The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-10-19
The Circus.

The circus came last Saturday just like
It saidit would. Little boys were up early
Saturday morning to see the cars unload
ed. Every thing was here from the steam
caliope to the elephant blowing a mouth
organ, the latter being the first time the
musical elephant was ever exhibited here
Very interesting sight, seeing an elephant
blow the mouth organ.
Another very interesting and entertain
ing feat was that Of the sliding pig, de-
monstrating how quick pork could go up
and how high it could go up. The animals
consisted for the most part in domesti-
Gated elephants and guileless camels. The
horses were up to standard.
The homeless man wigglcd around like a
bait worm, and climbed up stairs on his
hands, while the Jap kept the sam sticks
and balls in the air by his juglery, The
lady in silk swung up to the top OF the
tent by her teeth and danced the butter
fly dance in mid air as usual.
The,best part Of the circus was when the
manager announced that all little boys
who would run in a foot race around the
ring would be given a free ticket to the
concert. About twenty-five responded
whole heartedly and such a race has not
been seen since Jehu, son Of Nimshi, left
the track. -.
There is a strong sentiment in many
towns against carnivals, c%ircuses, travel
ing shows, etc. To refuse to allow such
things to come to a town. Is a nice way for
a town to put a twist" IN its W nose.
Of course no town ought to allow an
immoral show to come into its borders.
They are more than ~demoralizing, but
good wholesome entertainment Is nec-
essary to health. There is something the
matter with the man who never laughs.
There is something the matter with the
town that allows no shows inside its in
c%orporated limits.
People demand entertainment. And if
the average town is to be criticised it
should be criticised for not furnishing
wholesome, healthful entertainment
rather than for not keeping such enter
tainment out OF her borders. The day OF
the Puritan and Quaker is over for the
present. History will repeat itself after
q while, but not soon. In. the mean time
let the cities do the best they can toward
providing relaxation for its inhabitants.
{ Fifty years fcom o we will have three
holidays where we now have one Life is
short Pleasures are but few. The en-
CINE never allowed to cool soon wears.
We need to relax oftener than we do. The
man who pooh-poohs at holidays and
~circuses and street fairs is not the man
who is making his bread by working from
seven to nine. The man who sticks at 1t
from seven to nine six days in a week
needs more relaxation than he gets.
The main objection to the shows is that
they carry so much money away with
them and leave nothing to show for 1t.
No man needs put n cent into such a
thing unless he wants to. Many delight
in spending their money in this way and
you and I have no right whatsoever to
say that they shall not do so.
This objection. that the shows carry
away so much money is usually prompted
by selfish motives. Such an director
wishes to get his clutches on the money
himself. He wishes it all to come his
way.
Let the shows come and go. Let them
pay a reasonable license as an earnest OF
good intentions and good behavior, and
let the people be entertained. They de-
mand it. 1t Is neither your prerogative
nor ours to say that they shall not be
entertained. II they do not find enter
tainment at home they will 60 abroad
after it.