The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1903-11-07

Il wish" she sighed, chat could
see myself as others see me-

see myself as others see me"
10 ron, s2S,53s 2,5s replied her fond friend.
tons "Trnnks Z, saed 70 let well
week. No dogs or guns carried ls6
.deadwood permitted In spite OF
Bryants rule and resolution he did
have to carry some deadwoOd, and it
came about through tae necessity of
engaging an equestvienne.
Bryant had no standing in the circus
business and was despised by artists
and managers alike. Stolid and mer-
cenary, he had cuticle like rhinoc-
eros and when the comments Of others
reached his ears he laughed at the un-
complimentary criticisms, when man
of liner feelings would have bIushed
for very shame
One spricg Bryant found himself at
a very late day minus that an impor-
tant feature, a lady rider, as already
stated Several had appliea, been
turned down and put of, or better
said, bluffed in tho standard Bryant
way Now that the man was in a
pinch he did not advertise or confide
his imperative necessity to his agents,
but doggedly declared obtusely:
The show will go out, rider or no
xider
One afternoon he had caller. It
was Flora Ervine, rider of reputs and
physical charms, and to the managers
establishment her mission was to Sc
cure an engagement.
I thought you was engaged?" said
Bryant. as soon as the visitor made
known her errand.
4 cancelled" was the reply.
''Because?"
Because / am married.
"Oh, ho!" exclaimed Bryant, mis-
trusting the reason of the cancella-
tion. Is your husband in the busi-
uess?'
The equestrienne bit her lip before
she answered, hesitated while Bryant
looked upon her with something be-
tween a glare and grin:
MY husband is not in the bust
ness"
II thought as much, blurted Bryant,
coarsely, and then he quickly recoy-
cred himself and remarked apologet-
ically: Excuse me-"
An awkward pause followed, the Yis-
dtor quietly breaking the ice anew:
Il learned that you were without a
rider and thought / would call"
The manager cut her off with the
blunt statement:
I don't carry any deadwOod with
my trick, don't"
''Deadwood!" repeated the eques-
trienne.
Yes" drawled the manager.
"Dead-wood, deadwood!" With that
he pushed letterhead into his callers
hands, with his finger indicating the
conditions.
Then might as well be going, .
observed the equestrienne. By the
time that she had gained her feet he
had interposed request for her to
remain:
"Wait leetle."
Bryant was not fool enough to throw
away last chance, and ne hastened to
say, with an effort to cnnciliate:
P'raps we might make a dicker an
Include the-the-er your husband;
that is, If you make the figure right.
(Foxy Bryant never lost sight OF the
,dollar) 'Twould lie nRrd to spoil your
honeymoon, wouldn't it? Ha. hal"
Cthe visitor smiled not). Bryant
leered and chuclled. 'I'm a widower,
you know, but I never dreamt that
YOU had an idea Of matrimony."
The visitor looked grave and offend
ed. whereat the manager ceased his
,distasteful banter and proceeded to
business, a deal was made, and it is
scarcely. necessary to state that Bryant
took considerable advantage of the
situation. AS the equestrienne was de-
parting with her contract the manager
remarked; .
Il hope that while your husband is
with the show he viii pick up some
thing Of the trade and not be excess
baggage all the season.
When Milton Folsom came on viii