Gentry Bros. Dog & Pony Show

The Gentry's were renowned for their Dog & Pony Shows. In fact after the turn of the century they had four units out touring the country. Their shows had typical circus animal acts but also included "skits" such as the one shown in this picture where the "scamp dog" has just been arrested by the "police". During the performance he would appear without warning and disrupt the act in progress, maybe by duplicating the trick another dog had done or by doing it backwards. Each time he would be chased from the ring by the Ringmaster and as a running gag when he reappeared the kids would scream with delight wondering what mischief he would get into next. Ultimately he would be brought in for a trial and a baboon with a wig and gavel would preside, the verdict was Guilty and he would be escorted from the tent. The band would go into a "Dirge" and in the back door came a small hearse pulled by two black ponies wearing black plumes and trappings, they would make a slow march around the track bringing considerable alarm to the children but as the hearse began to exit the tent the rear doors would swing open, out would come Mr. Scamp on a dead run, one lap around the track, then out the back door. Buckles