The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1909-06-02

A-z.S ucath Blrl jim waited In the
lot outside, opening and shutting n
small leather bag which he had bought
for her that day. He was as blind to
the picturesque outdoor life rs she to
her indoor surroundings, for he. too
had been with the circus since his
earliest recollection.
The grass incloSurc where he waited
was shut I'm by Il circle Of tCntS and
wagons. The great red property vans
were waiting to be loaded with the
costumes and tackle which were con
stantly being brought from the big
top, whore the evening performance
was now going on. The gay striped
curtains ut the rear OF the tent were
loopcd back to give air to the painting
musicians, who sat Just inside Through
the opening Il glimpse Of the audience
might he had, tier upon tier. tanning
and shifting uncasily. Near the main
tent stood the long. low dressing top,
with the women performers slowed
away in one end, the ring horses in
The center and the men performers in
the other end.
temporary curtain was hung be
tween the main and the dressing tent
to Shut out the curious mob that tried
TO peep In ut the back lot for n
glimpse Of things not to bc seen in
the ring.
ColorCd strcamcrs fastened to the
roofs Of the tents waved and noatcd
in the night air and bcckonCd to the
townSpcuplc on the other side TO make
haste TO get their places, forget their
cares and be children again.
Over the tops OF the tents the lurid
light Of the distant red fire shot into
the sky, accompanied 10y the cries OF
the peanut "butchcrs." the popcorn
boys. the lemonade vcndcrs and the
exhortations Of the sidcshow sp!clcr,
whose flying banners bore the painted
reproductions OF bis. freaks. Here and
there stood unhttched ShQrlQts, balf
filled trunks, trapezes ioctie, PAPER
@h6oDs, stake pullcrs Or other proper
ties necessary to The show,
Torches fNmed 1T The tent entrances.
while oil lamps and lanterns gave
light for the loading OF the wagons.
There was constant stream OF life
tent to the big top as gayly dccked
men. women aud animals came or
went
DrowSy dogs were stretched under
the wagons. waiting their turn TO be
dressed rs lions or bears. The wise
old goose, with his modest gray mate.
pccK"d ut the green grass or turned
ms h"ad from side to side. watching
the singing clown. who rolled up the
painted carcass and long neck Of the
Imitation giraffe from which two proD.
crty men had just slipped. their logs
still incaScd In stripes.
Ambitious canvaSmrn and grooms
were exercising. feet in air. in the
nope OF some day getting into the pcr-
formers ring. Property men stole y
minutes sleep i'm the soft warm grass
while they waited for more tackle Ia
load In the wagons. Children Of tbc
performers were swinging on the tent
ropes. thattcring monkeys sat astridc
the shetland ponies. awaiting their en-.
trance to the ring. The Shricks OF tho
hyenaS In the distant animal tent tho
roaring OF the lions and the trumnet.
ing OF the elephants mingled with tho
gnccssant clamor Of tho horI
back OF MI this noiutino r,,,,.,,., ~,
mute protest rose solemn church
Spirc, white ana majestic against q
vast panorama OF blue. mooDlit buIs
that cncirclcd the whole mrid picture
Jims eyes turned abscmtly toward the
church ms he sat fumhlng with the
lock- of the little brown satchcl
lie had gone from store to store I'm
the various towns where they had
played looking for something to i'm.
spirc wonder in the heart of miss
newly arrived mt her sixteenth wear,
Only thp drSuprntiOn pf - Inst ,,,,,,,,,, :,