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)