The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-09-02
elephant that was ever heatd Of.

and rampages have filled columns in
the newspapers; the scoundrel has
been his own press agent, and If he
don't kill Carpenter, expect to make
a fortune out of him this season."
why, papa!" exclaimed the fail
Juliet. "How can you talk so?"
"The man takes terrible chances"
continued the parent, "but that is his
business. l pay him for the risk"
There was reproving expression
on the face Of the girl, but she was
silent.
| The Jackson family was one OF
longtime circus repute. Joshua had
succeeded his father in the business,
and Juliet was an equestrienne like
her mother before her. AS the man.
ager expressed 1t: Both sides of our
house came up out of the sawdust to
fulfil our mission in tights and span
gles." In his younger Gays Joshua
Jackson had been star rider, but he
left the ring upon assuming the reins
of management.
Upon meeting the intrepid elephant
trainer in Chicago, at the merging of
the two shows, Juliet Jackson re-
marked to her father: "Mr. Car
penter is gentleman"
Romeo respects him as such," re-
sponded the father.
The literary promoter of Joshua
Jackson's circus and menagerie-
that is an abbreviation of the full,
high-sounding title-in writing up
the attractions of the aggregation,
had given his best and major atten-
tion to "The elephant of elephants"
under the reiterated caption of "Look
out for Romeo!" Romeo deserved all
the space given to him, for the mighty
monster was indeed the drawing
card.
Before the Fourth of July, the mid
die mark of the tenting season,
Romeo had started out several times
to assert his independence and run
amuck, but before he could get in
full swing he was checked by the
fearless Carpenter, who waving all
danger, subdued the mighty man.
moth and made him obedient to his
will. When Romeo coul6 not have
his own way, he sulked, but he Of
fered no violence to his keeper.
1t was noticeable to the attaches
of the show as the season advanced,
that Charles Carpenter, the keeper
and exhibitor of Romeo, and Juliet,
the managers daughter, were becom-
ing very good friends. Joshua Jack
agerial duties that he did not take
cognizance Of the ripening mutual
admiration of the young folks.
When Joshua Jackson did take
cognizance of what was going on, he
expressed his displeasure to his
daughter by exclaiming:
Il should think that the daughter
of circus manager would be looking
above mahout with the show!"
Il am looking just as high as any
Jackson ever did," was the response.
mo Jackson ever rose above the saw
dust"
Papa Jackson was squelched and
made no retort. But when Charles
Carpenter, the keeper of Romeo, for
mally asked for the hand of Juliet, he
had language to spare and used 1t
copiously.
Carpenter was unruffied; he was no
more afraid of words than he was of
Romeo; he simply rendered his resig-
nation without notice and quit on the
spot. Joshua Jackson went wild with
rage. Romeo at worst was never
more unreasonable. Carpenter was
consigned to the bad place, and
walked out of ear-shot to preserve
his hearing.
Juliet passed an unpleasant half
hour listening to papas verbal pyro.
technics and was driven to tears.
To the disappointment of two large
audience, afternoon and evening, Ro-
meo was threatened in consequence.
No one about the show, not even the
boss animal man, would approach the
disturbed and threatening Romeo,
who chafed at the absence of Car
penter.
1t was approaching o'clock, when
1t was time to start the menagerie
on the road, when the manager called
a business assistant and instructed
him:
60 up to the hotel and see IL you
can find Carpenter and fetch him in
buggy"
The messenger took the managers
rig and smiled as he hurried away
on his errand. He returned prompt
ly, bringing the imperturbable ma
hout. Carpenter questioned with his
eyes. Joshua Jackson put out his
hand and explained:
Carpenter, take Romeo and take
Juliet, and may Heaven bless you!"