The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-12-30
"Zeb" Vance at the Circus.

1t is rarely that a circus and United
States senator run up against each
other. but such thing occurred down
in North Carolina a day or two before
election. 1t happened that one of the
small road circuses of the South struck
Nilkesborough. Wilkes county, n. C.,
one day. and found, to tho horror of the
manager, that the town had been billed
for d grand democratic mass-meeting,
with Senator Zebulon B. Vance as the
great attraction The circus had had
a hard summer. and the proprietor
thought when ii reached its native heath
in North Carolina 1t would strike il
rich. But the proprietor was nearly
panic-stricken when he saw the fiaring
democratic posters and heard the people
talking about the great anti-civilseryice
senator who had more relatives in posi-
tions under the United States govern
ment than all the other senator's put
together. After thinking over the mat
ter for long time the proprietor cor
cluded to 90 see Senator Vance, and see
if a combination of the two shows
could not be made. So he called on
the senator, and found him-as every
body else as-gOod-naIured, jolly and
pleasant The proprietor mentioned his
fears to the senator, and said that he
feared the opposition.
YES" replied Senator Vance, can
didly; 81 am something of a circus my
self, especially as 1 give free show.
and | am afraid will hurt your bust
ness"
Then don't you think it would be of
great benefit TO us both if you would adj
dress the crowd from the circus ring
under my tent, and ON top of the lions
cage?"
Senator Vance thought for a little
while, and then concluded it would be
good joke, and SO he consented. The
proprietor of the circus concluded to cut
the price of admission down to twenty
five cents, so everyone could come.
just before the show began, and q
great crowd had collected about the
door, Senator Vance made his way
toward the entrance; but before he got
there he was somewhat startled to see
the clown mounted on a chair outside
the door ami hear MIN exclaim:
''Step this way, ladies aud gentlemeni
Here Is the greatest show on the face OF
the globe! Not only is the show in it.
sell whole continent of wonders and
an aggregation of talent never before
collected together under one name, one
roof, or on one stage. but it presents to-
night an additional feature. Step right
up, ladies and gentlemen; do not be
afraid. The lions are Gagged and the
monkeys are harmless. As / remarked.
We have an attraction tonight which
eclipses all the wonders of heaven and
sinks into oblivion all the freaks Of
earth. This great feature ladies and
gentlemen. is a real live United States
senator, who will address the crowd
from the top of the lions cagei Step
right up, ladies and gentlemen! Tick
cts only twenty-five cents! We have
reduced the price one-half so that all
can see and hear the great anti-civil-
service reform senator, Zebulon b.
Vance! Step up! Step up! Step up, and
don't be bashful!'
The senator thought he had better 90
in before he heard any more, and ne
did. The clown still continued his
harangue and was the means of filling
thetent After the regular show the
lions cage was drawn out into the
ring. A step-ladder was placed beside
1t, and three chairs were placed on top
Then Senator Vance mounted this ros-
trum and delivered his speech Wash
gHgEOH Letter.