Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-02-06


and made a rush for his end OF the
see-saw. He stepped upon 1t. He was
conquered. His haste to obey, evil
IDENTIFY the result of fear and hatred.
produced ripple of laughter. The
other lion. feeling the sudden tremor
of Samson's weight, opened his eyes
suddenly and twitched his tail. He
was not asleep. after all.
Abbott found himself intensely nerv-
GUS. He longed to have it all over.
anxious, above all. to prove his fears
groundless. Yet how were so many
condolences to be explained away
Fran had been a show-girl. trainer OF
lions, and Abbott distinctly remem-
bered that she had spoken Of Sam
son." Fran had just these movements
and this height He missed Fran's
mellow voice, but voices may be dis
guised; and the hands now raised to-
ward the audience may have been
stained dark. Who was that sick
friend" that Fran had possibly men,
toned only as an excuse for escaping
Was that subterfuge? And why this
red mask which, according to Simon
Jefferson. was an innovation?
At every trick. the black-maned lion
baked.
When the time came for the clown
to hand the woman her violin he was
afraid, and withdrew his arm with
marvellous rapidity. His grotesque dis.
guise could not hide his genuine I'm.
easiness The members of the band
too, played their notes with unusual
care, lest the slightest deviation from
routine work bring catastrophe. Moth
ing had gone right but the see-sawing
act; but of all this, the crowd was liz.
norant.
After the violin playing-"Now." 81.
mon Jefferson announced, gleefully
! there's only one more act. but it's a
corker, let me tell you-that's why
she's resting minute. La Confetti
gets astride of Samson-the one that's
mad-and grabs his name, and pre-
tends to ride like cowboy. Calls her.
self a rough rider. Makes Samson
get on top of that table. then she gets
on top of him."
But this isn't La Confetti" Abbott
protested, shuddering again.
Now you've said something. That's
right But 1t looks like she's game
she'll try it-wed better stand a little
farther back"
A hand was laid upon Abbott's arm
Abbott" said the voice of Robert
Clinton, harsh from smothered excite
ment, You went to Gregory's house
did you see him."
Abbott did not hear. The refractory
lion, knowing that bis time had come
to be ridden, was asserting his indie
| pendence. He would mot leap upon
the table. The other lion stood watch
ing sleepily to see II he would obey
That you, Clinton?" Simon's
greeting was tense with enjoyment
Got here for the best of it didn't
you! Seems to me I saw Gregory
Somewhere not long ago. but wasn't
thinking about him."
"Hercules!" the masked woman ad
dressed the gentler of the lions. &c
to your place. Hercules-go to your
place!"
Hercules turned to his blue box
and seated himself upon 1t. leaving his
tail to take care of itself.
+ The show-girl was fiercely address
ing the black-maned lion. Now! Now
To the table! To the tablet"
Samson did not bulge. Facing the
woman of the mask. he opened his
mouth. revealing the red cave of his
throat-past the ivory sentinels thai
not only stood guard, but threatened
one could look down and down. This
was no yawn of WEAKNESS. but a sigr
of rebellion-a sort of noiseless roar.
The trainer retreated to the farther
side Of the cage. then made a forward
rush, waving her whip. and shoutins
dangerously, up. Samson, up Sam
son. up" She did not pause in bel
! course till close to his face.
Again he opened his mouth, BARNS
every tooth. voiceless. but uncon
quered.
Hercules, finding that affairs hat
come to halt. slowly descended from
his box. keeping his half-opened eyes
upon the woman. Restlessly he be
gan to pace before the outer door.
| The slight figure withdrew severa
steps, then smote the rebellious lion {
sharp blow across the mouth Il,
Il q annod M Il