The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1886-12-03
Vance and the Circus

I -~- ~--N
A Washington letter to the Bal
timore American says: 1t is rarely
that circus and United States
Senator run up against each other,
but such a thing occurred down in
North Carolina day or 30 betOu'
election. 1t happened that one of
the small road circuSes of the
South struck Wilkesborough,
Wilkes county. N. c., one day, and
found to the horror OF the manager.
that the town had been billed for u
grand Democratic mass meeting,
with Senator Zebulon b. Vance as
the great attraction. The circus
had had bard summer, and the
proprietor thought when it reached
its native heath in North Carolna,
it would strike it rich.
After thinking over the matter
for long time, the proprietor con-
cluded to go see Senator Vance
and see if combination of the two
shows could not be made. So he
called on the Senator and found
him-as every body else has-good-
natured, jolly aud pleasant. The
proprietor mentioned his fears to-
lhe Senator and said that he feared
the opposition.
"Yes," replied Senator Vance,
candiIly, III am something of cir
Gus myself, especially as | give a
tree show, and ] am afraid it will
hurt your business.
"Then dou't you think it would
be of great benefit to US both If
you would address the crowd from
the circus ring under my tent and
Oh top OF Iion's cage ~
Senator Vance thought for lit
tie while, and then concluded that
it would be . good JOKE, and so hO
consented. The proprietor OF the
circus concluded to cut the price of
admission down to % cents, so
every Que could come.
just before the show began, and
great crowd had collected about
the door. Senator Vance made his
way toward the entrance, but be-
fore he got there was somewhat
startled to see the clown mounted
on chair outside the door and
hear him eXclaim
''Step this way, ladies and gentle
men! Here is the greatest show
on the face of the globe! Not only
is the show IN itself a whole cOnti-
nent of wonders and an aggrega-
ton OF talent never before collected
together under one roof, or on one
stage, but it presents tonight an
additional feature. Step right up,
ladies and gentlemen, do not be
afraid. The lions are Gagged and
the monkeys harmless. AS l re-
marked, we have an attraction to-
night which eclipses all the won.
ders of Heaven, and sinks iuto utter
oblivion the freaks of the earth.
This great feature, ladies and gen
tlemen, is real, live United
States Senator, who will address
the crowd from tho top of the lions
cage! Step right up, ladies and
gentlemen Tickets only twenty
five cents! We have reduced the
price one, half, so all can see and
hear the great anti civil service
reform Senator, Zebulon B. Vancel
Step up! Step! Step up aud
don't be baShful !"
The Senator thought he had bet
ter 90 in before he heard any more,
and he did. Tie clown still cOutin-
ued his harangue and was the
means of filling the tent. After
the regular show the lions cage
was drawn out into the ring. A
stepladder was placed beside it and
three chairs were placed on top.
Then Senator Vance mounted this
rostrum aud delivered his speech.
1t was great success. The peo-
pie were delighted.
When the Senator became pr0sy
the lions in tie cage below grew
somewhat restive and claimed the
attention OF the audience-at least
on inc sesat where the Senator
spoke. Ii is but j@sSts 20 add that
the Eighth District, iTonIaslfp
Wilkesborough is situai A1Vli"OA1~' :
Democratic, aud It is alltS. TO-,
E.unfnss W,.oa