The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-15

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hustled In and away, the boss canvas
man with IN few words to his helpers
directs the removal of the side and cen
ter poles. the canvas is unlaced. rolled,
and silently, with only the stars and
night birds as lockers on, the city
streets in profound sleep. tho tent is
struck and stealthily the followers of
the golden sawdust pass away.
The advertising of circus represents
vast sums of money. First celebrated
artists devote their winter days in their
studios thinking out startling pictures
which greet us later on wall and
fence. There arc but few Of these
artists in America or Europe, hence
they command large salaries After
the sketches arc accepted by the pro-
prietor, tho copy is sent to the lith-
ographers and engravers where O force
of skilled men produce on stone and
dogwood the sketches After tho
sketches uro made and accepted,
the press-room is next In order.
Tons of white paper are used in
course Of "run-off." as the entire
count" or order Is printed ut ono tino
and stored away for future orders
Some time Is required for printing. as
each color must dry before the sheet
can pass through the press again for
another color, the sheet being printed
MS many times as there are colors- Then
the autographs and stand work arc fin
ishcd, they are made up, marked as to
away on racks to be shipped ahead to
the advertising man Three hundred
thousand dollars year represents what
large circus spends on advance adver-
Using. Usually there are No. and No.
cars under the direction Of an adver-
Using agent, whose duty is to Lay out"
the paper for each bill poster. On ar
irving at city tho brigade scatters,
some TO cover sheds, barns and walls,
the balance to bill the city boards. A
thousand barrels Of our are used for
paste In single season. With each car
is press agent whose duty it Is TO at
tend to the newspapers Car No. ar
rivcs few days later to put on the fn-
ishing touches and recover the walls, II
n rainstor1n has washed off the work of
car No. l. Bill posters arc generally n
cheeky lot and exciting fights often
take place with farmers who defend the
sides of their rural homes from being
covered with circus paper. There arc
several advance agents who receive
from two thousand to four thousand
dollars yearly for their services
Talent that has established reputa-
tions, especially European attractions,
Is always in demand. competition be-
ing brisk about February among man.
ayers to engage the best on the market.
Salaries range from fifty to three hum
drcd dollars week, including travelling
expenses. Acrobats. with few ex-
ccptions, nre poorly paid. there being
so many gymnasiums in the country
which contribute moro ambitious tum-
blcrs than nrc wanted. Animal men
are generally old stagers and remain
with mcnagerie us long as they live.
Tho worst paid and treated people
around circus are tho laborers en-
ployed as drivers, ring constructors,
hostlcrs and like drudgers They board
and sleep In small tents on the ground
or in hnmmocks swung under the wag-
ons, and am sorry to say contain many
hard specimens Of manhood. Outside OF
this element show people. although Pc
culiar, are polite, generous and enter
tanning. OF late years wagon shows
have become strong factor. Such On
outfit consists OF one ring tent, few
performers, generally variety players
and beginners. wagon Of monkeys,
birds and bear or two. They travel in
Wayback, where the big enterprises
never reach. 1t Is hard work. as all
hands travel by wagon except the man.
ager and leading lady. who enjoy the
luxury Of side bar buggy. They stop
at country hotels and generally play
two. four or six days, Mt ten. twenty
and thirty cents. In early spring and
late fall the weather is sometimes very
bad. Then life on the country roeds Is
not all bed of roses, but there is GER
tain amount Of fascination that COM
pcnsatcs all who get stuck in the mud.
Princcly fortunes are made in tho
business and there is n constant i'm
provcment going on. AS soon as 1t Is
known that circus Is on tho town lot
tho elite and the great unwashed turn
out to welcome the roar Of the lions, to
gossip with the midget and giant, TO
Dirt with the tattooed woman. feed the
elephants peanuts and cake, then
gather round the ringsde md once
more pay homage 10 the dear old clown
the friend Of childhood God bless
aiml GRANT PARISH.