The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1908-08-11
A New Romeo and Juliet.
BY THE LATE
c All Es Il. DAY.
In the Dramatic News.


When Joshua Jackson was negoti-
;ating for the purchase of the menag-
erie Of Maybell & Co., retiring, there
was only one hitch in the deal that
for the time being brought matters to
a standstill. Jackson explained
II am not buying a pig in a poke;
the price is all right, but what is the
use of my taking the elephant Romeo
in the trade without / am assured
that Carpenter, his keeper. can be
had to handle him at a reasonable
figure. You know that the animal Is
terror and that man is the only
person who can do anything with
him-a part of the time"
"A part of the timer" interrupted
MaybeH.
"Yes, part of the time; when the
huge rascal feels like it he goes on a
rampage, Carpenter or no Carpenter,
and then there's damages to pay and
all that sort of thing, lawsuits and
claims. +"
Romeo is the best-known elephant
in the United States" asserted May
bell.
The worst elephant on earth, an
swered Jackson
"The greatest card in the show
business, . declared Maybell. He is
famous"
AS he is infamous"
"We have made fortune out of
him and when his tantrums have
caused. us expense we have charged
it up to advertising"
THAT is all very we'll, Mr.. May
bell, said the shrewd Joshua Jack
son, "you just send for Carpenter;
If can strike bargain with him,
we'll and good; otherwise the dicker
is off, and we'll talk bushes with
Romeo left out of the sale.
Maybell returned, Romeo goes
with the outfit; no Romeo, no sale.
We are going to lump the whole
business, but will send over to the
winter quarters and have Carpenter
come up"
The elephant keeper reported and
was introduced to Joshua jackson,
who explained to the handsome young
fellow: Mr.. Carpenter, l have an
rsAStO1 VI Duy JOQl AudHd6Cl . 1lcAdS-
erie, as you probably know they are
going out of the business, having
made all the money they desire. l
am still hunting the dollar. Now If
should buy, can you be hired for
this coming season and what is the
figure?"
@One hundred and fifty dollars a
MONTH" was the prompt reply.
THAT is more than l ever paid an
elephant trainer" returned Jackson.
"You never owned Romeo" said
Carpenter. 81 don't care to risk my
life for less.
Il think | can get man for less
observed Jackson
Carpenter smiled as he responded
Mr.. Jackson, there isn't an expert
-enced elephant trainer in the country
who could be hired to take my place
for one thousand dollars month 1t
would be murder to send green
man up against that monster!"
Joshua Jackson wanted the menag-
erie badly. 1t was his ambition to
have big show and the present OPP
portunity was one not to be lost.
After some hesitation he decided.
Carpenter, 1t is a go; too much
money, but will have to stand II. ="
Then turning to the manager he said:
"Maybell, write me out receipt for
the amount; I've brought the green
backs along with me j"
In five minutes the meLagerie of
Maybell G Co., including the mighty
war elephant, Romeo, became the
property Of Joshua Jackson, the ris-
ing Philadelphia Snowman.
Jackson determined to make his
opening in Chicago, and shipped his
show to that point, AMI there added
the newly purchased menagerie.
The manager had very lovely
daughter, and as soon as he an
nounced his purchase to the fair
Juliet, he added: "And what do you
think is the name of the elephant?
Romeo. Father and daughter
laughed, and he said: "The real
Romeo is his keeper, young fellow
named Carpenter; a brave chap who
risks his life every day. for you must
know that Romeo is the very worst
elephant that was ever heard of. \"
Il have read great deal about
that bad elephant" said the daughter.
so has everybody else; his scrapes
and rampages have filled columns in
the newspapers; the scoundrel has
been his own press agent, and If he
don't kill Carpenter, expect to make
fortune out Of him this season.
why, papaIT exclaimed the fair
Juliet. How can you talk sog"
The man takes terrible chances, 3
continued the parent, but that is his
business. pay him for the risk
There was reproving expression