TRICKS REVEALED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5008, 2 August 1926, Page 4

TRICKS REVEALED.

WILES OF OLD-TIME SHOWMAN.

In “Seventy Years a Showman,” “Jtord” George Sanger’sf recently published book, the author reveals "secrets df the trade.” Amongst the secrets given away is how Georige Sanger became “Lord” George Sanger. He had been running a Buffalo Bill; number in his circus; for some time, when the Hoii. William Cody—Buffalol Bill himself—brought his show to England. Buffalo Bill tried to get a legaj order to prevent Sanger doing the item, but he lost the case. Sanger at once decided! to put the facts in a special bill to be posted all over the country. But reading through the evidence, when preparing the bill, he continually came across the phrase "The Honourable, William Cody,” and it so got on his nerves that at last he said: “Hajig it! I can go One better, than that, anyhow. If he’s the Honourable William Cody, then I’m Lord George Sanger from now on.”

Faking “World’s TalJasft Woman-” “Walk up ! Walk up ! See the tallest woman in the world”’ Attracted by the patter of the showman, the crowd soon fill the booth, and “the tallest woman in the word” appears on a little platform, dressed in a very full and long dress. ' Actually the lady .isi only about six feet in height, but the dullness of her dress, the raised platform, the high heels and cork raisers on her shoes all make her appear considerably taller.

Up steps the tallest gentleman, and Mpdajme draws- back to make room for him and also to step on to a little dais, about seven inches high—her long skirt effectively hiding it from the audience. The tallest man walks easily under her extended arm, and' .the audience, perfectly satisfied that they have s,een the tallest woman, in the world, leave to allow others tbl come in. The. Pig-Faiecd! Lady. Another deception that was worked on the public at a fair was “Madame Stevens, the Pig-faced Lady.” This wonderful exhibit attracted crowds wherever it went.

“Madame Stevens” was in real- life

a brown bear, whose and paws were carefully shaved. White gloves with neatly stuffed fingers were put on the paws, and the bear, dressed to female attire, was strapped to a chair at the back of. a caravan. In frb>nt of the anima,! was at able, oil which it rested its paws, and under the. table, hidden by drapery, was a small boy armed with a short stick. The showman told the audience about this wonderful “lady.” every how and then turning to her and asking a question, such as, “You were born at Preston in Lancashire ?” The small boy gave the bear a prod with his stick and it grunted. The grunt was taken for a “Yes,” the showman having explained to the audience that “the young lady understands perfectly what is said, though the peculiar formatiino of her jaws, has, 'deprived her of the power of uttering human speech in return.”

After further patter and questions a collection was made, and .an extra use of the stick by the boy made the bear growl loudly—.“returning thanks to the. ladies and gentlemen,” as the showman put it. “Fortune-Telling Polny.” This sagacious animal created considerable -amusement at Easter Monday fairs a few years ago. He usually concluded his performance by finding the “biggest rogue to .the company.” The proper response was to walk up to the trainer, but on one occasion when asked to do this at a famous fair the animal put his head on the shoulder of the local pblicema,n. The pony was made to try again ; but he persistently went back to the representative of the law, who became’ very red in the face.

Finally the pony was asked to go down on his knees and beg the policeman’s pardon. But the laughing crowd would have none of it. "No, no,” they shouted, “Pony’s all right. Us knows pleecema/n, and so do pony!”