Teddy was not there for the purpose of
amusing the band, so he turned his back on them and
tried to think of something more effective.
The show did a great business at Des Moines, having a "turn-away"
at both afternoon and evening performances. The Sparling shows
had played there before, but never to such business, which the
showman decided was due to their novel way of traveling. He knew
that these little novelties frequently made fortunes for
Circus owners.
At the evening performance, Teddy had an inspiration. He was
too busy, during the first part of the show, to give his idea a
practical test, but later in the evening, while he was awaiting
his cue to go on in his clown act, he tried the new plan.
The lad had purchased half a dozen lemons from the
refreshment stand. One of these he cut in halves, secreting
the pieces in a pocket of his clown costume; then when the
time came he stationed himself in front of the bandstand
where he stood until he had gained the attention of several
of the musicians.
Teddy took out the two pieces of lemon with a great flourish,
went through the motions of sprinkling sugar over them, then
began sucking first one piece, then the other, varying his
performance by holding out the lemon invitingly to the players.
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