God in -Lorain county. But you also profaned our sacred -worshipping place in Cuyahoga county. I want -damages now for the actual and religious injury -done there.”</p> - -<p>If we hadn’t been so prosperous, I know the -owner wouldn’t have yielded. As it was, the unblushing -effrontery of the thing appealed to his -sense of humor, and he gave the man another -fifty dollars. He told of the proceeding at dinner -as a good joke at his expense, and remarked that, -after all, he was not sorry to have had the chance -to contribute to the finances of the struggling -congregation. It might bring him good luck.</p> - -<p>About three o’clock in the afternoon he told me -to ascertain the whereabouts of the church—he -had become curious about the shrewd preacher’s -affairs—and we would drive out there. The church -was about six miles away, through a lonely country -district. We lost our way once and the circus -owner was not in the best of humor when we arrived.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span> -The sight that greeted him knocked out all -the exalted sentiment that had stirred him. The -steeple of the building was on a level with the -eaves, two cows browsed off the pulpit, there was -evidence of the nocturnal presence of hens in the -amen corner, and the whole edifice was in a state -of dilapidation and decay. Along the entire front -was an inch and a half accumulation of circus -bills. Ours were the outside strata. The minister -couldn’t be found, fortunately for his physical -welfare. He was probably spending his booty. -His wife told us the congregation had dissolved -months ago, and our adroit questioning disclosed -that the couple’s income consisted in a great measure -of the money extracted from the circuses who, -innocently, utilized the inviting stretch of ecclesiastical -boards. The memory of the colored clergyman -is still green with the circus man, and religion -is at a discount with the show.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>P. T. Barnum, in the early years of his life, had -no modern press agent, but it is doubtful if the -interesting person could have aided the showman -in advertising his enterprises. No one knew better -than he the value of printer’s ink, and of the -men who made printer’s ink the vehicle of -news and information. Old circus men recall an -illustration of his unique but impressive way of -attracting public attention in 1849, which would -have done credit to this enlightened generation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> -He sent an expedition to Ceylon, a formidable -undertaking then, to capture elephants. They returned -to New York with ten of the animals, -harnessed them in pairs to a chariot and drove up -Broadway. Not content with this advertisement, -he sent one of the elephants to his Connecticut -farm and engaged the beast in agricultural pursuits. -A keeper, clad in oriental costume, was the -companion. They were stationed on a six-acre lot -which lay close beside the tracks of the New York -and New Haven railroad. The keeper was furnished -with a timetable of the road with special -instructions to be busily engaged in plowing, with -the animal dragging the implement, whenever -passenger trains passed. The proceeding made a -sensation and the showman gravely announced -that he intended to introduce a herd of elephants -to do all his plowing and heavy draft work. After -the six acres had been plowed over at least a hundred -times, he quietly returned the animal to his -museum.</p> - -<p>It is related in the circus world that the “Feejee -Mermaid” was the stepping-stone to Barnum’s -road to wealth and circus renown. The thing was -made in Japan with an ingenuity and mechanical -perfection well calculated to deceive. Barnum -bought it in 1842, when he was unknown, modified -by printer’s ink the general incredulity as to -the possibility of the existence of mermaids, and -aroused great curiosity to see and examine his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> -specimen. Then, too, he persuaded some naturalist -to endorse it as genuine. The fame of his -museum and its preserved curiosity was wafted -from one end of the land to the other. Money -flowed in rapidly and the notoriety he attained he -never permitted to fade.</p> - -<p>In the museum, the ladder by which he rose to -fortune, Mr. Barnum a few months later perpetrated -another humbug which arrested public attention. -He purchased in Cincinnati, O., a well-formed, -small-sized horse, with no mane and not -a particle of hair on his tail, while his body and -legs were covered with thick, fine hair or wool, -which curled tight to his skin. The animal had -been foaled in Ohio and was a remarkable freak -of nature. The astute showman immediately advertised -the beast as “The Woolly Horse.” The -news had just come that Colonel John C. Fremont, -who was supposed to have been lost in the -snows of the Rocky Mountains, was in safety. -Mr. Barnum grasped the opportunity and asserted -that his horse had been captured by the explorer’s -party. The curiosity was a great attraction -for many months, and no definite exposure of the -imposition was ever made. It added immeasurably -to the reputation and pecuniary success of -the establishment.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>The circus press agent is a welcome visitor to -the country newspaper office. In his gratitude<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span> -over the influx of tickets and advertising, the -editor generally devotes space to a eulogy of the -social and professional merits of the visitor. Here -are some truthfully reproduced specimens, taken at -random from a collection:</p> - -<p>“The bustling press agent of the vast concourse -is the most popular man with the circus.”</p> - -<p>“The press agent is built for a gentleman from -the ground up, and he acts it with the ease and -dignity of a Chesterfield.”</p> - -<p>“The management is fortunate in having for its -press representative ——, who is a gentleman in -every way, and who understands his business -thoroughly.”</p> - -<p>“The press agent is one of the most genial gentlemen -in the profession, and he is much liked by -the newspapers wherever he goes, not only because -he is liberal with the pasteboards, but because he -is a hale fellow well met.”</p> - -<p>“—— leaves nothing undone on his part to -make the grand show popular.”</p> - -<p>“—— is a mighty clever gentleman. He called -at our office to-day and made himself agreeable.”</p> - -<p>“The press agent of the circus is undoubtedly -an element of strength in that big institution. He -is a mighty pleasant gentleman and knows exactly -how to make himself popular with the -newspaper men.”</p> - -<p>“He is the right man in the right place.”</p> - -<p>“The show has four aces in ——, the press representative,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> -who is such a thorough gentleman -that his kindness to the press boys issues his own -patent to nobility.”</p> - -<p>“The press agent treated us nicely yesterday. -Several little attentions he gave us made us feel -more than kind to him.”</p> - -<p>“The circus is lucky in having him for press -agent. He is a refined and courteous gentleman -to whom much is due for the success and popularity -of this great show.”</p> - -<p>“The press of this section will always welcome -the coming of this genial gentleman.”</p> - -<p>“But probably the most versatile artist of this -great aggregation was ——, the press agent of -this enormous aggregation. He deserves special -mention.”</p> - -<p>“On last Thursday evening of the circus, the -editor of the ——, upon invitation of the pleasing -and wide awake press agent, went ‘behind the -scenes’ on a tour of the dressing-rooms of the -great institution. We were first introduced to the -great and only ——, just preparing to mount the -twenty-three bareback horses, which he rides to -the consternation of all who see him. Going to -the left, the curtain was raised and Trunktown -was seen, that is, about one hundred and fifty -people sitting upon, diving into, standing or beside -their trunks, in various stages of deshabille, -preparing for their various acts. Taking off his -plug, the press agent announced the presence of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> -the editor, and everybody came forward and -shook us by the hand—for a little while we -thought we were running for President of the -United States. A chair was brought for us and a -little chat indulged in with those near, among -whom was the great bareback rider. We had a -chat with the gladiators, also, who were making -up for their act, one of the most pleasing and artistic -of the show. In shaking hands with those -chaps we got some white powder on our left -shoulder, which they use to powder their faces. -After returning to our wife in the circus auditorium, -we had great difficulty in explaining the -powder away. But the press agent bore testimony -that we had not visited the ladies’ dressing-rooms, -not being the right gender.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>An old-time press agent, writing a brief list of a -few men met with in the circus’s transitory career -and who will continue to exist when showmen of -this generation have passed on, mentions:</p> - -<p>The man who travelled with Dan Rice.</p> - -<p>The man who when a boy carried water for the -elephant.</p> - -<p>The man who knew the man who sold his cook -stove to secure the price of a circus ticket.</p> - -<p>The man who knows how many thousands of -dollars the circus takes out of town.</p> - -<p>The man who is anxious to know when “show -folks” sleep.</p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span>The man who sympathizes with us because of -our “hard life.”</p> - -<p>The man who asks: “Where do you go from -here?”</p> - -<p>The man who knows the show is “split up” in -the smaller towns.</p> - -<p>The man who is sure “this is the best show -town of its size in the United States.”</p> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"> -<div class="transnote"> -<p class="ph2">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> - - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p> - -<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> - -<p>Archaic or alternate spelling has been retained from the original.</p> - -<p>The cover image for this eBook was created by the transcriber using the original cover and is entered into the public domain.</p> -</div></div> - - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's On the Road With a Circus, by W. 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