Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-07
JOINING A CIRCUS.

picnics we would have, and how they
would miss US at home.
It was not what we had been accus-
toned to. It was pie Of moldy bay
within easy reach of a mule that hadn't
yet got acquainted with US
About O'Clock in the morning we were
told to make hasty toilet and repair to
the dining tent As a matter of course.
was not hungry The sight of that
table made Frank turn pale and he wanted
to back out. but chided him for his weak
ness and we took seat Iordered the
waiter to bring up cup of coffee. 1t
wasn't served in china cups and saucers
either Everything about circus dining
tent is made to prevent breakage. and Of
the plainest kind of tinware The bread
was stale. the meat tough and the butter
% That was our fare. but for dinner
we had potatoes cooked In full dress.
After breakfast, when we were ready to
start. we found. to our dismay. that our
wardrobe had disappeared What were
we to dot Who could have taken itf
went to the hostler Re told me to keep
still and be would find it in a day or two
The boss told us how and what to do,
and soon we were ready to start with the
by night and day as well
Ny job was to drive the caravan con-
tanning the lion, while Frank had cage
Of wax figures. When climbed up on
my vehicle and pulled NJ the reins
thought myself the most Important per-
sonage connected with the whole concern
More than once caught myself build
ing air castles. Il have taken the right
STEP" said to myself. Ito become fam
Gus as great circus man | have begun
at the bottom round of the ladder. and am
going to work my way up by degrees
that's the wey to attain success. | won't
have to drive very long The boss will
soon recognize my importance and pro-
mote me to better position
Just then | heard cry Of AL up" come
down the line Not knowing it's meaning
| paid no attention and kept on with my
castle building | received q shock that
almost threw me from my seat. Awaken
ing from my reverie found had run
into the cage In front. This made the
driver very indignant and he shouted
back to me: Here, what's the matter,
you gawky son Of gun with hayseed in
your hair? Ii you run into me again your
pumpkin faced farmer girl won't know
you" turned around, and to my dismey
Frank was getting similar lecture
saw them all climbing down from their
perches. It was chilly night and they
were making preparations to warm up
little. They took down q rail by the
roadside, and for starter poured a gallon
or two OF the oil in lamps, or torches. on
the rails and soon had fire. Then each
man was expected to tell some story. |
told mine, in my own way, but poor Frank
couldn't tell anything. SO they let him of.
provided he would pack enough rails to
keep good fire.
Well, everything moved along admira-
bly, until the next stand or camping
ground was reached, and then l had
trouble. 1t WAS not long until everybody
about the whole concern was calling me
Jack, John, Bob and every other name
they could think of This is custom in
circus politeness. but / did not know
1t, and modestly informed some of
the smaller ones they would have to
either whip me or stop their nicknanes.
One fellow said he could do both, and he
pulled off his coat; but before we had
commenced our duel the manager told the
other fellow to go about his business.
while he waltzed me OF to work. gave
IL my undivided attention, as | did not
know but what l might own half inter
est IN the old trap in week OF two.
1t was a warm day and took my over
coat off to eat dinner. thought it was
warm enough TO do so, and politeness
rather demanded it of NE. laid it down
on the seat beside me. and when l was
done my dinner was surprised to find
my overcoat gone and no one had seen 1t
going of or knew where il was st all |
hever knew, or found ont. for that mat
ter Ii was then tina. saw the error Of
carrying any clothing along with a circus.
Every circus may not be IS belligerent
as ours was. / soon found out what q
general roundup" was. Along II the
evening Of the first day the boys sue
ceeded in raising q racket, OF course all
hands had to join the melee. poor Frank
and !, with the rest of them. Clubs and
fists were the main instruments used, and
for a while clubs were trumps beyond 8
doubt. After the battle looked around
for poor Frank, and found him bleeding.
got conrade and we carried him into
the museum and sent for the veterinary
surgeon. He rec1perated faster than I
expected. and by time to start that night
he had entirely recovered
The next day. now that / was mem
Der Of that world famed aggregation.
concluded 10 go and hear the clowns B. c
Jokes. witness the riding. the vaulting,
the wonderful feats of strength and skill.
Ny associates directed NE to go around
and come in from the dressing room.
did, but want TO tell you came out that
way. too. ] have thought since it was a
put up Job on me. as soon Us reached
the inside was suddenly turned around,
and that's all knew for al hour or two.
When l came to my senses. or rather
when my senses came to me, saw the
man who set nee IN locenotion- As he
had resi- nice apology could do nothing
but forgive him. It never occurred
lgair.
By this time we had been out long
enough for them 10 settle On some differ
emit and definite name for each Of Us. /
was called the dude" on account Of my
good clothes. which did not form very
striking contrast with the rest. and Frank
well. they just called him Sleepy :"
Everything was moving along nicely as
far as the circus was concerned, and one
day | thought to vary the monotony a
little b going up town to see the country
boys come ID with the girls had not
been mp there long when was startled by
a hand being laid on my shoulder Turn
ing around policeman said Young
man. you are my prisoner What have
done?" gasped- Yes, what have you
done? Haven't you been lighting on the
streets, have your NO, sir. Ihsve not &.
"Oh. come along here and nc fooNshness;
you can't monkey this chicken And
with that he walked me of, despite my
protestatious Of innocence. As he threw