The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1891-07-25
CHAPTER VIII,
DICKS TRASsFORMATION-HE ENCOUNTERS
ZEKE CAPER
Then they moved on.

DICKS TRANSFORMATIONS ENCOUNTERS
ZEKE CAPER
"Follow me-" said Ben as they turned
off the road When the trio met group
outside of one OF the immense tents, who
We're moving in a body to a long table
on which Dick observed great number
of tin plates and tin cups, and great
quantities of meat and bread and butter,
Ben paused.
Ladies and gentlemen" said Ben,
very deliberately, "thS is Mr. Dick, a
young gentleman who Will be my guest
for little while. He was compelled
by circumstances to sleep out last night,
which will account for his apparent neg
lect of his toilet. After breakfast he
will have more time and inclination to
personal adornmcnt
They all looked at him, but nobody
laughed.
Ben seated himself on one side of Dick,
and his wife on the other, for by this
time Dick had discovered their relation
ship. \ man served them with enor nous
tin cups full of OF ey client coffee. The
butter was excellent, there was no stint
of it, nor of the syrup There were
mere griddle cakes than Dick could ca t,
and he ha never ate such such cakes.
The meat was tender and Juicy. Ben re-
pieni~hed his plate three times, and he and
his wife ate heartily. They had enor-
nous appetitcs Dick thought there were
nearly if not quite as many there as
were in BarneSvil'e Poorhouse, but there
was enough spread before them TO suffice
for a whole day at the poorhouse A
who'c dav, Why, Mr.. Caper did not give
his people as much in two-to say moth
ing Of the quality of the victuals.
\ gentleman with a heavy ring on one
hand and red face passed by them, He
looked Sharply at DICK. ben Brown i'm
mediately spoke up.
~ guest OF mine, Mr.. BHckett."
"Oh, that's all right"
NO. it isn't. | want to talk to Won
about a business matter after breakfast 4"
Mr.. Buckett passed on, and Ben re-
sumcd his breakfast.
Ky the time breakfast was ended Dick
began tn feel at home. The strange sur
roundings and strange people occupied
his mind, but he had his wits about him.
and he was not tongue tied now.
you'll feel better when you wash
yourself. said Ben, the moment they left
the table. In give you SoaD and
towel, and you can go down to the
creek p"
Dicks visit to the creek made a great
change in him.
"Why, woula not know he was the
same boy. said Mrs. Brown. And now,
my dear, whatever rough words you
hear, don't You mind them-and don't
initiate them"
NO" said Ben stoutly. Don't you
learn to swear, | never do, and I'm
doing much hard work in Mr. Buck
ett'S circus And mnd-nobodv will
say word, or look black at you if they
know you, re my guest Double Dick
"Yes." said Mrs. Brown, "AIl you've
got 70 do is to say Ben Brown is your
friend
I'll be sure to mind" Dick replied.
Then he vcntured, as Ben had left them
alone, to ask, What does Mr.. Brown
do?n
why, he is one of the company and
SO am II
"Oh." exclaimed Dick And are these
gentlemen and ladies members, too?"
No, Only some of them. I'll point
them out 10 YOU in day or two, if you
stay with us.
"Can may | Stay?"
"Well-that depends. Can yoa ride
horsr?r
~ little used to ride the colts when
no one else could"
Then you are not afraid of horses.
That's good "
Isis this a cirtus-was that a cir
Gus beside the tab'c?"
BLESS you. no. child. That was the
kitchen. This is one Of the living tents.
the big tent has gone ahead All the
things are on the road for the tent.
These are just for the keepers, these
tents and the riders. 1t will be moved
Just a soon as the order is given You
see, We have had 4 hard time OF il for a
month, and As We haven't far II go to-
day, We are taking il easy this morning
Sometimes We are up a. four in the morn
ing"
That's earlier than we get up at the
poorhouSe.
as it? What place to live But if
We're you, III never mention the poor
it
I'll mind,' said Dick. who thought
Mrs Brown very kind indeed
How strange that you never saw a
circus, child.
I've heard of them.7
~Well-youH see one before two
o'clock"
There was hurrying 10 and fro now:
| the orders had been given 10 strike the
tents. and mount Dick was amazed to
see how quickly the tents toppled in, and
/ were packed in the wagons. Then the
riders were addressed by man with a
keen pair of black eyes, who shouted:
Now, ladies and gentlemen. look
lively. Ten minutes TO dress.
~See here. what vii we do with this
kidd" said Ben suddenly. as he came
upon them.
Il tell you what, Ben. Go 10 old
Blind. and get costume for him
Dick was plunged into amazement too
great for words Were they going 10
make a rider of him?
Ben returned Immediately. spoke to
his wife aside. and she laughed. He
could oyerhear them.
HE looks aS much like girl as boy
He's too small for a mans dress. any
how.
-All right, Ben"
Mrs Brown scurried away. and re
turning with bundle, handed it TO her
husband.
There You dress him, and put
something on his face. Ben
Dick followed Ben wonderingly II a
tent where he found dozen men. some
half dressed, others just preparing 10