The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-11-07

the coveted reward of sphinx-like silence on the part of Billy Bedapple.
 It has doubtless been noticed by the reader that the natural bent of the bud ding mind of Judson Pettigrew was in the direction of natural history. With the possible exception of the freckle- faced girl, in animal pets he found the supreme joy of his youth. He was liberal and admiring patron of the circus, and of the horse, horsy. And his passion for the sports of the sawdust ring and the iron lair of the wild beast of the jungle had grown with his growth and strengthened with his strength until now it was mak. ing fearful inroads upon the supply o pocket-money which he regarlarly drew at the cashiers desk at his father's store
 It had been the bright dream of hi: youth to own a controlling interest in 6 menagerie and circus. He reckone d Messrs. Bailey and Hutchinson as inti. mate friends, had even written a long yearning letter to P. T. Barnum and stood in solid with Burr Robblns and the Forepaugh boys.
 One day Mrs. Pettigrew met her bus, band at the door with an anxious expres- sion clouding her precise, regular feat. ures. Peletiah observed it and inquired
 "What's up p
 "Judsoo has brought home to d,nneI a couple of disreputable circus men they are in the parlor now filling hi: head with all kinds of nonsense and horse lingo"
 "Oh, well, my dear, don't beiiev, they will do him any particular harm respectable looking enough, ain't they ?
 "Their personal appearance is not SC much against them; in fact, they are rather gorgeously attired, and they both know enough to use the cuspidor"
 "All right; go in and have a look a lem after bathe; l don't mind little intercourse myself with people little ou of the common line. You know thest theatre and circus folks live in different world than ours"
 While this conversation vas taking place in the hallway, Judson and his two friends, advance agents for rival circuses were comporting themselves with careles. and enjoyable freedom in the parlor.
 "Now, Calkins," said Judson, evidently struck with happy thought, " want you ana Spigott, here. when the gc*e. nor comes in, to give him breeze-,ouct him up with racket about the circa. business that he won't be liable to forge in hurry"
 Something about the lady riders, eh The daring and dashing and beau,iiu equestrienne, Donna
 Well, no, not exactly that it wouldn' quite do, you know; but anything abou the animals goes"
 To this conversation Judson barely hac time to add few sapient winks befor, the room was frightened by the presence of Mir and Mrs. Pettigrew, the latter in troducing her husband to Messrs Calkin: and Spigou.
 ." suppose" said the amiable Peletiah that you gentlemen are now enjoying the acme of the tenting season, as i were9"
 We'll, yes," answered the fluent Cal. kins, " our show is performing to good business this season-be,ter, in fact, tha last. How is it with your people, Spis- ott ?"
 "We don't whine, bu. our expenses arc pretty middlin' heavy, being an all-rai show, and getting no chance to slip into any of the side towns where competition hasn't worn the amusement.loving ha,l all off,"
 The broad doorway was at that mo. ment partially filled by Janet, who an nounced to the mortified Mrs. Pettigre~ the Rev. Polemical Onslar ght, pastor o the Pettigrew's own and only church There was no dodging the issue of the hour; the Rev. Onslaught must be brought in ; must be asks d to remain to dipner, and, indeed, he immediately came in himself, without putting the Pet. tigrew family to the trouble of bringing him in. He uod very closely upon the heels of Janet. There was brief, awk- ward silence, and then the Messrs. Cal kins and Spigott were introduced to the Rev. Polemical Onslaught. Dinner was soon announced and the ill as sorted com pany repaired to the dining-room. True 10 the arrangement made with Judson the circus men commenced to exert them selves in the way of entertaining Peletiah