Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-04-18
8he IHrgus Daily Short Story
''Randall's Best Catch BY Colin S. Collins
tCopyrghted. by the Associated literary
copyrighted, 1870!

Winter quarters l3d wakeaed from
its long nap. Over in the car. shed;
men were touching up the brilliant az
vance ears with vermillon and gold
leaf: III the wagon shop stood rows Of
chariots resp!endent in gilt and Grim
son. In the loft last touches were be-
ing given To the big tops" The huge
canvas structures which went 10 make
ZIP the city of teats. From ani!aal
house and training barn caEl b. heard
tlic sounds of activity as traiacrs put
horses ana elephants through their
PAGES. while the performers freshci ",
their acts. liz three weeks the show
would take to the road, opening in tho
south 10 escape the froGts and To get
an additional month of "saa$on.'
Ca!eg Eandall's appearance, in the
ring barn WAS tfp signal for Il general
stcppagc of work on The part OF those
who had been with tie show the sea-
son before Randall had been !, gen
cra fayGrite. and even the equestrian
director the autocrat of affairs in the
ring. came over to greet the newcomer
The r2Et Of the boys are here and
have yoi.r traps alf up lie told Galley
with Il glance :lioft where the trapeze
rigging OF the Randall-Ransome troupe
glittered in the light. titering through
the wire glass. The other troupe is
here"
who the mischief are they" de-
heard of the Barnard troupe"
Neither did any one else" agreed
The director. They do Il ripping good
casting act. though. and they'll work
well il the big act. Come over and
II Introduce yoa."
He led the way across the tanbark
| To where stood a little group of men
and women ccriously regarding his APP
preach. Randall was Anlous in the cir
c',s world. and the BanEards. accl,s-
| toned to the drudgery of obscure one
ring wagon circuses and small vaude-
vile performances. looked with awe
upon this star of the big show. Some
OF Randalrs boys were standing with
the group: but. after Il pleasant nod to
| his own men and an acknowledgement
| of the Introduction TO the strangers,
Randall saw only one of the Troupe. a
| 1.-the. graceful girl not yet out of her
| teens.
Barnard hurried to compliment Ran
| dali on his work. but Galley scarcely
| heard him. His attention was conferred
! upon this qreenly girl with the fash
| ing black eyes, and when at last he
| moved on to the dressing room to see
that his trunk was all right lie turned
| to his bearer" .who did the catches for
his leaps.
| What was the old chap saying?" he
| asked. Il didn't quite catch"
| Chute laughed
| tRetter get that idea out of your
| head" he advised. "The girl is the
whole show with that troupe. and the
Old man. doesn't want her marrying
into another act"
You be hanged said Randall IF
You think you're funny L don't mind
telling you that you're not
| You agreed to a rehearsal at 3
! o'clock said Clute. Its all right Ca
lcs. I'd be stuck on her myself if |
wasn't married. Come out and get II
bite to eat"
| Randall followed Clute across the lot
to the hotel. where most of the per-
formers stopped. and by . they were
in practice dress and up in the dome OF
the practice ring. getting the stiffness
out Of their Joints.