The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-03-05
CHAPTER VIII.

",e "eh. Even the Encouragement or
Signor Vizzobini had not aroused the To-
cality to enthusiasm. 1t was a terribly
dull evening, even for the Sake Gotha.
Reuben Culwick discovered, when he h ad
entered for the second time on what the
program informed him was a fairy tab
leau of surprising brilliancy and splen-
dor.
1t was more respectable evening than
ordinary. owing to the scanty attendance.
MIR. Splud. lessee. counted fifty-two
with the babies in arms. Reuben stood
under shady tree, an old blue Scotch
cap drawn down to his eyebrows. and a
waterproof coat turned up to his ears.
Mr.. Splud mixed in a friendly way with
the company. He was tall. lank man,
OF a melancholy aspect. He finally took
his stand under the tree where Reuben
was.
This is bad night for our business
sir" he said at last
$50 | should think" answered Reuben
Rain always keeps the people away;
no matter what you offer them in the way
of attraction-they won't come, SIR
Here the eyes remained so long in the
corners next to Reubens that Reuben
was afraid that Mr. Splud's vision had
become permanently fixed
Il have seen you somewhere, and that
is what bothers me Bit" said MIR.
Splud. by way of apology.
Reuben did not tell him that he was
lodging next door but two. and that they
had passed each other in the street with
tolerable frequency: but the idea had sug-
tal
his own account. when q third person
joined them. The newcomer was Il small,
spare men. in long. seedy great coat
with big horn buttons. extending from
his chin to his heels. and who wore a
dirty yellow handkerchief tied loosely
round his throat. He was 4 man of an
unearthly pallor, and pitted so deeply
with smallpox that one wondered how he
had ever struggled out of his malady
alive.
You don't want me tonight. sup
pose?'' he said to the proprietor.
Yes, do want you. Because | pay
you" said Mr.. Splud. sharply: you don't
want your money next Saturday. | sup
pOse?" he asked. with so much biting
sarcasm.
Yes, | dO-and I'll take care get it. y
said the other, far from civilly. "along
with last weeks What's the use Of
dressing up and parforming in the bless
ed rain before nobody? There's nobody
here. there's nobody coming. and it's n
| heastly shame on me.
"If | have the honor Of addressing
Signor Vizzobini. I may add that have
| GENE here this evening expressly to Wit
ness his performance" said Reuben.
Have you. thought said the ACROBAT.
| surprised in an extraordinary degree.
| well if you can't let fellow off. I'll
| 20 and Dress" and he walked away in
deep thought.
He is vagabond not up TO his work. y
said Mr.. Splud. II took him by adver-
tisemeut. on the faith of his recommenda-
! tions. He has fallen off three times this
week. and if he breaks his neck one of
these fine days it will be happy release
to the profession
| what is that mans real name?' ask
ed Reuben.
II haven't the slightest idea; lack
Sheppard. perhaps.
You know his address. surely
.'Oh. YES No. = POtter's court. Wal
4 "
worth road
| Thank you. Good night"
Reuben knew nothing of Potter
Court; but he muttered. Poor Sarah
as he went down the cavernous entry in
search of No =. He knocked at par
lor door with the handle of his stick,
and a grim looking individual in his shirt
| sleeves answered the appeal.
whats up?" he said. in not too civil a
style of address.
DO you know a Mr.. Vizzobini? said
Reuben. HE performs at the Sake
Gotha gardens on the slack rope.
OH said the parlor floor. disparag-
ingly: top of the 'ouse-front ROOM"
Reuben went up the dark stairs. reach
ed n front room door with his stick. and
raped gently.
"Who's there?' said faint. weak
voice. which Reuben did moi. recognize.
81 come from the Saxe-Gotha.'
From Tom?'
Eyes"
| The door was cautiously opened, and
there streamed through the aperture,
through which a woman's face was peer
ine-white and wan and pinched--a rush
Of hot air as from furnace mouth.
rs he locked up?" said the woman.
somewhat alphabetically.
"No. He will be back presently, L
think" -.
"Come in if you like. then; We dom
charge any more" said the woman. with
. somber fippancy. and glided back noise
,asslv to the side of big fire that was
blazing in the crate. sat down IN the
chair she had quilted, and leaned her
head against the wall like woman tired
| out
Rut il was not her at which he gazed
an ;ntently as at the figure of girl in
a striped cotton dress, who lay faee-fore,
most on the patchwork counterpane OF
tho he'd. 1t was figure of despair that