Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-06
ByJ0HN BRE( kEllRlDG Ellis

CHAPTER XIII
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CHAPTER XIII
The Conqueror.
After the exting,lishment of the Fran
beam Abbott wanted to be alone, to
mediate on stellar and solar bright
mess, but in this vociferous wilderness,
reflection was impossible. One could
not even escape recognition, one could
not even detach oneself from a Simon
Jefferson.
Got back to town again. hey?" said
Simon. That was enough about Alb.
bot; Simon passed at once to more
interesting theme Taken in the
Lion Show, YETI"
I'm just waiting for nine-thtrty.
3. have an engagement Futile
words, indeed, since 1t was now only
about eight o'clock.
"You come with me, then, I know
all the ropes. Hey? Oh, yes. I know
mother thinks me in bed-for good
ness sake don't tell on me, she'd be
scared to death. But actually, old
man, this carnival is good for my
heart. 'Tisn't like going to church,
one bit. Preaching makes me feel op-
pressed, and that's what scares me
feeling oppressed He rubbed his
STlZZlcu HdlT ucINOusiy. oooc XVI
fear somebody'd 60 tell, I've had to
sneak into all these shows like I'd been
a thief in the night"
Simon urged Abbott along in the d.
rection taken but few minutes. by
Hamilton Gregory and Grace NOR.
"You see," Simon painted, when the
girl fell off the trapeze-heard about
that, hey? Mother was overjoyed,
thinking I'd missed the sickening sight.
But bless your SOUL was right at
the front. hanging on to the railing.
and I saw 1t all. Why, she pretty
near fell on me. Her foot slipped
just So" Simon extended his leg
with some agility.
was she killed Abbott asked,
concealing his establishment over
Simon's evident acquaintance with the
black tent before which they mad
paused.
well" Simon reluctantly conceded,
"n-n-no, she wasn't to say killed-but
dreadfully bruised up, Abbott. very
painful. I saw 1t all; this carnival has
put new life into me-here! Get your
ticket In jiffy, or all the seatsll be
taken. You can't stand there like that
give me your quarter, I know how
to jump in and get first place. That
tick knows me; I've been IN
five times
From a high platform before the
black tent, a voice came through a
meeaphone: "The Big Show. The
Big Show. See those enormous lions
riding in baby carriages while La Con.
izetti makes other lions dance the
i01s thnGp--'
Here. Abobtt, follow" called the
GREATNESS Simon JEFFERSON. vi
course we'll Sc what's there-no use
listening to him, like an Introduction IN
a novel of SCOTS, telling 1t all first.
Oh. you've got to squeeze your way
in" he continued. clenching his teeth
and hurting himself forward. lust
mash 'em endwise II they stand gaWk-
ing in your way. You follow me-
Abobtt laughed a!oud at Simons
ability as they pushed their way under
"uh.huh, now see that" groaned
Simon reproachfully, as he looked
about. every seat taken. tell you,
you've got to lift up your feet to get
into this show. Well, hang on to the
rope-don't let anybody gouge you
out Of standing room
At least twothirds of the space I'M
der the tent was taken UP by the tiers
of seats formed of thin, and apparent
Nv fragile. blue planks, springy to the
foot and deafening to the ear. From
hardened ground to fringed tent-ceil-
ing. these overlapping rows Of narrow
boards were trimming with men, won.
en-. and children, who, tenacious OF
holdings. seemed each to contain In his
rockets the feet Of him who sat i'm
mediately behind. At any rate, no
feet were visible; all was one dense
mass OF faces, shoulders, women's
hats. and babies held up for air.
The seats faced an immense cage
which rose almost to the roof. AS
vet. It was empty, but smaller adjoin-
ing cages promised an animated
arena when the signal should be
given.
Gregory and Grace Noir had sought
refuge on the highest seat, where they
might overlook the crowd; here, with
heads bent forward as II to avoid the
canvas they hoped to escape observa-
ton. Thanks to the influx Of country
folk, Littleburg citizens were rarely to
be seen at such shows until later and
more fashionable hour. Gregory was
relieved to find his topmost plank
filled with strangers. I
"All goes WELL" he said, pressing
Grace's hand. Nobody will find out
that we have been In here"
watch for Mr.. Clifton" Grace coun.
seled cautiously. 1T he comes in,
stoop lower"
They're all strangers, Grace. Provi-
dence is with us-there's Simon JEFF
ferson!" He was too amazed to think
of concealment.
Hush! Yes--and Abbott Ashton"
Gregory pulled his hat over his
eyes.
Into the tent streamed a fresh body
of sightseers. Simon, swinging to the
rope that was stretched In front Of the
big cage, grumbled at being elbowed
by weary mothers and broad-chested
farmers. He told Abbott, "The lions
are the only ones that have plenty of
room. wish there was cage for
me. But it's worth being jammed to
see La Gonizetti-shes pretty as
they're made and she's pretty all over,
and she don't care who knows it. Now
tho Rrct half ia about tn begin Int It's