ADVENTURES OF A BOY ACROBAT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2698, 26 October 1889, Page 6 (Supplement)

ADVENTURES OF A BOY ACROBAT.

An instance of the manner in which English children are treated when travelling abroad with foreign acrobatic troupes wns brought to light when the steamer Albirch, or Shoreh.im, arrived nt Mayport on Tuesday, August 13th. The only passenger on board was a London hid, who had sought the protection of the captain under very peculiar circumstances. According to his statement, which he confirmed in many material particulars by the captain of the Albireo, his name is William Gregory, and liis father in a potman, living at Vau.xhall, London. Ho is twelve years old, and very .small for his age. Eighteen months ago he left school, and was bound apprentice with the German leader of an urobutic troupe. From then until a week or two ago the company had been giving performances in various music halls and circuses in France and Spain. During the day time the lad Gregory wns taught the acrobntii! business, and made to practise on the flying trapeze. Ho frequently fell and injured himself, and the more often he fell the more lie was beaten with ropes and sticks. He says that when practising what is called the " splits " (sitting on the ground with his legs stretched out one on each side as far as possible), the cruelty practised was abominable. Whilst sitting in this posture a woman connected with the troupe put her whole weight on his shoulders, and the pain caused was so great that he was unable to sleep at night. In due course the troupe arrived at Barcelona, and, the cruelty being greater than he could bear, the lad, whilst his master and mistress were sleeping, ran away from their lodgings at two o'clock in the morning. After walking about for many hours he at last found his way to the residence of the British Consul. Whilst he was telling that gentleman his story the boy's master and mistress were announced. The lad was concealed beneath the table ; but whilst the man and woman were giving their version of the affair he emerged from his hiding place. The woman immediately seized him and was commencing to behave with violence, when the Consul interfered. It was subsequently agreed that the boy should go back to the circus until arrangements could be made for sending him to England The lad states that wiien he reached the circus he received one of the soundest thrashings he ever had in his life. Subsequently he obtained a passage on board the Albireo. The captain (who had to provide him with clothing) states that Gregory was one mass of bruises when he went on board. He also says the Consul is willing to give all the information in hie power to anyone wishing to investigate the case, and intends (unless someone takes the matter up) to provide him with additional clothing aud send him to his parents.