The Washington times., 1910-11-11
slippery" McClung and His
Co-WorkerS Exhibit Un-
der Big Roundtop.
DEATH-DEFYING ACTS
THRILL THE CROWD
Sum of S2.l9 Realized AS Con,
tribution TO Much-Needed
$500.

For three days before the big circus,
the gaudy posters with the scarlet lion,
announcing its coming. drew its hun
dreds of admiring small boys and girls.
In a gaping semicircle they stood before
the beauty. and read and re-read It and
marveled at the workmanship
This they knew to be the last stand
in defense Of the Fairgrounds for the
winter months Unless the remaining
amount necessary for the $500 was
raised within the next few days they
knew the Fairgrounds would have TO
close. and they were determined to
stand by with might and main 10 what
ever ,1tent they might help.
Also there was much difference Of
opinion and some heated argument as TO
the proper classification of the gorgeous
red figure at the top
''Why. say. it's a lionl Anybody can
see that. Amt it a lion, Billy"
law. nit Who ever saw a lion what
looked like that? It's a mustang"
Questioned, Billy was found uncon-
vincing in his information concerning
mustangs.
Other hazards had him a mule, a
limousine, a boa constructor, and a ere
brew"
But all agreed that the drawing, what
ever Il was, was splendid and the sale
of tickets went merrily forward. And
wild was the delight when Yesterday
was attached a further notice to the
effect that tfe performance would be
held '-TonightN
And pasted TO the bottom Of the last
was yet another which attempted TO de-
tail at some length the blood -curdIfna
heart-chilling thriIIers, which could be
viewed for the small sum Of l cent.
See slippery McCIung, nee Dav-
yallow' leap the Gap Of Death, daring
Sl oSsleLdlt' ana tastefuI'-and others al
most as lUrid and edifying
Suspicion Rests On slippery
The authorship of the addition was nm
known, but in view Of the fact -bat
slippery Meetings. name and dseJ
headed the list in letters thrice as bipb
as those by which any other act was
heraIded, the finger of suspicion was
directed Immediately at him. and his
hope to croak II did" availed not.
The pick Of five schools composed the
performers in the Fairgrounds Stu
pendOus Combined Shows. and the bust
ness ness OF choosing these with the least
damage 10 the feelings Of his friends
drew tiny pucker in the brow of
Jimmy Dugan
'Pleg teg itl' he complained. u gotta
smooch every one Up that don't pit in
the show. and then SmOoch those at do
cause they can't all be clowns.
For many hours were spent in
Jimmy's barn in loud voiced argument
concerning the personnel Of the circus.
From "Tibby' Myers clear uu to the
lordly Jimmy and the mighty "Reddv"
Hayes, each small boy felt that he was
specially fitted by an all-Wise Provi-
IN VFTas q ha % al
kings, and TO break the sad news 10
the iuckleSS ones and preserve the
peace required tact and hnesse con-
summate.
slippery McCluhs was consoIed with
the glamour of the death-defving leap
of the Gap Of Death, and the Glory
hunger OF one 'Reddy' Hayes was ap-
peased with the berth of the strong
man. To the wounded feelings Of
''Jinks' McClung was applied the balm
Of the lion tamer'S job. and the howl
that Tiny Morris raised Shriling 10
the shingled roof grew still when he
was told that others could be found 20
take his place if he was not satisfied
Thus soothing here, caJolinS there.
end bEIllying everywhere else,
Jimmy DuSan brought his show in
tact up TO the afternoon Of the great
event.
All the fears and misgivings of the
show owner in the first few moments
before public opinion approves or con-
demnS his show for all time, was
Jimmy's. On the size of the crowd
depended the extent of the help they
might extend TO the Fairgrounds. II
big. il might 20 a long ways. other
wise. well every littlc bit helps.
The show was scheduled for
o'clock. but "a early as 3 the stream
of small boys and girls began to drift
UP the allev behind Jimmy's house.
First came "Spud" Clarke, who want
ed to be passed in free. having PLAYED
football on the same team with
Tfruu7v When told that the profession
would be honored for the small sum
OF I cent, he departed wrathfully
swearing that he didn't want to see
the old show anyhow. to return later
with the price Of admission clutcheG
in his sweaty palm.
Later came Lavinia Harris. the little
cripple. and was admitted free.
Jimmy had wanted to borrow her for
an exhibit in the show, bur had been
dfssuaded- Came Ethleen Finder and
Ella Ford. came Grace Watson and
Buddy Smith. came every tiny tot for