Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1890-09-14
"rHE FEARCE NunIAN LIoN.v
The Boys Play CIrcus--One Cent to Go In,
Two Cents for Reserved Seat--The
Ringmaster's Whip Causes Trouble.

Two Cents for Reserved Seat--The
Ringmaster's Whip Causes Trouble.
Neac York EUening sun.
The West Nyack Amusement Com
pany Qimited) gave its initial perform
ance last Saturday afternoon on what is
known in the locality as the "knol."
The company is composed of young gen.
tlemen ranging from S to Is years of
age, with burning desire to make rep
utations as circus performers. Satur-
days exhibition was a circus in more
senses than one. Some who took part
will not forget it for many days.
Early in the forenoon the boys cut
huge piles of brush, which they carried
to the knoll. Others built an enclosure
with it. Others procured meal sacks
and disappeared. Presently these re-
turned with bags full of sawdust and
chopped straw. With this the ring
was made. One boy managed to procure
some quilts from his house. These were
hung to serve as entrances and exits.
He was permitted to be the "Fearce
Nubian Lion, King of the Jungle
Around the sawdust arena the boys
erected a single row of seats. These
were reserved and cost two cents each.
General admission was one cent, and
carried with it the privilege of a seat on
the grass. The performance began
with an overture. The orchestra con-
sisted of two pieces-a violin and a
banjo. Ward Collins played the first
and Fred Conklin the latter. Occasion
ally the chief performer, Frank Weeks,
objected to the manner in which the
banjo was played, and so handled it
himself. This was between handSpringS.
At these times he was simply Frank, s"
at all others, "PurfeSsor." His name
depended entirely on what he happened
to be doing.
Many difficulties beSet the perform
ance after the overture had been fin
ished. The performers objected when
the clown, young man of the name of
Scott, made remarks concerning them
that were purely personal and provoked
much mcrriment among the little girls
who were present and watched the pro-
ceedingS with gliStening eyes. One in
cident that illustrated this was furnished
when the clown, in burst of fine wit,
asked a performer, "Nhen did yer
daddy lick yer laSt?" The performer
stopped in the middle of his act and re-
marked that as it ''wusn't any of his
bizniz how often he got licked, an he
didn't git licked half as much as he
(the clown did, he was too darn fresh,
anyhow" When these sentiments were
backed up by the other performers the
clown become mute.
The ringmaster subsequently caused
more trouble. 1t was when the "Wild
Hoses of Tartarie" were introduced.
The wild bosses, in order toincreaSe the
wildneSS of their appearance, wore their
fathers overallS and had Streaked their
faces with burnt matches. They
Dranced into the ring, displaying consid-
cradle fire, and Immediately the ring
master snapped his long whip with
much vigor. His had been position
with much more honor than action in il
up TO this time He ached to display
his deXtcrity with the whip, but no OPP
portunity had presented itself.
But his time had come, and he pro-
posed TO sail right in and show what he
could do. So he whirled the whip about
his head. shouted Hi. hi.' to the wild
steeds that were impatiently champing
bits of stick add kicking holes in their
overallS, and brought the lash down
across their backs with a force that
made them jump in the air and shout.
The band began to play, but with their
entrance the performance of the SteedS
ended, so far as programme was con-
ccrned. Their subsequent actions.
though not on the bills, were watched
with much interest. 1t was one of those
bits of spontaneity which very often
help TO make up the fortune of an actor.
As one horse they rushed at the ring
master. Smarting from the blow he had
given them. That gentleman hastily
dropped his whip and shot through the
bushes at remarkable pace. The
horses followed and were not seen again
for some time.
After this Prof. Weeks turned hand
springs and walked slack wire. Not
withStanding these thrilling incidents
the audience was becoming impatient
for the appearance of the ''Fearce M
bian lion, King of the Jungle Pres
emily the orchestra played soft melody,
and the "fearce" beast lcaped into the
ring. He uttered hoarSe roarS, and i'm
medately three little girls began TO ut
ter plaintiff walls for ''mar-mar.' The
lions face had been Strcakcd with flour,
charcoal and red paint and was truly
terrifying He had a red flannel name.
He leaped into the air. roared and
then seized a large bone and COM
mcnced to gnaw it in Il fierce, blood
curdling way.
AtthiS moment female voice could
be heard calling Henry" The effect
on the "Fearcc Nubian Lion was re-
markable. His fcrocity vanished. He
dropped the bone he had been gnawing
and glanced apprehenSively in the direc-
ton from which the cries for Henry
had proceeded steadily since the first.
The voice came nearer. And as it
sounded Just outside the enclosure the
spirit of that roaring lion seemed to
fail him entirely. He eSSayed to crawl
in among the bushes and hide away.
Before he could accomplish this de-
termined-loOking woman with fire in her
eve came in The lion made frantic
plunge into a thicket. Before he could
get out of sight however, the woman
had seized him by the coat-tailS and
pulled him back into the arena. Then,
amid the smokers Of performers and
spectators alike, the "Fearce Nubian
Lion, King of the Jungle" was led
away by the ear, his red flannel name
napping in the breeze behind him.
And as he disappeared determined
voice muttered: I'm learn you to take
out my good quilts and get them all dirt
and dust
That ended the circus in the grove.
What happened subsequently in Henry'S
home can only be coniectured.
a misunderstanding.
S0merCUle Journal.