Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 114, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1911 — BIG CROWD IN CITY TO SEE CIRCUS. [ARTICLE]

BIG CROWD IN CITY TO SEE CIRCUS.

Gelimar Bros.’ Parade, Although Long Delayed, Delighted the Many Mghtseers. ‘•You see it was this way," remarked a grey-haired old patriarch at the Monon station this morning,, while holding the hands of a couple of lusty youngsters who were animated bundles of impatience. “You see I don’t care a thing about this here show business, but these grandchildren of mine have been pestering me for a week, to take them down here and see the circus unload, and as 1 say, while it was a little tough on the old man to have to get out of bed so early, just to accommodate these two little rascals, still I remember that I was young myself and I want to give these children all the good things I can while lam alive. I reckon I will be pestered with them all afternoon at the show, though I had rather not go, and when I get home tonight I will be so tired I will abqut collapse. “Wonder why that dog gone train don’t come in anyway? As I’m down here, I might as well take it in." Muttering, the old man departed to get information as to how long it Would be before the first section would arrive. About this time the reporter received a nudge in the side and looked up to behold another “old timer” standing by, and about to explode with laughter. “Why dog take his time," said he, “I have known him for 65 years and if he ever missed a circus or a “travelin’ caravan" ’ceptin' time he and I fit in the army, 1 don’t remember when it was. We had a circus every day or two then, but it was not near as amusing as the circus of today, and the idea of him saying that he don’t care for traveling shows, makes me laugh. Why, he and I remember when P. T. Barnum had a show that traveled in wagons, and we would plan weeks in advance to see it, and hear old Clown Dan Rice deliver his speech about ‘Extracting the Pelican’s Bill,’ winding up with the general remarks that the public sentiment must be respected as long as he was connected with the traveling caravan. And then to hear him he don’t care for a show. You see he has the best excuse in the world for that sort of talk. His son, John, has a couple of fine children, and they think that ‘Grand-daddy’ is all right. He wouldn’t loan me one of them today to save my life; feared the other would be took sick before noon and he wouldn’t get to go to the show. I have no grandchildren so I will have to go just as we used to when we were boys, and I’ll enjoy every minute of it, just the same.” The show arrived in Rensselaer several hours late, not reaching the depot until after 8 o’clock. Many had been at the station awaiting the arrival since 4 o’clock. The country people did not. get In very earjy and many of them did not get in at all. This is corn planting season and the work is greatly delayed by unfavorable early weather and they are not letting anything interfere with their work, not even a circus. In consequence of the late arrival of the train, the parade was also late, and did not start until after 12 o’clock, after many people who had waited for it for two hours had gone to their homes for their dinner. The parade was a fine one. All wagons and cages had been freshly painted during the winter months, the dresses of the women and the clothing of the men that took part In the parade were new, as also were the horse covers, etc., and they sparkled in the bright sunlight just as they must have when James Whitcombe was impressed with the circus day parade that inspired .him to write the merry boyhood jingle. The parade was indeed a very creditable one and the show will doubtless be well received by all who see it. ,