Smyrna times., 1904-11-09

tised it for month. we've We
Hercules, what is to be dOne:'
We'll, sir" Growled the champion
darkly. lit amt my fault. No, sir. But
there's one way out of it; one way,
think."
"N'hnt way| snapped the manager.
"Its-it's the papier mache weight.
sir: light as a feather. II used to
practice with it," stammered Hercu-
les. But they-they wouldn't know
it from the real thing, sir; not on your
life. Git two of the grOOms, Danl and
Pete. sir: l know EN- well enough.
They'll perspire an purtend a bit when
they bring it on Savez the idee, hey?
reckon you do. sir-ha, ha"'
''Ha. ha. Ha, ha. har laughed the
manager heartily splendid, Hercu-
les. splendid. III write to BarkalOw.
You get bonus for this-ha, ha! And
we can stave off challenges for one
night. eh? Tomorrow we'll invite in
spection Very good, sir, v-very good,
indeed"
And so it was arranged.
Came s O'Clock dinging and dying
amid railway siding sounds, and six
items. like snow in a tropical sun, had
melted from BarkalOws big wonder |
list. Comanche Bill, pink nOsed and |
piebald. with Mirabeau, was prancing |
| around the mammoth ring. WhOOp, |
| whoop. whOop, whOOplah! Crack! |
! Through ribbon ring after ribbon ring |
the maamselle jumped, landing al
WAYS fair and dancing on her plush
platform saddle. Suddenly whOOp,
whoop. swish! \ tissue drum went
into shreds, and Pierrot stepped down
from his pedestal and looked proudly
at the lady "IIurrah, hurrah"' The
audience cheered and clapped their
hands. ''Well done, we'll done"
But now it was number eight on the
programme and all eyes were focused
on the performers entrance.
"Hercules, Hercules" The excited
whisper gathered force and chased
along and up and down the tiers.
Jauntily the manager advanced and
made brief announcement. Two blue
coated. quick action grOOms spread out
a brilliant carpet star, and two others.
red faced and with straining arms and
shoulders doubled over, brought on the
plaything of the giant.
"Haw In a moment he was there
before them. smiling and bowling,
spangled vision in scarlet and gold. 9
miracle of physical strength and big
ness. He stretched out his long right
arm. his left. too. and the muscles of
them rose up like plated whipcords.
Then he breathed. and every man
breathed with him. He broke poker
across his thigh, and the cheers rang
wild and deafening. He looked at the
weight. at the trapeZe above, at ma'am-
selle with critical eye, and again
the audience cheered. If before they
, had doubted the claims in number
a eight. it was evident now that they be
,. lieved.
, AIrabeau? White as chalk beneath
;. her mask. she held her breath and
,. glared from her steed at Pierrot. And
! Pierrot? Eyes bulging outward, he
transfxed the little trapdOOr in the
p betting below the orchestra stand.
I Suddenly the giant stepped before
the weight and faced the high priceC
4 seats. Above his head he raised hi'
: hands. "Once, twice, thrice!' On th'
:, third call he would swing and grasl
! and juggle with the dead weight a
r with a toy.
}. Click! Click.
d Pierrot. and only Pierrot, heard il
q The violins and the flutes were muI
is dering sound. and the clowns hear
is thumlcI his chest like a drumstic
1t beating the time.
20 Click. Click!
IS Up went the trapdOOr, and boy,
IN very little boy, hatless, but with a su
st crisped thatch of curly hair, struggle
s through the ring. For a moment /
in hesitated, blinking his big blue eye
iii in the glare of light; then quick as
r- fash he was over on the big carpet sta
:" "PierrOt. Pierrot," breathed ma'ar
ed selle. squeezing the cold fingers restiT
Il on her saddle.
lie. "Once. twice-once. twice-whoo
he lah"' shouted Hercules, bending swift
lis " and throwing his mighty arms b
tween his legs.
n But the boy was first In his til
ee hand he grasped the weight and, hoiS
] lIlR II 10 HIS SltuNtl SilOuiuCAS Sp
lst with it like a startled hare across t
he ring and out through the quiveril
curtain.
le; "Ah, ha! Ha, ha, ha" 1t was o
ed brief trckle of laughter accentuati
his the intense silence that followed, for
on the thrill of a flute it all happened, a
no one had attempted to stop him.
ed, Rat-tat-tat!
"Now, all together" commanded
1st leader of the orchestra, coming G
er- lantly to the rescue, and bunch
in mandOlins and violins ripped the q
en-, But music had no charms for the o
ide ragged audience, and at last the sto
lie. broke Loud, long and deep voiced
the raged-ribald laughter, shrill jee
ok, dark threats and Kisses like the ans
an exhaust of steam.
ust Gentlemen, gentlemen"
not In vain did the manager attempt
stem the avalanche, but like a s
l.. 4k-wyrv n