Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-04-29
BODY, a fact that the boy attributed to

body, a fact that the boy attributed to
the messenger who had gone ahead.
The big tent was set in the outskirts
Of the town, just at the foot of the
hill. AS the boy neared 1t he noticed
an animal wagon with it's sliding door
opened and a slanting runway of
heavy boards at It's side.
''To the wagon, boy" came the voice
from behind him. STEADY. Now say
in, Minnie, in! Say it loudly
''In, Minnie, in" cried the boy
The huge beast seemed to hesitate
for a moment Then she sprang up
the runway and into the cage The
sliding doors were closed as if by mag
ic-although the dark man with the
big hat seemed to have something to
do with it.
For a moment the tiger was quiet.
Then she roared and leaped about
madly and flung herself fiercely against
the bars.
'You don't get away again, old
lady," said the dark man.
He laid his hand gently on Tommy's
shoulder Tommy looked up at him.
The dark man was wiping his face He
seemed much excited.
'SThat was fine, laddie," he said.
you're brave little man." Tommy
flushed beneath the strangers search
ing gaze. Come here, JIM" the dark
man called and another dark man, a
dark man in jacket with stripes of
yellow braid upon 1t, came toward
them. ''Who Is he like, Jim?"
The man in the braided jacket stared
at Tommy.
Hes a good deal like little joe"
''That's it," said the other man.
THAT explains It, That's the reason
she took to him. She thought he was
little joe" He drew a quick breath
and turned to Tommy. Joe was my
boy" he said. "He-he Is gone now"
His voice broke little. Joe and Min
ME were great friends. He could do
anything with her. You are very much
like him." He turned away abruptly.
"Come, my boy" he said, ell take you
home"
The ride behind the glossy BLACK
horse was altogether too short.
I'D like to see your father" said the
dark man when they stopped in front
Of Tommy's home.
HE isn't home, sir. He and my
mother went away. I expect them
back before supper time"
"I'm a man Of my word" said the
stranger. He drew roll Of bills from
his pocket. Here's your hundred, my
boy, and I think I'm getting off cheap.
Tell your daddy to take care Of it for
you. And here-here are three seats
for the show tonight. Come and bring
your folks and I'll see that you don't
miss anything. Good-by."
Tommy's father and mother came
home before supper time. The sick
uncle was much better. And Tommy
saved his wonderful story until they
were all at the supper table.
His chance came when his mother
beamed at him affectionately.
"You must have been very hungry,
Tommy, SHE SdIu. AOIACO IAdI JO0
ate all the cold meat"
'The tiger ate that" said Tommy
simply.
'The tiger!"
Then Tommy told them the story.
When he had finished there was
little silence.
1.-THE boys been reading too many
fairy Stories" muttered Tommy's ia
Their.
Tommy stared from his father to his
mother. Don't you believe me?" he
asked and his face flushed. why, look
here, papa, here's the money the man
gave me-and here are the tickets to
the show"
And he spread his treasures on the
table.
Tommy's father looked at the money
and the tickets, and he looked at Tom
my and then at Tommy's mother.
"Please can't we go, papa!" the boy
timidly asked. "It's a splendid show,
and the man wants to see you"
Tommy's father looked at Tommy's
mother once more. Then he drew a
long breath.
Eyes. Tommy" he slowly said, well
gov. R. Rose, in Cleveland Plain
dealer.