Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-03-13
THE TRIALS OLA SNOWMAN.

On Monday morning, Cne w lLdIu VI Iuc
West" travelling in two small vehicles, pro-
PEELED by three jaded and veteran animals,
which on close inspection resembled horses,
arrived in town and pitched his canvas-an
eight by ten wall tent-near the depot. The
paraphernalia of the concern consisted of
ssthree little Injuns'' and magic lantern; and
a lecture on Bible scenes, interspersed with
magical illusions, formed the intellectual fea-
ture of the entertainment. No bills were
distributed, and consequently we cannot use
the oft-repeated phrase, mot on the bills" in
speaking Of the progress Of the entertain
ment. About sundown the ''grand process
sion'' wended it's way through the streets, be-
ing intended as an advertisement of the won
ders to be witnessed in the canvas; and though
not altogether as attractive and imposing as
the gorgeous turnout of John Robinson, it
had the effect Of awakening the interest OF
s'the boys" who, as was subsequently devel-
oped, determined to 90 to the show and have
some fun. 1t seems that nearly every boy in
town invested his twenty cents for admission
fee, but it has not been proved that single
one of them acted otherwise than with the
utmost decorum while in the canvas; though
it is equally clear that a scene OF almost in
describable pandemonium reigned until the
canvas collapsed by reason of the cutting OF
the guy ropes on the outside. The perform
ance was to begin first with the mysteries Of
the magic lantern. The first scene, ''ground
of light" was greeted with prolonged ap-
plause, and pronounced the best picture ever
painted, when the lecturer endeavored to ex-
plain that it was not intended as picture; but
unable to silence the Outbursts of applause, in
troduced the picture of "Ruth cleaning in the
field" which was greeted with, "When the
corn is waving, gentle Annie" in such a lively
manner, that the Snowman thought full opera
chorus had burst upon the scene, and unable
to explain the why's and wherefores OF Ruth
assuming the role of harvest hand, he hoped
to silence the vOcalists by suddenly throwing
before their vision the ghastly sight of "John
The Baptist's head Oh charger" This was
greeted with prolonged and vigorous singing of
John Anderson, my Joe," until the lecturers
patience being we'll nigh exhausted, he told his
audience that if they could conduct that show
better than he could he would retire, when
cries went up from all to proceed with the fu-
neral, that he was doing very well to bring
out another picture. Feeling somewhat reas-
sured, and hoping the magic effect of female
loveliness would calm the storm, he next dis
played the picture of "Rebecca at the we'll"
but this only induced another vocalization,
to the words of ''You never miss the water
till the we'll runs dry.'' Before this could
be concluded, aswe have already above limited,
the tent suddenly collapsed and general
scramble ensued to gain access to the open air.
The troubles of the Snowman, however, did
not end here. Before he had the time to re-
pair damages, his attention was called to the
white horse forming a part Of his equippage.
While the "wizard" was vainly endeavoring to
exhibit works of art inside the tent, a "home
artist'' had been industriously plying his
brushes on the sides Of the white costanago,
producing work fearfully and wonderfully
made. The stripes of the zebra and the spots
of the leopard were plainly delineated in fast
colors, and surmounting the emblazoned tints
were the words 'corn," "oats.' The show