Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-23
A. JOKE ON FITZHUGH LEE.
How n Circus Clown Got the Better
of Him.
CNew Orleans Picayune)

few days ago when the Second Texas
Regiment of Volunteers was about to
leave Jacksonville. the wives OF the officers
were congregated at the Windsor Hotel.
General Fitzhugh Lee had been quite IN
disposed. and was also forced 10 seek the
comforts OF a dwelling. The DAY inc
Texas soldiers departed the General
strolled into the breakfast-room ana oaue
farewell to the fair Texas ladies' heai-
ing they were to start soon for Dailas,
ne related the experiences he encountered
on his first visit there
II was during the spring, away pacA
near the SOS. The troops had been
having a hard time chasing Indians, ana
was resting up. about 100 miles away Az
this time ten troopers were missing, Win
their horses. and Lieutenant Lee was
placed i'm charge Of a detail and ordered
10 capture the deserters. At once Ihe
PARTY started. following the tran 9crusS
the prairie toward the eastward ana Dai-
las. For hours the riding was hatu' auu
at night the little band was sull III the
open. and no sign had been seen OF the
fugitives-only the footprints where Ihe
horses had passed hours before. ne
party was allowed to rest just long
enough 10 renew life in the horses wheh
| they resumed the journey.
| II was night when they reached the
| little frontier town. but their EFFORTS
| were rewarded. The ten deserters were
| all found I'm one Of those canteehs ior
| which the West was then famous. lheS
| were promptly turned over TO the loWh
| Marshal and locked i'm Jail. 1t SO happen
| ed that a strolling circus had stopped III
| Dallas that night and Lieutenant Lee
| was one among those who crowded the
| board seats I'm the big tent The in'hs-
| pensable clown was naturally the centre
| of attraction. and years afterward TINS
| performer became one OF the best-kno"
| men I'm the circus ring. \ number OF local
| iokas were of course, included IN MS eve
ning's entertainment and Lieutenant
Lee was praised and made fun of to the
delight of the entire gathering Later the
young officer was presented TO the per-
| former. and behind the canvas sepaIa-
ton between the big amphitheatre and
| the dressing-room the two men, so ull
| ferently situated became quite friendly
| They strolled back to the hotel-such as
| II was i'm those days-and before morn
ing they were sworn allies.
During the exchange of condolences
Lieutenant Lee promised 10 send on ms
horse with the prisoners TO point some
, | fifteen miles farther west. where th'
| roads .livided and there the party wOul'
wait for the officer. he having agreed Il
drive out with the clown. The circus wa
70 also moving west az daylight. and tn
q men expected 10 oVertake their respec
tive travelling companions.
Morning came, and about 3 o'clock IN
officer and clown breakfasted. htt
s later the clown announced the ARRIVAL
! his carriage. Lieut. Lee had noticed wit
| surprise the number of men and wome
who had congregated on the street, bt
| he never suspected the cause Tor such
| congregation.
The clown had excused himself son
| time before. and called from the Vehlc
to the officer that arrangements we
n | complete The Lieutenant strolled out
e. the rough building, which enjoyed u
, | name Of hotel and was speeches. VII
| amusement TO see his circus friend, ful
2 | eouipped for the ring seated on the HE
{ | seat OF a curious red and blue yehicl
u | which was drawn by half a dozen ponie
| Then Lieutenant Lee realized that he Ia
| been caught I'm a trap, ana would nav
j. to submit 10 this practical joke. }
S. climbed up TO the high seat, and, perch'
q bv the side Of the painted clown who in
n | medlately began comic song ana ii
Pc | everything i'm his power 10 attract %
, | tention. The town turned out 20 see q
y | sight. and that departure was "a memoir
10 | bic one The clown was not satisfied. D
| drove the officer across the miles OF ro
| ing prairie 10 where the sunburned troo
~, ers had halted Here Lieutenant Lee vi
| practically turned over to his men Wi
T. | lifting pomp and ceremony.
The roads divided. the clown faded aW,
I'm the blue line of the horizon, and q
Young officer gallOped beyond the rea'
u of eve to the cavalry camp.
u This was General Lees first visit
' Dallas. Tex, and he has never since IN
TO dav. years ago. ventured into the stree
De- Of that little city.