The Washington herald., 1909-08-29

natural horse trader He secured all the horses
for his show, knew them all by name. and could
recall where each purchased traded for.
He had a weakness" for what he called "spotty''
calico horses, horses of mixed colors Horses
OF this kind are seldom nowadays with the
big circuses The tendency is to match up horses
of solid bay or black. The Forepaugh show
always noted for it's calico horses.
Mr.. Forepaugh began life a butcher, and hia
early training always chung to him He almost in.
variably bought the meat for the big caravan and,
when the show arrived in time he could usually
be found uptown" making the rounds of the
butcher shops. and dickerng to secure his supply
of meats at the minimum price.
1t difficult for him to resist the important
ties OF his employees There scarcely any
thing he would not condone in those who worked
faithfully for his interests. 1t was common
thing for him to discharge man for cause at
O'Clock and re-engage him at Cat reduction in
wages. The latter the mans penalty for de-
serving discharge.
Forepaueh liked gossip.
MR.. Forepaugh also had a singular owe of Cos
A4 sip and those who carried him the tittletattle
of the dressing tent, whether women,
always certain OF hearing. He also had weak
ness for the "grafters," although he was always
scoring them
1.-The tfefsl" he would exclaim; "follerin' my
show and givin bad reputaton!"
Personally, however, he liked to act the level
At town in Ohio, where there had been consid
cradle Opposition" with a rival circus necesstat
ing large amount of extra printing from of
the local print shops there was dispute over the
size of the bill, and it dark before the pay
ment was finally made.
Twenty minutes after the printer had left the
show grounds with the money in his pocket a
well known dip walked up to the Governor"
Mr. Forepaugh was always called, and handed
him roll Of bills.
whats dis?" asked Mr. Forepaugh
9TH rhno' you give { tn printer guy" was the
reply.
'Found it. of course?"
"Sure, Governor" with a wink.
We'll" said the Governor, with a significant
look, you'd better lose it agin and let the guy
find it."
The crook went away, and the printer. who was
discovered his way to police headquarters to
lodge complaint, was surprised to have his money
handed him by the man, who told him he had
seen him drop it, In his Joy at getting the money,
he gave the dip five dollars a reward for his
honesty"
rometer of the shows business Strange to say,
however, he always irritable and difficult to
tents. On the contrary, when the weather
bad, or, for any other reason, the show being
given to losing business he was loquacious good
natured and perpetually joking.
In appearance Mr.. FOrepaugh resembed Chaun-
cey M. Depew, and he enjoyed nothing better than
to be mistaken for the senator Charles A. Davis
the famous press agent, who is fighting tuber-
culoss in Arizona thoroughly understood this pc
cuar vanity on the part of the great Snowman,
and used to subsidize people with show tickets to
deliberately make the mistake" and address Mr..
Forepaugh Senator Depew." Another of Davis
was to address him on all business and personal
letters "Hon" Adam Forepaugh. In time Mr..
Forepaugh came to believe that he entitled
to this distinction.
"Governor" Robinson.
a MONG living American showmen, there is none
interesting than Governor Jack Rob
inson. of the longlived John Robinson's Ten Com
bined Shows His shrewd, humorous sayings are
proverbal among circus
When, several years ago, the question of elm
mating the circus parade first preached by
the Barnum and Bailey management. one
asked Governor Jack Robinson if he would fol-
low suit
well, say" replied the Governor" 81 would
only if ] cut out the parade l wouldn't have any
show left"
This not literally true. but it indicated the