Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-29
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employer, and then Rocky Mountain gave
somewhat lengthy exhibition of his powers
of mimicry.
He initiated almost every sound incident
TO farm-life, from the cawing of crow to
the neighing Of horse; hens sang and
cackled; dogs yelped. snarled in an imaginary
conflict
They all laughed, with the exception oi
Bill McGregor. He arose sulkily, went to
the door, and stood looking out into the
glance at Rocky. who seemed to be perfectly
in his element.
"Where did ye Parn this?" asked Mr.. Stod-
dard. as Rocky finally ceased
Il picked it up in my. travels. was en-
gagged in the show business two or three
years" answered Mr.. Mountain.
"rWhat sort of show?" queried Reddy, who
hod seemed the most interested of all the
SPECTATORS. -
"Mostly circuses.> though I didn't stay long
off his coat and vest and tying his suspenders
around his waist
Rob's interest was aroused, his home-sick
ness was forgotten and he listened eagerly
a real live circus man was wonderful be
ing in his. eyes. :.
fsPlease give me little room and I will
show you a few of the things l used to do,
said Mr.. Mountain, quietly, as he turned
back his sleeves. displaying pair of very
muscular looking arms.
They did as requested, and then the ex
athlete of the circus arena, in whose makeup
egotism seemed to take the lead, went through
a series Of astonishing evolutions, consider
ing the roughness of the floor and his insult
able costume.
He bent backward till his head touched the
floor, sprang upon his hands and walked across
the room, his feet nearly to the ceiling Then
he turned handspring after handspring, back
ward and forward, winding up. with fancy
clog,dance that brought down the house.,
touchin' yer hands to the floorw asked Reddy
who had been watching him with open mouth
Rocky looked at the ceiling.
II don't know as the room is high enough, =
he answered. 'Pll try, though"
Quick as a flash he sprang into the air
but his heels struck one of the floor beams
and his head came down upon the floor.
He toppled over, and lay rigid and still
amidst the horror-stricken group which q
moment before was filed with hilarity.
hen'squawlin," said Black Bill, coming and
looking down upon the motionless form on the
floor. ellis monkey shines is ended"
The wretch shrugged his shoulders and turn
ed away. while Reddy White, assisted by
Bob Archer, strove to resuscitate the un
conscious man.
It seemed for some time as if the sinister
predictions of Bill McGregor were to be full
filled, but at length the efforts of Reddy and
Rob were rewarded by signs of returning ami
nation.
Rocky Mountain drew in quick, gasping
breath, shuddered. and opened his eyes in a
bewildered way.
"Did the. tent fall?" he asked. in dazed
tone of voice.
- at was you that FELL" said Reddy. cheerily;
'fbut ye're all right now"
A look of intelligence came into the injured
mans eyes. and he strove to rise. But his
strength had not returned sufficiently. and
he gave up the effort with c sicklv smile.
"Vanity of vanities!" he said. feebly. "How
a mans love of praise will lead him into diff
Guilty! ! don't believe. I'll. run any more
private circuses for awhile"
By-and-by he got up and sat in chair by
the window, and looked soberly out into the
pouring rain.
The shock he had received was severe, and
his spirits did not rally.
Rob sat near, look of solicitude on his
pale. pinched face. his eyes fastened upon Mr.
Mountain.
The man seemed to feel the gaze of the
boy, and turned toward him at length:
"You don't loal happy. sonny" he said.
"Were you ever in the woods before?"
mo sir-uever to work, /" answered Rob, the
look on his face seeming to intimate that
he was sick of his present undertaking.
"I never waseither; and I wish I'd kept out