The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-04-08

were waiting to be loaded with the
costumes and tackle which were con.
stantly being brought from the big
was now going on. The gay striped
curtains at the rear of the tent were
looped back to give air to the painting
musicians, who sat just inside. Through
the opening glimpse of the audience
might be had, tier upon tier, tanning
and shifting uneasily. 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.
A temporary curtain was hung be-
tween the main and the dressing tent
to shut out the curious mob that tried
to peep in at the back lot for
glimpse of things not to be seen in
the ring.
Colored streamers fastened to the
roofs of the tents waved and fioated
in the night air and beckoned to the
townspeOple 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 by the cries Of
the peanut butchers" the popcorn
boys, the lemonade vendors and the
exhortations Of the sideshow spieler,
whose flying banners bore the painted
reproductions Of his freaks Here and
there stood unhitched chariots, half
filled trunks, trapeze tackle, paper
hoops, stake pullers or other proper
ties necessary to the show.
Torches famed at the tent entrances,
while oil lamps and lanterns gave
! light for the loading Of the wagons.
There was constant stream of life
shooting in and out from the dressing
tent TO the big top as gayly decked
men, women and animals came or
went
Drowsy dogs were stretched under
the wagons, waiting their turn to be
dressed Is lions or bears. The wise
old goose, with his modest gray mate
peckec at the green grass or turned
his head from side to side, watching
the singing clown, who rolled I'D the
| painted carcass and long neck Of the
imitation giraffe from which two prop
erty men had just slipped. their legs
still incased in stripes.
Amoitlous canvasmen and grooms
were exercising, feet in air. in the
nope or some day getting into the per-
formers ring. Property men stole n
minutes sleep in the soft warm grass
While they waited for more tackle 70
loau IN the wagons. Children of the
performers were swinging on the tent
ropes Chattering monkeys sat astride
the Shetland ponies. awaiting their on
trance to the ring. The shrieks of the
hEenas IN the distant animal tent, the
roaring or the lions and the trumpet.
ing of the elephants mingled with the
fncessant clamor of the band. And
back OF all this, pointing upward in
mute protest. rose a solemn church
spire. white and majestic against q
vast panorama of blue, moonlit hills
that encircled the whole lurid picture
J1ms eyes turned absently toward the
church as he sat fumbling with the
lock Of the little brown satchel.
lie mad gone from store to store IL
the various towns where they hat
played looking for something to in
spirc wonder in the heart Of a mis-
newly arrived at her sixteenth year
Only the desperation Of last momen
had forced him to decide upon the iml
tation alligator bag. which he nov
held in his hand.