CIRCUS DAYS 17 



for the hauling of my stuff or feed for the horses, 

 let alone to put my wife and child at a decent hotel." 



I assured him I would see him through. There 

 were tears in his eyes as he grasped my hand. I 

 went with him to the agent of the British India 

 Company and arranged for the payment of his 

 passage and freight, in fact took care of everything 

 for him. It made me feel good to be again in 

 touch with the old show business; once in it, one 

 never forgets its glamor. I arranged for the lot 

 and feed for the horses, but the performers paid 

 their own hotel expenses. We had still to look for 

 the labor, so I hired coolies, and by night had the 

 top up. At the same time there was a stranded 

 balloonist whom I was befriending, an American 

 named Price, who went broke in India. He had 

 his balloon, which wanted but a little repairing, 

 so I made arrangements with Wilison for Price 

 to join the show and give ascensions and parachute 

 jumps for an attraction. 



Well, the show opened and made good. The 

 balloon ascension was something new and it went 

 big, especially when the balloon was anchored and 

 would take people up. Wilison played Singapore 

 two weeks, paid all his debts and was on his feet. 

 I advised him to play Bankok, and, if possible, get 

 a guarantee from Prince Damvony to show inside 

 the palace, which he did with success. The only 

 thing that marred the career of the show was when 

 Price went up in the balloon and took a parachute 



