Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-05-08
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desert country. "Of there is my show fine b
place, all quiet-nohin to worry about, troubl,
You come along an III let you see. Trick dogs an
mules and burros-an' trick snake, too. They
go round in ring, head to tail, So" He executed
shuttle about the table, while Seyencroft trembled al
little and stuck TO his chair He not quite
WINGED Of all his suspicious
The old man stopped, smiled, and pointed his finger
again.
"Til go halves with yeh. Yes will Now show
with clown is good Two clowns it ought to
have There ought to be than clown in the
world, hey! III teach yeh Oh, don't worry Therc'l
be nobody laugh when get the show started Yeh
be clown and be troubled OFF there its all
quietno people stickin out their damned fingers an
whispering about yeh There he isl There he isl
None Of that"
Speyencrof laughed with him, but his laughter had
quaver of fear in it. He reached up and rubbed his
beard with a feeling Of thankfuncss in that it had
God! if he only could sec that old fool clean
shaver. Speyencrofts calous thought gave a leap
across the vision of the young man sprawling past,
when there had been a Speyencroft Outfit and trick
burros and one very nimbe clown who
Speyencroft rubbed his beard again and wondered
if the years had changed him much.
whats your name?" he asked irving to p,r the
question idly, though he bit his lip afterwart
The other was perpexcd momentarily. Don't you
know" he inquired vacanty, and he reflected as a
child. Then he dubbed with that maddenng
chuckle again "Why-why, I'm Joel There used to
be whole family of u.s. all Joes but they've
gone away watching for somebody an I'm the only
Joe of the family left. Who cares? You're the fellow
TO help me out. I'll make you good clown and then
we'll see Whee-iter
If the old fool had not recognized him thus far he
would not thought Speyencroft, he determined to
humor him bit before making any serious effort 10
get rid OF him entirely There was nothing to fear
He leaned back in his chair and laughed when the
other did Between them they made the cabin ring with
laughter
But suddenly the old mans ehuckles died away and
it seemed that something had convinced him his plans
were not all straight. He shook his head.
You can't be clown with that your face. .
You've got to make up cean-all cleanse we can rub
the powder an the spotches of red Ha-haa!
clean an red But III fix it! I'll show yeh
Don't you care-I fix all that. :"
couple of strides and he had crossed the cabin
Speyencroft wondered what trick was about to be
exhibited The old fellow reached up to little recess
in the wall that had escaped Speyencrots attention
when he had searched for food and when he turned
toward the table again Speyencroft trebed and grew
rigid in his chair. There CLEAN in the old mans
hand that quvered if alive 1t was more dangerous
than any reflection from gun could have been. It
Speyencroft did not stir, for something like a keen
fascination ransfxed him He heard the sound of the
others voice going anlcssy, but he saw only one
thng-a little nervous culver of light
you can't be clown until you shave all that clean
yeh? But you will make fine cown-don't
worry.
With nothing but a chair for defense, Speyencroft
dared not make false He must talk the other
away from the idea hulnor him until possession of
the blade could be had.
We'll I'm tired" said Speyencroft, with great
yawn. Wen attend to that in the morning eh Sure
that's what we'll do
mo; got to get early start then Got 70 do it
now"
clown"
"Oh yes. you will-when I show ych how it's done
IN the only clown there is in the world :"
YOU'RE You might be wrong about that" Spey-
encroft thoughessly began to argue Il know that I
won't"
You WORTH
Perhaps won't make "a"
"You will"
The eyes that had been empty now glittered with an
almost evil insstence The mbecile playfulness of ex-
preston wavered and seemed to fade out of his face
He stepped forward warly holding the razor out be-
hind him.
You're afraid-you're afraid that you'll cut your
self; but don't worry, trouble. III show yeh; III
shave yeh Sit down"
, All of trenlbe Speyencroft had half arisen from
his chair, Mortified and white when he felt the ole
" mans fingers his unkcmpt beard A moment more
and it had been his intention to leap behind the wal
> with the chair for weapon but he had wasted the
y precious moment in parley Speyencroft felt himself
. go powerless His grew rigid until something
:, faulty snapped and they nerveless and limp While
that vicious thing held away he had no chance
= not the slightest The red light of the fire lent sin
lister touch to the thin edge of the blade The though
- OF attempt to wrest it from the clown brought on
~ cold. hideous shuddering
:, "Sit down. All clean hrst-an then well put the rec
~ on"
= Speyencroft felt his throat and lips dry and shrvcl
~ His ached from staring into that impish face thu
~ leer OF which had become filled with cunning in
terest in madnan's pastime. He was not able t.
resist. He crumpled down in tie chair weak, spins
less thing, terrorzed that he was conscious of bu
- sensational camn,y imagining that his neck wa
dripping.
y. =. The shadows of the cabin began to go around i,
waYering circles For an eternity he stared into thn