St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-08-19
LIFE IN 4 CIRCUS.
TEMPERANCE AND MORALS GEN.
ERALLY LOOKED
AFER.
NO TIME FOR cARoUsING.
HIGH-SALARIED ATHLETES no
NOT DRINK, SMOKE OR
CHEW.
HOW THE PERFORMERS SAVE,
"reminiscences of David Thomas.
WI,o for Twenty Odd Years
Was a Press Agent.

A retired old-timer of the "pro-
fesslon," whether circus or theatre
calNone especially who was Gin at
the start and kept up with the run
mig for many years, is always an
interesting parsonage. The other
day L called upon David Thomas.
at New Haven, Conn.,, one of the
prime old-timers of the sawdust
arena.
For twenty odd years David Thorn
as was the press representative of
old Dan Rice's Paris Pavilion Cir
Gus, and for upwards of fifteen
years, until a couple of years ago.
he took care of the newspaper peo-
pie for 1.-THE Great Moral Show
that Phineas Taylor Barnum made
famous. I found the old Snowman
IN his Rapid Transit printing Of
nee, as happy, handsome and good
natured as when it was his special
business to see after the comforts
OF newspaper men, and write glow
AiS SUI iSo LII tie press.
Il am out of the business for good, -
said Thomas, "but lately I've lectured
at different places with considerable
success on Thirty Balloon Voyages of
an Amateur, taken with the famous
Professor Donaldson when he was en-
ployed by Mr.. Barnum.''
l asked the old Snowman if circus
men were as shady set as common
ly supposed.
DO not let me startle you he re-
piled, when I say that athletes and
circus performers are always temper
ate people. A good athlete expects a.
good salary. If you stop to think YOU
must see that his salary depends alto
Sether upon his act in the ring: this
act depends upon his physical condi-
ton and in turn his physical condition
depends wholly upon his manner of
living. A high salaried athlete rarely
II ever uses liquor, seldom smokes and
never cheWS tobacco. Take the pay
roll right through of a show Like Bar
NUNS and one finds little or no drunk
enness.
Neither must we judge the teams
tiers by their rough exterior. The
bronzed faces and weather beaten
ngures seated upon the big vans have
many Of them been with the show for
years. Not a few of them own com
Portable homes in Bridgeport and sur
rounding towns. Mr.. Bailey would no
more think of hiring an intemperate
driver than he would think of f1vine.
Stop moment and think. These four.
SIX and eight-horSe teams cost I'D into
the thousands. They are the most val
liable blcoded draft horses that can be
bought. They are accurately matched
perfectly trained, and cared for as
though of royal blood. Most of their
work is at night, hauling great wagons
and heavily loaded vans over muddy
roads, across country bridges, through
cuts and gullies and across railway
tracks to get at the train.
often in crossing a 1nirv LOT =
heavy pole wagon goes down to the
hubs; Then 1t is that the training and
intelligence Of these blooded horse,
come in play. We often see a numbes
OF country horses hitched to a stalled
cart, no two pulling at the same time.
Whlle the cart remains in the mud.
1t is quite different to see trained,
horses under the same conditions.
I ines know no just what is expected OF
theln Ihey seem to have but one
mind, and at the word of command
act IN unison when something has to
come A bowling thunder storm i'm tho
bleakest night makes no difference,
Win such stock as this. When d.
alongside of kissing LOCOMOTIVES Or
lostle against the big elephants if they
happen to be in their way, either or
Wnlcn-iocomouVe or elephantS-wiN
1flghten country horse out of his
wits. You can readily see that such
valuable teams are not given in charge
of any but sober and reliable men.
NO matter how rough their garb, they
love their horses, and will guide them
over the most intricate roadways in,
the. darkest night, while the manager
ret1res to his sleeping car with a feet
ing that his property is safe with these
watchful men.
Neither is there any great amount
of drunkenness among the men who
load and unload the cars. 1t is truc
these attaches of the show are no,
composed exclusively of retired clergy-
men and theological students. but What
comes intoxicated he would not wait
to be discharged, but Immediately upon
getting sober he would walk straigh,
up to the ticket wagon and demand
settlement, for he very well knows
what is coming. In the country can
Vasmen have some rows at night OUT
side, of the tent. but these little
troubles are usually caused by drunk
en- roughs. The canVasmen are on the
alert, a scrimmage follows and the
countrynlen usually go away with a
sore head.
1.-The same may be said about the
female performers. As rule they are
hard-working people, whose parents
were in the business before them. ana
who have been brought up in the cir
Gus since childhood. They go in fam
lies and have their natural pro-
tectors. The girls marry young. and
usually in the profession Each win
have some particular act for special
~, and their combined salaries gives
them a good living and enables them
to lay up money. Many of the per-
formers-male and female-in the
Barnum show let their salaries re-
main intact, and when the show closes
in the fall draw it in lump AS the
company pays all travelling expenses,
there is little reason for spending
money, and, being hard workers and
economical, they very wisely leave
their money where they feel it is safe.
Once through the evening performs
ance, an hour later finds them sleep
ing in their berths on the train.
Arriving at the next point for ex-
htbition they must arise hurry to the
show grounds for breakfast hotels are.
not used now except on Sunday and
then hasten to the parade This over
comes dinner and this is followed
quickly by the afternoon show. Then
supper and the evening performance.
and / would like to know when the
girls would find time for carousine
Were they so inclined. No, sir; circus
girls know nothing about wine sup
nprS'