The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-10-09
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

Monday morning I was out on the mid way before the shows were opened or even some of them set up. The 'barkers'' had not begun their work. Everything was quiet so far as amusements were con- cerned.
 And so am going to let you in be- hind the scenes and get a first-hand glimpse of show folks so that hereafter galia going through their performances you will better understand that they are just men and women and children when they are off stage. I am, however, go- ing to confine myself to babies with the show.
 A circus baby cries just like any other infant, and a circus mother loves it and fondles it just like those who live in homes of their own. The Johnny Jones show has a sure-enough show baby. I saw it mothered by little 5-year-old miss who was all dolled up like she was going to a party. She had the little one in a tiny carriage rolling it around and betting it as though it was big doll.
 
 Its mother, one of the famous Hurd sisters, both southern girls, whose real name is Mrs. Graham Scott, was also born like her own precious darling in one of the show wagons The father, Lieu tenant Scott, who has just returned, was in France when his child was born. The other Hurd sister happened to drop in, and when I was introduced to her told me that she was born in the wagon now being used as an office. She is just r years old, and was dressed quietly and in good taste and had nothing of the air of the flashy soubrette.
 But believe the biggest thing saw was sight strange enough to even get the goat of an old newspaper man | used to seeing unusual things. I had dropped into some other tents and stopped by the animal tent to wait for Ed Salter, the publicity man, and my | friend, when 10 and beholdl Judd Kelly, an old-time boss canvass man, had the baby in his arms playing with it as 1 lovingly as though it was his grandchild and the little one seemed very much at home poking it's dimpled fingers in his face
 1 I said to Ed: Can you beat it?' No" 1 he replied. '1t's a curious occurrence ] even in show life where the unexpected is always counted on happening" Now | hoo t1,fe, canvass man of a show when running true to form has a Mississippi steamboat mate beat about a block when it comes to driving his men by strange oaths and weird threats. They are in a class by themselves when it comes to being toughened against tenderness and senti- ment in getting work out of hired hands. 1 But when I saw MT. Canvassman and the smiling bundle of humanity in his strong arms, I knew who was boss and was ready to believe Eds tale how when tired old Judd Kelly had ssen to it that the tent had been raised and every peg driven down tight, he did not race for town to haveNa good time, but made IVY hours in walking apound with it. watched the two and it was pleasant sight to see the love each had for tht other.
 Mrs. Graham Scott is fortunate 1T l these days when nurses are at a pre-. mium to have such an attractive baby 1 that the performers and even the work oiro inc lob .:I she goes on for her act. It reminded me of talk 1 had with family doing ar engagement at the Bijou. Father ane mother started an act together, but wheE 1 l saw them had several sons and daugh. ters incorporated into it, and two ot them were grown. The mother told me that all had been reared on the stage and that when they were babies and hel cue was called she just opened her trav- cling trunk and put them in the top tray
 But there is another child in the Johnny J. Jones outfit for exhibiting in Big
 side show dwarf couple, MT. and Mrs George Rogers, have a 4-year-old daugh
 ter, pretty and bright and normal il every way. There is something pecXliarl,
 touching in this. I am sure that ever dwarfs get tired of being gazed at b, strange people week in and week out that it is a comfort to this couple t
 know that their precious loved one whei she grows up will not have to go througl any such ordeal.
 I have been talking about children
 now let's get line on the animals.
 remember two years ago how proud E,
 was when he took me in and showed m
 a batch or a hatch or whatever yol
 call lion whelps There were five goldel
 beauties, like overgrown kittens, and ye
 showing their teeth when provoked. On
 of the first things I asked about was tn cubs. Proudly Ed carried me to the tent
 and I was surprised to find them so fbi
 and to know that already they were be
 ing trained and did a stunt l felt
 personal interest in their act.
 Now comes a tale of perfidy. Tw
 years ago Baby Sue,' the wonderful trick elephant, was one of the big feat ures of the show The funny thing wa . her infatuation for Julia Jones' di minutive pony. The latter had a strang
 hold on the former. Baby Sue
 wouldn't get into or out of erscar unles , she was led by Julia Jones Sh , wouldn't budge step in the parade un
 less her little side partner was with hel
 She absolutely refused to sleep in tn tent unless the pony was tied near by. I was the working out of that very danger , ous doctrine of elective affinity" whic . had caused grief in many >homes
 But a. year or more back Johnny Jones bought another elephant an } Baby Sue" looked him over and forge all about her love for Julia Jones, fo she had found her true soul mate. hate to make this shameful tale publi = property, for "Baby Sue' is the only fe l male Rotarian in the world, and it sad