The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1891-08-29


Ben turned to the ringmaster as lie
he spoke.
Curly is down"
"What. Not hurt l hope"
"Cant tell-he was Internally awk-
ward His own fault" growled Mitchell
THAT isn't true, Mitchell, and you
know it. Curly is as careful as any
man in the company. But | warned you
no. to try that devil until some of Us
took her in hand. She has bad repu-
tation."
"lou are always kicking. Blown.
"And I've good cause to-"
you'd do more nearly right II you d
help straighten the ring up"
Il can do that. too. f."
Il wish you'd do it then" Mitchell
sncered.
"Certa My. Why, of course. Here"
shouted the clown to i. man who was
handling a spirited black mare.
bring Bess here quick"
"What are you going TO do, Brown"
"keep the ring full"
with Black Bess?"
with this mare"
Mitchell laughed.
"Why-every woman is getting ready
to go on in the gypsy race.
81 know that"
"Then who"
But Mitchell paused as Ben turned
quickly 20 Dick, and catching his foot
as the black mare was brought to his
side, uttered the single word, mount"
Dick felt himself shaken, but the man
and Ben held the mare firmly. Mitchell
stared with all his might.
$50 on: I'll zee the gap is filed: have
the band play lively, and I'll keep them
occupied with Dick till the next act is
ready"
Mitchell ran into the ring, and Dick
smiled down at the clown, saying:
"Don't think I'm afraid"
aft you are she'll throw you. Here.
The clown put a whip in Dicks hand.
81 know her. Hit her with all your
might If she throws her heels up: give
it to her on her rump anywhere, and
I'll be there you bet. Don't be alarmed
Now, get ready to rush in! eady-there
they come off. Now"
Dick never forgot that short. sharp
"Now,' The ring was cl"ar when he
dashed in, with the Gown hawling at
his heels. The band played lively. the
black mare few once round the ring, then,
holding down her head, was preparing to
raise her hee's, when whish! whish, the
whip cut her flank. The black mare
stretched out her neck instantly, and
gave terrific bound
The crowd looked on in fear: u muir
muir ran around the multitude as Dick
teE round the ring. lie held his place
firmly, and cut the mare again. On re-
twicc-ayc, ten or twelve times she few
around the ring, shaking her beautiful
head, and still the whip descended
Men, women, and children-all there
saw it was contest for supremacy, but
the rider won. The mare slackened her
pace OF her own accord, ambled gently
around the ring twice, then detected to
the center, and stood trembling
double Dick, you're brick."
The clowns eyes sparkle with pleas
ure as he patted Dicks hand
II didn't think there was so much
stuff in you, little one. This is a
clinchcr on Mitchell. Bucket will be
too glad to take you on my terms and
they'll be high enough. you bet
The crowd cheercd and cheered, until
+. Dick blushed To be the hero of the
hour. to hear the plaudits of ten thou
sand people was enough to thrill-to
turn the head of men who had fought
great battles.
As he was led out of the ring, the
clown at his heels, BuCkett followed
both into the green-room.
That was fine -iinc-fine.
"Yes, it was" said Ben.
"Now, Dick, skip over to my trunk and
get your own toggrry on, then you can
come into thu tent and see the remainder
of the show.
Then Bucket and the clown talked
anart few minutes; when Dick looked
again the clown and owner had disap-
pcared-he heard peal of laughter, then
a tremendous c.apping of hands, ard he
knew Ben was in the ring again.
Before he entered the tent, two of the
female riders passed him. One glanced
at him scornfully-the other took his
hand and said with a smile:
However did you do it-why YOU are
Just wonderful"
And a little later, the clowns wife
tapped h m on the arm as he sat near
the entrance TO the green-room, all eyes
and ears.
Dick. you are dear boy"
That was glory enough for one day
glory enough for year-Dick said to
/ himself "a he looked at the antics of the
/ clown, who exoelled in grace, supp'enesS,
and strength all the other men in the
ring What they did he clumsily imi-
tated-then excelled with an ease that
excited great wonder, which was ey.
! pressed in loud laughter and much clap
ping OF hands