The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-02

tnefl, lllllilS liS Siil-euSce
cane, poked me with an air of friend
ly vulgarity in the ribs. Then / re-
cognized him. It was old Jimmy Mer-
rion, a man with whom I had once
toured, many years before, when I
was beginner, ready to snap at any
thing, and he was running a blood
curdling melodrama.
Poor old Jimmy! lie was a typical
showman--loudly dressed, very shiny
silk hat, slightly tilted clean shaven,
bright. twinllling eyes and nose
which illustrated its own story in COL
ors. I think he had managed every
kind OF entertainment in every part
of the globe-plays. circuses, lectures,
(religious, scientific and comic),
freaks, "portables" dissolving views
and performing dogs He had all the
itinerant showmans bounce and swag-
ger, he was by trade something Of a
fraud, he knew all the usual lodges
of his business and had one or two
favorite wrinkles of his own, and at
the bottom Of his heart he was
good hearted, plucky old boy, who had
made fortunes for others and ruined
himself.
you bounder!" he roared, bolster
you? What are you going to have?"
We shook hands, and I glanced
questioningly at the young lady by his
side.
"You know her." ne shouted; don't
to give sweets to and tell her fairy
tales?"
"Why, bless my SOUL" I exclaimed.
= ;cn' 10 Ia
Are you Mr.. Berasford?" she said,
eagerly, with a flash of recognition.
And remember that she colored with
pleasure, and a small, firm hand,
caught mine with womanly grip
which have never forgotten.
She had been a little 3-year-old
when was about 20, and we had been
inseparabe chums during the six
months 1 worked with old Jimmy.
That she should have developed into
this radiant creature. with perfect
manners and style, in the teeth of
such rough-andt life, was lit
tie less than miracle. But learned 1
afterward that old Jimmy. in spite of
innumerable reverses OF fortune, had
contrived to keep her at a first-class
boa. ling school, and some Unborn
good breeding of her own had done
the rest.
Although she was always known as
Maidie Merrion, she was not Jimmv's
daughter. He had married her mother,
who had once been prominent Lon
don actress. when Maide was an in
fant. Mrs. Merrions professional name
was Ada Sinclair, but there appeared
to be some mystery concerning her first
husband, and beyond the fact that he
was Mr.. Douglas nothing was known
of him. Mrs Merrion had been dead
some fifteen years, and old Jimmy had
been a father to his wifes little orphan
ever since.
We had long talk. Poor old Jimmy
to use his own eXpresslon-was near
ly ION his uppers." He was running q
tenth-rate trades and cycle exhibition |
without sufficient capital. and the |
sleepy town of Norford had not re-
sponded to his call.
1--WE tried all the wheezes, dear boy" |
he said. dolefully, but it's no good.
They won't come in
when doe; the exhibition close?" I |
asked.
''At the end of next week. We are
not taking 40 shilling day, including
side shows, and the expenses are ESQ |
q week"
What are you going to do?"
II shall hang on here until the last |
possible minute" he whispered, "and |
then we must make bolt for it. I |
can't pay up, because l haven't flyer
left"
There was moments uncomfort-