The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-11-16
Experiences of an Arkansas Girl and
Boy Who Ran Off With Show.

LITTLE Rock. Ark.-Last October
a circus exhibited in this city before
large audience, the people coming from
the surrounding country for miles and
miles. Among the throng was an old
farmer named Wallace, who, with his
wife and son and daughter, had come
from Searcy county, over 100 niles
west of here, to witness the show. The
girl was seventeen years old and the
boy fifteen, and they became completely
fascinated with what they witnessed and
decided to join the circus. The girl,
fearing her sex would stand in the way
of her designs, donned shabby suit
belonging to her brother and succeeded
in securing a situation with him without
betraying her identity. The show went
south from this point, taking the twain
with it. The father and mother Of the
boy and girl were frantic with grief,
not knowing what had become of their
children. They remained in town sew
eral days searching for them everywhere,
but, being unable to find them, returned
to their mountain home utterly bewild-
cred by their loss, and the mystery in
which it was shrouded. To-day's train
from Texas brought back the children
who ran away just a year ago. In the
twelve months which have elapsed they
have learned enough experience to last
them during the remainder of their
lives. They were hired by the man
agement of the show at 81 per week,
which to them seemed large sum, and
took part in the concert which followed
the regular performances. They travelled
through the greater part of Texas, the
glitter and tinsel of the business fading
away at every step. Finally, when at
Galveston, the manager grew weary of
them and set them adrift. They were
thus left without friend and with only
So in money. This was in December
last. The girl had kept the secret of
her sex SO well that no one except her
brother took her to be other than Il
comely youth. Alone and in a strange
city, they were glad to get situation
at once, and the only thing which
offered employment was brig plying
between Galveston und New Orleans,
and on it they both shipped. Their
experience on board the brig was any
thing but pleasant, the crew being
boisterous and their employer utterly
brutal When they reached New Or
leans they again ran away, forfeiting
all their wages thereby, as they had
contracted for the round trip. Here
the boy was takenill and their situation
was becoming critical when the girl
encountered Sister of Charity, to
whom she told her story. Convinced
that it was true, the sister had the sick
boy removed to a charitable institution,
where he was nursed back to health.
She also provided the girl with garments
suitable to her sex, and succeeded in
enlisting the interest of wealthy and
charitable lady of New Orleans in the
children to such an extent that the
lady furnished them with money to
carry them home, and a comfortable
outfit besides. The children reached
this place without any trouble, and
will leave at once for the old home
amid the mountains, where their parents
are no doubt grieving over their disap-
pearance, and where they will be wei
coined as having risen from the dead.