Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1914-01-29
XIII.


The Conqueror.
After the extinguishment of the
Fran-beam, Abbott wanted to be alone,
to mediate on stellar and solar bright
ness, 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
bolt; Simon passed at once to a more
interesting theme: Taken in the
Lion Show, YETI"
I'm just waiting for nine-thirty.
I. . l have an engagement" Flu
tile words, indeed. since it was now
only eight o'clock,
you come with me, then, l know
all the ropes. Hey? Oh, yes, ] 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 griz-
zled hair ~nervously. Just for fear
s~omebody'd go 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 dt-
rection taken, but a few minutes be-
fore, by Hamilton Gregory and Grace
Noir. "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!
I a right at the front, hanging on
to the railing, and ] saw it all. Why,
she pretty lei fell on me. Her foot
slipped just So" Simon extended
his leg with some agility.
WAS she killed." Abbott asked,
c%oncealing his establishment over ST.
mons evident acquaintance with the
black tent before which they had
paused.
WELL" Simon reluctantly conceded,
"~n-n-no, she wasn't to say killed-but
d~readfully bruised up, Abbott, very
painful. l saw it all; this carnival has
put new life into me-here! Get your
ticket in a jiffy, or all the seats'll be
taken. You can't stand there like that
give me your quarter, l know how
to jump in and get first place. That
ticket agent knows me; I've been In
five times"
From a high platform before the
black tent, a voice came through a
megaphone: "The Big Show. The
Big Show. See those enormous lions
riding in baby carriages while La Con
izetti makes other lions dance the
fandango to her violin. See those"
Here, Abbott, follow" called the
%breathless Simon Jefferson. "Of course
we'll see what's there-no use listen
ing to him, like an Introduction in a
novel of Scott's telling it all first. You
follow me-"
Abbott laughed aloud at Simon's
ability as they pushed their way I'M
der the tent.
"Uh-huh, now see that!" groaned
Simon reproachfully, as he looked
about. Every seat taken. l tell you,
you've got to lift 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 two-thirds of the space I'M
der the tent was taken up by tiers of
seats formed Of thin, and apparently
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, wom-
en- and children who, tenacious of
their holdings, seemed each to con
tain in his pockets the feet of him who
sat Immediately behind.
The seats faced an immense cage
which rose almost to the roof. AS yet,
1t was empty, but smaller adjoining
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 If to avoid the
canvas, they hoped to escape observa-