Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-01-19
) IS From tasst l1als Isvills.
WHIPPING A CIRCUS.

for Mexico, when every country tavern
was head quarters, and every barrel-topI
was aspeak from which was ready 10
; soar the American eagle al The slightest
notice, the equestrian company ofthe Ma
bies entered a certain small country town
in Suckerdom. to keep their appointment
of one night only This little place as
not bad little place in itself. but it hap
peaed TO lay in a mighty bad section
aud the hard cases in the neighborhood
were in the habit Of ;rruptshg occasional
ly-walking down upon it in barbarian
style, and playing the deuce with its in
lernal policy, manners. men-and women
into the bargain. The worthy town peo-
pie were kept in terror of their lives !; and
though they had in turn elected TO the
sherifalty-or done their part towards it
every one who had dared TO say what
he ,eould do for them, they still had the
luck of seeing that functiunary rather pa
Iavering with their enemies, than enfor-
cling the laws in their favor. The circus
ing. and the whole country was in COM
motion, and soon there were whispers Of
somethin' squally coming In short,
the equestrians learned that the 'circus
was bound to be whipped Big Bill
from somewhere about, it seems, was in
town. was in the habit Of whipping things
in general. and had expressed his desire
TO include. on this occasion, the circus
Town authorities, county authorities were
in CONSERVATION. The equcstrians found
that they would have to protect themselves,
and, in few words. they expressed con-
6dence in their ability TO do go.
'Only let Big Bill attempt to pass him.
self on me- said the short, chucky, bull
terrier looking clown, and III make small
change of him any howl
The workmen got under weigh. indus
triously; the riders lounged about care
lessly; Big Bill and his crowd swelied
and swore, looking terrible things at the
canvass pavilion which was going up, and
some few ventured TO suggest 10 them
selves suppose the circus shouldn't get
licked, after all = The authorities, incIu-
ding the sheriff. priUafely assured the ma
mayer, however, that the majesty of the
law would be respected. and that they
would oppose violence, &c all Of which
meant, as usual, that they would keep out
of harms way until the fight was over,
and then take drink with the conqueror
Night came-tent was lighted-crowds
were gathering on the corners-Big Bill
was about. but things didn't look SO tightly
as expected; for the circus men. cool, had
gone to their performance with sort OF
bowie-kniGe-and-pistol suspicion attaching
to them, and the understrappers exhibited
sort of grinning sauvity by no means in
wiling too intimate acquaintance. Au.
dience gathered, clown joked, spangles
glistened, dogs danced, only two or three
threatening indications being noticed and
whispers began to circulate that Big Bill
was blufed off this time,' &C., when a
tremendous rush of score of fellows was
made upon the performers dressing tent;
spectators tumbled back forwards under
the benches, escaping under the canvass;
lights came down with run; the pavilion
Delaying pins freed from the ground, left
the vast pavilion Tapping, and it seemed a
whipped circus certainly. Big Bill =
was getting up company for Mexico, and
at the head of his war.dogs he was now
lying about him. Suddenly the hero felt
a one, f,0o,' about his nose, wS1ich set
a shower of stars shooting, and then a
one. two, three clinched by an awful
ONE that laid him on the field. At least
score on side we're engaged; the circus
men marked, dancing and glancing like
spirits in their fnery. Big Bill couldn',
raise his head without that vivid zone,
two, sending him down again. Science
and agility had it all. their own way; and,
in an incredibly short time, the leader Of
the attack alone remained captive to make
out his bulletin. ,...-
| If could only open my eyes, said
the fallen, : I'd like to see that consarnet
fire fly that's been singing my face so =
The clown. in his speckled war coat
made six of the Profoundest bows. threw
three of his liveliest head-springs, kicked
twice over his huge victims head, ant
wound up by seizing him under the arm
and walking him, double quick time. int
an adjoining grocery amid roars ant
shouts of laughter.
| Big Bill was small change to th'
whole country from that moment, it wal
clear enough. The authorities were re
"aarkably busy, they had taken thei
measures, and order had triumpbed,' a
they had promised. In.short, such law
abiding place. perhaps, existed no wher'
else on the American continent at that mo
ment.
!, Are you the one that handed over then
ticks to me = inquired Bill OF the clown
ruefulIy, 'opening his eye with tumble
full Of whiskey at the same tine.
Science must prevail, cir responde,
the mime; 'as a son of art rejoice t
know that have neither addressed you
sight in vain, nor appealed fruitlessly t
your feelings! Sir, you are gentIema
, and scholar-boohr
i The sucker here started as il he ha
been shot, from the deadly leveIIed lee