The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-04-26

II was walking back to New YORK
when you made me your oher. was
tired of the life and-well. here ! am
and I'm going to stay"
What became of the girl! asked
Hicks after a moment.
I'D like to think there was some
thing wrong" said Butch slowly. "out
| guess Dabney got the inside track
after | was left behind"
1 A few days later. gaudy posters an
nounced the coming OF the barnard
Brothers Gigantic Arenic Aggrega-
ton and Monster Menagerie. and MS
heart was troubled.
BETTER plow the south meaCow to-
morrow" Joel said as they came
back from the field I've decided TO
cultivate 1t this year. We're late SO
We must start at once"
Tomorrow is circus day." re-
minded Butch. You see the Bar
nards own the show and thought
perhaps you'd let me OF to visit with
them"
Cant possibly" declared Hicks.
trembling for the success Of his ex'
pertinent. II Butch ever got .
glimpse Of the tents he was sure that
the attraction would be too strong.
Suppose I get through early! sus.
eested Butch. Hicks smiled. He had
won. There was no getting through
early.
you may go to town a. soon ~
you've plowed tho held." hs prom
Used.
Butch smiled thoughtfully. There
was but the slightest suggestion OF
pink In the east whom he turned out
the next morning and the sun had not
vet risen when tho chores were done
and the horses were headed for the
field. =.
Before he had gone half the length
Of the first furrow, Butch realized tha'
there would be no circus for him. The
horses could scarcely drag the pillow
through the soil. II had not been
touched for three years and In spots
It was almost baked.
Far down the road there sounded
tho rumble Of wheels. and. dropping
the plow handles. Butch raced for the
fence. He came up Just a. the buggy
that headed the procession passed
him. Tho driver refined In at the 10
miliar salutation OF Hello. Bill!" and
gaxed curiously at the speaker. ther
he leapsd from the buggy.
Butch Thompson. BY all that's
holy" no laughed. How did you go
herer'
Walked" was the simple explana
ton. "You fellows forgot to leave
ticket for New York when you left me
In Cleveland"
"Dabney said you had gone to New
York on the night train." declared Bel
Barnard. I'VE all wrote you care o.
the Clipper but you didn't answer and
We couldn't locate you"
"Dabney left me In Cleveland with
out even my pay" said Butch fiercely
J Il was in his way with Lottie. II
ever catch him. I'll"
Hush" said Barnard softly. 1T dit
not do him any good with Lottie. HI
fell between two fats at Akron ant
was killed. He couldn't send the coll
back to you. No one else knew"
II see you've got your own show.
said Butch, to relieve the tension. do
Ing well,"
Fine. Got lot Of the old people
/ including I.ottie. Petite Is with us. too
: Billy Farlan bought him from the oil
man and trained him for ring acl
There ne Is back there
, Farlan came up with the elephant a
! that moment When there was hal
Is usually meant a mud hole and Petit
pushed the wagons across.
E Keep OF my foot. you brute,
laughed Butch as he slapped the trun
: that was curling inQuiringly abou
1 him. Il think you know me, old fe
: low"
Sure. he's apologizing." laughe
|. Farlan. Coming In to see the show
e Cant" explained Butch, as h
' pointed out the field 1T would take
steam engine to pull pillow throus
4 that big halifax brick. must d
u that before can get OF and l can
finish before night.
"rve got It." cried Farland. Ia
/" ten here" And he bent forward col
/. fidentially.
0 Halt an hour later Hicks trudge
Z down the road to make sure thu
; Butch was working. Half way dow
! . furrow moved Butch and . stranl
or. each with his hands upon
plow. But instead Of . team thel
Il moved Q huge bulk that dragged Il
, p,owshares through the heavy groun
. with the utmost ease. Petite was bell
. ing with the blowing.
b II guess this b going some" lsus
q a Butch - they came back 70 u
e fence. II told the boys Why coul
!. IT come to visit EN-. and they le
pstis 70 hslp me out That's the n
= cal that stepped On my foot ~
r know"