The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1902-02-07

company began 70 approach parents
and other friends with little square
pieces Of pasteboard which said:
''s'..s''..s.. ................. .....
|: GRAND CIRCUS PERFORM 4:
/: ANCE. 4:
F.; At Brent Hall Come one, come all. (:
May "a, at o'clock. Admission, {:
|; 90 cents. {:
simultaneously there appeared upon
porch, window stills, trees and fence
posts other glazing bills calling atten-
ton to the Great and World Re
nowned Wonders" There will be-"
the poster went on to relate "an IN
surpassed aggregation Of freaks"
Come and see the 500 Horses in the
Ring" "Do not miss the Big Chariot
Race Also behold the Lady who eats
Niyes! And the Gamble feasting on
human food There was much more
Of this thrilling, but badly spelled ad-
vertising, which, however, accom-
plished the purpose for which it was
intended and aroused enough curios-
ity to insure a good attendance on the
Friday night chosen, because there
would be no school the next day.
The children had decorated the big
barn-like hall for the event.
A raised platform had been erected
at one end, and the performers came
up the attic stairs from the dressing
rooms below, each as his turn was an
nounced.
When the placard at the side pro-
claimed the appearance Of the snake
charmer, Madame Marie-Rosa, the
young person dressed in short-sleeved
yellow satin gown appeared. The ma
terial for this costume had once been
used as a stand cover. In her arms
she carried a large box, which she
deposited with great care upon the
table, and from which she drew out,
one at a time, long, green, wriggling
reptiles, made out of green flannel and
stuffed slightly with cotton Stripes
marked with black paint made them
seem even more realistic. These were
wound round and round the young
persons waist, arms and neck after
the most approved fashion of snake
| charmers, the young person talking
glibly all the while, telling where
her pets had been captured, and how
they had been tanned and trained
Madame Marie-Rosa then gave way
to the Man Eating Savage For this
act a large cage was brought on II
had been the home OF several mocklng
birds at one time, but soap and water
and hard rubbing had made it look
bright and new. Ranged along inside
were five prisoners to be devoured
by the savage They were made OF
ginger bread, however, so that the
feat was not as difficult as it seemed.
Sally, the sword swallower, next ap
peared. My! How sharp and shining
those tin swords did look! Only Q
very hungry sword swalloWer, indeed
could have gotten away with those
dangerous blades. And this is the way
she did il. Her blouse waist was 6
big bag with armholes. The necE
was gathered into a band which fitted
closely around the throat of a false
face provided with a generous mouth
Into this cavern disappeared the knives
and other sharp things. The audience
was so much pleased with this achieve
ment that the sword swallower was
forced to empty her pouch and RESPOND
to an encore.
The chariot race was great success
with the necessary equipment in thu
way Of Roman car, a regular Ben Hu
driver, and other small boys for horses
There was a clown that cracked jokes
tumbled around and did other time
honored acts. The trapeze work wa
so daring as to make all the mother
SILVER, and if the clothesline had bro
ken there would have been sad time
for poor Jack.
Next came the tight rope walking
A pretty little girl dressed to loo
just like q Japanese boy or girl pei
formed this feat, and the fact that tn
rope was strung very loose and touche
the ground when she walked made
possible. With all the grace Of a res
tight rope-walker she stopped to ba
, ance the rod she carried swayed hel
self to preserve her equilibrium