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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 24, 1915)
msm facta WRITTEN BY GEORGE RANDOLPH CHESTER Author of "Qet-Rich-Quick-WftlHnglord" DRAMATIZED DY CHARLES W. GODDARD Builder of the World's Greatest Serial INTRODUCING BURR McINTOSH - - -MAX FIGMAN - -. - - -LOLITA ROBERTSON - - THREE RINGS AND A GOAT. tTITH the first blare of the distant music, ' Blackle Dtw leaned eagerly forward In his chair and rested his arms on the rail of the Uooly House iiorch. looking- up and down the main street of Uurrvllle with the spark ling eyes of youth never ending. "Hoom-cle-ra-a-a-h-dahl Boom-de-ra-a-a-h-dah !" he sang In unison with the strident trombones, beating time with both feet and one hand, while Wallingford. standing against the rail, loked down on him with an lndulgant smile. Across the way the expectant crowd, hitherto In loosely shirting array, surged solidly to the curb, while but of the stores poured excited country folk of all descriptions, and from every window popped four or five heads. The porch of the Booly House filled as If by magic. In the street red-faced, perspiring fathers and frantic mothers darted after bewildered children; while the bailoou and whistle vendors held the open spaces to themselves and their discordant voices. The band blared louder as It turned from Court House Square toward Main Street. Four assorted policemen a fat one, a skinny one, a pigeon breasted one, and a runt swung around toe cor ner, and, In the pompous might of tbelr purple vlsaged authority, best back the populace to a pulpy human wall. A horse and buggy, both sleek and shiny, came dashing down BooTy Street and turned up Main toward the on-coming parade. The driver was a "sporty" farmer, whose nearness to the soil no city clothes could conceal. "That's U Bogger," whispered a pretty waitress, bending down between YVallingford and Blackle. "His wife's deed, and he's sold bis faim, and put all his money In the bank, lie always takes his dinner here, when ho comes to town, and I've arranged to seat him between yon too men.", "Pretty good detective work for two days. Mist Fannie, ' complimented Wallingford. with a smile Into the spsrkling brown eyes. "Have any trouble getting c Job as waitress?'' "With a circus coming to town?" laughed the' blue eyed girl who came out Just behind Fannla warden. "Of course not. I could have had a lob too, only you thought I had better not." "Getting Information about Mr. Bogger la so easy It's stupid," went on the brown eyed Fannie. "All the girls know him, for he's a country masher, and they hate him." "What's bis bank roll?" asked Walltnrfeid Speculatively. "They say everything op to two hundred thou--sand, whispered Fannie, looking about her fur-, tlvely; but the throng on the llooly House porch was so-Interested in the excitement of the street ' that they paid no attention to the four conspire-, tors. "I've lifted It down pretty well, though. I think he has about seventy-five thousand .toI-'. lars." "And forty thousand of thst be stole from ns, when Father died," snld Violet, with a trace ot bitterness. She held In her band a small memo randum book In which was a long lint of-names. At the bead of the list was E. U. Falls, snd this name was crossed off. The next name was Ellas Cogger. itlai kla reached over and closed the book. ' "Don't worry about Ellas," he advised her, pat ting the hand which held the book. "We're here to see that Ellss restitutes, principal. Interest, and expenses. Isn't M the villuge cut-up V He's the llfjp of the party!" Indeed Ellas Bogger was an active diversion, for now the entire police fori of Uurrvllle bed (topped bis borne, which stood beautifully pranc In whtle-a hundred throats yelled derisive di rections to the ofhYere and to Hugger. Ellas, meanwhile,-was having the time of his gay second youth, standing up In his new buggy, calling the four policemen by their first names, exchanging very, very funny Jokes with his friends In the audience, and bowing and smiling to the Indies. Full of furious energy, the four policemen tugged In ss msny dlfferent-dlrectlons, with as absurdly unconcerted action as four ants trying to carry off a grasshopper. The pigeon-breasted one, how. ver, finally proving stronger than the others, pulled the horse around In his own direction, led Mm d wn to the corner and headed Him away from Main Street, .when, with a parting cheer 'mm the crowd, Mr. Bogger, wltb a ruah and a Mutter and a whoop, drove around behind the uooij House to the stables. orovne .r.lfdln'rnteTn boUo,nB?h8d.r,"r' 7" orove standing, entered now upon the scene, stop- f"!!.!rTZ'? ':." dT"? tue I In hold their horses, to stand back from the ele phants and to follow at once to the clrcus- f rounds, where. Immediately after the arrival of he monster parade, a grand free exhlbltlou would be given In front of the mammoth canvasses of tl:e P. T. Hurnes Colossal Aggregstlon of Tented Wonders and beware of pick-pockets! He was a tall, commanding man with a voice like the hoarse ;VtVi J.nJ i -5 i i 11 Vi' DUl P-.P1" l)"11.;' Ji.h.. m" ihtJ Wer waltIn tor tn Boom'de.r.-.-..h-d.h ! boom-d.-r.-.-.h-dah ! aanir 111,, VI. !.- ..i .. , i. . with the eistssy of a boy. The band had turned the corner in lta gaudy red-and-gllt wagon drawn by six plumed horses. "Here come the elephants, Violet! They're only size thirteen, but they're real, crona-my-heart, ao-help-me-gemlny ele phants; and three of 'em, count 'em, three! And two camels. Jin I How the Lord mnat have gig gled when he made the first camel! Hoom-de-ra-a-ah-dah! boom-de-ra-a-a-h-dah ! Gee. how I'd Ilka HrrUH 'Z 1: !! 1 H: ""?!: peg-drivers disguised as princee. Oh. look who's here! 1 he ,en-tbousand-dollar beautv' Ti.n ilnggle!" He blew kiss to the perspiring "Queen of Fhvba' on the dlxiy top of her awaylng and Jolt lug chariot, and she turned swav from hint not tly contempt, but Just tired. He did not even see fnis gesture, for he wa already insulting the motu-eaten Hons which followed ber, panting with the beat in their dustv cage. "'Tis a great day for Barrville," chuckled J JVfiis, after he passing of the calliope and the loJal grocery wagons; "but I'm wondering If It waa a good plan to come after Ellas when there', so much else doing." He turned to smile at Fan nie, but she had hurried in to save ber three im portant .eats. "Hush, Jimmy," objected Blackle, reaching aown to out a nanurui or oaiinona. I don t care for business unless I can combine ple.sur. with It. I'm glad we re here. I want to go to the circus. I wsnt to feed peanuts to the elephsnts. I want to see the hippopotami., chew a .tick of f nil. I want to watch a good gua-man glom a hick for hie poke. I want to be an Innocent youth ag.'iin ana .nort-cnange a rune. "Tbat'a what you were doing the first time I met you," mused Wallingford. smiling at the look of perplexity In the blue eye. of Violet Wardea. flnce these two r.relea. ,nd Jovial soldier, of .'ircus trust, not to mske T more money but to ke?,, -h "h "l und"r"i et l.a, k the mllilon. circuses from taking .11 the money", t ol f HrcuT.' which had been stolen from the W ardeo orphans tlon. Now nobody Is allowed to stsrt a new "lr- Violet and Fannie bad been Is a constant atate of bewilderment over their new friends. "You .i You were ever cleaned . tbe finest shell worker, Blsckle, tbat p s county fair." "Tbe rood old dsvs of rnv rhlMhood '! rerretted Blackie. while Violet laughed and frowned at t lie ssme time. "It seems like a million years since I held the rubber pea In the crook of my little flnBer while t ha wlilikrl kni.ha vl,l bh.-a rM.'h walnut ahell It was under, and bet nionev misted with pink sweat. I wonder who bas tbe trimming privilege with this circus? "We'll meet some good grafter we know." re marked Wallliuford, then he turned abruptly to the girl. 'Hub away, Mis. Violet. Here comes Bogger." There wss a m.d scramble when the dinner-bell rang, bat Walllnaford sad Rlarkle found at sraltlag fer taeaa. Urea tilted chair, betas held Omaha Sunday Bee Magazine Page ie $taO J. Rufus Wallingford - - Blackie Daw Violet 4 fnSvj 5 i ci,y Tumult foist Ellas to k the eoaatry masher. firmly by the bands of Fannie Wardea. They sat down, leaving the middle chair vacant. Fannie, keeping a sharp eye on the door, ran to meet Ellas the minute he came In, led aim to the va cant chair, and sested him triumphantly. Ellas was a spare man, considerably past middle age. whose leathery face, In Its queer pattern of bronxe cheeks and white Jowls, betrayed that his now natty goatee had but recently been whlskera. His spsrse, long top-hair was combed carefully over the spot which hail a tendency to become " fSS b in his hlvh col Is r tht it um o.rt.in h. h. nnt long 'endued the' things' Tie wore "to. i'X and dusty and slightly frayed band of crape upon the sleeve of bis overly youthful suit, the black rlrclet contrasting oddly with the gav, ready made cravat and the eager alertness In the man's eyes. "Fine day for the circus," be said to Walling ford lu a haaty, little blah-pitched voice, having Wallingford, laylna back to study Bogger, left the conversation to Ilia, kle, whe leaned"orward Zl,"" -'l' " " h. '''l b W insprcira an me lauies in ine room. . . V 1 " T "l""1 "l'"ui iu iub woria "back In elghtv-four. on Julv seventeenth, tn be more exact, we had Just such another day for a circus as this; ami none since until now," be staled with all the gravity or a deacon confessing his besetting sin at Wednesday night prayer meeting. "too don't say!" exclaimed Ellas very mnch Impressed by hlackle'a accuracy. "You must ba an old circus man." "Circuses," declared Blackle solemnly, "have - ''? . . I .e-.e-r.Uo.. ; I. f.ct. they were named after my great great-great grandfather. Napoleon H. Cirrus, who Invented this sort of moral and educational amusement." Ellas carefully smoothed ths b.ir a ros. his b.ldlng .pot. and surveyed Blackle with due re elect. "1. this yair cirrus, maybe V he wanted to kuow. "Not this one," explained Blackle apologetically, paying no attention to Walllugford s frown "It belongs to my friend. P. T. Barnes," snd he waved bis hand suavely In the directiou of Wsl llngfurd. J. Kufus bowed In reluctant acknowl edgment as one bored to be known of strangers. Mr. Bulger Inspected him with becoming awe. "I old mine several years ago," resumed Blackle. "I was glad enough to be rich, but at that I Just naturally grew weary of seeing the money pile lip; ao I retired. Now I follow circuses around Just for amusement; first one and then the other." Mr. HoggTr w h a ue lining glance at llma ford, who already hd Li. brosd chest esnded looking as ear .' ooss.hle 1 ilk. . V!. ?l?h.?h.7l hi. p.A't.Tull It n.lMh!a-doUa?bin. Xe X be was perfe, tly sall.f.ctorv musi De a lot of money iu a circus, suggested Money ! .aid Blackle. with a widely expressive wsve of his hand; and then he lowered his voice to sn extremely confidential toue. "Circuses make so much money." he went on. "thst over twenty y-r s.o ii was round necessary to form the "r! ""'J twenty-two, large and small permitted In the t'nlted Ktatea, and the only way to gt-t one Is to buy one." He grinned at . ,ufll knowing that Wallingford on fretting about all this chatter, which might interfere with their later plot. i ney must cost a lot," guessed the other man. keenly Interested in Bluckie's srray of tborourhl I . ,. .. ' Impromptu facta. Well. no. returned Blackle, contemplatively searching bis fancy for ststements free from monotony; ;the price is stsndardlzed. Clrcses run from twenty-five thousand to five bsIIIIob dol lars. Una one. for Instance. Is a flftv-thouaand- """" ociiig mown in ine diis ness as Class C show, and Mr. Bsrnes would Isy himself "P'n " V7 penalties If he asked more for It." vvalimgrord looked properly gloomy. He was really so. is. THE OMAHA SUNDAY $ctoen "If. worth a lot Bore, Isn't ItT" Inquired the goateed one, much concerned. "At lea.t three time, that," growled Walling ford, as one aggrieved. "Then I shouldn't think it would ever be for sale," shrewdly opined Mr. Bogger. "It's bound to be," Blackle gently corrected, while Wallingford turned to him in angry won der. "You see, there's so much money In tbe busi ness thst no man Is permitted to own a circus longer than ten yenrs. Even if he hasn't made enough to suit hl.n by thst time, be Is compelled to sell out and give someone else a ensure. "You don't say!" exclaimed Ellas, thoughtfully stroking the whiskers which were not there; snd be g.sed at Blackle quite earnestly for sons moments. Wallingford hastily choked himself on a drink of water, but Blackle uever turned a balr. The pretty waitress sppearlng at bis elbow at thst moment, be turned to her and confidently ordered a fancy mesl. from oysters to tutti-frutti ice cream. Fannie gaxed down at him with snapping eyes but stiff lips. "I'm in a horry," she calmly stated. "Which will you have; corn beef and cabbage, steak and oulons, or plain .teak?" "I'll leave It to you." returned Blackle grace fully; "and bring the sains for all three of us." Fannie rushed away, avoiding tbe hand pat which Kilns tried to bestow on her, and held her laugh until she reached tbe pantry. When she brought tbe meal all at once, from soup to des sert, she rushed awsy again. There was a little silence following her de- rarture, In which all three men bent themselves to he soup. Having finished this, Mr. Bugger leaned forward with a sigh. "I'd like to buy a circus," snld he to Blackle. "Can you furnish A-l credentials?" demsnded Mr. Paw with s trace of severity; and now he ssw thst Wslllngford was listening with eager thnughtfulness. "Everybody around here know. Ellas Bogger," returned the other with proper pride. "I've got the money, too; that is, to buy a Class C. circus. My wife died Isst winter, snd I sold tbe farm. I made a little money on a railroad deal, too," and bis eyes narrowed. "Forty thousand dollars!" "I see." said Blackle, with a glance at Walling ford. "What you want Is a business thst Is safe, makes an enormous profit, and lets you have a lot of fun all at tbe same time. You're a sly old dog, I rsn see thst." "Not so very old," quickly protested Mr. Bogger. jI never pass for within ten years of my age at "He believes everything snybndy tells him," whispered sn eager voice, and Fannie, ber eyes shining with excitement, darted sway, leaving Blackle and Wallingford in chuckling conversa tion. When sbe came bsck the men bad finished tbelr cofTee and were waiting for ber. "Where's Miss Violet?" asked Wallingford. ' To In my room," "Fine," approved Wallingford. "You girls doll tip and go out to tbe grounds as soon as you ran. Us into the 'kid show' that's the main side show, you know and look at the freaks until wa need you," Already the country anfl Tillage folk were over--flowing tbe grounds, though It Tacked an hour or ; more of opening time, "Slum fakers" and "pitch grlfters," or sellers of rsnrs, whips, and borns, and workers of surall fortune-telling and gam bling devices, were making the welkin rnsp with their grating voices. Hers and there among the half-bewildered yokels moved lithe, nervous youug men of undeniable city types and travel-stained .doming, wnose rurtive eyes and lying smiles be trayed their sinister designs upon unprotected pocketbooks. Even bow, tbe "kid show" waa grinding In tbe early, dimes, tbe morbid being In vited to see the freaks by an expert "spieler" Upon a gaudy platform. Loafing in the rear of the platform, laxlly Inspecting tbe crowd, slouched an enormous man with a violent mustache which gave him a most ferocious csst of -countenance ; snd to this forbidding cltlsen Blackle Haw sidled, frlnning at him In waiting expectancy until tbe hick-calfed girl with the sleepy annke around . her neck, reached over and kicked the giant on the bead. "Friend o' yours, Edf" she husked, Indicating Blaekte. Texas Ed looked around, and bis face Imme diately 11? with welcome. "Hello. Sport!" he roared, giving Blackle'a hand . vise-like grip. "It's been a coon's age alnce I aee you trlmmln the geeks on the pumpklu cir cuit. What's your grift nowndnys?" "I got a new game,nr explained Blackle gravely. I carry around a wad of wet chewing gum on the end of a string, and fish copper, out of blind men's cups." "Ssme old kldder," declared Ed. "I guess noth ing much is changed except thst we're all older. I have to boot my lions now every time I wan't em to look flen-e. Say, you ought to be with thle outfit. Coarsest grift you ever saw. Every body's In it, from the manager dowu." . 'Manager, eh? Ed, slip me all the Info, you can. Where a BsruesI" . "Old P. T.'s lsld up wltb rheumatic gout, and so Joe I'nger, he's the manager, has been buying a farm up In Connecticut." "What does he look like?" "Like a tub of pork. Far be It from me to say snrb, with me so sffectlonste toward my salary, but t'nger's a fst old fluff!" "Thanks, Ed." Blsckle threw away his ciga rette. "I'll post my pal right away, and burry back. I want you to shlllaber for a fancy grift." "Wise me," husked Ed, with pleasure; "wIbs me." Blackle hurried away to the cane rack where he bad planted J. Kufus, but Just as be neared his partner, and before he couM speak. Wallingford waa aatonlshed to see Blsckle look bsck over his shoulder and start away on a gallon. Ellas Bog ger was the explanstlou. He was talking to Texas Ed, and tbe watchful Fannie was not four people away from hlra. "1 hat wss my fall-guy," explained Blsckle. ar riving breathless Just after Bogger bad departed. "What was bis line of con?" "He's the richest mark tbst ever ssked tbe price of lemons," l.ugbed big Ed. gazing In wonder sfter tbe departing Bogger. "He pointed out thst fat party over there, and wanted to kuow if be wss Bnrnes." "Of court you wised him un." worried Rlsckle "Hid I not, I did not!" replied Ed with Infinite seorn. "I told blin it wss lis rues, and that he'd had himself dyed a brunette to keep from looking like his own llthogrspbs, so people wouldn't keep trying to bny him out." Blackle grinned in sheer delight st his lurk. "How did you come to band hliu tbat gag?" bs asked. "The Una of dope he'd been passing ont won tt for him," replied Ed with a reminiscent smile. "Seme of his questions were screams. Whv. tbe geek had an ide. tbat a man wa. only allowed to own a circus ten years, bemuse there wss ho much money in It; and he Hunted to know bow long Bsrnes bad to run yet." "What did you tell him; nine years or a week?" Inquired Blnckle anxiously. "Twenty-four hours." chuckled Ed. "Now he's hurrying right over to the fst party to buy tbe circus. I hope be sells It to blm. If be does, 1 wsnt my bit." "Leave that to me," and as shon as Mr. Bogger bsd wslked sway from Wallingford. Haw hurried over to J. Kufus. "I can't believe It yet. Blackle." declsred bis partner. "Ellss Bogger Is either the prize boob of the universe or else be baa me kidded to a stsndatlil." "J'ske it from me, he's the prize lollop," pro tested lilsckle earnestly. "He looks like a re.nlt tsnce from mother." "He Is If he buys my circus." chuckled .T. Unfits "Ssv, Blackie, you find out where Barnes is. an' cook lip some scheme to keep til in oul of the way for an hour. ko mat ana 1 11 sell t il .ouie ex- perienre "Oo as far as you like, and aee If Barnes esres," airily responded Blackle. old P. T. hasn't b-.-i-with the show a minute tbls season, sud his masager, a fat burglar by the moniker of Jot I'nger. la grafting all tbe velvet. He'a so strong t it be haan't paid salaries for three weeks." J. Rufus strods straight across to the main entrance, into which a solid stream of moist humanity was already wedging. Walling ford, broad of shoulders and a head taller than the mass, pushed his way impatiently along between the swaying roues, and was about to push aa Impatlentjy past the ticket taker when that entleman. a heavy-framed tn.Vxi' 5 !',!,','', h,m roughly by the shoulder. "Where's Joe I nger' - demanded Wslllngford with a frown as black as night "ngrora, Tbe ticket-taker a-lamed toward heef. ... the stood Just beyond blm. bis buffal. Bill sou- HKK: OCTOBER 24. 1015. tirraf op IWSfM . brero In his hind, mopping bis head with a gray silk handkerchief. The heavy geutleman tusking n sign, the ticket-taker turned again to Walling ford. "I said Where's your ticket I" he demanded, im mediate action lurking Just behind his eyeballs. Six brawny gentlemen, three on either side of the ropes, smiled grimly and bent esgerly for ward. One of them, with a black patch over his eye. edged up quite closely, and motioned tbe one next hliu, who had a thrice-broken nose, to give him room for bis right elbow. .It wss a ticklish moment. In wblcb Wallingford wss conscious that the "bouncer" with three front teeth gone was grinning with hideous anticipation. In tills emer gency his course was prompt and decisive. "You're fired!" he roared with a flare of anger, shaking his big forefinger tn the ticket-takers face. "Oct off t he lot !" There waa a second's pause. In which tbe six bouncers looked at esch other dnhlously, and the one with tbe cauliflower ear turned, with a trou bled eye, to the equally troubled beefy man, "I'm doln" what I'm paid for," growled the ticket-taker sulkily. "I got to have your ticket." "IMdn't I tell you to get off the lot I" Wslllng ford bellowed, his face actually purpling with the effect of bis "bluff." "Ami if somebody don't hunt up Joe I'nger for me within sbont thirty seconds, I'll fire the whole lot of you. Where is be?" The bouncer with the split nose pointed out the beefy man, Just as thnt gentleman came for went, bis guilt already gripping him. "I'm Joe I'nger." he barked gruffly, though much troubled. "What do you want?" Wslllngford stepped over to Jolu him, letting the si ream of gspliig country folk flow on again, but did not answer his question. Instead, ha turned to the eye-patched thug. t "Here, Bill, or whatever your nam Is," he or dered tn the voice of authority "you take tickets till I put a new man on the box. Now, linger, how wss yesterday's business?" "Who wants to know?" demanded Mr. I'nger, endeavoring to assert his customary cxsrshlp, but feeling It slipping from him. ' I do, snapped Wslllngford. "And who are yon?" Inquired Unger, angry that bis voice was losing Its strength. The blue blotch on his lower lip turned purple, and Walllugford saw It. "Sears!" snapped Wallingford. I'nger repeated tbe name feehlv, hnt had Dot the "nerve," to ask who Sears might be. "If the fact that I'm Hears Isn't enough for you, I'll have a Jolinny-tln-plste tell you more," declared J. Kufus, watching narrowly, snd being well pleased wltb tbe effect of this threat of a local officer of the law. "Now look here, Unger, tbe governor wants tn know why the business Is so rotten, snd I'm hero to And out. What wa. your luke-in yesterday?" "Well," hesitated I nger, "It looked Ilka rain over in Cattirsburg, and the play fell off a little. Tbirty-tbree hundred on the day." "I got a different report," declared Wallingford, looking tbe man squarely in tbe eye. "You had to bunt the clouds wltb a telescope yesterday la Cattlesburg, and the take-in Is four or Are hun dred out of the way. Tbere'a going to be a shake up arouud here." A little trickle of perspiration suddenly gathered on Mr. I'nger'. forehead and rolled off tbe tip of bis round nose. "Homebody's been stringing you." hs said feebly, feeling nervously of bis trembling lower lip. There was something about Wallingford wblcb compelled belief. Possibly It V.SS the breadth and quality of his wsletcost. "We'll find out about that," said Wallingford sternly. "Now .how me over tbe plant." Within fifteen minutes It wss "noised" all over tbe grounds tbat old P. T.'s rlght-bsnd man was with tbem, and a general tightening up took place. Performers paid extra attentluti to their spangles, snd were ss nervous as sctors on open ing night. Tbe old-time elation came upon Wal lingford as he strolled fruwnlngl.v about the f rounds In company with the thoroughly scared inger. By the time a half-dozen circus attaches bad kowtowed to hliu he felt that he was play ing his part and playing it well. In stern dis approval of everything, he let I'nger lead him about tbe tents and Introduce him aa "I,. Monck ton Seam," but when the manager began to eak blm personal questions, Wallingford shut Jlui with: "How, the sslsry list? Is It psld up?" "Well, not quite,1' admitted I'nger. "How far are we behind?" He was very stern. "Oh, a week or so." Tbe manager looked ner vously about him as if planning an escape. "That means three or four, I suppose. "Not four," Unger Immediately protested, mop ping bis hesd, "Three, then." Walllngford'a voice was grow ing angry. "Well, three for. a few of 'em." "1 see. t'nger. you're a common thief." 1 may make you prove tbat!" I lifer's tone had in It the low-voiced and deirilv Indlirnatlon of an honest man, but bis Up was not stesdy . Ilo,n Wslllngford and Blackle carefully re enough, framed from smiling. It required no very lively "What good would it do?" demanded Walling- ford, sure tbat be hud his insn slid burdening him down more with tbat broad chest of his. " What ever you've stolen from thi governor you've sslted. I haven't made up my nilud what I'll do with vou vat. but I ma nut von over lust tnr amusement. It altogether depctida on how the old man feels afier I sell out for him." Tbe relief In the face of i'nger was tremendous. "The old luan going to sell?" lie askivl. "Depends on the price," returned Wallingford. "I want a statement of the past week's business, snd sn Invol.e of the plant. In an hour.- And. by tne way, lr the expenses are too high and the receipts too low there'll be no sale, and then I'm likely to mske somebody trouble." "Believe me," promised I nger fervently, "to dsy's business will show a grund little profit!" 'See that it does," warned Willing id. "Tell the treasurer what I want, and then nurry bar. to me In the animsl-tent," snd, lesvlng I'nger to alternate hopes and fears, he strode away, hurry ing Into tbe menagerie In acarch of Blackie and Bogger. tie found Klaekle alone In front of a Hons cage, rigidly motionless, ind after calling blin three times bid to touch him to arouse htm. "You leave It to me, I think It'a a Joke," an- nounced Blackle. "I've been here for ten minutes trying to make tbe king of beasts quail before the power of tbe human eye. I think he's blind, blast him!" "He doesu't see you, anyhow," replied Welling- ford, with an amuse.) glance at the sleepy lion, "He's thinking of his nstive wilds of Bridgeport, Connecticut, in the rag.-s of which lie end most of his ancestors were Lorn. Where's Hugger?" Bogger' stated Blsrkie plscldly. "Is anc hored in sest one, se tiou A. countlna tbs bouse, snd estimating to-dsy's profits; sud Just beblnd blm, never moving her brown eyes from tbe back of bis head, alta cute little Faunle Warden." "Where's Violet?" "Busy," grinned Blsckls. "She Is tn charge of tbe most mother-like dsmes in the circus, be ing all dolled Lp like tbe llon-tsmer's bride." ''The wblcb!" gasped Wallingford la astonish- IDT l. "A rich play. Jimmy." and Blsckls twirled his pointed mustaches In gratification. "You may bs ali right for the solid meat of a frame-up, but when It comes to the fancy touches leave It to your 1 nrle Horace." "What have you been doing?" demanded J. Kufus. with . troubled brow. He was sometimes afrnld of Klsckte's wildly whimsical schemes. In spite of the f.ct that they were alwsys .uccesaful. noing.-- mackie pusner, up both aides of his mustache. "Framing the whole circus. Texas Bd Is on tbs payroll, and everybody on tbe lot, but I'nger, 1. in on the pi. v. All yon bsve to do Is te boob Bogger. W.Vt. snd I'll bring hlin to vou." "Send I nger to me first," ordered J. Kufus, after . moment of thought. When Blackle returned with the anxious Bog ger. Wallingford was raking Cnger over the coal, at a great rate, and the unlucky manager wa. perspiring like a camp meeting exborter. ' "Beg your pardon, alr," said Blackle. touching Wallingford on tbe arm; "but my friend. Mr. Bogger. wants to ask you a question or two, Mr. Barnes." "I'm not Barnes." declared Wallingford gruffly. "I am bla personal representative and business exer.ittve. My Lmue s Sears. L'uger. I never saw ausb dirty lot of uniforms. Look at tbat elephant man. It', a disgrace. I want these uniforms cleaned at once!" " es, sir," said I naer. "And those csaes. Freshen them nn V, right away, If I bsve to sell this circus for Mr. Bsrnes. I want It in decent ahsne. What ara to-day's prof- Its?" "Over a thousand dollars," said linger, bright ening, "A thousand!" Wallingford'. face wss pnrnle with fury, "linger, I'm going to investigate this thing. If you know what's good for you, yoa won t let me see you on this lot to-day! Wallingford left the unfortunate I'nger go. "if I ain't Intruding, Mr. Sesrs, let's Talk busi ness is man to man. I know the truth about your fii. You have to tnke tlfty thousand dollar, for this show, to-duy. I'm here with the money." WallthMrd glanced Incredulously at Blackle, but put out his lis ml dcpreeatlngly. "I promised to sell It to a friend." "Ob !" Mr. Bogger gulped, lie was onlv stopped for a moment, however. "I'll give you fifty five!" ff es I . .- wis5'?wrifs' 4 JP - J,V ? e-'w-'- i. Ra't Pol iiit mut Ellao Besjsjet mm their aiext vlctlas. "Klxty t" Wslllugford hesitated. "Make It slity-flve, spot cash, and we'll go right up to a lawyer's and draw up a bill of sale." Ellas studied a long time. "Well," he eo cluded, "I'm satisfied aFwut the money part. I've asked six or seven men around the grounds here. puu inougu nicy nunc an say tne same tning. they've convinced me that thara'a a fortune In it every day." imagination in gueP. the sort of answers Bogger hsd received from tbe attaches of tbe show. If be hsd ssked tbem about tbs money In the circus business. "I didn't believe some of "em," went on Mr. Bugger, hunting about for aoma nlaca to writ "One of 'em told me that this circus baa a special cast-iron car to carry money In, and when It gets Bsrnes bns It shipped borne, where be has a tall Iron building like a grain-elevator to keep It In ; hut I guess he was Joshing, wasn't he?" "Well," confessed Walllngfora slowly, "he was exaggerating a little. Mr. Barnes don't have aa eirvaior; lie uses vaults "That's what I thought," laughed Bogger. "Come on. we'll go up to my bank." Mr. Bogger walked on tbe grounds of the P. T. Barnes Colossal Aggregation of Tented Wonders aa monarch of all he surveyed, Just ss ths torches were being lit, In the hour Ix-fore the evening performance. Me held his head very high, did Mr Bogger, and wore his gay-handed straw hat rsklshly upon the aide of bis head Those wlille tlnted peaks snd all that they covered were hla. to de with ss he .wished ! lie could go In snd order an elephant hitched to his buggv. If he llkd I Just b"twi-en the mala tent and the cook-tent, "daredevil l)-mo" arcoted blm. In his street- clothes, I'emu. whose every dov name vrs Murphy, was a skinny little dsp. who looked as If a flrl could slap him and make him cry, and Mr. llogrer turned to him sharply. "Well, what do vou ant?" be asked In his quick, high voire. ' Money !" replied Iiemo promptly. "They tell roe you're the new boss snd here 'the colli. I'm three weeks back, and I want mine!" "Well !" exclaimed Bogger. "I'll have to look Into this! How much do you get a week?' "rive hundred and fifty dollars," leuio calmly told him. Mr. Bogger almost dropped dead on the spot. "A week, did you say !" he gasped. "A week. 1 get sbot out of a cannon to a platform up tn the dome, grab a bicycle, ride down a two-hundred foot chute, lump a forty foot fap, and land In a tank of water. Do I get my ark pay ?" "I'll see shout It." nromlsed Bnirrer. much troubled, and be started to turn away, Iieiuo grabbed hlio br the shoulder and turned blm around with one swing. "1 get It now !" lie declsred, "or I'll close up your bloomln' show! 1 ain't so strong for tbls outfit snvbnw, esperlslly since a hay's going to try to run It. If I don t get my coin before I go on to-night, no show ! And If these ruhes don't see my art, they'll tear down tbe tent, l iu what brines 'em here !' Tbe "Trelve Trio of Aerial AcroLats" descended upon Mr. Bogger In a body before Demo had fin ished with blm They were Swiss, and knew but little English, but they very energetically conveyed to Mr. Bogger the fact that they were three weeks la arrears Tn salary, and wanted tbelr money. If tbry didn't get lr, Bo show: slso a sheriff! A brigade of peg-drivers snd rousters Joined the party while the Trelvo Trio was still gesticulating and iahherlng. and they surrounded Mr. Bogger In a solid phslanx. demanding three weeks' back pay. If they didn't get It, Ibey Intended to tear down the hlg lop right after the show, asd leave It oa the ground 1 Mora came ruBBlng, hsrehark riders, wsgun nieu, tumblers. Irslsers, rbsrlot drivers, aad even siiins or tne young ladles of the spectacle, atj "li. aulas Bogger as their cujictlve poiat, aad ai we VT s - i"'v ass- I f m i i r A B R-esemed 'bUiis COLIABORATION screaming . mad demand for money I Gating about him In dspersllon, tbe new proprietor ssw Wslllngford standing by a big rear tent and rushed toward him for protection. J. Rufus seemed to know Instinctively thst Boggei wss la growing fesr of his life, for he lifted up the edge of the tent, shoved Ellss through, and met the maddened mob himself. The smile on Walling ford s Jovlsl fsce deepened, as presently there) csme from tbe Interior of that tent a hubub of shrill cries. A moment later Mr. Bogger came out ef tbst tent on the dead run, followed hv a platona of chorus ladles, screaming for vengeance! It took all of Walling ford's persuasiveness to rescue Ellss from the wrath of the Aniascaa and lead him te safety In the cook tent. "itat was full of women dressing!" panted Mr. r. --vinai nin you snovs me In there for?" dfln t they know vou war tha nennrtetttpf Inquired J. Kufus In sstonlshment. "Ths proprie tor, you know, has a right anywhere." "I showed em my hill of eale," urged Bogger la hi. owa defence, "then an old-looking young women pushed me In tbe face, and the rest of tbem Jumped on tne. "Never mind, we'll protect you," said Walltag ford reassuringly. "You'd better stick close to us to night, snd we'll not sllow anyone to hurt you.' "I won't leave you a minute I" earnestly declare Mr. Bogger. "Come over to the big top," Invited Blackle, r erring In st the door. "Tred Bristol', going te ry out a new flying trapeze act before the per form sure," and he led the way. The main tent was big and high and dim snd mysterious, with its one torch lighted. Away up the dome a tiny trapeze swung on long strands, which, from the ground, looked like splder-w eba. Upon a little shelf, far, far awry, atood a alrnder, graceful man In pink tights, and from either side ef the shelf stretched down long ropes. A nil with a coat and trousers on over his tights harried p to Bogger and handed blm a rope. "Here, pal," he said ; "hold this line, will yen?" aad be thrust It Into Bogger's hands. "Get a good grip on It," he directed, snd moved away. The pink-clad acrobat iiMn the high shelf drew the trapeze far across and op to him with a tape. All at one. there came a mighty Mg at the ropa Bogger was holding, and It waa Jerked from bl. clasp. A ery of horror burst from the throats of a score of circus attaches, and down, down through the dusty air of the big tent, with its rows upon rows of dlamslly empty benches, csme whirling and sprawling a pink figure! A shriek hurst from the psllld Hps of Bogger as It thudded upon the f round. The circus men, mostly arrobsts. rushed n tbe spot where the pink figure lay, concealing It from view. There was a piercing shriek from woman near the entrance I Boggef, trembling, nervelesa, and stunned Into paralysis, leaned back against the tent pole, his wesk knees bending under him end letting him slide gradually down, when Wallingford plucked blm by the arm. "Thle way out I" and be shoved Bogger, running, ahead ot him, to an opening, am) thrust hliu through. Bogger hsd run a third of the length of this enclosure before he reallr.ed thnt he was once more In the women's dressing tent, and then ths faces of the furies spurred Mm nn to such speed as his legs bsd never yielded In his life. At the outer entranre of this tent, where the blessed air came through, a fairy like figure la fluffy green, suddenly confronted him with sn ac cusing finger. Everybody but ths terror stricken Bogger saw, and appreciated, the stage-fright of Violet Warden, In her role of Madame Balar'na. tbe atsr hare-back rider. "Here's the Johuny-Prener, boys get him I" he cried. In trembling tones, and Blsckle ap plauded loudly. A man the alee of a side of a house, and dressed In 'llgn hat, spike-tall coat, white trousera, and shiny top-boots, suddenly appeared from the outer dsrkness, accompanied by a clown wltb a foolish grin painted on bis fsce and wltb a snsrl on bl. actual lips. It was the clown who grappled wltb Ellss and landed the first and only blow, a f lancing one upon the cheek-bone. There was tlm. or only tbe one, for Mr. Bogger, Jerking loose by an almost auprrbumsn effort, nut on an addi tional spurt of speed which mads his previous progress seem snsll-llke; and tbe darkness swal lowed him up, shrieking! There was but one logical end to sucb jllnd speed, snd that was a stumble. A little drainage ditch gut him, and laid him low to listen to the beating of bis heart snd Imagine thst trip hammer noise to be the p.tter of pursuing feet. Walling ford and Blackle Daw caught up with him pres ently, helped him with kind and comforting words, when a ssd procession filed out of tbe main lent. Four men bore a stretcher, upon which was a limp form, covered, by the Irony which was a caaace, wltb one of tbe broad red ribbons ovsr which bare-back riders Jump. Quite a number of men with bowed heads followed tt down to ths railroad siauig, wnere too cirrus sieeping-csrs stood, "It looks bad," said Wallingford: "very. had I I don't know whether the man la Is dead or not, but la say eveat you're up against It, Bog ger. Fred Bristol I. one of the best high-trapes, men In tbe business, and It means a flfty-tbousaad-dollar damage suit, which you'll probably lose. Yoa see, whst uiskes It so rotten Is that If you'd bee a a mora spectator holding that rope, tbey couldn't have held you for much, but being tbe proprietor ef th. circus well, you can aee bow It la your self." "Where Is bs I Where Is be I" bellowed a bull like voice from out of the dsrkness. It was th. voire ot tbe big lion tamer husband of the pretty bare-back rider. "Proprietor?" moaned Bogger. "I wouldn't ba a proprietor of . circus for a million dollars I" A peaont-vendor lit bis torch nesr by. and tt flamed on the countensuce of Bogger. His right cheek wss stresked with red grease pilat from tbe fingers of tbe chorus lady who bad "pushed hi. fsce" ; bis left cheek was crimson from the glanc ing rut of the clown's fist; his forebesd snd nose were black with tbe mud of the field; bis gay strsw bst, which, by some fresk of circumstance, bad stayed upon bis hesd, bsd an open lid and a fallen brim ; his collar waa torn open, and hi. tin was ludicrously .wry ; but more pathetic tbaa all these was tbe broken and drooping spirit wblcb feebly glimmered through tbe bloodshot eye. of Bogger. the crest-bumbled. "You'll have to be the proprietor," said Walling ford coldly. "It's a legally binding transfer, sad you're lucky If you don't have manslaughter against you ss well as a damage suit " "Where Is be!" again bellowed Texas Ed out of the darkness. r lease, Mr. rears, piease, i oeg or you, let out of this!" pleaded logger, with quivers terror In bis voice. "Take back your bill of and give me my money. Please!" 'Please, Mr. Hears, please, I beg of you, let me i. livers or sale "And stand this damage suit myself?" Innulred Wallingford, with scorn. "I should say not. A sale Is a sale." Agalu the voice from the darkness, 'bis tlm. nenrer ! "I'll discount It," offersd Bogger; "only get -ie .way from here! I'll give you unytMntr vou snv!" "Itlght outside Is a buggy," said Wallingford. "I'll Jump you In that, and take you to town as soon as we come to terms. I'll take your 'jlll o. sale and tear It up, and give you ten thousand dollars, and deny that you were tbe propil tor wben you held tbat rope." "Ten thousand dollara!" exclaimed Bogger. "Ten thousand dollars ! It's robbery !" "There's tbat damage suit," Walllnrforc re minded hlin. "Yon nisy win It," protested Bogger "Glvo me forv thousand, and I'll smtle it.' "Here he Is!" yelled Walllnef'rd loudly tc th. angry husband somewhere In tbe dn kneas. "iHin't ! For Heaven s sske, jn't!" Bogger half sobbed. "Here's you bill of ttaic I Ulvo m. tlie money! Now Where's tbit bnpgyr The transfer was mails as they ran, snd in Wslllagford whipped up tbe horse, tbe lnegaphon. voice of th. big busband wa. beard once icoxa bellowing: "Where label Where Is be !" In the tent of tbe departed Manatee t) avert gstbered the tired but happy conspirators; sud, on the little folding table, . Rufus Walltngfersl tbrew fifty thousand dollars. In real money. "Principal, Interest, and expenses." fie declared with satisfaction. "I used five thousand to pay off Texas F.d, and ths acrobat who dropped tne dummy from tbe trapeze, and our other good frlenda who helped, and I art ai-lde a big chunk for a ftuaday treat to tbe whole circus, including the animals. Thle ten we'll take out for the expenses of the fang, aad the forty thousand, ladles, goes to th. testltutloa Fund of tbe estats of the lata Mr. Warden " "Aad that crosses oft the name ot Ella. Bogger. added Blackle, beading over Violet, wae had ta Utile book I ber head. (To b. Continued)