The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-11-28
,URa, va, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER %, 1908

"Dick liked 'em so, and the doctor
says that perhaps they'll rouse him"
"I'll 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 OWL
and soft spot for children. and pres
emily the gay little team was trottln2
down the frozen road
Dick was brought TO the window
well wrapped up. but he only waved
n languld hand at 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" hc said.
whats the matter with hlmr
"rhats what we want TO know"
said n grave faced man who had been
talking with Sally. "The little fellow
seems to be sunk into a sort Of coma.
and we cannot rouse him. lie viii
not eat, and unless we can give him a
desire for food and Interest him IN
things we shall Just have 70 waite.
him slip away"
n "a
them ponies. doc" said Ted suddenly
"Comc on out to the barn"
The physician paused moment
Then something passed In the glance
OF the two men. and they went out to
gethcr. For half an hour they sat on
an old wagon box and talked, and
then the physician went back 20 the
house ana Ted hltched mp the ponies
He drove out Of the yard with -four
ish OF the whip toward Dick. wh) had
been brought 10 the window 10 see
him of. The little fellow answered
with a weary wave OF the hand. and
Ted grlited his teeth rs he drove OF
The next morning dawned clear cn'
bright. II Was almost Indian s"m
mer and the windows were open H.
the Myerly home Dick sat at the win
dow. llstlcssly watching the people g
driving by 10 church. Mrs. Myerly
divided her time between the kitchen
and the front parlor TO which Dick
had been moved. A trumpet call sound
ed down the road, and she came hur
rylng in.
Around the bend there dashed a
rider all crimson and gold. mounted
on a black horse gaudy In crimson
housings With swing he was IN the
yard. aud just before the window he
blew another blast on his trumpet
AZ turkey for Master Myerly fit for
q klngw he announced In approved
ringmaster tones. Then the black
horse backed away. bowling to the as
tonlshed child. and wheeled and dash
ed up the road again.
Presently the herald returned at a
more stately pace, preceding the most
curious procession that had ever
trayersed the Huntville road. Just
behind the rider came a fantastic
clown, either foot on the back Of n
milk white horse Behind him lum-
bered a huge elephant drawing a gilt.
tering chariot ablaze With gold and
mirrors.
Slowly the procession numbered into
the yard At the gate the clown dis
mounted and threw handSprings up 70
the very door. There he paused ex
pcctantly while the elephant ponder
ously turned into the yard. Then the
doors-at the back Of the chariot swung
open. and out 1uttered Il turkey six
feet high. The clown sprang forward
and with his whip made the bird face
the window.
"Dick," he called, there's your
Thanksgiving turkey. If you don't eat
every mouthful of It I'll make the ele-
plant bite you"
elephants don't bite" laughed Dick,
his face aglow with excitement.
This one does-bad." said Ted dark
ly. you wait and see. Turkey, bow
TO the gentleman what's going to eat
you"
Solemnly the bird pranced forward
and bent its neck. Then 1t followed
Ted around to the back Of the house,
and the cavalcade followed, turning
into the road. Down beyond the bend
Ted was waiting with the bird. but
the cambric skin covered with turkey
feathers, the making Of which had
kept Ted up half the night. had been
removed, and It was merely an ostrich
that was bundled into the best chariot
OF the Blakeley outfit.
Late that night Ted turned up at
the quarters. There had been
Thanksgiving dinner In the training
ring, ard all, from the "old man. to
the hostlers. were sitting about on the
benches swapping stories.
"Wcll," said the "old man" kindly.
did It work. Ted;"
"Did It work. echoed Ted. Say,
I'm afraid the kids mere like 10 die OF
indigestion than starvation. He's all
to the good Evcrything's all to tho
good"
And the little group crowded about
to shake his hand, for they knew that
q romance seeking girl had at last real
ly found the heart OF the clown be-
meath the motley.