Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-05-17
Behind
the Scenes

They were rather an o1d-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 &C
cepted the invitation as 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 a
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 caresslng
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 a comic opera star you hain't got
no use to dress up"
at must be a very dangerous voca-
ton" said the woman.
O'Brien ignored the implied compli-
ment.
1--WE been round elephants. you
might say, ever since 1 could walk an
I've been a close student of the ele-
plant character" he explained, but
1 don't know no more about that little
old Johnnie than you do.
81 cant make up my mind whether
he's a rogue that hain't got sand
enough t let me have it or whether
he's just a wise old guy that's bin
kiddin' me along for twelve years
Every so often he goes on strike and
during them times he tries his pretuest
to get the other elephants to go out
with him-kind of sympathetic
strike.
He can't stand prosperity. l guess
that's what ais him. Every time we
drop into a 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 conscientious study of
elephant character, could not interpret
the wink, but they condoled with
O'Brien and the man said that John
Eie was probably trying to organize
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-
nue. entrance a young girl in a very
unfiounced bathing suit was turning
somersaults from a broad backed pla-
cid white horse. AS the 1.-the young
figure whirled through the air, and
landed with unerring precision on the
exact spot where it had left the horse,
the guide unconsciously lapsed into
the professional circus barker.
THAT is Dollie Julian he an
nounced with a gesture that embraced
both Miss Julian and four Shetland
ponies. ''She is the only female SOM
ersault bareback rider in the world.
In youth, beauty, skill and grace she
indisputably is the greatest eGues-
trienne in all circus history
He caught the eye of the only female
somersault rider and beekoned to her.
81 want you to meet her. he said.
The couple gasped simultaneously.
isn't it dreadful" the woman whis-
pered tragically to her husband.
Why, do you know. l am actually
embarrassed. What in the world can
we say to her?''
About as bad as being presented
at court-or to the new bishop" the
husband responded with a husky at
tempt at gayety. you, however, will
certainly refrain. my dear, from ask
ing her where she has her dresses
made"