Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-12-19

to my father-and never did"
She paused, but at the pressure OF
Abbott's sympathetic hand, she went
on with renewed courage:
when was big enough, l wore a
tiny black skirt. and a red coat with
shiny buttons. and I beat the drum
in the carnival band. You ought to
have seen me-so little. Abb
bott, you can't imagine how little
was! We had about a dozen small
shows in our company, fortune-tellers.
minstrels, magic wonders. and all that
and the band had to march from one
tent to the next, and stand out in front
and play. to get the crowd in bunch.
SO the free exhibition could work on
their nerves. And I'd beat away, in
my red coat and there were
always the strange faces, staring. star
ing-but l was SO little! Sometimes
they would smile at me, but mother
had taught me never to speak to any.
one, but to wear a glazed look like
this"
How frightfully cold!" Abbott
shivered. Then he laughed, and go did
Fran. They had entered Littleburg.
He added wickedly: And how dread
fully near we are getting to your
home"
Fran gurgled. Wouldn't Grace Noir
Just die II she could see us!"
That sobered Abbott; considering
his official position. it seemed high
time for reflection.
Fran resumed abruptly. But I new
er really liked 1t because what I want
ed was a home-to belong to some
body. Then l got to hating the bold
stare of peoples eyes. and their fool
ish gaping mouths. hated being al
ways on exhibition with every gesture
watched. as ifI'd been one of the
trained dogs. hated the public.
wanted to get away from the world
clear away from everybody =.
like / am now with you. Isn't
1t great!"
Mammoth" Abbott declared, wa
tering her words with liberal imagina-
ton.
II must talk fast. or the Gregory
house will be looming up at us.
Mother taught me all she knew, though
she hated books; she made herself
think she was only in the show life
ways Just little more-she really
loved 1t, you see. But l loved the
books-study-an that wasn't
the show. 1t was kind of friendly
when began feeding Samson"
Poor little Nonpareil!" murmured
Abbott wistfully.
And often when the show WAS be-
ing unloaded, I'd be stretched out in
our sleeper. with school book pressed
close to the cinder-specked window.
catching the first light. When the
mauls were pounding away at the tent
pins, maybe I'd hunt a seat on some
cage, IL 1t had been drawn up under a
tree. or maybe it'd be the ticket wag-
on, or even the stake pile-there you'd
see me studying away for dear life.
dressed in plain little dress. trying
to look like ordinary folks. Such
queer little chap, l was-and always
trying to pretend that wasn't!
You'd have laughed to see me-"
Laughed at you'll" cried Abbott in
dignantly. Indeed shouldn't"
MOI" exclaimed Fran, patting his
arm impulsively.
Dear little wonder!" he returned
conclusively.
81 must tell you about one time" she
continued gaily. We were in New
Orleans at the Mardi Gras. and I was
expected to come into the ring riding
Samson-not the vicious old lion, but
cub-that was long after my days of
the drum and the red coat, bless youi
l was a lion-tamer. now. nearly thir-
teen years old. II you'll believe me.
Well! And what was l saying-you
keep. looking SO friendly. you make me
forget myself. Goodness. Abbott. it's
SO much fun talking to you
I've never mentioned all this to one
soul in this town Well-oh.
yes: ! was to have come into the ring,
riding Samson. Everybody was wait
ing for me. The band nearly blew it.
self black in the face. And what do
you think was the matter?"
Did Samson balk?"
mo. it wasn't that. l was lying on
the cage floor, with my head on Sam
son-Samson the Second made such a
gorgeous and animated pillow!-and |
was learning geology. I'd just found
out that the world wasn't made in sew
en- United States days, and 1t was
such surprising news that I'd forgot.
ten all about cages and lions and tents
If you could have seen me lying
there-if you Just could"
But can!" Abbott declared.
Your long black hair is mingled with
his tawny name, and your cheeks are
blooming"
And my feet are crossed" cried
Fran.
And your feet are crossed; and
those little hands hold up the book"