The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-06-12

ES@7 -
... X ~
mo matter a0bat happens, the show has
F. ~. ~. ,t~5. to go on"
er an jes's about everything to that
little one. She wasn't much bigger'n
a handful of peanuts when we begun,
a-worryin' about her."
We'll, Mandy will do the worrying
now," Douglas laughed. She's been
dying for chance to mother some
body all along. Why, she even tried
it on me-
II noticed as how some of those
church people seemed to look kinder
queer at me- said Toby, IAN l been
a-wonderin' If mebbe they might feel
the same about her"
"Oh, they're all rightr' Douglas as
sured him. They'll be her friends in
no time"
''She's fit for 'em. sir" Toby plead
ed. "She's good. clean into the mid
die of her heart"
'1'm sure of it." Douglas answered.
1--WE heard how some church folks
feels towards us circus people? Sir,
an jes' wanted you to know that
there amt finer families or better
mothers Or fathers or grandfathers or
grandmOthers anywhere than among
us. Why. that girls mother rode the
horses afore her, an her mother afore
that, an her grandmother an grand
father afore that, an there amt no
body what's cared more for their good
name an their children's good name
an her people has. You see, sir, cir
Gus folks is all like that. They's jes'
like one big family. They tends to
their business an takes good care Of
themselves. They has to or they
couldn't do their work. Ito cause I'm
ieavin' her with you that I'm sayin'
all this" the old man apologized..
I'm glad you told me, Toby" Doug
las answered kindly. 1--WE never
known much about circus foNV." -
81 guess I'd better be goin'." Toby
faltered as his eyes roved hungrily to-
ward the stairway. :
5s'I'u send you our route, an mebbe
you'll be lettin' us know how she is"
"1ndeed. I WILL" Douglas assured
him heartily.
you might tell her Wen write ever
Gay or So" he added.
.~''IlI tell her." Douglas promised ear
nestly.
"Good nightr' The old man hesitat-
ed, unwilling to go, but unable to find
further pretext for staying.
GOOD night, Toby" Douglas ex-
tended his hand toward the bent figure
that was about to shuttle past him.
The withered hand Of the white faced
clown rested in the strong grasp Of the \
pastor, and his pale little eyes sought
the face Of the stalwart man before
him. A numb desolation was growing
in his heart. The object for which he
had gone on day by day was being left
behind, and he must stumble forth
into the night alone. l..
"It's hard to leave her." he num-
bled, "but the show has got to 60 on
The door shut out the beat, old fig
ure. Douglas stood for some time
where Toby had left him, still think
ing Of his prophetic words. His rev.
erie was broken by the sounds OF the
departing wagons, the low muttered
curses Of the drivers, the shrieking
and roaring of the animals, as the cir
Gus train moved up the distant bill.
''The show has got to go on pc re-
peated as he crossed to his study table
and seated himself for work In the
dim light of the old fashioned lamp. !
He put out one hand to draw the
sheets OF his interrupted sermon to-
ward him. but instead it fell upon a
small sailor hat He twisted the hat
absently In his fingers, not yet realiz-
ing the new order of things that was
coming into his life. Mandy tiptoed
softly down the stairs. She placed one
pudgy forefnger on her lips and rolled
her large eyes skyward. dat sure
am an angel chile straight from heb
ben," she whispered. ''She done got q +
face jes' like little flower" .s
straight from heaven" Douglas Re
peated as she crossed softly to the ta-
BILE and picked up the satche1 and coat
4 .'You can leave the lamp, Mandy
must finish tomorrow's sermon. : q
She turned at the threshold and
shook her head rather sadly as abe
saw the imprint Of the days cares On
the! young pastors face.
s'eYo' mus be pow'ful tired. !" shs
said.
mo. no; not At al. Good night
5Mandy q is;
She closed the door behind her, and
Douglas was alone. He gazed absent
II at the pages OF his unfiished ser
mon as be tapped his Idle pen on the 3
desk. The show has got to go on, ~
he repeated. and Tar up the hillside
with the slow moving wagons Jim and
Toby looked with unseeing eyes into
the dim, starlit distance and echoed
the thought, The show has got to SO
on
no Pc Continued,