The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-07-14
Copyright, 1907.
d. Appleton & ca
By MOLLY ELLIOT sEAwELL
CHAPTER TX.
Author Of The Victory" The Bpghtly Of Marae &c

Toni was now thirteen years old, and
though short. was very 1.-THE and well
made He had never been on horses
back since that glorious day when the
old cavalry charger had run eff with him,
and he had not been able to enjoy the
society OF the horses much. or 20 Turk
around the riding school since his APP
premiership TO Clery. on a certain May
day which. although Toni did not know
II, was day Of fate TO him, ne saw the
greatest sight of his life-the debarka-
ton Of a circus company. with all its
horses and other animals, at the little
station in Bienville.
Toni had often seen recruits debark
when they came 10 the cavalry school for
instruction. Clumsy. awkward fellows
they were-at first ridiculously uneasy
on horse, and often as much afraid OF
a horse as Toni was of people. And he
had seen them return. fine, dashing-
looking troopers. after having been licked
into shap in the riding school. He loved
to see the horses led to the train-they
were so intelligent. so orderly, and seemed
like real comrades OF the troopers. But
he had never seen anything like the
trained intelligence of the circus horses
in his life. and on this May day. when
he wandered down TO the station and saw
horses who obeyed the word Of command,
like human beings. In getting of the
train and taking up their right places,
he was astounded and delighted Every
boy in BienviIle was at the station 70
see the circus arrive. but Toni. according
10 his habit, skunk OF by himself. There
were numerous cages of animals, IN
which the other boys took a much greater
interest than in the horses. but the other
animals were nothing to Toni. to wiem
the cult of the horse was everything.
He followed the circus people. at re-
spectful distance. to the large open field
where they put UP the tent, but the chief
point OF interest 10 him was the tenn
porary canvas stables which were erect
ed. He knew that it was time for him To
go back to Clery's. but he could not. TO
save his life. have torn himself away
| from the fascinating sights and sounds
which surrounded him.
Everywhere was the hustle and we'll
regulated haste of such companies. The
circus. which was really a small affair
had arrived in the morning. and the tent
was up. and the performance ready e
open by O'Clock. Toni spent the whole
of the Intervening time watching what
was going on. clery and the shop quite
faded from his memory He saw the
circus riders come out OF the dressing
tent in their beautiful costumes OF red
and gold and pink and silver. little tar.
nished. but glorious in TOMS eyes, and he
saw the horses gayly csparisoned and al.
most adored them.
II he had a single franc. he would De
able 10 so into the tent, and see the
performance. but he had not franc. nor
did he know where to get one. except
exeept-he knew where his mother KEEP,
a tin box full OF francs. He was afraid
/ TO go 10 her and ask her for the franc
because he had not been near Cleary's
shop that day. and il his mother once
caught him she might send him back 70
/ the shop, and that would mean no circus
for him that day. But It was 50 easy