The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1902-06-03
Behind
! the Scenes

They were rather an old-fashioned
New York couple who knew more
about character than circuses and
when a man who knew personally"
the manager of the Twentieth Century
Colossus" invited them to see the show
between performances they had ac-
cepted the invitation as a compromise
between their consciences and their de-
sire to see the circus.
The manager received them with
courtesy and quiet dignity which
they had not expected from q
circus man. There were a number of
rehearsals going on in different parts
OF the enclosed space. In one corner,
O'Brien, the assistant elephant trainer,
was alternately scolding and caressing
a little old elephant named John. John
had the sulks. He is a star, and of
course he had a right to sulk.
The guide escorted his visitors over
to that corner and introduced them
to Mr.. O'Brien. He was perspiring.
"You must excuse my appearance"
he said wiping his forehead with his
sleeve. "But when you've got an ele-
plant on your hands that's pouting
like comic opera star you hain't got
no use to dress up"
1T must be a very dangerous voca-
tion," said the woman.
O'Brien ignored the implied compli-
ment.
I've been round elephants. you
might say, ever since could walk an
I've been a close student of the ele-
plant character" he explained, "but
don't know no more about that little
old Johnnie than you do.
Il cant make up my mind whether
he's rogue that hain't got sand
enough t let me have it or whether
he's just wise old guy that's bin
kiddin' me along for twelve years
Every so often he goes on a strike and
Turing them times he tries his prettiest
to get the other elephants to go out
with him-kind of sympathetic
strike
! HE can't stand prosperity. I guess
that's what ails him. Every time we
drop into soft Place like this he gets
proud an naughty. See him winkin'
at me now with one o. them little Bax-
ter street eyes of his, he sayin' not on
your life!'"
The visitors, never having devoted
much time to a conscientious study of
Elephant character, could not interpret |
the wink, but they condoled with
O'Brien and the man said that John
ME was probably trying to organize a
union or else he was an elephantine |
practical joker. And then they all !
laughed difidently, as people will |
when they speak to one another in diff
ferent dialects of the same language.
In the ring nearest the Fourth ave-
1ue entrance young girl in very
lnfiounced bathing suit was turning
'omersaults from a broad backed pla-
i'd white horse. AS the 1.-the young
igure whirled through the air, and
anded with unerring precision on the
exact spot where it had left the horse,
he guide unconsciously lapsed into
he professional circus barker.
THAT is Dollie Julian" he an
bounced with a gesture that embraced
10Th Miss Julian and four Shetland
ponies. "She is the only female SOM
rsault bareback rider in the world.
n youth, beauty, skill and grace she
ndisputably is the greatest eques-
rienne in all circus history"
He caught the eye of the only female
omersault rider and beckoned to her.
Il want you to meet her." he said.
The couple gasped simultaneously.
isn't it dreadful" the woman whis-
ered tragically to her husband.
Why, do you know, am actually
What in the world can
We say to herr"
about as bad as being presented
t court-or to the new bishop" the
usband responded with a husky at
empt at gayety you, however, will
refrain, my dear, from ask
lg her where she has her dresses
lade."