The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1907-07-26
lained Toby. "We live over there on

planned Toby. 1--WE live over there or
Grove street"
cover there was indicated by a
semicirclllar sweep of the arm, and
the big man pulled out a watch from
the coat lie had resumed.
"You want to come with us If your
mother will let you?" he asked.
Toby's face fell.
"She won't" he said dolefully. "Shc
hates circuses. She's going to whip
me when I get home. She made me
promise not to come, not Eve to look
at the parade"
Hes a circus boy, all right, Ted"
laughed one of the other men. "She
knew that if he hit the tents it would
all come back to him, and it has. He
worked like Il veteran. He'd make a
great top mounter."
"IIc's going to make one" announced
Ted. I'm goin' TO see his mother. l
don't know what crouch she's got
against Us show folks, but I'll talk
her out of 1t. Come. kid"
lie held out a hand to Toby. and to-
getler they left the tent. Ted stopped
to speak to a MAJ in the dressing tent.
and then they struck out across lots
for the tiny little home where for the
last four years Rena Atkins had
sorwllt to support herself and her son
by millinery and dressmaking. She
was on the steps now pecring up and
down the street. hoping against hope
that Toby would come. But at the
sight of the man with him she shrank
into the house. though not before the
stranger had caught sight of her and
had gone founding forward.
When Toby's shorter legs had COM
passed the distance he found his moth
er in the strangers arms striving to
fight him off. Toby valiantly came to
the rescue with feet and fists, but the
big nan seemed scarcely to notice the
attack.
give found you at last" he was say
ing. why did ycl run away. dear"
"You ask me that?' Her voice was
quiet now and tense with scorn. let
me go and I will show YOU"
His arms dropped 10 his side, and She
slipped across the room to where her
pocketbook lay. Silently she offered a
slip of paper fraycd with handling and
yel!owed With age.
"You believed thisy asked the
"You really thought 1 had e)oped with
Clara Grey2 We left the same night
because Griffith was doing us out of
our salaries. Her husband, Jim Grey.
was playing With Coles circus. and she
Joined him. played Il couple of houses
for expense money to get back home
with. | wrote. but the letter was there
They told mc you had gone. Griffith
put that lying notice in the paper to
hide the real reason for II leaving, his
own dishonesty"
".And believed it," she sobbed. "ant1
I've been trying to hide ever since I"
keep the boy from being like his ia
Their"
cts in the blood" the big man said
tenderly. WHY, the kiddie came into
the big top and saw us working on the
mat, and he went at it like he used to
in the old days. l V guessed that
he was my child. l only saw what a
great top mounter he would make, and
l came to see if you would apprentice
him to is. I hoped to find 4
wife and little son where l was look
ing for Il topper"
"You-you forgive me?" she faltered.
"You We're just a foolish little child
to run away before you found out the
TRUTH he said, with a tender laugh.
"It's all the more reason you should
have a husband to look after you, and
l know that Toby wants a father"
"You bet 1 do" put in Toby. at last
finding something he could understand.
care you my dad?"
81 am that" said the big man as he
Rugged Toby to his breast. And you're
a true chip of the old block. Why,
laddie, l taught you these tricks you
showed us this afternoon. 1t all came
out when you saw a ring again."
I'm glad I broke my promise" said
Toby complacently, "even if I I'M
whipped for it,"
But the whipping was deferred in
definitely.