Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-05

painting and sketching. He had small
easel set in the back of his trunk, and in
the very whirl of the coming and going
often put in touches with his brush on
some picture in hand
Husband and wife often occupy places
near each other Though the canvas which
separates the dressing rooms is between
them they can pass things to each other
beneath the curtain and enjoy each others
society during the progress of the per-
Torrance.
They must perforce lead a regular and
moral existence. The nature of their call
ing which demands quick eye and steady
hand, compels the strictest observance OF
the rules of strenuous life. They are even
prone to practice in the dressing rooms be-
tween hard work some new feat some
fresh muscular exercise.
Now you will see why the morals OF the
circus personnel of today are superior. Do
you suppose for an instant that all of these
husbands and wives and fathers and
daughters are likely to tolerate the pres
ence among them of disreputable women
ami immoral men? Not much! The at
mosphere would soon be made too hot for
no companionship for them. If they are
there they are on their good behavior and
are innocuous. Their character is unknown.
The great spectacles carried by the mod
ern circus bring from so to 500 women into
the personnel These women are, as a
class, respectable and highly respected.
I, -hoh Ind
bit of canvas about the tents. In the sleep
ing cars, at the eating tables-and this
omnipresence enforces a certain considera-
ton and a degree of decency OF language
and decorum of action rarely found among
any other class of men.
The surroundings and supervisory care
of these women are such that the most
sensitive and refined young woman might
travel with a circus from one end OF the
country to the other for a whole season
with as absolute safety to her person. her
mind and her morals as IL she were at
tending any reputable boarding school.
She never passes out of the range of the
watchful eye of the matron of her section,
whether in dressing room, arena or in the
cars She is marched from car to tents.
from dressing room to meals and back to
tn, car after the performances with gen.
tie, motherly but firm hand that knows no
breach of duty.
Her life Is too busy to leave room for
discomfort or to chafe at restraint. There
are no attractions for her, anyhow, in the
dusty crowd of a village show day-no
place to go. nothing to see Her sole COM
panionship must be found with her own
sex. in her Immediate small circle, or with
her husband her mother. father. brother
or sister, who may be with her on the road.
1t will surprise many doubtless when
say that in the circus personnel the do
nestle tie Is stronger. the conjugal bond
firmer and more apparent than in other
walks of life.
AS have shown. so far as the women
are concerned there are no opportunities
and no temptations exist on the road for
theatrical people. The married couples are
in car by themselves The single male
performers, heads of departments, &C., are
in their own car. The "razor-backs," can
vasmen and the animal men and others OF
that grade are in their particular cars.
Each car has porter and superintendent
The single women are under the close
supervision of an elderly lady, who sees
that every woman in her charge reports al
the car Immediately after the last perform