Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1914-02-05

and made a rush for his end of the
see-saw. He stepped upon it. He was
conquered. His haste to obey, evil
IDENTIFY the result of fear and hatred,
produced a 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
g%roundless. Yet how were SO many
condolences to be explained away?
Fran had been a show-girl, a trainer of
lions, and Abbott distinctly remem-
bered that she had spoken of a 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 a 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 un-
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 ig-
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 a minute. La Confetti
gets astride of Samson-the one that's
mad-and grabs his name, and pre-
tends to ride like a 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 it looks like she's game
she'll try it-we'd better stand a LITTLE
farther back"
A hand was laid upon Abbott's arm
Abbott" said the voice of Roberr
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 his time had come
to be ridden. vas asserting his indie
pendence. He would not leap upor
the table. The other lion stood watch
ing sleepily to see if he would obey.
THAT you, Clinton?" Simon''
greeting was tense with enjoyment
Got here for the best of it didn'
you! Seems to me l saw Gregor!
somewhere not long ago, but I WASH
thinking about him"
"Hercules!" the masked woman ad
dressed, the gentler Of the lions. ct
to your place. Hercules-go to you:
placei"
Hercules turned to his blue box
and seated himself upon it, leaving hi
tail to take care of itself.
The show-girl was t~iercely address
ing the black-maned lion. Nov! Now
To the table! To the tablet"
Samson did not bulge. Facing tn
woman Of the mask, he opened hi
mouth, revealing the red cave Of hi
throat-past the ivory s~entinels tina
not only stood guard, but threatened
one could look down and down. Thi
was no yawn of WEAKNESS, but a sig
Of rebellion-a sort of noiseless roar.
The trainer retreated to the farthe
side of the cage, then made a forwar
rush, waving her whip, and shoutin
dangerously, up, Samson, up San
son, up" She did not PAUSE in he
course till close to his face.
Again he opened his mouth, BARN
every tooth, voiceless, but uncor
quered.
Hercules, finding that affairs ha
come to a halt, slowly descended fror
his box, keeping his half-opened eye
upon the woman. Restlessly he b,
gan to pace before the outer door.
The slight figure withdrew sever,
steps, then smote the rSbellious lion
sharp blow across the mouth. Fl
snapped at the lash. 1t slipped ava