Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-02-27

and so on from rlght and lett and leit
and right to the top ring and down
again. 1t was pretty feat, and, per,
haps, no harder than any other of the
flying tricks, but it nee1el clear head,
and the trouble was that Ted had got
into a dreamy mood. He was so home
sick nowadays for the farm aud for the
different life He liked better to brood
over the idea of the bees humming over
the flower beds and the doves and mar
tins calling for the cows than to give his
whole heart and mind to the actual
things he saw and touched.
However, practice makes perfect, and
lay the time the new season opened in
Brightown Ted had mastered the ring
trek. There was famous programme,
and Ted had six different parts; in the
Indian act, the buffalo hunt, the chariot
race, and SO on, finally to the wonderful
ring trick, now exhibited for the first
time. The excitement was good for Ted.
The dull, weary feelings he had suffered
from of late vanished, his blood warmed
to his wish, he liked the mad gallop, he
felt the joy of his own youth and strength
and was ready to take wings and float in
air. The tent was packed with admir-
ing spectators, and all the performers
were in high spirits. The ringmaster
and clown cracked fresh jokes, at which
even the members of the company could
laugh The horses were like the wind,
the performing dogs and elephants aud
bears all seemed singularly intelligent,
ane altogether it was one of the great
days of the greatest show in the universe,
and the ''ring trick was to be the grand
climax.
"All ri2ht2" said old Benny to Tel as
the little fellow ran out of the dressing
tent in his scarlet tights and cap.
He stood for a moment measuring the
supports and frames with a knowing
glance, then, with bound, caught the
lowest ring, spun round, and light as
squirrel leaped to the opposite one and
thus zigzagging mounted to the upper
ring Here, just to rest and steady him.
self, he swung round twice, then reversed
before he should begin the descent. He
liked it up there. A cold breath of air
freshened him. The middle flap of the
tent was open for the sake of ventilation
and light, and as he swung he caught
glimpse of the sky dotted with tender,
fleecy little clouds, like sheep in pas
ture, as his mother once said. His
thoughts wandered to the farm for a
minute, then he suddenly remembered
what he had to do; yes, he had to re-
verse. He quite forgot that he had al
ready reversed. What was this2 Where
was the ring2 How still it was! How
cool! Who was it gave sharp crg2
What was the roar2 Not of wild beasts,
but of men and women. Oh, that crash
the end of the world must have come.
'I'm not hurt" said Ted, Greatly Pm
notp'
Then he tainted away aud was carried
out in old Benny's arms. Word was
passed round that the boy was not hurt,
and the show went on to its close, al
though all the performers were Hurried
and everything went badly.
TED had broken no bones, strange to
say he had fallen on the cushion, yet
somehow he was hurt and badly hurt.
Nobody quite knew why they were afrai l
it was his back. Days came and went,
and he lay on his little bed holding his
mothers hand.
81 couldn't get up today" he would
mutter III alarm when anybody came
near him, "but I'm getting rested and
perhaps by tomorrow"
He was so used to playing his parts
that he was ashamed thus to lie and eat
the bread of idleness. But he and old
Benny used to plan the wonderful feats
he would accomplish as soon as he got
we'll. Yet it was soon understood that
he would never regain his old powers.
s'You see," the doctor said, she is
shattered His age is in his favor, and
if he could have good home in the
country"
'He shall have home in the coun-
try" said old Benny, and he did not
lose an houi. He set off to Mrs. Lie
wellen's old home, he saw her father and
mother and pleaded Ted's case with
them, but he did not need to plead long.
Ted had his first glimpse of the house
and the river and the road within a
week. The sight of it brought color to
his cheek and the light to his eye.
"Why, mother" he cried, raising
himself up. at paid 1t paid to have
the fall. Perhaps we couldn't have come
home if [ had not been laid up
Courier Journal.