Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-06-16
DICK TO PAUL,
In grateful remembrance.

Paul wore this ring in sickness and star
walton. in trouble and danger all through
that eventful trip until he was safe HON,
again. And he wears it to this day, al
though the donor has long since lain at res
beneath the tropic skies OF South America
| a victim of a broken cable and his own te
merity.
1t was the last day of Paurs appearance,
in tights and spangles. for Dick was to re
sumo his duties on the morrow. Sitting or
a bale of hay out in the menaeerie tent tht
lad was cogitating upon his next move. To
return to the drudgery OF old Props
rule was too distasteful after the glitter and
glare of the ring, and the offer OF peddlins
popcorn, peanuts, and the clowns song
books was not at all to his fancy. Circus
life, in fact, was beginning to pail on him
when an incident occurred which thorough
ly settled the question in his mind and left
nc hesitating doubts.
1t happened in this wise. The boss host.
ler," a man of powerful physique but with
most ungovernable temper. had accused
Paul several times. of carrying cigarettes
over to the horse tent to give to one of the
hostlers, haIf-breed Maori to whom the
lad had taken a great fancy. This was
true. but when Texas, which was the
hostler'S nickname, swore the boy smoked
them around the hay and abetted the Maori
in breaking the rules, the youngster hotly
resented the charge. and called on the half
breed to prove that he never smoked either
in Or out Of the tent.
"Oh. he's just as big a liar as you are "
sEarlei Texas
you wouldn't say that twice IL L were a
man, "retorted Paul savagely.
Bah! You're a kid, and the nigger's a
fool. After this just keep out of my quar-
ters or it'll be the worse for you." and the
surly brute STROBE off
Furious. but poweriess. Paul turned &c
Pete" the half-breed. whose coal-black
eyes shone with suppressed rage.
Il kin that devil some day." he Kissed
IF he no let me be; hate him"
Soothing the Maori with a few well
chosen words, the boy quilted the tent and
returned to the dressing room to get ready
for the evening performance-his last ap-
pearance.
Two hours later. his act over, he heard
Texas Safeguarding his hostlers for some
fancied slight in adjusting the pads on the
riding horses, and just as he was slipping
into his street clothes another wave of pro-
family f1oatei across the intervening space
the intensity of which proved that Texas
was in a towering passion.
Fearful that the Maori was getting into
trouble, and with vague notion of avert
ing some possible calamity. Paul hastily
drew on his coat. wrapped a piece of spare
canvas about his head and shoulders as a
Partial protection from the pouring rain.
and darted outside the dressing room across
to the horse tent.
He arrived just In time to see Texas nick
UP an empty bucket and bring it down with
& IL his might on Petes head The vvick.,
"A
the Maori's skull. Howling with rage and
pain the half-breed seized a heavy IRON
bound stakepin that lay at his feet and be-
fore any one could divine his Intentions or
stay his hand the murderous billet de-
scended with terrific force on the circus
mans right temple. and Texas dropped like
a log. Not contented with this the Maori
repeated the blows again and again, and
before assistance arrived the position OF
boss hostler in the great American consol-
dated arenas stood temporarily vacant
Without an instants delay the era zed
half-breed jumped across the body of his
victim, darted into a vacant stall, lifted the
flap of the tent, and disappeared in the
black, pelting storm.
But Paul had no heart for the circus after
that. He had been an accidental witness
OF the fearful tragedy, powerless to prevent
1t, too Mortified to speak or move a step,
| and yet he accused himself of participating
In the crime because he had lacked presence
of mind to cry out to the Maori to desist.
He did not realize. poor lad. that il was a
demon, not a human, which possessed the
falf-breed in those brief moments and
that he might Just as well have tried TO
| stop the bowling of the north wind. For
| two days longer he stayed with the troupe,
| and then went to the red wagon, drew
| what little salary was due him, babe good
] bye to his friends and left the circus for
| ever.
Go be continued