Omaha daily bee., 1908-04-05

Tapping his feet, as if he'd invented EN-"
The policeman breaks in. II suppose I'm
considered the funniest clown in the busi-
ness" There is a little choking sound
heard from the rows, but it does not break
out into articulate speech. "rhis makeup
of mires a direct inspiration.
II was calling on a lady friend and tell
ing her that 1 was looking for a long coat
She was a good sized woman, somewhere
near 200 pounds, and she opened the door
of the wardrobe and showed me her last
years garment hanging there 1t was all
right but the color, and she suggested that
have it dyed, which 1 did.
"Then l sewed three rows of buttons
down the front, the small row in the mid
die, and borrowed from another lady friend
her hustle and shoulder pads-the first one
didn't have EN- in stock for obvious rea-
sons. You see what a success it is. The
children simply love me.
IT'S queer thing about them kids
Just as soon they get old enough to
throw stone they're on the lookout for
cop to throw 1t at, but let there be a
policeman clown. they can't see him too
often. They just grow crazy over him."
1t is while the subject of children is being
one of the officials. who reads 1t aloud, 1t
is from Harlem parent who has lost two
boys and thinks they must be with the
circus.
After its contents have been thoroughly
digested by the assemblage there is a
deep silence. Walsh looks quite fused up
about it and Egener crosses his legs and
uncrosses them nervously.
Finally there was chorus of protesting
voices: oh of course they've rnn, away
with the circus Led to their rHn by the
clowns talk. Whenever there'g a circus
in town and the boys mislaid OF course he
must have Joined. And why do they al
ways think they're going to be clowns? 1t
requires some training to ride bareback or
swing on the bars but mons. OF course. to
be clown; oh, no, none at ell. TAink of
it! AS IL we didn't have troubles enough
without stealing children to train"
well, but begins a mild-voiced clown
in the second row, I'VE couldn't get along
without the kids, That's true enough.
They come pleased in the beginning. and
all you've gotter do is to take little notice
OF em, wave day day and they're with
you from start to finish. No weary work
trying to smooth out the CLASSY stares.
II remember one orphans day Well,
lady, I've been clowning now for some
thirty odd years, and when l think Of It
get queer sort of feeling somewhere.
1T was a benefit performance and
whole founding establishment was there
courtesy of the management How they
did enjoy it! Didn't seem to have too much
fun in their lives, and they laughed as II
it had been bottled up for long time.
After the show was over the manager
asked me a great favor if I'd stand al
the door and shake hands with the children
as they went out Would 1? You bet
would
Il never enjoyed handshakes like those.
One by one the kids sidled up. some scared
could be. some brazen; those were the
ones who were going to be clowns them
selves when they grOwed up. Some OF the
littlest ones hesitated not through fear-oh
no-'put they wanted tO-what do you
think2 Sure. kiss me!
did let EN-? / lifted them one by one
in my arms and they kissed me so hard
that when they got through all the white
zinc was kissed Off in a smooth circle all
around my mouth. But what did care?