The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-22

desert country. "of there is my show. A fine big
place, all quiet-nothin to worry about, trouble,
You come along an I'll let you Trick dogs an
mules and burros-an' a trick snake too They ali
go round in ring, head to tail So" He executed
shuttle about the table, while Seyencroft trembled
little and stuck to his chair He not quite
WINGED of ali his suspicious
The old man stopped smiled, and pointed his finger
again.
"TH go halves with yeh Yes, will. Nov a show
with clown is good. Two clowns It ought TO
have. There ought to be than clown in the
world heyl I'll teach yen. Oh don't worry. Thereu
be nobody to laugh when get the show started Xe
be clown and not be troubled. Off there it's all
quiet people sticoin their damned fingers an
whispering about yeh: There he isl There he isl
None of that"
Speyencroft laughed with him. but his laughter had
of fear in it. He reached up and rubbed his
beard with feeling of thankfuness in that it had
grown Godl if he only could that old fool clean
shaver. Speyencroffs caous thought gave leap
across the vision of the young sprawling past,
when there had been Speyencroft Outfit and trick
burros and one very nimble clown who
Speyencroft rubbed his beard again and wondered
If the years had changed him much.
whats your manner" he asked, trying to put the
question idly. though he bit his lip afterward.
The other perp1eted momentari1y. Don't you
know" he inquired, vacanty, and he reflected as a
child Then he dubbed with that maddening
chuclde again: "Why-why, I'm Joel There used to
be whole family of us, ali 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 out. ri make you good clown and then
we'll Wheeler
If the old fool had recognized him thus far he
would not, thought Speyencrof so he determined TO
tumor him bit before making any serious effort to
get rid of him entirely. There nothing 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 chucldes 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 on your face.
You've got to make up c1ean-a11 cleanse can rub
the powder an the splotches of red Ha-haal
clean an redI But I'll fix It'll I'll show yehl
Don't you care-I fix all that. :"
couple of strides and he had crossed the cabin
Speyencroft wondered what trick about to Be
exhibited The old fellow reached ND to little recess
in the wall that had escaped Speyencroffs attention
when he had searched for food, and when he turned
toward the table again Speyencroft trembed and grew
rigid in his chair There CLEAN in the old mans
hand that quivered as if alive It was more dau1ero
than any reflection from gun could have been. It
Speyencroft did not stir, for something like keen
fascination transfxed him He heard the Of the
others voice going aimess1y but he saw only one
thing little CULVER of light
"You can't be clown until you shave all that clean
can yeh? But you will make fine c1own-dont
worry :"
With nothing but a chair for defense Speyeneroft
dared not make false He talk the other
away from the idea hunnor him until possession Of
the blade could be had
well I'm tired" said speyencroft, with great
wen attend to that in the morning chr Sure,
that's what we'll do"
mo; got to get early start then. Got to do Il
now"
But well have to practice first. I might not make
clown"
ooh, yes, you wi1-when saew yef how IT'S done
I'm the only clown there is in the world. :"
You're You might be wrong about that Soey-
encroft thoughtless1y began argue. 81 know that
won't"
"eYou won'tp
Perhaps won't make "a"
"You wi1lF
The eyes that had been empty glittered with an
almost evil insstence The imbecile playfulness of e-
preston wavered and seemed to fade of his face
He stepped forward wari, holding the out be-
hind him.
You're afraid-youre afraid that you'll cut your
self; but don't worry, trouble. I'll show yeh; III
shave yeh. Sit down"
All of tremble, Speyencroft had half arisen from
his chair Mortified and white, when he felt the old
mans fingers his unkempt beard. A moment more
and it had his intention leap behind the
with the chair for a weapon, but ne had wasted the
precious moment in parley Speyencroft felt himself
go powerless. His grew rigid until something
faulty snapped and they nerve1ess and limp. While
that vicious thing held away he had NJ chance
the slightest The red light of the fire sin
touch the thin edge of the blade The thought
of attempt wrest it from the clown brought on
cold hideous shuddering
"St down All clean hrst-an' then we'll put the red
on"
Speyencroft felt his throat and lips dry and shriyel
His eyes ached from staring into that impish face the
1eer of which had become filled with a cunning in
terest in madrnan's pastime He not able
resist He crumpled down in the chair, weak spine
sensation-a c1ammy imagining that his neck
dripping
The shadows of the cabin began go around IN
waverng circles For eternity he stared into those
scarifyng eyes lighted by evil delight. He
longer able to distinguish words one from anotaerG
only these were thin edges and burned under hS4