The Norfolk weekly news., 1900-08-02

practical study in animal history
The RinglingS have 25 elephants,
just one.half those in America and tho
largest herd in captivity. Fifteen OF
thesc monsters walked In the parade,
each hanging his trunk on tho tail OF
the one in front of him
Never before have 40 many beautiful
horses been seen in Norfolk and ~ to
the parade and performance they ex
oclled those Of any other circus on the
road
The parade was followed to tho
grounds Ivy vast number of the people,
where they witnessed the usual free
performance
After this tho crowds thinned out for
dinner and there was considerable
hurry, as many wanted to spend long
time in the menagerie before the after.
noon performance commenced, and as
soon AZ the main entrance was opened
the crowds began to flock in, until It
appeared ~ though tho entire popula.
tion of the county, and then some, were
bent son seeing the show, and by .
o'clock, the time for the afternoon per.
formancs to begin, tho seats were we'll
occupied with n staring, Illustrated audi.
ence. As tha Ringlings claim that their
circus tent will seat $4,000 people there
must have been nearly If not quite that
number present.
The opening act OF tho performance
Last days OF the Century, or tho Light
of Liberty" was all that il claimed for
it and was unparalleled in spectacular
magniticence II was participated in by
nearly all having connection with the
show and was "A most thrilling and patrl
otto sight. Types of soldiers from nll
countries on the globe were represented
and the events of several famous battles
were reproduced, but OF course the
soldiers, flags and representations of
hearts of an enthusiastic and patriotic
audience.
Following this was the regular circus
performance which would require SOW.
eral newspapers and much time aud
effort to adequately describe. Suffice it
to say every individual act was splendid,
especially the wonderful performance OF
the horses, elephants and other animals.
The greedy eye Of the onlooker was kept
constantly alert and active in the i'm.
possible endeavor to see everything mt
once and his only seeming disappolnt-
ment was that he missed something of
interest. However, it was very well
satisfied crowd that came away after the
performance was ended. Many who
saw it this afternoon will go again to-
night and those who were unable to at.
teud the afternoon performance will
certainly be on tonight 80 that an.
other large crowd is assured.
In this connection it is not improbable
that short sketch Of the Ringing
Brothers as showmen would prove inter.
essing They early conceived an ambi.
ton in their chosen profession and
when very young lads their first per.
formance was given under carpet tent,
the admission fee being pins. Their
show at that time was not unlike the
"shows" given by the kids of the present
day, but their ambition was not satisfied
with one attempt, and at their next
show penny admission fee was re-
quired, and in a short time the treasury
of the persevering young amateurs con-
tanned the magnificent sum Of SS.37
with which they purchased sheeting and
made their first real tent. This was all
accomplished out Of school hours. Their
next effort was the exhibition OF a
panorama" painted by an artistic
neighbor lad on the back of brown wall
paper and mounted on rollers. This
scheme was shortlived as some larger
boys with bump Of destructiyeness in
ordinately developed, destroyed their
parphernalia after they had taken in 81
cents.
The regular circus business proved
fascinating, however, and to their next
entertainment they charged an admis.
sion fee of five cents They had traded
for and old and decrepit Mexican pony
which has since proven the forerunner
of as magnificent field of horses as
was ever assemble under company or
individual ownership, some of which
are priceless. Their parade at that time
was feature" the music being fur.
nished from jews harp, mouth organ,
an old army trumpet and drum. They
succeeded in attracting the attention Of
old as we'll as young and many adults
paid the nickel admission to see the per.
formance and were fully repaid by the
ludicrousness of it all.
After this the ambition to own real
circus became deepset in their hearts
and they proceeded to perfect them
selves as showmen, taking studies in
music to start with.