Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-12-01
Farmer Cheesehoross Reward.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.


Cheeseboros in chorus, "an't the circu
splendid p a...-.
And Ezekiel Cheeseboro himself, bur
ly, brown-faced farmer, with cheeks a.
red as fall pear, choked with 1aughte
behind his bandanna pocket handkerchie
at the wonderful contortions and facet
Gus speeches of the clown and tn
horses sped round and round the tanbarl
strewn arena, and the spangles glittered
and the circus tent seemed like bit ou
of fairy land to Farmer Cheeseboro's lii
| tie children, as they sat staring in open
mouthed admiration.
"Papa !" whispered Oliver, the eldest
pluckiug at his fathers sleeve, "the Cir
Wonder is coming on next, on a milk
white pony, and she dances a polka OF
the pony's back while he's a gallopin' a
hard as ever he can go. That's what tn
bill says. Oh, ant it iollyr'
"Only eight years DID," read Josey, tn,
next, from his play-bill, Sand the admir-
alton of all the crowned heads of Europe
Oh, papa, here she comes ~
And with blare of trumpets anC
shrek of cornets, the "milk-white pony
rushed into the ring, slender chilc
her hands clasped over her head.
Once, twice the pony oareered around
the ring; the third time the little ride
lost her balance, swayed an instant oi
two, as if striving to recover it, and theI
fell heavily to the ground, striking he
head against the wooden rail of the am
phitheatre.
"Oh, papa, is she killed 2" screamed Oil
yer, standing on tiptoe, to peep over.
Hush, child; no-don't you see She.
jumping up again ?" said the farmer, who
had himself grown somewhat pale. "Bui
it was no joke of a fall, for all that.
hope she's got mother, or something, tc
cosset her up behind them there curtains. ,
he added, as the child disappeared.
disappeared.
Mr.. Cheeseboro's seat happened to be
close to the slight wooden partition which
separated the seats of the audience from
the dressing rooms of the circus company
and as he sat staring at the marvellous
tricks of the Learned Horse, shrill, half
smothered cry broke upon his ears.
"Don'ti" !" it walled, "don't beat me,
please ! l couldn't help it-indeed, indeed
| couldn'tw
an teach you to help it ~ growled a
gruf voice, and then there was the sound
of blow. Farmer Cheeseboro jumped to
his feet.
81 won't stand that :" he muttered be.
tween his teeth, and went to a side-door
he had noticed little farther back, burst
ing in upon behind the scenes" with
very little ceremony.
Here, youl" he bawled to an ilI-look-
ing man, with overhanging brows and sui
len eyes, who stood over the covering
"Girl Wonder" with uplifted hand, stop
beatin' that childw
"What for p gruffiy demanded the
man. "Wbat business is it of yours, I'd
like to know 2"
persisted Ezekiel, who was about third
larger than the circus manager. Just
stop it, say, or there'n be settlement
betwixt you and me! Don't cry, little
girl-he shsn't touch you again |"
"He'll kill me after you're gone T. vail
ed the little thing, ghastly pale beneath
her stage paint and tawdry roses. "Oh,
he'll kill me Take me with you, please
please take me with you r
Ezekiel Cheeseboro started. This was a
turn of affairs for which he was in no way
"Yes, clear out !" said the circus man
bitterly. 81 don't want any more of gal
that can't keep straight on horse! You
cost more'n you come to, and I'll be hang
sd"-only be used word several degrees
stand it any longer !"
. The child clung desperately to Cheese
boro's hand. 5 @ ~
"You'll let me stay with you? p che
pleaded.
"Yes, l will tlurted ont the farmer.
$50 come along, and you shall go home
with ne this very night"
But as he turned away the circus man
ager, who had by no means intended that
his words should be INTERCEPTED literally,
nterfered once more.
"Hold on here" be cried. "You amt
,goin' to take away my performers, l
guess, Mister The gals mine"
II am not % cried the child breathe
essly. "He is no relation to me! / am
,ot his y
.And / say you shan't have her ~
Dared the man. "Clarisette, you little
,erpent, come back here"
"No, you don'tl" said Zekiel, interpos-
ng his sturdy form between little Clari-
ettee and her prosecutor. "If there's any
question on this ere business, it's got to
,e decided in court of law"
The man drew back; evidently he had
10 desire to submit the matter to any
uch arbitration, and in the confusion in
ident to the entrance of half dozen |
,reathless performers, Ezekiel Cheeseboro
made good his escape with Clarisette, the
sirl Wonder clinging tightly to his hand.
"Let Ter CO." snarled the proprietor,
She was gettin' freaky and fighty, and l |
AN easily get another y i
How good Mrs. Cheeseboro stared that
vening when in the red glow of her huge
hickory fire, Zekiel presented the new
to her motherly love and care.
.Land alive" cried Mrs. Cheeseboro,
who is she 2" Fra ffro stn ?
'Its the Girl Wonder mother" cried Jo.l