Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-11-11
NO. s..

indeedr
And 40 II was arranged
Came 8 o'clock dinging and dying
amid railway siding sounds and six
items, like snow In u tropical sun. had
melted from Barkalow's big wonder
list. Comanche Bill, pink nosed and
piebald, with Mirabeau, was prancing
around the mammoth ring. Whoop,
whoop, whoop, whooplahl Crack
Through ribbon ring after ribbon ring
the ma'amselle jumped, landing al
ways fair and dancing on her plush
platform saddle. Suddenly whoop,
whoop, swishl "A tissue drum went
into shreds, and Plerrot stepped down
from his pedestal and looked proudly
at the lady. "Hurrah. hurrahr Tho
audience cheered and clapped their
hands. "Well done, well donep
But now II was number eight on tho
programme. and all eyes were focused
on the performers entrance.
Hercules, Herculesr' The excited
whisper gathered force and chased
aiong and up and down the tiers.
Jauntily the manager advanced and
made brief announcement Two blue
coated, quick action grooms spread out
brilliant carpet star, and two others,
red faced and with straining arms and
shoulders doubled over, brought on the
plaything of the giant.
"HaT In moment he was there
before them, smiling and bowling, a
spangled vision In scarlet and gold, a
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 ana deafening He looked at the
weight, Mt the trapeze above at ma'am-
selle with critical eye, and again
the audience cheered IL before they
had doubted the claims In number
eight It was evident now that they be-
lieved.
Mlrabeau2 White ~ chalk beneath
her mask, she held her breath and
glared from her steed at Pierrot And
Pierrot? Eyes bullying outward, he
transnxed the little trapdoor In the
betting below the orchestra stand.
Suddenly the giant stepped before
the weight and faced the high priced
seats. Above his head lie raised his
hands. "Once, twice, thriceW On the
third call he would swing and grasp
and Juggle with the dead weight as
with toy.
Click! Click
Pierrot, and only Pierrot, heard II.
The viollns and the flutes were muir
dering sound, and the clowns heart
thumped his chest like a drumstlck
beating the time.
Clickl Clickl
Up went the trapdoor, and a boy, n
very little boy, hatless. but with sun
crisped thatch of curly hulr, struggled
through tho ring For n moment he
hesltated. blinking his big blue eyes
In the glare OF light; then quick as
fash he was over on the big carpet star
"Pierrot, Pierrot," brenthed ma'am
selie, squeezing the cold fingers resting
on her saddle.
"Once, twicc-once, twlce-whOOp
lahv' shouted Hercules, bending swift
ly and throwing his mighty arms be-
tween his legs.
But the boy was first. In his tiny
hand no grasped the weight and, hoist
ing 1t to his slender shoulder, sped
with 1t like startled hare across the
ring and out through the qulverlng
curtain
"Ah, hal Hn, ha, har 1t was one
brief triokle Of laughter accentuating
the intense silence that followed, for in
the thrill Of flute 1t all happened, and
no one had attempted TO stop him.
Rat -tat-tat
Nov, all togetherp commanded the
leader of tho orchestra, coming gal.
lantly to tho rescue, and Il bunch of
mandolins and yiolins ripped tho air.
But music had no charms for the out
ragged audience and Mt last the storm
broke. Loud, long and deep voiced II
raged-ribald laughter. shrlll Jeers,
dark threats and Kisses like the angry
exhaust OF steam.
Gentlemen, gentlemen
In vain did the manager attempt to
stem the avalanche. but like a sick
mans whisper against n battery can
nonade his explanations and apologies
melted on soundless lips
"Gsntlemen, gentlemen, one minute.
and | will explain, n
yes can't do ~ Yes can't do itv'
piped thin. querulous voice.
"rrickstersl Swlndlersl Money back!
Money back! Boo for Barkaloww
thorused the galleries.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen, must tell
youl must tell YOU"
"Tell nnthin', nutbin' at ALL" volley-
I'd the leaders. square the deal at
lumber eight an screw ont yer lights"
"Gentlemen, order Orderw
Hiss, hiss, hlsssssl Square the
deal at number eighth
"Gentlemen, gentlemen"
Hiss. hiss hiss-s-s'-
And In tho ticket office a few minutes
later, though no knew II not, the man
ager was paying back tho fabulous
price Of threat.