The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-25
A CLOWN FOR FIVE MINUTES.
He Made a Tremendous ssHfto and 1t
Cost Him $500.
New York Tribune.

New York Tribune.
There sat in fashionable restaurant the
other evening a man OF iron-gray hair and
dignified bearing, who, if appearances could
be relied upon; had never in his life done
anything ridiculous. He was so dignified
or complexion and erect, he was a picture
OF the gentleman OF ease And yet this
man at one period in his life was a. circus
clown. Twenty-Five years ago he lived in
Norfolk, Va. His father, a wealthy Vir-
ginian, owned steamboat and steamship
When 1t had closed its business there il en-
gagged a steamboat to take ii further south.
The boat stopped at several places, but
show was FROST When the end Of the
water route was reached the circus owed
the boat $500 and had not collar to pay.
On the boat to look after the interests OF
the steamship company was the son of the
owner of the line. He telegraphed to his
father explaining the situation.
Let the circus go on was the answer,
but go with 1t Collect on account when
ever You can"
SO the young man-the same who. twenty.
years later made so good an appear
ce in a fashionable New York restaurant
h it to make collections on account. but
Ire was nothing TO collect. Business cot
rise; everybody. even the would-be COL
wandered on.
The young virginian, who was at first
himself less to tine Circus to make
pie, began to offer his services in various
ways He collected tickets, sold them and
made himself generally agreeable One
evening in a little town way down South
In Dixie clown fell iii. 1t was necessary
70 have two clowns, for one said all his
funny things to a second. A circus with
out clown Is worse than Hamlet" with
the sweet prince eliminated, and SO the
manager went to the young yirginian.
you'll have to be second clown to-
night" he said. There will be nothing
Tor you to DO Wen paint you. chalk you
So second clown the son of Norfolk pre-
pared to be.
The two clowns were accustomed to make
their entrance by turning a double SOM
erSault OF springb0ard, landing in the
ring When the time came on that even
ing the Virginian made sudden resolve
In his boyhood he had turned handsprings
and somersaults. He would try il again.
Tne first clown, the real article, made his
entrance In approved style. Then came the
substitute. He ran out boldly on the board
and eprang. He was shot high into the
air, thrown over and over. and came down
with terrific thud fat on his back. Slow
ly ne arose. staggering weakly around the
ring, on his face that look Of comical agony
which man wears who has had the wind
knocked out OF him; He was greeted with
thought that that was his part-that he
was trick clown. They shouted capped
their hands and howled with delight. Pain
fully bowling, he staggered out of the ring
and then threw himself to the ground
gasping to get back his breath. Outside
In the ring, the crowd was roaring for him
TO appear again. The ringmaster came to
him.
They're crazy over you" he said. You'll
have TO do that again for Them
My Godf' groaned the new clown, clasp
Ing his stomach. do that again? See here
you owe Us $500. Let me off from doing
tnat again. and Wen call 1t square"