The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-09-13
What Others Say.
A SHOW I'M ONE RING


The season of the circus Is clos
Iing-the up-to-date circus, with It's
three rings and numerous platforms,
its triplicates in every sort of per-
,formance, its dozen or even score or
more of elephants. And men, wom-
en- and children by the tens OF
thousands crowd each other within
the great willowy canvas and are
overwhelmed by the bewilderment
of the thing and the complete impos-
sibility of seeing a third even of
what is performed. Little wonder,
then, that many minds among the
elders revert to the circus of their
youth as to a pleasant dream that
has vanished, and think an appeal to
the powers of these "aggregations' to
give us few 'single-ring' shows.
TO them the canvas of the more
primitive show of those far-away
days was whittier than is now seen;
the banners and pennants more
numerous and much gayer in their
Wonderful colorings. And there was
the coziness and neighborliness OF
sitting around the ring when the
distances were about alike to all and
all eyes were given equal and i'm
rartial chance to observe every par
t'cular phase of the entertainment
from grand entree to finish. The
lone ring seemed larger and more
perfect in its circumference than
any OF today. The one elephant
seemed taller and broader and more
stately than those of the herds we
see now. Nearly always It was a
line "tusker,' well bestowed with
gay and clean trappings and sur
mounted by a temple-like howdah. in
which reclined, tanning herself lux
uriously the beautiful lady" in
plumes and silks and satins. And.
sitting upon the animals head. mas
terful and awe-inspiring, was the
Ihelf-possessed and daring mahout
quite the East Indian in his cres-
cent-tipped turban, dark dyeings and
gay robes A vision of lovelIness
was the young lady" in abbreviated
skirts who with shapely legs and
fascinating allurements or arms ana
Eisses, gracefully pirouetted upon the
smooth, white pad on the great CLOS
sy horse, and, according to the
clown, was always ready for can
other banner" Speaking of clown
IN those days we were always I'm
complete touch and sympathy with
every gesture and word of the merry
FELLOW in motley--such clowns as Dan
hice and Johnny Lowlow, who were
always making game of the ring
master. And the latter was yer !,
proper In full dress, immaculate linen
and resplendent patent feathers with
MS long-lashed, loudly cracking and
ever threatening whip. An. what Kav
times the clown had with him, Ana
now we laughed over his freouent
dlscomftures under the merciless
quips of the merry jester! The an
houncement of the great stars of the
snow, following the profound how
would be the erect form, head well
pack and clarion notes of delivery
as Tor instance: Ladies and GENTLE
men, have the distinguished honor
10 announce to you, on behalf OF the
enterprising management. the immed-
late appearance In your midst OF that
Apollo Belvedere of the arena. Mister
Robert Stickney!" And then Mr.
stickney would proceed TO Justify 10
the full this laudatory heraIdry and
the enthusiastic applause of the au-
dlence. His tall. splendidly nodded
and perfectly graceful form seemed
instinct with electric life. His DOS
ings were masterpieces Of the Greek
art.
There night be only one daring
bareback rider In this one-rine cir
Gus but II 1t happened to he Jimmy
Robinson then there was an act
Tor your money. When he came
tripping out. after his big horse. the
music would cease for moment or
two and deep hush would fall upon
all within the canvas; the climav
was about to be reached. the thrill
of GREAT aYpacfancv warmed tha