The Hope pioneer., 1898-12-08
For moment Drifter's face blanched
ihite, as terrible suspicion entered

L We Oeen neglect1ul, Out they mlgnt
have given me warning. I've wife and
four chilren and they'll have nothing
to live on if lose my job. 1t amt easy
to get another position as trainer.
It's more'n l can stand"
There were tears tricAling down the
mans cheek, and the boy tried to con-
sole him.
1T might not be SO bad as that he
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, IN
he knows good thing when he sees it.
And do you know. Drifter, you'll have t o
go, too. for 1, and not the manager,
employ you?"
The boys face flushed, and his eyes
dropped before the trainers steady
gaze.
But I'll speak good word for you,' ~
Mr.. Tempster said. You've been a
good helper, an I'll try to get the new
man to take you. think he will. Ill
try it."
Thank you, Mr.. Tempster," Drifter
said, with little gulp in his throat.
II wish had somebody to speak for
me; but there amt any bod y VIII o would
take the trouble"
Yes, there is," the boy replied,
quickly.
"Who?"
Then, seeing Drifter's earnestness,
he added, with 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 manager
but once, an then didn't know him
until he had left"
1t was solemn afternoon in the hig
menagerie tent. Mr.. Tempster went
about his duties with sad, detected
countenance, and Drifter was almost
as 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
it 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 fool
as 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.
W walking lightly toward the center
cf the big tent, he made Il low
obeisance to the audience. There was
loud applause, for it could be seen that
he was only boy.
Mr.. Tetnpster looked for a minute at
his rival and then muttered aloud:
"Drifter!"
Yes, it was Drifter. clad in all the
gay apparel of circus performer. As
he approached the animals, they turned
instinctively toward him, and seemed
to give him a welcome.
The gong changed out notice for op.
erations to begin. Drifter led out Sly,
the leopard. and started to make him
jump through hoop. The animal
made 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 sharp snap of his whiE
on the leopard's nose.
The animal jumped back with
snarl and refused to be pacifed. Drift.
er ordered and threatened. but the
animal became unruly, 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 ewes
snapped. and the trunk swayed un.
easily. Picking up an iron hook he
prodded the surly animal with it. The
elephant screamed with pain, and
raced around the ring like an angry
bull
Something seemed to be in the an.
jmals that night which made them ig.
more the boys orders. Even his pet
fox performed its tricks indifferently.
Drifter repeatedly boxed its
ears to iiven it up little.
After 20 minutes of desperate la.
Dor, the whole menagerie was involved
in difficulties, and there was DANCE,
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.. Tempstcr was called to
subdue the excited animals and make
them go through their performance az
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 broke My, al
he lifted the boy up:
II saw it all; saw it all. 1t was
noble of you; but it must have been
hard-very hard"
The boy gave vent to sob.
II shall never forget it, Drifter. an
wouldn't have permitted it if it hadn't
been for my wife and four children.
1 said to myself that needed the po-
sition more than you did, an l will
keep quiet"
He wound his arm around the bcy,
and continues:
you'll get position some day as
performer, an then you'll show them
what you can do"
ut isn't that" Drifter sobbed. II
didn't want the position, when found
they had to turn you out. But tit