National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-04-20
AFTER THE SHOW.
d Srene in the DresslnE-RoOm-"Lo Loading
Up. for RsItimOre.

A REPUBLICAN, reporter sat, together
with General Sherman Vice President Arthur,
Senators Burnside, Sherman, Anthony, and other
prominent gentlemen last night, gazing in open
mouthed wonder at the rapidly changing scenes
in the ring at Barnum's circus, when Dave
Thomas, the press agent of the "Great Moral"
whispered to him, "Let us go out and see them
load up" so the reporter left his distinguished
company and followed Mr.. Thomas as he
PICKED HIS WAY OVER ROPES
and benches and people to that mysterious portal
that leads to the dressing rooms. and out OF which
pours all the splendid troop of equestrians, tum-
blers, jugglers, and clowns that make up the ring
entertainment Inside was great square apart
ment, walled around with canvas. Horses, men,
and women were in animated and picturesque
groups. 1t requires considerable activity to keep
performance going in three rings, and the
SCENES ABOUT THE DRESSING ROOMS
were consequently full of bustling life. Men were
hurrying about shifting and carrying hurdles, car
pets planks, and other apparatus used in the ring
horses were constantly being led out and there
seemed constant danger that some one would be
trampled under foot as the spirited horses. with
their careless riders, dashed through the crowd
The gay spangles of the performers and the
GAUDY RAIMEST OF THE PAINTED CLOWNS
who lOitered about served to give an agreeable
color to the picture. Next to this square apart
ment, which was really sort of waiting room,
there was another, which was divided off into
little compartments or dressing rooms. Having
gazed for some minutes upon the busting scene,
Mr. Thomas and the reporter crawled under the
canvas and stood in the damp and darkness out
side. Here and there haring red torch made
HOLE N THE NIGHT
and served to show that there was small army of
men at work in the darkness. Forms kept fitting
past the lights, and the leaders could be heard
shouting orders to their men. When his eye be-
came accustomed to the darkness, the reporter
discovered that the menagerie tents had already
disappeared and long line OF wagons were wait
ing to be hauled to the depot. Mr.. Thomas guided
the reporter toward the tent where the horses were
kept. They
STUMBLED UPON A TALL MAN,
who was going about with a lantern This is Mr.
Smith, master of stud,' said Mr.. Thomas, intro
ducing the reporter. Mr.. Smith, however, was full
of business and had little time talk. He glanced
anxiously at the long row of tents, and then blew
a whistle. "See," said Mr.. Thomas, grasping the
reporters arm. There was
A SOUND OF HORSES HOOPS.
and the whole region suddenly seemed filed with
horses whose forms could only be dimly deserted
in the darkness. The cavalcade swept by the re.
porter. They are going to the wagons and will
soon be on the road" explained Mr.. Thomas The
last act having been performed in the ring, the
great of people poured out but before half of
them had risen from their seats the work of
STRIPPING THE CANVAS FROM THE POLES
was begun. Mr.. Thomas and the reporter babe
farewell to the animated scene, and quickly made
their way to the railroad track on Maryland ave-
nue., where the work of loading up" began be-
fore the show was out. The embarkation was
witnessed by hundreds of people. The cages and
wagons were
HAULED WITH ASTONISHING CELEBRITY
upon the long, fiat cars and the horses took their
places in the stock-cars as if each one knew his
place perfectly well. In an hour the matches were
all battened down, and a few hours later the
hustle and excitement was transferred to Balti
more