The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1912-10-25

ty handling Of the bacon. he was hun-
cry. The coarse but well cooked food
pleased his palate more than he could
have believed. He ate his oil Of the
chuck" as his neighbor called it.
Then he was hurried back to the wag-
on in which be had slept. It was emp
ty now, c%avernous and reeking with
the odor Of damp canvas lately re-
moved.
cit in there, KID" said his guide
briskly. You gotta keep under cover
fer a spell. Stay in there tel Joey
Grinaldi says the word. Them's Brad
docks orders"
David hesitated. where II Mn-
Braddock ?" he asked.
Train amt in yet. You don't sup
pose the high lights travel this way. do
your
David crawled into the chariot, and
the door was closed after him. BE
slipped over on bis side. stretched out
his legs and forgot his doubts and trou-
bles.
He was aroused by the jostling and
bouncing Of the huge empty wagon.
With a start Of alarm be leaped to his
feet, striking his head against the roof
of his abiding place, and hurried to the
end Of the wagon to peer out through
the slit. Bands were playing, whips
were cracking and children were
shrieking joyously. 1t was a long time
before he grasped the situation. The
grand free street parade was In
progress; be was riding like q Gagged
beast through the principal streets Of
the town.
From the security Of his position he
could look out upon the throng that
lined the sidewalks, without danger
Of being seen In return. After the
first great wave of modification and
shame, he was able to consider his
situation to be quite as amusing az It
was fortunate.
In time the twenty wagons, with
their double and quadruple teams. at
tended fore and aft by cavaliers and
court ladies, papier mache grotesques,
trick mules and calico ponies came
once more to the grounds. still pur-
sued by the excited crowd. Far ahead
Of the parade a loud voiced barker
rode. warning all people to look out
for their horses: 1.-THE elephant is
coming!" Just to show their utter lack
Of poise, at least fifty farm nags In
super equine terror, leaped out Of their
harness and into their OWL vehicles
when Goliath, the decrepit old ele-
plant. shuffled by, too tired to lift his
nooloenJ. %h,,c sDrv tho Hn0t
distinction between themselves and the
circus horses which only noticed Coli
ath when he got in the way.
David had a long wait In the dark.
stuffy chariot. Finally the door was
opened and Braddock looked In. d.
rectly behind the proprietor was the
dirty sidewall Of a tent. David blinked
afresh in the light Of day-although.
alas, the sun was not shining.
Hello" said Braddock shortly.
Come out"
The boy slid to the ground, and
Braddock followed him into the huge
tent. A small army of men were
erecting the seats for the afternoon
| performance. David realized that he
was In the "main top"
A stocky. bowlegged man, his hands
in his pockets and a short brier pipe
in his mouth, advanced to meet them.
well. 'ow are your" asked this
merry eyed stranger. his face going
into a hundred wrinkles by way Of
friendly greeting. 'Oh, ! say, David.
don't you know your old pal and play
mate? Hi, there! Ere we are"
David stared in astonishment7 IT
was Grinaldi, the clown. without his
make up or his wig! Never was there
such a change in human face.
They clasped hands. David laughing
outright in the ecstasy Of relief at fnd-
ing this whilom friend.
Keep shady, you" said Braddock,
finding no pleasure in the boys change
Of manner. Those pinchers came over
on the train with us. And say, we
might just as we'll settle what's to be
lone about you. I've thought it over
seriously. I'm taking a risk in havin'
you around. understand that. But II
you want a job with the show. I'll
give you one. Tell you what ri do:
I'll give you $3.50 a week and your
board. That's good pay for a beginner.
You to do clown work and
But l can't be a clown began
David.
"Well, what do you want?" roared
Braddock. apparently aghast. "Do you
expect to ride around in carriages and
live on goose liver? Say. where do you
think you are? In society," Well. you
can get that out Of your head. lemme
tell you that you
ERE. ere. Brad" put in Joey sharp
~. Don't talk like that. Els not
used to that sort o. gam"
We'll. the offer don't stand long.
He either takes 1t or he don't II he
don't, out he goes. Say. You. Where's
all that money you had last nightl
I'm not goin' to have anybody carryin'
a wnd around like that and gettIn'
It nabbed and then settin' up q roar