On a
large board we writ in chalk that on such a night we would "give a
wonderful entertainment" in the backyard of the tavern at which we were
staying; John Spencer, the great man of strength, would pull against five
horses, and as a grand _finale_, Jack Buckley would jump over five
horses, and a cab thrown in. I, albeit the poor clown, saw that this was
a gigantic fraud, and, fearing unpleasant consequences, I cast about for
some scheme to make our position safe. I arranged with a policeman, by
putting half-a-crown into his hand (from behind, of course) for him to
show himself in the backyard just as that part of the performance was
commencing, and solemnly pretend to stop the performance in the course of
duty. Well, the entertainment was begun before a crowded "house," and
when the particular part in question was coming off, Mr Policeman, true
to his promise, stepped forward, and said he would not see anybody
killed. Spencer had got ready to draw against _one _horse when he was
interfered with by the gentleman in blue--good soul! There's many a warm
heart beats beneath blue cloth and plated buttons. The audience took as
gospel the interference on the part of the law, and duly dispersed after
witnessing other "harmless" portions of the entertainment.

CLOWNS AT A DISCOUNT

Next morning we were up betimes and on our way to Halifax, where we knew
it was the Fair Day. We had an inkling that we might be able to engage
ourselves at some of the shows. And so it came to pass. Spencer
re-engaged with Wild's, and Buckley got a situation at Pablo Franco's.
But clowns were at a discount.

SEEKING AND FINDING

However, there happened to be on the Fair Ground the proprietress of a
new theatre. She was in search of "talent"--you know what I mean--eh? Oh,
yes! The theatre was a wooden one, in Barnsley. It was not quite
finished, but would be ready for opening in a week or so, and the old
lady--"Virgin Mary," I believe she was commonly called--wanted to get a
company together in time for the opening. She fully explained matters to
me, and, as a result I was engaged--that is to say I was professionally
engaged by her.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

She, of course, saw the whole of my personal belongings at first sight.
And it is often said that first impressions are lasting. She paid my
railway fare and gave me a "lift" of half-a-crown, and also mentioned, by
the way, that I might walk over to Barnsley if I liked and ex