San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-07-18
JOINING A CIRCUS.

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where we could sleep and dream OF the
picnics we would have, and how they
would miss us at home.
It was not what we had been accus
toned to 1t was q pile Of moldy hay
within easy reach Of mule that hadn't
yet got acquainted with US
About o'clock in the morning we were
told to make q hasty toilet and repair to
the dining tent. As q matter of course.
was not hungry The sight of that
table made Frank turn pale and no wanted
to back out. but chided him for his weak
ness and we took seat. lordered 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 break fast. 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. He told me to keep
still and he would find it In day or two
The boss told US how and what to do.
and soon we were ready to start with the
rest. You sec we travelled BY land. and
by night and day as well.
My Job was to drive the caravan con.
tanning the hon, while Frank had cage
Of wax figures. When l climbed up on
my vehicle and pulled up the reins
thought myself the most important per,
sonage connected with the whole concern.
May.a ho,, nno. I oonnhf v,uc~lf h,,ild
ing air castles. Il have taken the right
STEP" said to myself. Ito become fam
GUS as great circus man have begun
going to work my way up by degrees
that's the way to attain success. won't
nave to drive very long The boss will
soon recognize my importance and pro
mote me to better position"
Just then heard a cry Of AL up" come
down the line Not knowing it's meaning
paid no attention and kept on with my
castle building received 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 hair9 If you run into me again your
pumpkin faced farmer girl won't know
you" turned around. and to my dismay
Frank was getting similar lecture.
saw them all climbing down from their
perches, 1t was chilly night and they
we're making preparations to warm up a
little. They took down a raid BY the
roadside, and for starter poured 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 off.
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 | 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
it, and modestly informed some of
the smaller ones they would have to
either whip me or stop their nieknames.
One fellow said be 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
it my undivided attention as | did not
know but what might own a half inter
est in the old trap in q week or 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 me. laid it down
on the seat beside me, and when | was
done my dinner was surprised to find
my overcoat gone and no one had seen it
going off or knew where it was at all.
never knew. or found out, for that mat
ter. 1t was then that saw the error Of
carrying any clothing along with circus.
Every circus may not be as belligerent
as ours was. soon found out what q
general roundup" was Along in 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 while clubs were trumps beyond a
doubt. After the battle looked around
for poor Frank. and found him bleeding
got q comrade and we carried him into
the museum and sent for the veterinary
surgeon. He recuperated faster than
expected, and by time to start that night
he had entirely recovered. 4"
The next day. now that I was mem
ber Of that world famed, aggregation, !
concluded to 60 and hear the clowns B. @.
jokes, witness the riding. the vaulting..
the wonderful feats Of strength and skill.
Ny associates directed me to 60 around
and come in from the dressing room.
did, but want to tell you Icame out that
way, too. / have thought since Il was q
put mp Job on me. As soon as reached
the inside ICwas suddenly turned around.
and thnt,a all | knarz for an hnr,r nr fEn