Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-03-09
NAJAlgGRa,
--------=s------ls go. 80
rho Grievance Of tbe living skeleto
aud How "a WAS Received.

| hbH GFicNaufe OF tHt btNiuf baetteoH
and How "a WAS Received.
''It's no use. Sid the living skeleton,
IL have tried my hest to adept myself to
she exigeucies Of life in this establish
ment, bat / cant do 1t. No one in my
position could do it. have worn my
self 10 skin and bone in countless efforts
10 make things pleasant for my com
panions. have trained down seven
ounces avoirdGpois per week to please
the management. and have worn
black tights. which are very unbecom-
ing 10 my form, because the tattooed
lady wanted neutral background for
her complexion. And what has been
my reward? Harsh words and cutting
remarks and unfeeling illusions to An
tinous and the Apollo Belvidere. It's too
muchr' And the unhappy freak buried
his face in his hands and retired behind
his walking stick.
That's what's the matter" said the
manager with marked sarcasm. you're
too much. You weigh nearly pound
more than the skeleton dude at Smith
ers with all his jew'lry thrown in.
You're queerin the show"
"Whatr cried the living skeleton
from behind his stick. "You dare to
reproach me with my weight when you
know that it is due to your meanness,
your parsimony, your vulgar, grasping
naturei When three months ago | want
ed to get my hair cut didn't you order
Inc not to do so because you wanted me
TO play understudy to the Circassian
beauty during the dull season. And
didn't you make me let my nails grow
80 could do the Wild Man of Boineo's
turn when he had night Off Didn't
YOU
"Cheese itr' said the tattooed lady.
You're making the fat woman shake
half the flesh offer 'er."
Didn't tell your cried the man
ager, shaking his fist excitedly at the
walking stick, from behind which came
sounds of sobbing, "that ducks hoo
doc? He's queered the show ever since
ho come, an he'll keep on queerin it as
long as he stays. Oh, If there was only
more like hint No, not more like him,
but more Of his kind. I'd rather have
the falsinest skeleton in the business
than him. He'll bankrupt the manage
ment. He's worse'n the tortoise boyr'
"lngratel'' retorted the living skele-
ton; "serpent; reptile; Iscariotr'
"Close yer jaw or yer'll swallow yer
self, !" said the wild man, as he brushed
his hair before the necromancer's mir
ror.
BE silent, you linkr' retorted the
living skeleton. "If Darwin were only
heref'
Whats the matter with tho living
skeletonT' asked the modern Samson
kindly, as he carefully pasted together
the torn edges of 1000 pound weight.
Nothing" answered the tattooed
lady; "he's outer sight"
"Cruel Heartlessr' came from be-
hind the walking stick.
Where are your called the modern
'amson. Come out and show your
:. Don't be afraid. ! won't let 'em
crowd you
al wouldn't mind It SO much" said
the living skeleton as he appeared from
his place of hiding, 'if they'd give fell
low a shadow of a show"
''But you amt got no shadow" said
the tattooed lady tauntingly, land we're
the show
Hes not in it," interposed the wild
man.
"Fm just as much part of the show
as any of YOU" said the living skeleton.
I'm good deal more of it than some
OF you. In fact | may say that am
the framework of the establishment"
And he drew himself up proudly.
IL 'clar t goodness, Brudder Bones,
yo' meks me Taught" said the wild man,
who had once been very successful in
the burnt cork branch of his profession
WIS in fact a regular burnt oorlser.
Don't use the vernacular, Whiskors,"
said the modern Samson cuttingly; It's
bad form"
SOS yer friend" retorted the wild
man.
"Ho's not fake anyhow" said tho
modern Samson.
"Well. you are, replied the wild man
with an oriental sneer "And what's
more, you're a.
II Is hard to say what would have fol-
lowed had not the fat woman, who had
hitherto listened silently, said:
"Gentlemenr
The word restored the excited freaks
10 sense Of their social standing, and
they at once retired TO th0ir respective
platforms after each had bowed pro
foundly 10 the fat woman.
Then the audience came in from the |
stage performance and the freaks took
their positions for the lecture, New |
York Evening Sun.