The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-03-25

barrassments Of love, but looking out
warily with the white Of his eye for
Mr.. Martin and determined not to sit
within hundred yards of him; here
rolled in the orbit of habit the town
bacchanal, Mr.. Wilkerson, who politely
answered in kind all the uncouth roar
ings and cultural CALCULATIONS of jun
gle and fen that came from the animal
tent-in brief, here came with lightest
heart the population Of Carlow and
part Of Amo.
Helen had found a true word; it was
big family. Jim Bardlock, broadly
smiling and rejuvenated, shorn OF de-
preston, paused in front of the re
serve" seats, with Mrs. Bardlock on
his arm, and called loudly to gentle
man on tier about the level of Jim's
head "How are We? I reckon we were
a leetle too smart fer 'em this morning,
huh?" Five or six hundred people, ev-
cry one within hearing, turned to look
at Jim, but the gentleman addressed
was engaged in conversation with a
lady and did not notice.
eli! Hi, there! Say Mr.. Harkless!
beloved Jim informally. The people
turned to look at Harkless. His atten-
ton was arrested, and his cheek grew
red.
what is it?' he asked, a little con-
fused and good deal annoyed.
81 don't hear what We say" shouted
Jim, putting his hand to his ear.
What is it?' repeated the young
man. 'Ill kill that fellow tonight" he
added to Lige Willetts. "Some one
ought to have done it long ago."
"What?"
81 said, What is itY'
81 jest wanted to say me and you
certainly did fool these here Hoosiers
this morning. Hustled them two fell
lers through the courthouse, and no
body thought to slip round to the other
door and head us off. Ha, ha! We
Were jest a leetle too many fer 'em,
huhY
From an upper tier of seats the rusty
length of Mr.. Martin erected itself
joint by joint, like an extension ladder,
and he peered down over the gaping
faces at the town marshal. Excuse
me-" he said sadly to those behind him,
but his dry voice penetrated every
where. Il got up to hear Jim say we
again.
Mr.. Bardlock Joined in the laugh
against himself and proceeded with
his wife to some seats forty or fifty
feet distant When he had settled him
self comfortably he shouted over cheer
fully to the unhappy editor, 'Them
shell men got it in fer you, Mr.. Hark-
lessv'
"Hain't that fool shet up yit" snarl-
ed the aged Mr.. Bodeffer Indignantly.
He was sitting near the young couple,
and the expression of his sympathy
was distinctly audible to them and
many others. Got no more regards
than brazing calf-disturbin' Teller
with his sweetheartw
"The both Of 'em says they're going
to do fer ye," bleated Mr.. Bardlock;
''swears they'll ketch their evens with
ye."
Mr.. Martin rose again. Don't git
scared and leave town, Mr.. Harklessw
he called out. "Jim II protect you"
Vastly to the young mans relief the
band began to play and the equestrians
and eQuestriennes capered out from
the dressing tent for the "grand en-
trance" and the performance COM
fnenced Through the long summer
afternoon it went on-wonders Of
horsemanship and of horsewomanship,
hair raising exploits on wires tight
and slack, giddy tricks on the high
trapeze, feats of leaping and tum-
bling in the rings, while the tireless
musicians blatted inspiringly through
it all, only pausing long enough to
allow that riotous jester, the clown.
to ask the ringmaster what he would
do if young lady came up and kissed
him on the street, and to explode his
witticisms during short intervals Of
rest for the athletes.
When it was over, John and Helen
found themselves in the midst Of a
densely packed crowd and separated
from Miss Briscoe and Lige. People