The Van Buren press., 1903-10-10
Deadwood
BY
Charles II. Day
lCopyrgbt, 1905, by Daily Story Pub. Coz

DRYANT thought it quite funny
n when he put at the top OF
AS letterheads a stipulation in regard
10 the size of performers dressing
ruom and hotel trunks and the condl-
stems: Trunks at hotels twice
,xaek. No dogs or guns carried. No
cacadwood permitted" In spite OF
Bryants rule and resolution he did
have to carry some deadwood, and 1t
came about through tle necessity Of
Engaging an equestrienne.
Bryant had no standing in the circus
business and was despised by artists
and managers alike. Stolid and mer-
aenary, he had a cuticle like a rhinoc-
csros and when the comments of Others
,rrached his ears he laughed at the un-
complimentary criticisms. when a man
N finer feelings would have blushed
aor very shame.
One spring Bryant found himself at
- very late day minus that all impor-
aant feature, lady rider, as already
mated. Several had applied, been
turned down and put off, or, better
aaid, bluffed in tho standard Bryant
way. Now that the man was in a
winch he did not advertise or conBde
ais imperative necessity to his agents,
but doggedly declared obtusely:
THE show will 60 out, rider or no
Yider"
One afternoon he had caller. 1t
was Flora Ervine, rider OF repute and
physical charms, and to the managers
astonishment her mission was to Sc
sure an engagement
81 thought you was engaged?" said
Bryant, as soon as the visitor made
known her errand.
81 Cancelled" was the reply.
"Because?"
Because | am married"
oh, moi" exclaimed Bryant, mis-
trusting the reason Of the cancella-
sion. rs your husband In the busi-
ness?"
The equestrienne bit her lip before
she answered hesitated while Bryant
looked upon her with something be-
axeen glare and a grin:
My husband is not in the busi-
ness"
IL thought as much" blurted Bryant,
ooarsely, and then he quickly recov-
cred himself and remarked apologet-
acally: Excuse me-"
An awkward pause followed, the WIS.,
itor quietly breaking the ice anew:
81 learned that you were without a
rider and thought | would call"
The manager cut her off with the
nlunt statement;
IL don't carry any deadwood with
my trick, don't
"Deadwood!" repeated the eques-
trienne.
"Y-e-s," drawled the manager.
Dead wood, deadwood" With that
the pushed letterhead into his callers
hands. with his finger indicating the
conditions.
"Then | might as well be going"
observed the eQuestrIenne, by the
f1Wf lllHl NHf HN'l bNlN'N NV itNN ne
lad interposed request for her to
gemain:
"Wait a leetle,"
Bryant was not fool enough TO throw
away last chance, and he hastoned TO
say. with an effort to concillate:
"p'raps we might make dicker an
include the-the-er your husband;
that is, If you make the hgurt right
ltFoxy Bryant never lost sight Of the
dollar) "Twould lie nard to spoil your
honeymoon, wouldn't It? la, ha!"
kthe visitor smiled noO. Bryant
gecred and chuckled, I'm a widower,
ypu know, but never dreamt that
you had an idea OF matrimony,"
The visitor looked grave and Offend
I'D, whercat the manager ceased his
distasteful banter and proceeded TO
Fsasinsss, a deal was made, and Il is
scarcely necessary TO state that Bryant
took considerable advantage Of the
situation. As the eQuestricnne was de-
parting with her contract the manager
semarked'
81 hope that while your husband Is
With the show he will pick up some.
,hlng of the trade and not be excess
saggape all the season
when Milton Folsom came on with
Ms wife for rehcarsals be got the cold
shoulder both from the manager and
the performers, Even the animal
Keepers, grooms, canvasmcn and
'nsorbacks pointed him out az Flora
.Ifvinos dcadwood The performers
stre especially severe In their com
atntg, Said the first singing clown,
ne oracle Of the dressing.room'
why, the chappIc don't know
enough 60 even keep up her horses"
"Or groom them, added n grotcsque
sho always confirmed the oracles
Sinlona