The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-06-18
CIRCUS FIGHT WAS
NOT ON PROGRAM
Patty Brothers Pummel Each Other
and Walking on Head Stunt Fiszles
as Result of Performers Beating.

Ringlings' showed everythlng-no.
overlooking the unbrotherly passions
sometimes raging beneath the pink
tights and surface serenity OF broth
or act. How sad. shivering, disiilus-
ioning 10 discover that things are not
what they seem even when world-re-
nowned sisters. brothers. families or
groups are smiling and kissing their
fingertips to US and to-one another IN
the circus ring.
Presenting a smiling aspect OF
mutual dependence and concord, they
hola each spangled other poised aloft
when envy or vengefulness whispers,
"let him bite the dust" They clasp
hands and entwine their sinewy arms
In bareback or trapeze thriller. beam
ing beautifully upon each other and
the multitude the while, and at the
same time feeling hat pins and
brass knuckles. And II Is a good thing
for the moral influence OF great
show that the circus band smothers
what they have TO say TO each other
as they vault. pirouette. juggle, bal
ance, somersault. and all that. Some
%
Take the greatest hand and head
stand act In the world. presented by
the Patty Bros" in display No. 6.
DO YOU know why II didn't come on
Thursday night? Well, II was because
one Patty brother. for an extra, tried
10 stand the other Patty brother on
his head. They had clinched and were
pammeling each other good and plen-
ty. when the attendants rushed In and
separated the neutrality-suspicious.
pair, and marched the one who began
II to the dressing room.
There was SO much TO dazzle the
eve and fill the ear that very few took
in the serious import of the unad-
vortised feature.
And IL was all over before the gov.
ernor could have reached the attorney
general, anyhow. Besides, the 30
clowns, augusts, buffoons, testers,
FOOLS pantomimists, merry Andrews
and comedians were having so many
burlesque encounters ~on the, hippo
drome track a real fight or two had
no lower to thrill. Only the attend
ants and the performers resting be-
tween stunts In the next ring knew
that something had gone wrong with
the pattys.
Then there fell hush on the great
festival OF action and color as the
lineal descendant OF Stentor, on the
circus side, vociferated for attention
10 the forthcoming achievement OF
Alexander Patty, the only man In
the world who walks upon his head.
While the announcement was being
made Alexander was deserted In red
tights, looking rather limp and crest
fallen as he threw plates into the air
to distract his thoughts from the re-
cent ringside set-to, presumably.
He swayed up the carpeted steps OF
tho platform and tried 10 stand him.
self on his head without any assist
ance from his brother. He inverted
himself all right with The assistance
of his hands, but when he attempted
TO take step" with his head he
toppled over He was too upset al
ready. The snare drums in the band
rolled the usual impressive ACCOMPANY
ment fer Alexander. as much as 10
say, Go to II. Alex" but II was no
use. Alexander didn't need any more
worlds to conquer. Dejectedly he
Ndlhtu uONh the Sttpo, siuc uP
with care, and leaning on the shoulder
Of guard faded from view in the
group OF acrobats making for re
dressing room.
There may have been another round
ri hot Pattys In the dressing room
when the brothers met there but this
was nor for the public. All that was
visible was brace of Detroit cop,
pers being conducted behind the
scenes by somewhat excited attend
ant--the Ringlings' patrol and clown
policemen having their hands full with
miinic fistics and arrests in the hip
podrome track.