Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1905-08-08
Frank A. Robbins Circus.

Robbins circus, billed at the fair
grounds Thursday, was decidedly late
about arriving, according to the circus
mans schedule, which generally calls
for the show to be unloaded as early as
it is possible to see. The preceding
days stand was at Rumford Falls, where
the grounds were long distance from
the station, and it was so slow work
loading that they were not ready to start
until after three O'Clock, and 1t was
nearly eight when the train pulled in
here.
Railroad Square was pretty well filled
with people to watch the unloading,
which was done systematically and with
out accident. Devoid of all the gaud and
tinsel and color of the show, this part of
the programme illustrates the hard part
of the work, and emphasizes to the spec
tators land probably to the workmen)
the fact that it is dogs life, under the
best of circumstances, to go with the
circus. The men were undoubtedly
tired, but the work must be done before
there could be any rest.
A patient crowd of people lined the
streets of South Paris, waiting for the
until nearly noon. In fact it didn't
come at all, and the people had to 60
home disappointed. The parade went
t. Norway, but didn't have time to ex-
tend the route over here. This un-
doubtedly cost them some patronage,
but they were able to start the after
noon performance on time.
There is a small animal show connect
ed with the circus, and it must be ad-
mitted that the poor beasts confined in
the cages are on the whole pretty
seedy lot. The circus proper, while on
a much smaller scale than the big shows,
is excellent in quality. There is a small
amount of riding, not enough to justify
the two rings which the tent contains, as
it could just as well have been done in
one. The acrobatic work is particularly
good, in all lines, and the acts were
pronounced by competent judges as good
as those to be seen at any circus. The
programme is we'll varied, and perhaps
it is inst as well not to have so much but
that the spectator can see most OF 1t, as
it is to have the tent SO full OF perform
ers that nobody sees the whole of any
thing. The indispensable clowns are ION
to their job" in good shape, and taken
as whole, the two hours programme
was very entertaining.
AS much can not be said for the
Concert following the performance,
which was pretty feeble affair.
There were two good audiences after
noon and evening, and everything was
orderly. Except for the time-dishonored
institution of outside ticket offices which
milk IN extra ten cents out of the I'M
wary and uniformed, the whole show
as given here was clean and devoid of
Objectionable features. In the morning
the illegal adjuster'' of the show called
on Jailer Farrar, and, offering him
liberal supply of tickets, which were de-
clined, asked if they would be allowed to
run certain games which he would be
glad to have the jailer inspect at the
grounds. Mr.. Farrar did not 60 to the
grounds, but told his caller if the show
kept within the law, which was plain
enough, there would be no trouble. The
suggestion was apparently carried out,
and nothing out of the way was seen
here.
A different plan seems to have been
followed in other places. 1t is openly
reported that gambling went on in one
of the show tents at RumfOrd Falls
Wednesday, and one Rumford Falls man,
who dropped Sl07 at the game, came
down here with some warrants, which
were duly served, and the management
settled, refunding the money with ex-
penseS. The man who was running the
game at Rumford Falls was not seen
here