The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-02-04
LEAS
Are Taught To Do And Act In
Vaudeville
illustrated World)

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Probably you have seen flea circus. |
Perhaps you have seen good one
probably not, however, because most |
o fthem are of the "hot-plate" variety, |
footing" is warm. Here is the story
of real circus, told by the man who
trained the tiny performers for their
various acts.
Flea training has been in our fami.
ly for years, so it does not seem a
task to me. The firset thing do with
the performing flea is to make my
hopping insect crawling one. That
is accomplished by giving him free
range In a glass globe, where, of
course, he is not free at all, but he
thinks he is. Not being able to see his
limitations he exercises his jumping
facilities to his hearts content, but
finds himself hindered on every side
Gradually he tires of his attempt to
escape and in time is subdued and
quite content to crawl.
"The next step is that of collaring
the flea. This is very delicate opera
ton, and is accomplished by putting
very thin gold wire or collar around
the neck-yes, the flea has a neck-of
the flea for the purpose of easy
handling. This l do with the aid of a
microscope which l have designed
myself for the purpose. And now your
applicant for the boards is ready for
training in the intricacies of the act
he is to perform for the edifcation of
the public.
"Fleas have their talents and their
temperaments like other stage artists,
and I put them through series of
stunts to discover which is the individ-
uals special act. Some can walk the
wire better than others and some are
more apt in pulling the chariot or turn
ing the merry-go-round. Right here
let me add that, for his size, the flea
is the strongest of insects, even strong
er than animals, for that matter It is
marvellous to note the relative weight
and size of an object he can pull.
"AlI the furniture used by my pets
is made of gold and has been fashioned
by myself. ! find this metal most
serviceable In many ways--for it's
flexibility, durability, lightness, as well
as the fact that 1t does not corode nor
tarnish. Sometimes the little crea.
lures get sick and then / put them in
the hospital, which is an incubator of
my own construction. 1t is necessary
to watch them very carefully then, in
order that they recover quickly.
"They have to be disciplined and
there are laggers and lazy fellows, as
we'll. They have all the characterize
les Of human beings, and few more,
When they refuse to obey punish
them by letting them dangle from
the center of small beIl-jar They
kick and fuss, to he sure, and when
relive them of this discomfort they
are quite subdued-until the next time
| they take TO feenng 1riSky.
How do l feed them? Well, to be
very frank, i am their hotel. They feed
on my arm, but ! govern the amount
Of meal. When they are in rehears-
al or performing they are fed well;
but when they are idle they have lit
tie or no food. So you see fleas are
the cheapest boarding and travelling
artists on the roaG-and they never
quarrel about the food.
"They are queer little creatures and
I find each one interesting in differ
ent way. Now Billy, one of my best
fieas, is really comedian, though the
general public may not have the op
portunity of recognizing it. ! catch
him laughing and winking at me, I'm
sure He gets stubborn sometimes ant
just when he knows | am going tC
punish him he does his act as nicely
as can be, as much as TO say: No
you don't They must be kept il
practice like all artists with daily
rehearsal. Occasionally they get {
vacation in the incubator.
Yes, my fleas are my pets and I'm
very fond of them Odd company, yo,
may think-but then every man to his