The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-07-23
PRINCE AND CIRCUS QUEEN.
An Eques trienne from Near Philadelphia
Makes the Most of an Opportunity.

What may be called the circus colony
af Frankford, says the Philadelphia
Record, contains many most interesting
people, noted for their wonderful skill
in their own peculiar direction through
out both America and Europe. Many
of them, who have spent the best part
of their lives in the circus ring, have
been able to retire upon comfortable
completeness, and the homes wherein
they while away the latter years of
their lives are among the most attrac-
tive that Frankford contains. In a
handsome brick residence on East
Harrison street lives Mrs. Josie Helms,
one of the most famous of circus eques-
triennes. In her maiden years she was
Miss Josie de Mott, and she comes of
royal line in her profession, as her
maternal grandmother is no less a per-
son than the famous Nine. Tournaro,
whose achievements in the circus ring
are known the world over.
Mrs. Helms the other day. with
charming grace and modesty, told
some of the interesting incidents of her
recent career in London with Barnum's
great show. 1t was during that period
that she did what probably no other
circus performer has ever done =
captured for the time being Prince
George, the second son of the prince of
Wales, and grandson of the naughty
Queen Victoria. While fulfilling her
engagement as principal equestrienne
with the Barnum show she stood one
day near the entrance to the dressing
room, and while the crowd was surg
ing along to find seats before the COM
mencement of the performance, a hand
somely dressed young gentleman of
medium size, with close-cut beard and
flowing mustache, stepped gallantly
up, and, lifting his hat from his head,
bowed to the little queen of the ring,
and said in almost apologetic tones:
Gould you tell me where the re-
served seats are?"
The Frankford lady called to an at
tache to tshow the gentleman to a re-
served seat" The ever-alert attend
ant, thinking that some undue pre-
sumption had prompted the visitor, was
about to show him slAnmarily to a
seat, when, with a wave of her dainty
hand, little Mrs. Helms said: ''Oh, he
has done nothing wrong"
Another bow from the gentleman
and an extended card with the crown
of England and prince George en-
graved upon it revealed to the aston
ished lady who it was that stood before
her begging that she would but point
out where he should take a seat. An
inspiration seized her; she would show
him to seat, and would herself sit be-
side him, and be the envy of all woman
kind in the audience for that day.
Motioning the prince to seat close by
where they stood, she took her seat be-
side him. She had not dressed for her
part, and the etiquet of the occasion
forbade that she should be called away
while in conversation with one of the
royal family. The people in the throng
bowed low as they passed the royal
couple-a prince of the realm and the
queen of the ring. The conversation
drifted to that of nativity.
Where is your homeP" asked the
prince.
II live at Frankford." she answered.
'.Frankford! Frankford!" mused the
prince. "Where is Frankford?'
1T is a suburb of Philadelphia, and
there are several members of this COM
pany besides myself who live there.
There are also great many English
families living there, and one section
of the town is called Little Britain. >"
Indeed! Why, it must be very
pretty place." said the prince, ''and as
except to visit America some time 1
shall do myself the honor to call on
you at your home while am in your
country"
.'If you do" said she, 1--WE will give
you royal welcome when you come. :"
Interrupting her the prince said gay
ly: will you give me royal well
comePn
Quick as thought the American lass
responded: No, prince, not a royal,
but real democratic Welcomen