The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-07-30
WOMEN OF CIRCUS !
ARE MODEL WIVES
Born to the Business, They Lead.
Strenuous But Not Tn
happy Life.

q. - " = 7 . 4
"of ali the womer, engaged In public
employment there are none who are bet
ter known In a public manner by the
great masses Of people living In city and
country than circus women. And there IS
no class Of women In public employment
who are 30 little known to the general
public in private manner. There are
no women who arc so little understood,
whose real character is so little discussed
from correct standpoint"
The speaker was q man connected In an.
executive capacity with one OF the slarg-
est shows in the world, and whose expe.'
Renee III the amusement field has been.
sufficiently diversified to make hin, an au-
thorty.
~ must confess that there has been
nothing that have seen ii, my surround
ings that has given me 80 much surprise
as the women OF the circus, he contihu.
ed. Several years as a reporter and
cratic around the $,heatres of several cities
gave me an intimate knowledge Of the
women Of the stage, and i did not fancy
there was muc difference between them
and the women OF the arena. But there
UNLIKE AVERAGE ACTRESSES.
"The latter day stage. with Its insatiate
demand for young and pretty faces and
forms. particularly IN those most ,p,opurar
ras and extravaganzas. cnlists thousands
OF young girls from every walk OF lie
and all stations lii society. IT ls safe 70
without talent or training, and the mo
mefit the bloom Of youth yanishes tne'r5
usefulness is at an end and their living
IFS precarlous and various. Few marry
nomads like themselves.
gt.'Nothing OF that sort may be said Of
the women OF the circus. TO begin Will
they are com parative ~ few In number.
eral public that it might be well said tina
&tfey must ll.erally be born TO the bust
ness. At least nine out OF every ten cir =
Gus women have circus parents Inc ne re- re-
III, .,lie mt Lnt. 90
gets intoEit through a brother, sister, Or
| some st her relative. N o 52nanag gel. OF g
frst-class circus will engage a. femai i1s
performer In any ca pacity unless shells e.
accompanied by some male Srelat1v Inc ne
|,retsons for this are many and obvio US i to
Any on who will give ine su Dject q Titi-
ment's reflective considera ton. his rule
| Is SO general that exceptions TO II ar are
49, DISSIPATIONaI is IMPOSSIBLE.
REPRESENTATION Is an Fimpossipiiity among
circus women and $is seldom INDUCED IN e
i by circus men, performers or executive
oMcers Mana gers enforce the most st: strin q
lgent rules against dissipation In Its every
ltorn, ana wiz accept no excus es.f ne tirs {
tense brings a heavy fine as a pena lty,
and Instant dismissal invar ably follows
a. second violation. 7 he nat ure OF their
work makes 1t possible to =. disssipai,e
Not only their! livelihood but life s8itseli,
depends upon a clear mind, Il firm muscles
ana STEADY nerv cir y 4, oil
tour are made up Of the most vigorous
| ing until late at night, with no. opportu-
nityf to gain any rest or Srecrea ton away
from the show. A1idnig hit must see them, en-
in their beds on the az IS ma,
| are behind time their trunks and belong
| Btngs@ ~ simply placed outside along y nc
track and their enga cement is at a n emo.
and mot hers who take lie seriously and
Isoberly.I believe that there Is no other
lIclass of Wome In { an Il sort Of EN- loy-
ment where they come JIM conta with
1 thespublic which supplies SO Att tie food lot
. THEIR WINTER Ss5s5 n
i HOME,
i eth cir home III in " nterS3 Is plcasa nj
land agreea BILE. Some 4 of them but not
many, work In the thea tres in the winter
l}time. 1t Is a most curious far that afe "
! of them care to live in The large cities,
hut make their homes on farms or in
small towns. There they have their small
circle Of friends and relatives and pass
1.-The time away in the usual Sol ial9 func-
preparing heir wa drobess for j he coming
! season on Z he road .335 f ewi of & them ever
become INDECENT or dependent upon their eli
families or the public liberties: }5! .
#'.T hey, Of all women in the world, most
truly apprecia te and enjoy the comforts
and blessings of home a fter being COM
PEELED to be away for six months--in. a
strange town and among strangers every
day, and in the narrow confines Of q
sleeping berth on la Giro US car every night.
IIt is a hard life, but by no mea ms an .nn-
happy one. The rigorous la Dor and plain
hut good food and abundant sleep bring
| good 81 health and "a ttendant good spirits
and pleasant disposition, u
E"Charity in&4its truest sense abldes
among them. The slightest call for aid
from them always elicits a ready and
hearty response. The 100 women with a
show like ours are surrounded by their
male relatives aud 500 other men, each
one OF whom considers himself the pro-
tector OF their welfare and their honor.
| and woe bettde any one who assails
leither. I{maintain that circus women are
credit to their calling and an honor to
their sex.''---Ch icago Tribune. 15S