Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1892-04-27
AN ILL WIND,
And the Fortune It Blew to For
rest Marsh.

Denhard's Roman Circus, Greek Hip
Podrome and Oriental Caravan started
out very much handicapped in the
spring. There was legacy of des.
hanging over IL from the previous dis
astrous season, and it had been prophe-
sled that it would never move from its
winter quarters; but it did, contrary 10
general prediction.
Bernhard was manager of rare abil-
Ity, but circumstances had conspired 10
make his past season losing one. The
Incoming of the gigantic railroad shows
bad eaten mp the territory and drawn
the patronage of the crossroads by their
system of excursions TO the centers.
He had hcsitated TO take to the rail
himself when he was able to do SO. and
had listened to the advice of his prin-
cipal adviser, an agent of advanced
years, who had spent lifetime in the
routing Of wagon shows. The veteran
OF the road could not cave 70 the newer
method OF transportation, and had a
hearty contempt for all shows moved
by rail.
SO 1t was that Bernhard adhered to old
methods until ne had reduced his bank
account to an alarming condition, and
was barely able TO pay off his company
and agents and winter his show The
manager was now brought to a position
where he must leave the turnpike and
travel by train.
The sale Of his surplus stock of horses
and extra wagons helped him out. and
printer whom he had patronized for
many years. gave him n limited margin
or credit. The reader is here put in
possession Of all the facts of the un-
favorable circumstances under which
Denhard's tent show started out in the
spring Of 1915
Forrest Marsh, the press agent, was
one OF the advance men who remained
an Denhard's employ. not so much from
choice as from necessity. No offers for
his services had reached him from other
managers. and, being broke and, more
than that, in debt, he made the best
OF things as they were, and remained
under the old banner.
The writer OF puffs and hurlcr of adj
jectives had had Experience enough 10
feel shal,y about the future OF the
show. still he did not worry much about
his forescen impending fate: he was too
much OF a Bohemian for that. II he
had place 20 sleep and full stomach
bc allowed the morrow 20 take care OF
stscif. and gave no heed 70 the future
From the start things did not 20 well
Nith Bernhard The people OF the town
felt little interest in the show from tho
fact Of its wiutcring there. and the les.
because they knew 20 the smallest boy
an town that the manager was In finan.
eini straits The spring was % late one
and ihe snow chung 90 the ground with
90 warming sun % melt IL. and when
che thaw did come the breakup Of win
Ger was brought on by long aud heavy
rains
The rcca pts at the opening were next
20 nothing and Bernhard looked plum
10 would bc tedious 90 detail the move
uBents Of Che show Tor the first month
Sut a. moved but salaries and remit
tanoes to the printer were omitted
The manager did manage 90 keep bi.
advance corps moving and hold his com
ranv together
When tho weather Improved Other
cans served 90 Interfere with prosper
ny The people bad seen the great ti.
show and mo- longer cared 90 patronil,
the more modest outfit. then the rout,
agent had diversified the calibar Of DBL.
shou' and placed 30 iu several ~ th,
larger western cities which should hav.
bern avoided
Dvnhard saw these errors Of iudr
Fuent when The bills came BOO aud al,
local expenses wiped ont the rcccipt.
~ a show has anything unusual huppci
- ~ in Che way of misfortune 10 is
show in dstress
Tho mishaps were SD nnmcrou, tina
~ was % frequent remark thut Their
must Dc Jonah Zoo the organization
eat who the il-starrcd individual ,-a
~vas never satisfactorily arrived a.
10 justice % the advance Of tho SHOW
- must be said hat they worked n
hard % men cve- worked 90 create sue
seSF 81 times they grew fuint-hcarte
and ff'oncd O. realize that the show wa
doomed, but professional pride youL
come 90 the rescue and the elder Of th
agents would recall seasons OF The pas
On which they had under like circum
stance pulled through and won th
onnucr oi tory 10 t5e very teeth %
defeat