The Lehi banner. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1891-1917, 1906-02-22
Deadwood
tcopyrght. 1901. BY DsIiy story rub. Coz

hHf AMI tnOuBnt III quite funny
Il when he put at the top OF
MS letterheads a stipulation In regard
to the size OF performers dressing
room and hotel trunks and the condi-
tons: Trunks at hotels twice
week. No dogs or guns carried. NO
deadwood permitted" In spite OF
Bryant's rule and resolution he did
have to carry some dcadwood, and II
came about through the necessity OF
engaging an cquestrienne.
Bryant had no standing in the circus
business and was despised by artists
and managers alike. Stolid and mer-
cenary, he had cuticle like rhinoc-
eros and when the comments OF others
reached his ears he laughed at the un-
complimentary criticisms. when'a man
OF finer feelings would have blushed
for very shame.
one spring Bryant found himself at
very late day minus that all impor-
tant feature, a lady rider, as already
stated. Several had applied, been
turned down>and put of, or. better
said. bluffed in tho standard Bryapt
way. Now that the man was In a
pinch he did not advertise or confde
his imperative necessity TO his agents,
but doggedly declared obtusely;
1.-THE show viii go out, rider OF no
rider"
cone afternoon he had caller. II
was Flora Ervine. rider OF repute and
physical charms, and TO the managers
A.. ...tu NJ n
cure an engagement
Il thought YOU was engaged?" SAID
Bryant. as soon as the visitor made
known her errand.
II Cancelled" was the reply.
"Bccause?" l4{kN
Because am married"
"Oh, hoi" exclaimed Bryant, mis-
trusting the reason of the canoella
ton. "Is your husband In the bust
ness?"
The equestrienne bit her lip befor
she answered, hesltated while Bryan
looked upon her with something be
tween a glare and a grin:
my husband is not in the bust
ness"
IL thought as much" blurted Bryan
coarsely, and then he quickly recov
cred himself and remarked ap~.ogei
icaliy: Excuse me-"
An awkward pause followed, the vii
itor quietly breaking the ice anew;
Il learned that you were without
rider and thought | would call"
The manager cut her of with u
blunt statement:
81 don't carry any deadwood wit
my trick. don't"
"neadwood!" repeated the eque
trienne.
'"Y-e-s." drawled the manage
"pead wood, deadwood!" With tn
he pushed a letterhead into his caller
hands. with his finger indicating Il
conditions.
."rhen | might as we'll be COINS
observed the equestrienne. BY I
time that she had gained her feet
had interposed a request for her
remain:
"Wait leetle."
Bryant was not fool enough to thr'
away a last chance. and he fastened
say. with an effort to conciliate:
"P'raps we might make dicker |
include the--the-er your husbar
that Is, II you make the figure rig
tFoxy Bryant never lost sight OF
dollar) Twould lie nard to spoil W
honeymoon, wouldn't II? Ha. hi
1.-THE visitor smiled mott Bryi
leored and chuckled. I'm a widow
YOU know, but | never dreamt 4
Won had an idea OF matrimony."
The visitor looked grave and offe
ed whereat the manager ceased
distasteful banter and proceeded
business. deal was made. and II
scarcely necessary to state that Bry
took considerable advantage OF
situation. AS the equestrlenne was
parting with her contract the mana
cemarked
II nope that while your husband
with the show he will pick up so
thing of the trade and not be ex
baggage all the season"
When Milton Folsom came on '
his wife for rehearsals be got the
shoulder both from the manager
the nerformers Even the AMI
Eeeners. grooms, canyasmen
ragorbacks pointed him out as +
Erwne's deadwood The perforI
we're especially severe In their {
ments. Said the first singing cl'
the oracle OF the dressing-room:
why, the chappie don't X
enough 10 even keep up her horse
"or groom them" added a grote
who always confirmed the ora
ouinlOnq