The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-05-13

swarthy, thick-set man extolling the
marvels of hte show.
Warren, who seemed to be in the
mood to take in everything, bought
the tickets. But Helen, who hated
and feared snakes, entered reluctant
ly.
The whole show" consisted only
Of a boarded in enclosure which held
q number of snakes, a tired looking
monkey and monstrous turtle. The
only arrangement for viewing the me-
nagerie was to stand around the fence
and look over.
Suddenly the girl in the pink tights
came in from outside, Neaped over the
boards, and the performance" began.
Gathering up a dozen or more OF
the snakes, she hung them around her
neck. Then she called to the monkey
which had been sitting dejectedly on
the back of the turtle. He limped
over YEARLY and submitted to having
Their est of the wriggling snakes wound
around him.
Helen was filled with revulsion for
the performance and with pity for the
pathetic little monkey.
''Not a very inspiring spectacle,
agreed Warren. Come on, let's see
what's next"
Beyond this was a scenic railway,
where the cars rushed out in the dark
ness, shot up to dizzy heights and
down sickening drops with their load
of shrieking passengers.
eff we were going to risk our necks
on those things, we would take our
chances at home" commented War
ren,, as they passed on to a glitterlng
carousel revolving dizzily to the mo-
notonous tuse of steam calliope.
Instead of the usual prancing horses
and camels the steeds of this merry
go-round were all pigs! Great pink
pigs with gilded saddles, astride of
which were anumber of good-looking
| Frenchmen in evening clothes and
high silk hats.
THAT is the French of it," laughed
! Warren, at Helen's establishment
| "They say on Friday nights the smart
est people come here. Everybody
! wears evening dress and takes in all
these whirligigs."
They strolled on by several small
side shows and stands Of tawdy
trinkets, candy and popcorn. Even
Helen could see that everything shown
was of the cheapest and flimsiest con-
j struction.
| They are afraid to spend money
out here, that's what is the matter,
| denounced Warren. ANY good-sized
! town at home could put up a better
amusement part than this"
! THAT looks interesting" Helen
stood on her toes to see through the
| crowd a sensational picture of a
| hypnotized girl suspended in mid-alr
Dear, as l have never seen any one
hypnotized, 1 would love to go In
/ there"
AS this was more pretentious show
the admission was one franc. Inside
were rows of rough board benches
and a gaudily painted stage.
Hot and stuffy," grumbled War
rem. "And they will not start this
show until they get crowd. Think
you want to waltz"
"Oh, yes, now that we have come
in" Helen was thinking of the two
francs admission.
In spite of the loud exortations Of
the man outside the crowd struggled
in slowly. After a few minutes War
rem became impatient.
ooh, come on, we have got no time
to waste here"
But just then the drumming ant
exhorting outside ceased. The bark
err came in, went to the piano by the
stage and banged out a lively march
The place was darkened and the cur
tain went up.
. Instead of the hypnotist scene Their
was a group of girls in flesh-coloret
! tights posing as living pictures.
Then the lights flashed out, hurried
scuffle on the darkened stage, ant
the same models were again shown il