"Toby Hamilton." That
must mean old Toby, and we fear the letter will never be called for now,
for Toby Hamilton, the famous old Barnum and Bailey press agent, who
cleaned up more "free space" than any man who ever lived, died in 1916.
Suddenly appears a person clad in flesh tights and a barrel, carrying a
label announcing himself as _The Common People_. Someone thrusts a large
sign into the hands of one of the amateur clowns, and he is thrust upon
the arena, to precede the barrelled Common People round the sawdust
circuit. He has hardly time to see what the sign says--something about
"On Strike Against $100 Suits." The amateur clown is somewhat aghast at
the huge display of friendly faces. Is he to try to be funny? Here is
the flag-hung box, and he tries to see who is in it. He doesn't see
either Wood, Pershing, or Mrs. Astor, who are not there; but a lot of
wounded soldiers, who smile at him encouragingly. He feels better and
proceeds, finding himself, with a start, just beneath some flying
acrobats who are soaring in air, hanging by their teeth. Common People
shouts to him to keep the sign facing toward the audience. The tour is
made without palpable dishonour.

Things are now moving so fast it is hard to keep up with them. Pat Valdo
is dressed as a prudish old lady with an enormous bustle. Escorted by
the clown policeman and the two amateurs, Pat sets out, fanning himself
demurely. Hullo! the bustle has detached itself from the old lady, but
she proceeds, unconscious. The audience shouts with glee. Finally the
cop sees what has happened and screams. The amateur clowns scream, too,
and one of them, in a burst of inspiration, takes off his absurd hat to
the bustle, which is now left yards behind. But Pat is undismayed, turns
and beckons with his hand. The bustle immediately runs forward of its
own accord and reattaches itself to the rear of the skirt. You see,
there is a dwarf inside it. The two amateur clowns are getting excited
by this time and execute some impromptu tumbling. One tackles the other
and they roll over and over desperately. In the scuffle one loses both
his hat and skull-cap and flees shamefast from the scene. It is asserted
by our partner that "this went big." He swears it got a laugh. Pat Valdo
hurries off to prepare for his boomerang throwing. Pat is a busy man,
for he is not only a clown, but he and Mrs. Valdo also do wonderful
stunts of their own on Ring Number One.

And there are moments of sh