The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1898-10-22

to live OF if l lose my job. 1t amt easy
to get another position as trainer.
It's more'n l can stand"
There were tears trickling down the
mans cheek, and the boy tried to con-
sole him.
1T might not be so bad as that" be
said Maybe the other man wo~:t
suit"
You don't knowthemanager. When
he's set on takin' a man he'll take him.
He's got hold of some good trainer, an
he knows Il good thing when he sees it.
And do you know. Drifter, youllhaveto
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"
Mr.. Tempster said. You've been a
good helper, an I'll try t. get the new
man to take you. think he will. I'll
try it,"
Thank you, Mr.. Tempster," Drifter
said, with a little guIp in his throat.
Il wish l had somebody to speak for
me; but there amt anybody whowould
take the trouble"
Yes, there is" the boy replied,
quickly.
Who"
Then, seeing Drifter's earnastness,
he added, with a smile:
Yes, | know you would, Drifter;
but I'm afraid the manager wouldn't
consider it of much account"
We'll see. never met the
until he had left"
Ii was a solemn afternoon in the big
menagerie tent. Mr.. Tempster went
about his duties with Il sad, detected
cOuntenance, and Drifter was almost
as quiet and serious in his demeanor.
lie asked for leave of absence at four
o'clock, and then did not appear again
that evening.
We'll, the boy deserves a vacation"
the trainer said, as he prepared the
animals for the ring, and III gladly
do his work for him tonight. Maybe
it will be my last chance"
lie 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
as 10 exhibit with new animals with
out seeing them beforehand,
Nevertheless, the time came for
sending them into the ring. lie drove
them in and placed them in their po-
s%itions. Then he waited FOR develop
ments.
Suddenly from one of the side doors
emerged the new performer, and,
walking lightly toward the center
IF the big tent. he made Il low
obcisance TO the audience. There was
loud applause, for it could be seer that
he was only a boy.
Mr.. Tempster looked for a minute at
his rival and theT muttered aloud:
"Driftcr,"
The gong changed out notice for OPP
erations to begin. Drifter led out Sly,
the leopard, and started to make him
jump through a hoop. The animal
made a clean leap, and returned to his
position. Then the perform
er spoke sharply to him. and rolled n
barrel into the ring. accompanying the
action with a sharp snap of his whip
on the leopard's nose.
The animal jumped back with a
snarl and refused to be pacified. Drift
er ordered and threatened. but the
animal became unruly, and had to be
taken III 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 I'M
Picking up an iron hook he
prodded the surly animal with it. The
elephant screamed with pain, and
around the ring like an angry
bull.
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
ih OIN0iN' DIlAlNl JAIN " lit tltHS- .
ing-rOOm. Mr.. Tempster was called to
the excited animals and make
hem go through their performance as
usual.
When :he circus closed at midnight, !
The trainer looked in vain among the
for Drifter. 1t was an hour be-
he found him. curled up on a
reap of blankets. The boy had been
Mr.. Tempster looked at him
l moment. and then said brokenly. as
ne lifted the boy up:
II saw it all: l saw it all. 1t was
of you; but it must have been
lard-very hard"
The boy gave vent to a sob.
II shall never forget it, Drifter. an
wouldn't have permitted it if it hadn't
for my wife and four children.
said to myself that l needed the po-
ition more than you did, an Will
Keep quiet"
He wound his arm around the boy,
nd continued:
You'll get a position some day as
performer. an then you'll show them
What 0 can do"
al -, l-.- D- AT