Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1903-07-28
The Circus.

Sautellc's circus train, which cam,
from Lewiston, pulled into South Pari.
about O'Clock Wednesday morning, Il
the great relief of portion of the young
er population, who had put in the night
waiting for it. From that time until the
afternoon show began, through all the
processes of unloading, carting to the
fair grounds, setting up tents, and feed
ing the small army of employees, there
was always present good number OF
spectators of the free part of the show.
The manner of handling and caring for
all the variety of stuff which such a
show carries is by no means an uninter-
esting study.
Although it rained the day before, and
poured the next day, circus day was
without rain, but cloudy. In haying
time the show could not have had a
more favorable day, and from an early
hour until after the parade the streets
filled with teams, were reminder of q
morning in county fair. The show tents
were we'll filled, afternoon and evening
The outfit paraded the streets of the
two villages in the forenoon, the pro-
cession including three bands besides
the clowns band, three or four animal
cages with open sides and considerable
number closed, two elephants, good
string of horses and ponies ridden and
driven, and other minor features.
The performance in the big three-ring
tent came off duly according to schedule,
at 2 and SPIN. Do not, however, waste
your sympathy on the spectators who
lacked third eye so that they were I'M
able to watch the three rings at once.
In fact, the third ring was inclusive of
the other two, and was used only for
chariot races and similar features.
There were never but two rings to watch
at once-and that is one more than the
average man can keep his eyes on.
The programme was we'll varied with
tricks by horses, dogs and mules, bare
back riding, trapeze and bar work,
ETC., with due proportion of
time allowed to the company of clowns.
Things were kept moving, and the guam
.ity and quality of the show admitted of
no fault finding. The several acts were
almost without exception the old stock
stunts as they have been done since the
memory of man runneth not etc. The
of the circus did not set forth
my surprising novelties or startling feat
Tres, and in fact there were none.
At the proper time 'gentlemanly at
endants" did not fail to ''pass among"
he audience, selling tickets for the ire
ined vaudeville" entertainment to fol-
ow. There is only one word in the lam
,uage to describe this concert properly, |
md that is mediocre. Nor was there any |
ack of vendors of song books, fans,
emonade, pop corn, and other refresh
of which was sold, accord
nc TO ancient custom, at a price reveal
d to the customer after the purchase
vas an accomplished fact. Indeed, the
how was run on traditional circus lines
and no time honored feature
designed to produce revenue was omit
ed.
In the adjoining tent were some fif-
cen or twenty cages of animals. There
gere splendid specimens of lions and
igers, and other animals, some of
,hich any one would know, while
theirs could be named only by an ex-
ert. None of the cages were marked,
nd in that respect too Sautelle follows
he fashion, but it would be easy, and
Increase the value of the show, to label
he animals. The Democrat twice ask
d of an attendant the name of pecu-
arly elongated specimen of the deer
amily, and is able only to guess that it
something similar to ''ortogroff."
Sheriffs Tucker and Bassett were
,atching things closely, to see that no
Legitimate business was carried on.
hey closed up one place where gambling
,as going on, and one small side-show
there an oriental dance was being ex-
ibited that was not considered to be
onducive to good morals, though the
managers assured them that the Lewis
IN authorities found no fault with it.
10Th these places were outside the exhi-
itiOn tents.
The circus went from here to Bethel,
there it showed on Thursday.