The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-10-15
THE CIRCUS.
Large Crowd---A Big Parade and a
Very Creditable Performance.

The John Robinson Show was here
Monday according to appointment, and
SO were several thousand people fro
this and adjoining counties, to see it.
The weather was unfav orable, the ground
wet, the clouds threatening, and the at
mosphere damp and cold. But notwith-
standing this, great crowds-men, women
and children, white and black-thronged
the streets long before the hour for the
parade to move. 1t was not the best
display of the kind ever seen in Hender-
son by any means. and was somewhat
disappointing to those who had waited
SO long to see it. None of the cages were
open and the riders, drivers and band
men appeared in their old and faded uni
forms worn only in bad weather. The
elephants were conspicuous by their alb
sence as we're the camels and the lady
with the pet tiger who usually occupy
the most prominent seat on top of the
highest wagon. This was owing to the
condition of the weather.
In point OF numbers, both of people
and wagons in it was one OF the largest
street pageants We have seen here, and
indicated what it might have been under
more favorable conditions. The special
feature of the procession seemed to be
the large number of equestriennes, and in
this particular it was an innovation in
circus parades. We never saw as many
women mounted ON horseback in one
body before. The screeching, hoarse-
voiced caliope, or steam piano, (what a
dissertation of the name) was along as
usual, but even this had lost it's power to
charm the unsophisticated Of to scare
horses to death as it used to do. There
were ponies in goodly number, and
horses too; and while the latter were in
good condition, they were not the pref
ty horses seen with circuses in years
gone by.
There was a large crowd under the can
vas, estimated at between four and five
| thousand. There were two rings in each
OF which performances going on simulta-
niously, while three pantomimic clowns
were almost continuously cutting up some
of their funny antics in the hippOIrOme
track outside. This made it impossible
for one to see everything that was done.
The weather was raw and chilly and this
had much to do with the lack of dash
and brilliancy about some features of the
performance. Mr.. Hollis, one of the
riders, had sprained his ankle few days
before but attempted to go through with
his part of the program. He soon had
to retire from the ring, however, and
many who had seen him before and knew
his skill and daring were unable to &C
count for the fact he did not appear to
be his former self.
The feature of the show was the grand
spectacular presentation of the biblical
scene of King Solomon and the Queen of
Sheba. This was realistic in character
and graphically portrayed. The grand
ballet scene, with the dancers fantastic
ally costumed, presented a gorgeous pic
ture indeed, rich in setting and elabo-
rately framed. But it was under the ef-
fects of the calcium light that the climax
was reached. This alone was worth
going miles to see.
The menagerie was large and we'll
stocked, but contained about the same
variety and species of animals usually
found with travelling shows.
| The managers were clever and cOurte-
GUS and altogether it was the best be
haved and most gentlemanly set of show
people we have come in contact with.
Mr.. Lowlow is general manager and di-
rector of the shows and does not take
any part in the ring performances. He
says he has "played fool' long enough
and as there are plenty more fools in the
world he proposes to let some body else
| take his place now. ButJOhn LOWlOW is
anything else but a fool-even when act
ing the part of clown. He is intelligent
and wealthy and the same genial, affable
gentleman wherever you meet him; and
looks as if he bids fair to stay on this
mundane sphere long time to come yet.
And the GOLD LEAF hopes he will.
5000 a month put into the Covenant
Building and Loan Association as an in
vestment will about double itself in seven
years. That is you pay out in easy in
stallments $4OS, and draw out 81 900
at maturity of stock. Call at this Office
and learn further particulars. oct15
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