"Alvini appeared on the stage in a flowing Japanese gown and tossed balls in the air." (Image by J. J. Grandville.)

In the years right around 1900, there was no bigger miscreant than the professional juggler, as the following trio of articles from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle attests.

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“Nerve of a Juggler” (August 25, 1893) “Every one has heard that a juggler must have a steady nerve. The popular belief is that he never dissipates. That is incorrect. A juggler doing his turn each day at a concert hall in Chicago of ten goes on stage carrying a heavy ‘load,’ yet he performs his feats with as much certainty as when he is sober. Sometimes he becomes joyous and gives free entertainments. The other day he stepped up to a soda fountain for a glass of seltzer. While the young man was drawing the beverage the juggler picked up four silver glass holders and began a little exercise, keeping all four in the air at the same time. A girl who was eating an ice cream soda dropped her spoon and ran into the street. The boy with the apron simply said: ‘Please don’t.’ The juggler begged pardon in a thick and unsteady voice, drank his seltzer, and, after solemnly winking at the female cashier, departed.”

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“Juggler Alvini Arrested” (April 22, 1889) “William D. Alvini, the juggler who was arrested last night while performing at a sacred concert at the Park Theater, New York, was held for trial in $300 bail by Justice O’Reilly at Jefferson Market Court to-day. Alvini appeared on the stage in a flowing Japanese gown and tossed balls in the air. Roundsman Coughlan thereupon arrested the juggler for violation of the Amusement law.”

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“Think He Is Crazy” (February 1, 1901) “John Weston, 33 years old, who said that he was a physician and had a home at 311 East Fourteenth street, Manhattan, was sent to jail this morning by Magistrate Brenner pending an investigation into his mental condition. He was arrested late last night on Myrtle avenue, apparently very tipsy and acting strangely. When he was locked up he changed his occupation and declared that he was a prize fighter. Then, after a while he asserted that he was an actor.

“I never fought but once on my life,’ he said to the doorman. ‘That was when I had four whiskies and two beers and had to fight for a cigar.’

Then he laughed the weird laugh of a man out of his wits. This morning he said to Magistrate Brenner that his business was juggling with Indian clubs. ‘I’m only waiting now for the executive committee,’ he added.

‘The executive committee may get you yet,’ commented to the Magistrate as he wrote out the commitment for the prisoner’s removal to the jail.”