The Circus Clown, Part 2

June 1905

Oklahoma Territory

The smell of hay and taste of dry fear in his mouth brought Johnathan back to the present. The jeering continued, punctuated by the sting of another peanut hitting his painted cheek. He risked a glance over his shoulder. The five men, local toughs who’d likely spent their afternoon at the saloon before wandering over to the circus grounds, were still trailing him, their laughter echoing between the canvas tents. They seemed to find his frantic attempts to escape endlessly amusing.

He ducked behind a brightly colored wagon, the scent of sawdust and exotic animals thick in the air. His heart hammered against his ribs. This wasn’t the first time this had happened. Away from the protective camaraderie of the other clowns and the watchful eyes of the circus folk, he was an easy target. The towns the circus visited often held a mix of curiosity and cruelty towards those who were different.

He peered around the edge of the wagon. The men were still there, their shadows stretching long in the late afternoon sun. One of them, a burly fellow with a thick mustache, pointed at the wagon with a beer bottle in his hand. “Think he went in there? Let’s go see the little freak.”

Panic surged through Johnathan. He had to get away. He knew Harold, the gruff but ultimately kind man in charge of the clowns, would be furious if he got into a fight. Ringmaster Barnum’s warning about causing trouble still echoed in his ears.

Taking a deep breath, Johnathan scrambled out from behind the wagon and darted towards the animal enclosures. He knew his way around the labyrinth of cages and temporary fencing. The sounds and smells were familiar and comforting in a strange way. Maybe he could lose them in the commotion.

He slipped past the lion’s cage, the massive cat pacing restlessly, its golden eyes following him. The pungent odor of hay and manure filled his nostrils as he squeezed between the elephant enclosure and the monkey cage. The monkeys chattered and screeched, their antics a stark contrast to the fear gripping him.

He could still hear the men’s voices, closer now. “He can’t have gone far, the little runt.”

Then, he saw her. Maharani. The oldest and largest of the circus elephants. She stood placidly in her enclosure, her wrinkled trunk gently swaying. Johnathan had developed a special bond with the elephants. He had a natural calming presence around them, a quiet understanding that seemed to soothe their often-frayed nerves from the constant travel and performances. He often spent his off-hours near their enclosure, helping the keepers and learning their subtle cues.

An idea sparked in his mind. It was risky, but he was desperate. He approached Maharani’s enclosure cautiously. The elephant keeper, a wiry man named Silas, was busy mending a section of the fence. Johnathan waited until Silas turned his back.

“Maharani,” he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. He held out a piece of stale bread he’d been saving. The massive elephant lowered her trunk, her gentle eyes meeting his. She delicately took the bread, her trunk brushing against his small hand.

“Maharani, I need your help,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. He pointed back in the direction of the approaching voices. “Those men… they’re being mean.”

He didn’t know if the elephant understood him, but as the men rounded the corner, their boisterous laughter filling the air, Maharani let out a low, rumbling trumpeting sound. It wasn't an aggressive sound, but it was deep and resonant, enough to make the men pause in their tracks.

Johnathan quickly slipped under the rope fence of Maharani’s enclosure and stood close to her massive legs. He felt a strange sense of safety in her shadow.

Johnathan and Maharani

The five men stopped, their eyes wide as they took in the sight of the towering elephant and the small clown standing beside her.

“Well, looky here,” the burly man with the mustache said, a nervous edge creeping into his voice. “The little fella’s got himself a big friend.”

Maharani shifted her weight, her large feet making soft thuds on the dusty ground. She lowered her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the men.

“We… we didn’t mean no harm,” another man stammered, taking a hesitant step back.

Johnathan, emboldened by Maharani’s presence, found his voice. “You were throwing things and calling me names. That’s not kind.”

The men shuffled their feet, looking uncomfortable under the elephant’s unwavering gaze. The power dynamic had shifted dramatically. The five towering men suddenly seemed much smaller in the presence of the gentle giant.

“We were just having some fun,” the burly man mumbled, avoiding eye contact with Maharani.

“Fun at my expense?” Johnathan retorted, a flicker of anger replacing his fear. He had endured a lifetime of such “fun.”

Silas turned at the sound of Maharani’s trumpet. He frowned when he saw the men near the enclosure and Johnathan inside.

“What’s going on here?” Silas asked, his voice firm.

The burly man quickly offered an explanation, his tone now placating. “Nothing, mister. Just admiring your magnificent elephant. We were just leaving.”

With nervous glances at Maharani, the five men quickly retreated, their jeers replaced by hurried footsteps as they disappeared back towards the main thoroughfare.

Silas looked at Johnathan, a mixture of concern and amusement on his weathered face. “You got yourself a guardian there, little fella.”

Johnathan smiled a genuine smile that reached his eyes. He reached out and gently touched Maharani’s trunk. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Maharani

Silas helped him back out of the enclosure. “You be careful, Johnathan. Don’t go provoking folks.”

“I wasn’t provoking them, Silas. They were bothering me.”

Silas sighed. “I know, I know. Some folks just ain’t got no manners. But you stick with your own kind, you hear? The clowns look out for each other.”

Johnathan nodded. He knew Silas was right. The circus, despite its hardships, was his family now.

“Please don’t tell Harold. I’ve got nowhere else to go.”

“Your secret’s safe with me, Son,” Silas said, smiling kindly at him.

“Thank you,” Johnathon replied, swallowing the lump in his throat as he hurried away.

Later that evening, under the bright glare of the gaslights, the clowns were preparing for their act. Harold, a stout man with a booming laugh, clapped Johnathan on the shoulder.

“Heard you had a bit of trouble with some locals today, Johnny boy.”

“Who told you?” Johnathan asked, his heart thumping painfully against his chest. Would he get sent away? Where would he go?

“Mr. Barnum saw the whole thing and had words with them. They won’t bother you again. But tell me what happened.” He was looking at him with concern.

Johnathan let out a breath, grateful Harold had kept his word, and recounted the incident with the five men.

Harold listened intently, his expression serious. “Those townies are all bluster. But you gotta be careful. Don’t give them the satisfaction of seeing you scared.” He then grinned, his eyes twinkling. “Though I gotta admit, using Maharani as backup was a stroke of genius!”

The other clowns chuckled, ruffling Johnathan’s wig. He felt a warmth spread through him. He belonged here.

“So, I’m not getting kicked out?” he asked quietly.

“Not at all!” Harold boomed. “Mr. Barnum makes sure we’re protected.”

The other clowns nodded and patted Johnathan on the back.

“Now, out you go!” Harold said and pushed him towards the big top.

As the music started and they ran into the center ring, the cheers of the crowd washing over them, Johnathan felt a sense of exhilaration. He might be small in stature, but he was part of something big, something magical. He was a clown, and tonight, he would make people laugh.

After the performance, as the circus prepared to move on to the next town, Johnathan found himself near the train cars where the elephants were being loaded. Maharani trumpeted softly as he approached. He reached through the bars and stroked her trunk one last time.

“See you in the next town, my friend,” he whispered. “Thank you for looking out for me.”

As the train chugged out of the Oklahoma Territory and into the darkness, carrying the Greatest Show on Earth to its next destination, Johnathan looked out the window, the lights of the departing town fading behind him. He knew there would be more challenges, more moments of fear and uncertainty. But he also knew he wasn’t alone. He had his circus family and a gentle giant who had stood by his side.

Teacake Tidbits

1. Women Were Rising Stars—But Faced Real Risks

Women like Lillian Leitzel, May Wirth, and the Flying Lalage sisters were thrilling audiences with daring aerial acts and equestrian stunts. Female performers were gaining popularity, but their work was dangerous and often underpaid. They were also subject to stricter moral scrutiny, both from circus management and the public, especially when costumes or behavior defied Victorian norms.

2. Circuses Were One of the First Truly Integrated Workplaces

Despite the racism of the era, circuses were often more inclusive than other American industries. African American performers, laborers, and musicians (especially in brass bands) traveled and worked alongside white colleagues. Some even gained star billing—like Arthur Saxon - "The Iron-Master", a famed strongman.

3. Penny Gaff Shows and Sideshow Tents Were Cultural Mirrors

Beyond the Big Top, sideshow attractions (also called “penny gaffs”) reflected American fascination with “otherness”—bearded ladies, snake charmers, fire-eaters, and “foreign marvels.” While exploitative by today’s standards, they were one of the few ways people with visible differences could earn a living and even become stars.