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 J 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 
