The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-03
rom the New York Telegraph.

6HE Cook & whithy t i1e,,rs T 1,r-
ginia Whitby, called The
GUY nor'' by his people, was permitting
certain strange grafters to travel with
the show, thus deliberately wronging
!, these who had contracted for the priv
| iiege.
Big steve, who changed big ones into
| little ones" and by providing small
| change for large notes CLEANED fat Nv
ing for himself caught whitby as the
circus cars steamed into the town OF
Mardy, and made bitter complaint.
IT 1t comes down to this, that us fell
lers are to git the rinky dink, while you
perfect a bunch of Chicago dips, why,
say SO, an femme blow, quick said
Steve, "'cause I don't stand fur it,"
| Old Adam Whitby squlnted at him from
the shade of dusty black sombrero.
"IJev I ever. bunked your" he asked;
| 'you know l amt
You was born a bunk" said Steve,
| angrily; "yessih, you have But you
| don't git no more chances. Either your
new pals goes, or I an the boys will.
'Taint no use putin on that con smile
| o. yours If they work this lot today it'll
! be took as your answer"
He strobe through the muddy lot,
| stopped a moment to greet Sadie, the
! elephant, and disappeared behind group
of busy razorbacks.
.Cuss him! I guess he means 1t, too
said Whitby, scowling. 'Hangin's too
good fur him. Always beefin, no matter
where we are"
Big Steve's wife was a snake charmer
and his father-in-law was ring director.
His influence was so strong that If he In
sisted his loving family would laugh at
contracts and jump the show within an
| hour. Whitby decided to give in. The
| Chicago grafters were ordered to leave
| and as whitby policed his own show with
| a lot of SCARED veterans who much pre-
ferred lighting to languid days of peace,
! they went
| Big Steve watched his business rivals
tramping to the railroad station and then
| located whitby
| us boys kin pick up an honest dollar
again. They tell me this burg's got a
| nosey sheriff an a couple town cops
who like to mix in. Have you squared the
sheriffT'
II amt. but 1 WILL said Whitby,
peevishly, when I kin git to it. got a
lot to worry me, but I'll perfect you.
Don't be afeared l won't. Only don't
git rough. You're liable to knock a
mans bean of II he don't let you trim
! him."
| "'Cause I'm sore on contrary folks
replied Steve. III they're reasonable, 1
| am It's cloudin up BE our luck II 1t
! rains"
/ Instead of rain the sun shone so hoty
| that the lemonade privilege was worth a
! good sum. Big Steve noted the crowds
! coming in buckboards and wagons and
on mule and horseback and grinned
cheerfully.
A heavy smell of cabbage and stewing
| and animals. Between cook and dress
ing tents performers limbered up, argued,
laughed and quarreled.
Bill, lion, had an tngrowing toe nail,
| and his keeper had just operated upon
1t. SO Bill roared huslxily, not from pain,
for the toe was better, but because the
world was a gloomy place for lions and
roaring relieved his feelings.
The seats were in position, the ticket
men on the doors and the freaks were
swallowing dessert on the run. and hus-
Ting to their platforms, for the show
began with them. A party of nine little
boys herded through the main entrance,
giggling and happy. After them followed
grown-ups and countless more little per-