The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-21

form raised in front OF the side
= show tent, without which no
country circus is complete. He
was tall, lean, broad shouldered, smooth
Of face and about 60 years old, although
his energy and loquacity made him seem
much younger. His long, tawny hair
was topped by a broad brimmed hat of
soft gray felt, which now and then he
raised aloft to emphasize n point in the
speech he was making or to afford him
opportunity to wipe beads Of perspira-
ton from his brow.
And now, ladies and gentlemen" he
said In slngularly caressing tones, II
call your intelligent attention to the
museum Of wonders. strange and stu
pondous. which occupies this lofty and
far reaching canvas at my back. 1t Is
not a side show in the ordinary meaning
III the term. It has no fakes. no cum
ningly contrived and deceptive mechan-
ical frauds.
1T is highly moral. | and the other
gentlemen in the management OF this
great educational and entertaining en-
terprise have our families travelling
along WIN us, our WIVES anu Vii
cherished children. We would not dream
Of exhibiting even one small i-o-ta that
would bring a blush Of question to the
most delicate cheek.
so | urge and invite you. one and
all. old and young, to step up to the en-
trance as soon as I finish my brief re-
marks. and for the sum OF one single
dime purchase admission to the aggre-
..
displayed"
The ballyhoo man paused to take
breath and to wipe his forehead. Several
large acetylene lamps cast shafts Of
light over him as we'll as over the
crowd OF men and women. boys and
girls. gathered by the hundreds In front
Of the side show and the big tent close
at hand. A soft evening breeze f1oated
across the circus lots of Ourtown-a
thriving suburban community thirty
miles from New York-where the travel
ling wagon show was planted for one
day only. The breeze swayed the toy
balloons on the booth opposite where
peanuts and lemonade and popcorn and
cookies were piled in reckless profusion.
The crowd listened and laughed, and
few youths now and then shot com
man on the platform. who took them
good naturedly and grinned with appre-
citation when some particularly bright
sally struck home.
1t was an interesting crowd to turn
out at n real. old fashioned country cir
cts. Oh. yes, there were farmers present
in plenty and farmers wives. but mos
of them had come in motor cars from
estates surrounding the village; ant
they were far more familiar with the
opera in New York and In Paris than
with a country circus travelling by
wagon.
Keen eyed. well dressed business men
who occupy offices in the financial dis
trict could Ice spotted here and there;
others who are familiar figures in the
worlds OF transportation and insurance
and in mercantile circles. And every
man of them had children with him
tugging at his hands, yanking his coat
giving voice unrestraned to ejacula-
tions OF delight. The men who had ne
children of their own came with young
sters borrowed from relatives or init
mate friends. And they bought every
thing in sight for the excited boys ant
girls. who fairly hoped up and dowr
on the green ground.
ALLOW me. ladies and gentlemen,
continued the ballyhoo. "to present t.
your attention a full blooded Siou,
chieftain and his fav-orite squaw, who
within yon bi!lowing canvas, will sins
native songs Of war and peace, dane
native dances, show themselves in al
the glory Of their departed sires, AM
furnish to the younger generation wha
in all probability will be its last. final
ultimate opportunity Of ever seeing an'
coming in contact with vanished race
OF romance and historically"
The speaker turned and waved hi
hand. Two dusky figures, a man and I
woman, leaped nimbly from the groun'
to the platform. The man folded hi
arms and stood glowering at the crow,
in dignified silence. He wore brillian
garments betting a circus warrior, hi
face was painted, his black hair con
tanned feathers-presumabl those OF al