St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-08-26
PASTED ON HIS OWN BARN.
Farmer Then Made the Circus
Settle for Damages to
the Barn.
THE FLY-TROUBLED WOMAN.
A Cranky Lot Owner Who
Caused the Circus to
Change Places.

"Say, mister. where's the manager?'
The above remark was addressed to a
Barnum & Bailey employe who stood at
the front entrance of the "big show"
and who wore an expression that told
everybody at a glance that he could
answer all kinds of foolish questions
without getting sassy"
The party making the request for the
manager, however, was an entirely diff
ferent sort of person, in fact the exact
opposite to the circus man in looks,
dress and manner. One would easily
size him up as a country merchant,
deacon or farmer, and would not be
much out of the way at either guess. He
wore determined look upon his face
as he approached the entrance. and
asked for the manager in a tone that at
once indicated a kick" as complaints
are called by circus people.
Here was an opportunity for the
"squarer" to square things. Now q
''squarer" with circus is an important
individual. You will not find him put
down for that title on the official roster
of the show, but he is there all the same,
and not day passes during the circus
season that he does not earn his salary.
There are great many people in this
world that look upon the circus as their
natural prey, and there is not year
passes that circus manager does not
pay thousands of dollars In unjust
claims, claims that would not stand a
tive-minute contest In court, and yet
have to be settled some way at the last
moment before leaving a town to avoid
attachments.
AS more flies are caught with mo-
lasses than vinegar" it is here that the
''squarer" gets his work in. He takes
Mr.. Kicker to one side, whispers few
oonsoilng words in his ear, pours forth
volume Of eloquence, and sends him
on his way rejoicing. If his claim is
just one it Is always settled for the full
amount. If the claim be an unjust one,
ii is always settled or adjusted somehow
to avoid all future litigation. Unfortu-
nately, travelling circus stands little
show in the average local courts
throughout the country. The resident
of the town or country always gets the
best end of il, no matter how unreason-
able his claim.
The knowledge of the 'squarer," OF,
in more polite language, the claim ad-
juster, must necessarily be extensive,
and his disposition that of saint. He
daily comes in contact with all sorts of
queer people. He must know consider
able of law, have somewhat Of knoWl-
edge of surgeonry, so that no local
doctor can bamboozle him into thinking
that patron has broken arm, when
it is only sprain. He must know the
market value of almost everything, and,
above all, he must be quick aud prompt
In action.
SIS the manager about" again in
Quired the notwithstanding man.
The manager was not about, but his
representative was, and knew as if by
instinct, before the second word was
spoken. that the man who stood before
him had bill of damages in his jacket
and lank, lean. fee-hungry constable
at his side.
"Well, see here" he continued. my
name is Brown, and l own a place out
here on the Woonsocket road about
eleven miles from tuwn. About two
weeks ago one o. them 'ere bill stickers
O. your'n came along while was in the
field and covered MY new barn all over
with stickers and show bills without
my permission, and want to know who
is going to settle. l think about $3.50
would be about right"
rh ssCor N,D otto u,
from the shadow of the big tent, took
the $3.50 gentlemen to one side, held a
few moments. conversation with him,
and when he settled he seemed glad to
get $40 apd two tickets.
YES" said the circus man to the
writer, THAT party is certainly entitled
to some recompehse. but not for any
such amount as $3.50, which is absurd,
and was doubtless Inspired upon the
advice of some lawyer. who had an AK
of his own to grind. Now, $40 will pay
him for all his trouble in washing the
bills off his barn, and, as he Is seeing
the show this afternoon for nothing, l
think he should be well satisfied"
AS sequel to the foregoing, on the
following year when the circus visited
the same town. the same man, with the
same bill and the same constable, again
put in an appearance, but this time he
would not settle for less than SIS, which
was paid him.
The management. however, grew sus-
pcious that all was not right, and im-
mediately started an investigation that
resulted In the discovery that this cum
ming Yankee had by some means se-
cured some Barnum u Bailey printing,
had himself posted the bills on his barn,
and had then made the claim.
Eyes, we have great many very
peculiar kicks with a circus. that aside
from the annoyance caused are some
times very amusing. Why only few
days ago. we we're in a town where a
woman owned house which was next
to our show grounds, and which stood
In tie vicinity of our cook tent. About
2 o'clock in the AFTERNOON she came
over to the entrance with fire in her
eye and inquired for the boss Who
is going to settle for the damage done
my house by you show folks she
demanded.
Madame, II any damage has been
done your house, we will SETTLE
replied. and proceeded forthwith to
accompany her across the lot to her
house to see the extent of the DAMAGE.
why, can't see anything wrong
said.
"'You can't she SAID. highly indig-
nant at what she thought my stupidity.
Look at them flies on those windows.
never had fly in the house before
till this circus struck town. Now just
look at them windows. They are all
specked UP and ! want you folks to pay
me for washing them OFF,
"Of course we didn't pay her for
washing them off, but we smoothed her
| ruffled feelings by giving her ticket
to the show. which was doubtless what
she was aiming to get In the first
place."
The circus man was in communica-
tive frame of mind, and continued to re-
late some of his experiences with vari-
Gus people, to an interested audience OF
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