The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-12-08

49, AAik ~ NV W ~ Oa9 ~ AhaSy hO
said Maybe the other man won't
suit." ..
"You don't know the manager. When
he's set on takin' man he'll take him.
He's got hold of some good trainer. an
he knows q good thing when he seesit.
And do you know. Drifter, you'll have.o
go, too, for l, and not the manager.
employ you?"
The boys face flushed. and his eyes
dropped before the trainers steady
gaze.
But I'll speak a good word for you."
MIR. Tempster said. you've been a
good helper, an I'll try to get the new
man to take you. think he will. I'll
try it,"
Thank you, MIR. Tempster," Drifter
said. with little gulp in his throat.
II wish l had somebody to speak for
me; but there amt anybody who would
take the trouble"
Yes. there is" the boy replied.
quickly.
"WhoT
Ihen, seeing Drifter's earnestness,
he added, with smile:
"Yes. know Tou would, Drifter;
but I'm afraid tlN manager wouldn't
consider it Of much account"
We'll see. Inever met the manager
but once, an then didn't know him
until he had left"
1t was a solemn afternoon in the big
menagerie tent. Mr.. Tempster went
about his duties with a sad, detected
countenance, and Drifter was almost
us quiet and serious in his demeanor.
He asked for leave OF absence at four
o'clock, and then did not appear again
that evening.
We'll, the boy deserves vacation"
the trainer said, as he prepared the
animals for the ring, "and III gladly
do his work for him tonight. Maybe
1t will be my last chance"
He wondered why the new trainer
did not appear. He would certainly
want to familiarize himself with the
animals that were to perform tricks
for him. No man would be such a fool
us to exhibit with new animals with
out seeing them beforehand!
Nevertheless, the time came for
sending them into the ring. He drove
them in and placed them in their po-
sitions. Then he waited for develop
ments.
Suddenly from one Of the side doors
emerged the new performer. and,
walking lightly toward the center
Of the big tent. he made low
obcisance to the audience. There was
loud applause, for it could be seen that
he was only boy.
Mr.. Tsmpster looked for minute at
his rival and then muttered aloud:
"Drifter!"
The gong changed out notice for op-
erations to begin. Drlfter led out Sly.
the leopard, and started to make him
Jump through a hoop. The animal
made a clean leap, and returned to his
former position. Then the perform
er spoke sharply to him, and rolled
barrel into the ring. accompanying the
action with a sharp snap Of his whip
on the leopard's nose.
The animal jumped back with q
snarl and refused to be pacified. Drift
er ordered and threatened, but the
animal became urruly. and had to be
taken out of the ring.
Next the boy snapped his whip close
to Toms trunk, and ordered the big
elephant to dance. But the beady eyes
snapped, and the trunk swayed un-
easily. Picking up an iron hook he
prodded the surly animal with il. The
elephant screamed with pain. and
raced around the ring like m angry
bull.
something seemed to be in he an
Imals that night which made them ig-
more the boys orders. Even his pet
fox performed its tricks indifferently,
Drifter repeatedly boxed its
ears to liven 1t up little.
After 20 minutes OF desperate la
Dor, the whole menagerie was involved
In difficulties, and there was danger
Of an uproar. The people began to
grow anxious and excited. Then the
manager stepped down from his box
and ordered Drifter back to the dress
ing-room. Mr.. Tempster was called to
subdue the excited animals and make
them go through their performance as
usual.
When the circus closed at midnight.
the trainer looked in vain among the
cages for Drifter. 1t was an hour be-
fore he found him, curled up on a
heap Of blankets. The boy had been
crying Mr.. Tempster looked at him
a moment, and then said brokenly, az
he lifted the boy up:
81 saw it all; I saw 1t all. 1t was
noble Of you; but it must have been
hard-very hard"
The boy gave vent to sob.
Il shall never forget II, Drifter, an
wouldn't have permitted it if it hadn't
been for my wife and four children.
said to myself that l needed the po-
sition more than you did, an will
keep quiet"
He wound bis arm aroupd fhe hov