The San Francisco call., 1897-09-12

open lids, inside of which was a small
look ing glass. Before each trunk, on a
chair or camp-stool, sat the owner,
busiIy dressing for the next turn or un-
dressing from the last.
perhaps" l said. hesitating and taking
in the various stages of costuming II had
better wait"
I'VE don't mind" the one who sat near
est said, and it was she who had ridden
so beautifully in yellow tights, and now
she had thrown something about her and
had her costume in her hand. 1--WE don't
mind she saId "if you haven't
kodak"
And | confess to wishing that had.
And | had come to see if they were
tired; if the skill and dash and happiness
were all on the outside. The lady clown
was looking through her trunk for some
misplaced article, with look on her face
which would have proven positively a
case. of mistaken identity. The lady por-
tion of the stable was all dressed, and
SAT, her face as white as her gown, list
lessly staring at nothing in particular.
The tight-rope performers pinned flowers
in their hair and donned their tights
silently.
Don't they take cold ?" l questioned.
"They get used to it. It's hard in wet
weather, or in cold climate, bat this is
lovely here
And 1 looked at the openings in the
tents, and the wind whisted through with
all its chilly might and 1 drew my furs
about me and went out.
A little STRIPPING in pink and white
tights stood waiting to be introduced when
came out.
Louie Vernon" said the manager, 'the
pet of the circus.''
He smiled into my face and told how he
liked to do trapeze work and what fun it
was TO go flying through the air.
And you are not afraid 2"
His childish eyes frightened. "Of
course not l like it. I'd like to do it
always and l never get tirel."
"a little genuine performer" said the
manager, as he led the way back into the
large tent.
And it must have been genuine, for the
little fellow did feats that were marvellous,
and was tossed through the air in a wav
that was marvellous and came up smiling
every time and waved his hand to us from
the high trapeze on which he sat. And as
he ran, lau hing, back to the dressing
tent some one said:
Performers, like artists, are BORN. not
made"
But they had begun to applaud before.
The circus closed with the races. Wildly
exciting they were, and the peoule and
the small boys cheered roundIy, and the
band played. And while the tired per-
for the morrow's performance, and the
man sold tickets for negro minstrel
show, l wandered forth into the night
and into the ten. of the side show"
Rob Roy, the white Moor" sat on a
pedestal. and beside him was drum.
The Infant Encyclopedia was romp,ng
about III high glee and refused to sit upon
her pedestal until she had to answer ques-
tions. Prince Nora, the tiny little being,
had her picture for sale and was greatly
amused at everythin in general. Nine.
Alvarez. Cuban insurgent, made paper
flowers for sale with her photograph and
preserved a preternatural gravity. The
snake charmer sat on the same pedestal
that held her cage of snakes and looked
bored. The other attractions were not vet
ready for exhibition, but could be seen in
the tent outside, laughing and talking.
And | passed out into the night again
To be anything in the world that attracts
the hum an mind, young or old, one must
feign.
Still marveling, reached the gate. A
crowd of small boys were assem- bled there.
and one, little braver than the rest. held
the gates open and questioned with an
eager look of admiration ii his eyes:
"Are you an actress?"
And the way l fell in his estimation
was so swift and complete that l wish
even yet had feigned.
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