The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-07-27

to themselves, after he has left with
the signed contract IN his pocket. how
they came to let him cut the price of
the daily run from $500 to s275. What
Atty is to the newspaper people John
is to the railroad managers and the
general public, for he doesn't confine
his efforts to the traffic mana gers
alone, but extends his genial influence
to all the people he meets. He has
more acquaintance in the theatrical
profession than any living man He
knows every public man and every
banker and manufacturer Of prcyni-
nence in the country. His work prac-
tcally ends in August, as the railroad
contracts for hauling the show for the
season are generally completed then.
With a few choice spirits he boards his
yacht. Barraboo. in New York harbor
and a six weeks cruise to southern or
West Indian waters is in order. Many
Of Johns transportation arrangements
for the following season are effected on
these jolly cruises.
John VIII be- here with the show.
shaking hands with the railroad people
and dispensing about as fine a. grade of
warm atmosphere as ever came down
the pike.
When you go to the show be sure to
take peep In the ticket wagon, and
IT you notice a roly-poly man, with
dark eyes. and arrayed in a neat suit of
clothes and pleasant smile for all.
thata man is Brother Otto.o He is 4
native and to the manner born as a
financial guardian and guide. No one
would have thought it a dozen years
years ago, or therea bouts, when the
show was going through its -sdinky''
days, and cute little Otto sold tickets
and doubled" as a bass drummer in
dot leetle Cherman band.s Nothing
gets away from Brother Otto Any
money coming to Ringing Brothers
comes-and stays. But he is affable
Withal, a delightful companion in the
Ft-Hr
chance get ruff1ed at times, but he
couldn't frown or look black If he tried
he IS still 2 gay, debOnair bachelor,
with an ample income and a decided
social instinct He is not a f1irt but
just a gay young golfer and a recon
teur- HIS is a susceptible. polished gen
ueman, writer Of poems, a finished
art amateur and vocalist. But he is
very quiet wfthal
Al is the dean of the faculty of wor-
shipful circus proprietors. He is hus-
tier, the first man on the lot in the
morning, the last to leave at night. He
IS father confesSor to the ladies and
gentlemen of the arena. their guide,
director and friend he leads the parade,
conducts the two daily performances.
hires and nres performers at will, and
in a word, dictator Of the dressing
room and supreme arbiter of affairs
underneath the big top as the main
circus canvas is designated.
If there are any elements of q crank
IN the genial equestrian director of
the Worlds Greatest Shows" ii rests
alone in the storm center of his
brain. It is his one fear that the can
vas may blow away one day
Gentleman Charlie" the people
around the show call him, for Charlie
is first of all a gentleman,
then a Snowman He is cIean-cut,
dapper little man. Some people think
he is the brains OF the aggregation
But this is not exactly the whole truth.
He has his share of gray matter, but
he didn't get it all when nature was
passing it around to the Ringing boys
Charlie came, by natural selection, to
the position of general agent of the
show He took up the advance work
early in the game, and is a postmaster
in all the arts of the opposition in all
the advantages to he secured in bill
hoard