Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-10
THE GREAT CIRCUS
CROWDS FILL THE TENT AT
EVERY PERFORMANCES.
The Gust Yesterday Caused Stir, but
No Panic-Every One Says
It il "the Best Ever

II there Is one thing rain cannot inter-
fere with 1t Is a circus. and a better demon
stratiOn of this fact could not be had than
the attendance last night at Barnum Il
Bafley's greatest show on EARTH" It was
estimated that over $4,000 persons big and
little, witnessed the performance yester-
day afternoon. and this number was not
materially diminished because Of the
drenching rain storms which deluged the
city about o'clock. OF the II 600 present
last night it is safe to say that 10000 had
vowed time and time again never to go to
another circus, yet they were all there and
applauded almost every one of the features
to the echo. The very magnitude of the
entertainment is irresistible, and the dignified
citizens always dig up some excuse or pre-
tense for attending the show.
But when the storm broke yesterday the
thousands beneath the massive tent became
alarmed, not knowing that the million ropes
and stakes which held 1t in position made 1t
as safe as a house of steel and mortar. An
ill-timed gust of wind carried damp mist
beneath one of the walls of the tent, and
with one accord 1O000 of the Ia, 900 present
rose and exhibited an anxiety to fOrsake
their covering. For a moment it looked as
though a panic was imminent, and crowds
surged around the doorways, hesitatfng
whether to risk the storm or the tent.
Many braved the elements and got drench-
ed to the skin, and waded in mud up to
their shoetOps The conservative persons
returned to their seats, watched the show
out remained through the great concert.
and then departed with dry clothes and in
a happy frame of mind. The circus man
agement always ready for an emergency OF
this sort. provided planks and an ample
supply of sawdust so that the "Stfckers
did not even have to 'soil the soIes Of their
Shoes"
"The Best Ever"
AS for the show itself, those who at
tended seemed to think it was the best
ever" The spectacular reproduction Of
the famous durbar was interesting and
instructive to thousands, and furnished a
very comprehensive idea of the grandeur
of these East Indian festivities. The en-
tertainment drifted from the spectacular
to the hazardous. When satisfied with
pomp and show, the auditory was treated
to feats of daring and of Infinite skill.
Volo, the volitant, as he is termed on the
play bill. compelled a cessation of BREATH
ing on the part of every Onlooker when
he dashed down an incline from the top
of the tent and looped the loop. the upper
portion of which had been removed. As
he leaped through the air the great tent
was hushed with the intensity of i'm
pending danger, and when Volo righted
center Of the ring. safe and sound, the
applause was intermingled with a sigh
of relief.
The attention Of the audience was then
directed to the ludicrous, and perform
err of no mean merit proceeded to give in
pantomime sfngle-handed reproduction
of a base ball game. First he went
through diverse contortions and pretend
ed to pitch the ball. then he struck at 1t,
missed and caught the imaginary sphere
from the catcher's position. Again he
pitched. and this time he apparently lined
out a three-bagger. Away he scampered
around the imaginary bases, then ne
picked up the ball from the right field,
and throwing 1t to third base, caught 1t
and put himself out So expert was this
individual, who could play a whole game
by himself, that some enthusiast was
cruel enough to suggest at the top of his
voice that you ought to be signed by the
Washington team" The incident served
its purpose. and everybody laughed.
The performance which began at 9
o'clock this afternoon brought out as
many curious ones as yesterday, notwith-
standing the threatening weather The
last performance will be given this even
ing, when 1t Is understood Miss Alice
Roosevelt will be the hostess at a large
box party. The mammoth circus came in a
night, has remained two days and tn
night 1t will disappear as quietly and as
mysteriously as 1t arrived. And the pub
lie Will have a year in which to deveIop
another circus appetite.