Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-23
Gold and the Guinea's Stamp, Leo Crane

ward. toward something, toward a new
life.
A great deal Of joking was the reward
of Scotty. He was given the title Of The
Man with the Collar" Mother Belle looked
on this innovation as a mild form Of in
sanity, and Joe Bingham told the boys
that Scotty had become respectable
through queer doings. He darkly limited at
the Salvation Army. whereupon Scotty
threatened him with dire and serious pun
ishment. But no man ever lifted HIM
self above the herd, adopting newer ideas
and taking newer paths, without reaping
the cruel insinuations OF Jealous people
And Scotty restrained himself from violent
outbreak. adopted an injured air and pre-
tended not to count the many grins dec
Grating his section of the dining tent.
But Scotty learned after awhile that
uniform. the simple addition OF a collar
to an otherwise mediocre outfit was not
sufficiently beguiling. She avoided him.
Once he sought to help her up to the
Globe, and he suffered rebuke.
Imagine his CONSERVATION one evening
when he discovered that the fair lady OF
his dreams was smitten with the tall,
handsome gentleman who managed the
Scotty observed them chatting in a Sc
cluded place Then he crept nearer to
listen. The horse act in Big Ring No. l
was over, and spotlessly arrayed, still
carrying his long whip. Mr.. Carlino as he
was billed in giant type, had appeared at
the place of tryst. The girl sat on enc of
the guy ropes. swaying it slightly to and
fro. Scotty knew Mr.. Carlino for a fakir
of the first water. so he held his breath
and listened.
of course, you mean what you say"
hesitated the girl.
SCOtty wondered what this nicely
shaven devil had said
ITO be sure" smiled Mr.. Carlino other
wise Oscar Smith. I'VE can get away
from the show at the next town. right
after the horse act. You can meet me out
side the costume tent and We will go off.
1t will be an easy matter to get a white
tied gentleman to perform. After which
ing Mrs. Carlino Maybe they'll let you
help me in the horse act"
Wont that be grand" said the girl.
simply Immense" echoed Mr. Carlino.
Young fool" thought Scotty, muttering
dire things She was a nice girl. too. He
wondered why the Lord allowed nice girls
to go about loose in this manner. Here was
the oiliest villain of the show. man no
better than a hyena-a fellow who smirked
at every woman he saw. who plumed a
mustache. and who combed his hair POM
padour. In addition to all this Scotty knew
Mr.. Carllno. alias Oscar Smith. to have a
wife in Hagerstown. And Scotty knew that
Mr.. Carlino. otherwise Oscar Smith, did not
visit Springfield. Ohio, but always managed
to have Mr.. Gambettina Gin private life
James OLeary), second knight of the
long whip. handle the unexceled act in
that town. Mr.. Carlno always skipped
Springfield. Ohio. though there had been
numerous inquiries made for him at the
big tent on former occasions before, during
and after the big show. and the large.
weighty looking persons who learned that
Mr.. Carlino. the famed horseman, was de-
tanned through nervous prostration in New
York always expressed keen disappont-
ment Scotty knew the man for perfect
scoundrel. and his honest blood boiled with
In him. Besides, his own earnest endeavor
seemed to have been wasted. Was 1t for
this that he had subjected himself to the
slavery of a collar. mere adornment q
starched. erect. unbendable method of sci
entifc torture? There must be something
personal in his revenge. Scotty vowed to
himself that between the time of his for
horse act In Ring No. 1 on the next
night something would happen to Mr.. Car
limo, which he, Scotty, would not strain
himself trying to prevent.
She must be saved II / have to wreck
the show" said Scotty.
X
The next day, the day of vengeance Gf
vengeance was to be at all accomplished),
began passing in most alarming manner
In the morning there were a thousand and
one things to be performed. The trigging-
up Of circus after the first night does not
be spread afresh. horses to be rubbed down
allow for the scheming of petty vendettas
and fed, to say nothing of tidying rings and
making the first minor preparations of that
nights exodus, which Is something greater
than any ring act Of the big show. Noon
had slipped around before Scotty had had
any time in which to think.
In the afternoon. when the show was on
again, Scotty slowed himself away in va
cant corner and worked his fertile brain
overtime. He saw the girl go past on her
way to take part In the great gorgeous gath
ering of graceful Grecians, which opened
the big first part, and the sight of her in
her robes as queen goaded him to fresh
stimulus. But the plot would not shape
itself. Scotty was in despair. He took
walk through the animal tent, muttering to
himself Porters. who helped handle the
trained lions, saw him coming and called
out:
"You look as bad as old Poison. He's in
a devil Of a humor. Tried to reach a man
awhile back, and all but reached him. too"
at would be too bad IL he got loose
oncet." remarked Scotty.
"Well. 1 guess" grinned Porters: He'd
lust bout rip this town wide OPEN"
Scotty passed on to the den Of the big lion
named Poison, who had the reputation of
killing three men and badly mauling half
dozen more. Poison was pacing up and
down his long cage. shifting and growing
and rubbing the bars with his skull.
Then thought came to Scotty like an In
slant gimmering of lightning. The thought
grew wider ana WIDER ana tnen ColVlnclnS
"Ah! Ha-a-a!" said Scotty. knowing this
to be the correct thing to say, and he imme-
diately repaired to a brilliantly lighted
place across the roadway at the end of the
lot Sure enough. he found Joe Bingham in
side.
Scotty mysteriously motioned for him to
vacate his place for a conference outside,
"Joey," he said softly, do you want to
make a dollar?'
as it possible to make it honest?' asked
Bingham SuspiciouSly.
Listen There's dollar in 1t for you.
Joey. All you have to do Is stand around
Poson's cage tonight after the horse act.
and when 1 give you the wave of the hand
from the side flap. why, stir him up bit.
Understand?
whats the gamer" questioned Bingham
doubtfully. won't the boss get wise and
make himself sore?'
'Tll make 1t 49, joey"
"Ill whip the boss for So" offered Bing-
ham mellowly
"No-that amt necessary. All you have
to do is stir Poison into a fierce mood. Make
faces at him. chew up some Honest Ned
and hit his eye You're good at that"
"Jest betcher life. Say, when l get start
ed on that slab-sided mutt of lion. he'll
have to go into a corner and lay down just
to get his wind. Why, 1 know the time
when
you'll do it. Sure?"