Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-11-24

rise to his eyes. 81 don't want the
old ring back. amt got any one
else to give it to. So long"
He climbed into the tiny road cart,
cracked the whip, and the four ponies
trotted Off.
1t was only four miles to Carston-
vile, where the Blakeley hippodrome.
menagerie and circus lay in winter
quarters, but every revolution Of the
little wheels seemed to put Sally-and
happiness-miles behind.
Ted Stevens was circus clown
not very good one, but good enough
for the one ring wagon show he trav-
eled with. Last spring he had come
down few weeks before the opening
to rehearse some bits of comedy, and
he had met Sally Myerly.
She had never seen much Of show
folk, and she was attracted by his
fun us well as by the wholesomeness
of his manner. In the three weeks
they saw each other Ted had won her
heart. Then the show had gone south
to open. 1t was midsummer before
the slow moving outfit had come back
to Carstonville to show. and that after
noon Ted had done his best because
Sally was watching from the reserved
seats. He had been rather dlsappoint-
ed ut her lukewarm appreciation, but
he did not realize what the matter
was until he had come back with the
show to 60 into winter quarters.
He had taken the meager salary Of
fered to help care for the stock instead
Of playing at the vaudeville theaterS
through the winter. and it was with
a happy heart that he took the pony
four-in-hand out for exercise and had
driven over to the Myerly farm.
He had received an enthusiastic vel.
come from ten-year-old Dick, but Sally
had been cold, and ut last she con-
fessed that the sight Of him In the
ring had killed her love. Her ideas
Of romance We're CLEANED from cheap
.:ciion. wherein English lords In dis
g'lise were more apt to be heroes than
circus clowns. The sight Of Ted In
his motley had killed her ideals. and
she wanted her freedom.
For the next couple Of weeks he
held to his work. trying in occupation
to find forge. .'ulness. He had been
rather clever with dogs once, and he
got permission to try his hand Mt two
Of the ponies, Just to occupy his mind.
but In the long nights, when the 81.
lence was broken only by IN occasion
al cry from the stock barn, he had
plenty Of time to think. for sleep came
late to his tired eyes.
The day before Thanksgiving Thorn.
as Myerly drew up at the sheds ant
climbed down from his seat Ted saw
him and went out to meet him.
"Sally wants 10 know IL you won't
bring them ponies over" he said.
@Dick liked 'em so. and the doctor
says that perhaps they'll rouse him"
"Ill see the old man." said Ted. 81
guess It'll be all right. though. They
need run"
Permission was easily obtained
when explanation was made, for the
'old man" had youngsters of his own
and soft spot for children. and pres
emily the gay little team was trOtting
down the frozen road.
Dick was brought to the window.
well wrapped up. but he only waved
languid hand ut the clown and turn.
ed his head away. Ted unhitched them
and put them through their tricks, but
with no greater success, and after he
had put the team In the barn he went
into the house.
That's the first kid ever saw that
wasn't stuck on them ponies" lie said
whats the matter with him?"
That's what We want to know"
said grave faced man who had been
talking with Sally. "The little fellow
seems to be sunk into sort Of coma,
and we cannot rouse him. He will
not eat, and unless we can give him a
desire for food and interest him In