--shall not deter. The show _must_ go on. The Great International
had lived fully up to this tradition. In all of its growing years, it
had met and overcome any and all obstacles that might hinder its
progress and promises. In the years past, a versatile routing agent
could and did avoid many minor financial losses by routing the show to
other fields. If a mine strike prevailed in one section, that district
was missed by careful routings; if the boll weevil prevailed, the
cotton belt was a closed field; if wheat failed in the Northwest, or
mills were closed in Gary, the bookings were deflected to other marts.

But the year 1932 was different; fertile fields there were not. It was
not a case of dodging; it was a plain case of trying to hit. And there
was no place.

The Great International was making a brave effort to stem the tide of
depression. Its great spread of canvas billowed over many new and
novel attractions. It boasted of the largest herd of tame elephants in
all the world. Its aerial acts were new to the circus lovers of
America. Its grand opening was a riot of splendid colorings and
beauty, never surpassed in all pageantry. Yet old Depression was
winning at every stand. Historic Cheyenne, with its years of
background in gathering humanity to its playdays, was little better
than the rest. Business prudence dictated the routings from here on,
and the route led to winter quarters. It was as David Lannarck said:
"We play the U.P. to Omaha and then home."

Sam Welborn, the man from the mountains, enjoyed the Kid Show,
immensely. The trained cockatoos, the big snakes, the many freak
people, the brief but snappy minstrel show, were some of the varied
features. But best of all, Welborn watched the antics of his little
friend of the morning adventure. He came on the little stage, first as
a swaggering general, then as an admiral, last as a real doughboy of
the United States Army. Dancing, bowing, and waving the flag, he won
generous applause. Later, he came on as Cupid with bow and arrow, and
made some fine shots into a target representing a heart. His song
number was appropriate to this act.

Following this performance, David conducted his friend to the marquee
of the Big Show and passed him in to greater glories. "I will see you
before the performance is over," he said in parting.

The Big Show was not cut or curtailed. From the grand opening to the
closing number the full production was given without a hitch. S