The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1903-12-29
Deadwood
Charles II. Day
reoDgrishs, 100, b Daily story Tab- o.


BRYANT thought it quite funny
T when he put at the top Of
las Ietterheads stipulation in regard
to the size Of performers dressing
room and hotel trunks and the co1di-
tons: Trunks at hotels twice a
week. No dogs OF guns carried No
deadwood permitted" IN spite Of
Bryant's rule and resolution he did
have to carry some deadwoOd. and It
came about through lle necessity Of
engaging an equestrienne.
Bryant had no standing in the circus
business and was despised by artists
and managers alike StoIid and mer-
cenary, he had a cuticle like a rhinOc-
eros and when the comments OF others
reached his ears he laughed at the IN
complimentary criticisms. when man
OF finer feelings would have blushed
for very shame
One spring Bryant found himself at
a very late day minus that all impor-
tant feature. lady rider. as already
stated. Several had applied. been
turned down and put on, or, better
said, bluffed in the standard Bryant
way. Now that the man was in a
pinch he did not advertise OF confide
his imperative necessity TO his agents,
but doggedly declared obtuseIy:
The show viii go out. rider or no
rider"
One afternoon he had a caller. It
was Flora Ervine. a rider Of repute and
physical charms. and to the managers
astonishment her mission was TO Sc
cure an engagement
4 thought you was engaged?" said
Bryant. as soon as the visitor made
known her errand.
4 cancelled" was the reply.
'.Beeause?"
Because l am married"
"Oh. ho!" exclaimed Bryant. mis-
trusting the reason Of the cancella-
ton. Is your husband in the bust
ness?"
The equestrienne bit her lip before
she answered. hesitated while Bryant
looked upon her with something be-
tween q glare and a grin:
My husband is not in the bust
ness"
Il thought as much" blurted Bryant,
coarsely, and then ne quickly recov-
cred himself and remarked apologet-
icalIy: Excuse me"
An awkward pause followed. the Wis
itor quietly breaking the ice anew:
Il learned that you were without
rider and thought would call"
The manager cut her OF with the
blunt statement:
Il don't carry any deadwood with
my trick, don't"
'Deadwoodl" 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 1 might as well be going"
observed the equestrienne. BY the
time that she had gained her feet he
had interpOsed a request for her to
remain:
Wait leetle"
Bryant was not fool enough to throw
away last chance. and he FASTENED to
say. with an effort to conciliate:
'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
dollarl 'TwOuld lie hard TO spoil your
honeymoon. wouldn't it? Ha. ha!"
(the visitor smiled not. Bryant
leered and ehuekled. I'm widower.
you know, but never dreamt that
You had an idea OF matrinony."
The visitor looked grave and offend
ed, whereat the manager ceased his
distasteful banter and proceeded To
business. q deal was made. and il 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 will pick up some
thing of the trade and not be excess
baggage all the season.
When Milton Folsom came on with
his wife for rehearsals be got the cold
shoulder both from the manager. and
the performers Even the animal
keepers, grooms. eanvasmen and
raEorbacks pointed him out as Flora
Ervine's deadwood, The performers
were especially severe in their com
ments. Said the first singing clown.
the oracle Of the dressing-room;
Why. the ehappie don't know
enough TO even keep up her horses"
Or groom them" added a grotesque
who always confirmed the oracle's
opinions