A CIRCUS AGENT MEETS HIS MATCH.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1182, 24 January 1880, Page 3

A CIRCUS AGENT MEETS HIS MATCH.

Yesterday afternoon, (says a Virginia paper) a dapper little man, with a two-ounce cane and a halfpound cluster diamond pin, came into the " Chronicle" office and asked it the amusement reporter was in. When the man he sought was pointed out the stranger grasped him warmly by the hand, remarking, 'De. lighted to meet you, sir, really I am. I've heard of you every place I've stopped on my way from New York, I had such a curiosity to see you that I got off at Reno and took a mu up. All oor boys told me to be sure and see you, if I didn't get aboard of anything else in the town.' 'Ah' said the reporter, blushing in four colours, 'I'm glad to see you. Might I iuquixe your name V 'Well here's my card,' said the little man handing out a piece of pasteboard about five inches square ; 'you may have heard of me before— Clarence de Lacy Slocum, ageut for the Sebastian Van Buena Vista Circus and Menagerie. This is by far the hugest combination of gigantic circuses ever put on the road. We started out about five years ago iv a small way, with net over 400,000 ft of canvas, only nine tents, and scarcely 1500 animals, but we gradually absorbed all the small-fry shows. They'd go into bankruptcy along the route, and we would buy their outfits. Sebastian' our owner, is the most sympathetic man on earth. He'd buy their little shows, and pay double price, just to help the poor devils along. Money is no account to him. He's travelling simply for pleasure and a desire to see the great West.' 'I'd like to know him/ remarked the reporter. ' Oh, he knows you— that is by reputation. He has your picture set in a frame that cost him over 100 dollars. He was saying to me one night, that whenever business was dull he just took a look at that phiz of yours, and it always made him feel as happy as if he were obliged to turn five hundred people away at the door.' ' How came he to get hold of my picture V ' Oh, he begged it of De Murska, or Modjeska, or Clara Morris I forget which. She hated like thunder to part with it, bnt you see he had loaned the great actress 10,000 dollars once in Paris to buy a wardrode and some jewellery for a new piece, and as the debt was never cancelled, she could not Tery wel) refuse. But I just came in to give you a little information about our show. I always like to give a man all the points when I know he posesses the talent to handle them in the right style. Some fellows down at Reno and Carson tried to pump me, but I didn't propose to let a description of my show be mangled up by scrub writers. Besides, Sebestian telegraphed to me from New York last night not to let anydody but you get aboard of this description. Just mention four miles of cages containing wild beasts, with twelve new varieties of elephants, and a recently discovered monster from Aflica, called the Jabbcrwock, which weighs 30001bs.' 'Indeed!' 'Yes, sir, and a man like yon,with a fine descriptive ability, and inexhaustible command of laDguage, which has made youfamous in two continents — ' How many columns do yon want 1 « Oh, as many as you please.' 'When will your show be here ?' Perhaps not for two months ; it takes such a long time to move the animals that our progress across the country is slow.' •Just so. Well, our figures for big circuses like yours are 150 dol*. a column,cashdown, and 30 per cent of the receipts if the show is a success.' Tho circus agent seemed greatly affected. * Isn,t that rather steep the said. 'It would be, perkaps, for a small provincfal journal like the New York Siai or ovcu tho

London Times, but we publish such mammoth editions that the price is comparatively trifling. Fourteen freight ears come up every day with paper for our edition, which is worked off on five big Walter presses, light ning geared. Our expense for steam alone, sir is 2000 dollars a day. We have moro carriers than you could pack in yonr largest tent. Our eastern circulation has been increasing at the rate of a thousand a day for the last two years. By simply cntting down the size of the paper an eighth of an inch our proprietor has saved enough money to build foui* school houses worth 40,000 dollars each, and endowed an orphan asylum in each conn ty of the State. He dosen,t run the paper for money, but just simply for his health and because he liked the country. Our mailing aod foldiug machinery would remind you of the Riadon ironworks ' Is it in this building? Oh,no; this is simply the branch office — the place where we write up circnses. Our principal establish meat .'The circus agent groaned as if in agony and fled from the office.

Thb new Para Cash System now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly oarried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery, millinery, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a cooperative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear portion of the loss should the year's business prove unsatisfactory. Gariick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and are determined to give the pure cash system a fair trial; whether they gain or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods at co-operative prices ; just the same as though they made a personal seleotion. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. & 0. having realised the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is new and very cheaply BOUGHT. An inspection is invited. — Gablick and Cbanwbll, City Hall Furnishing Arcade, Queen-street, Auckland.

J. B. Kobinson, of the Auckland Clothing Factory, Auckland respectfully informs the inhabitants of Cambridge and district of Waikato in general, that owing to great depression in trade prevailing in Australia, he has been the i successful purchaser in Melbourne and Sydney of several heavy Insolvnt Stocks consisting jof Men's, Youths', and Boys' Clothing of every description at large discounts off cost price, these Goods have been Jlanded in Auckland per s.s. 'Hero' and • Albion,' and a considerable portion of them have been forwarded on direct to Cambridge to be opened up there and offered to the Public of Waikato at such extraordinary low prices as must ensure a total clearance within 14 days. 100 pairs Geelong Tweed Trousers and Vests, 21/- splendid goods, worth 35/ 200 pairs Mosgiel and Geelong fancy checked Trousers and Vests 50 per cent, under usual price. 100 pairs Sydney Tweed Trousers, 9/9. 100 Boys' Knickerbocker Suits, 7/6. Men's Flax Shirts at ualf-price. Men's Crimean Shirts at haf -price. Boys' Union Crimean Shirts at an immense reduction. Men's Geelong and Sydney Suits very snperior. Several bales of White Blankets, 14/11 per pair. , 47 Afghanistan extra large size Bugs, very heavy, 21/-, worth 40/-. Men's Blue Serge Suits, very superior. Scarves, Neckties, Hosiory, Men's and Boys' Hats, Braces, Belts, Under Flannels, Drawers, and a variety of other Goods too numerous for an advertisement. J, B. Robinson begs to assure the inhabitants of Cambridge and surrounding districts that the Goods are of the very best quality, being principally of Colonial manufacture, they must be sold, and the Public will effect a saving of fully 50 per cent, by purchasing at the Auckland Clothing Factory's Temporary Branch, opposite the Post-office and Public Library, Cambridge. Sale commences on Saturday inorniug, January 24. A splendid opportunity for Storekeepers sorting up their stooks. N.B. — Samples of Mosgiel and Geolong Tweeds and Coatings can be seen at this Branch, and orders and Measurements taken for the Auckland Clothing Factory, Auckland.