Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-26

already in progress. The Fabian family
late in arriving but spot found between the
sword swalower and the Circassian lady that suited
Cleofonte's purpose. So the house wagon backed
into place. and Cleofonte, his coat off, his brows bead
ing, directed the erection of the barrier within
which performances were to be glven
Let it be understood the Fabanis were common
mountebanks for whom passed hat. There was to
be gate through which passed only upon payment
of ten sous and within to be benches upon which
could sit in luxury while he beheld these marvels
of the age. Philidor and Yvonne helped too, getting
the which had been rolled and fastened be-
meath the wagon and the uprghts,that supported it.
Not satisfied with the sign that to be fastened
the entrance Phidor sought out paintshop, and
before dark painted two great posters three meters in
height; of them depicting Cleofonte with bullying
muscles real pink muscles that one felt like pinchng)
in the act of breaking into bits with his bare hands
great chain; the other showing the child Stella
being tossed in the air from Cleofone to Luigi her heels
and head almost touching.
By sunset the paintings were finished and fastened
in place, and when Cleofonte lit the torches each
side of the entrance gate the folk who were passing
stopped in wonder to gaze There were to be no per-
formances tonight Cleofonte explained, the company
was weary,-but tomorrow His pause and the mag
ncence with which his huge fist tapped his deep chest
eloquence itself.
Their work done for the night, Phdor set off post
haste in search of quarters for Yvonne but the inns
full and it too late to search elsewhere. So he
bought of straw and of hay or Clarissa and
the shaggy phantom) and brought them to the wagon
upon his back The nigf1t@was mild, and as he made
Yvonnes bed and his within the Enclosure and amid
babel of sounds above which the barrel organ Of the
carrouse nearby wheezed TREMENDOUSLY, they dropped
upon the blankets dead tired and fell asleep at
THE not long in the heavens before the barrel
= organ slenced at midnight renewed its PLANT and
the business of the day began After early breakfast
Ceofonte and Luigi retired to the dressing tent emerg
ing after awhile gorgeous costumes of pink heshngs
and spangles their hair well creased with pomatum,
their mustaches deliberately curled. The Sgnora and
Stella followed their hair wreathed in tight braids
round their heads. The bambno neglected was howl
ing Justify; Yvonne took him in her lap the straw
and soothed him to sumber while the carpet laid
and the mpedimenta of the athletes brought out and
placed nearby for the days work.
There doubt in the minds of any that the Troupe
Fabian be the great of the occasion. The
duties and destnes of all its members had already been
explained and decided girl was hired to for the
bdnrbin, Yvonne to beat her drum and play her
orchestra the platform outside and this would at
tract the people, already anxious to behold the wonders
within a foretaste of which would be given when the
crowd gathered by Cleofonte, who would lift few
heavy weights and introduce the Signora, the Child
Wonder, and Tomasso the bear. Philidor to keep
the gate and between performances to make por-
traits of those who desired them.
At nine o'clock Hernia mounted the platform IA
piano box turned its side and began to thump the
drum and cymbals. Her position conspicuous, and
she began little uncertainty; for it thing
choose ones audience among the simple folk of the
tryside another to face the kind of crowd that now
gathered to gaze up at herpeasants horse fanciers
shop people, clerks holiday, with here and there
person of less humble station, but she bent to her
work with will, encouraged by the example of the
Crcassian lady next to her, who selling in brown
bottles elixir that for all things except
love and the goiter The sword swallower next them
already busy, and the Homme Sauyage, hirsute
person whose unprofessional mien both kind and