Evening star., 1914-01-25

over the bridge She too disappeared. Then
our grocer friend touched me on the shoul-
der
Trucks fixed said he.
Get il out of the way, said |. while Nc
Cam told the driver OF a SiX-horse lion cage
that the street was clear and he could save
time and trouble by continuing straight
ahead. He took the advice. The others
followed him. We watched them from the
running board of Miss Dorothy's automo-
bile.
Directly behind their wheczy calliope
came Sans paradc-and some showing they
made, believe me! Headed by Timkins on
his white horse, they swung past. every
mount groomed, every chariot, cage, parade
wagon. and every harness cleaning in the
sun.
Isn't it beautiful" sighed .Jack's sister
when the steam organ had disappeared past
the grocery.
had never thought of it that way be
fore; but by comparison the street pro
cession of the Mighty Harkins Show looked
positively exquisite that day. | suggested
that we make call on our old friend Bill
ings. All agreed that it was the thing to do
Billings had been forgotten too long.
once across the little bridge and round
" the corner. we came upon corral Of
animals, wild and tame. hitched to trees,
locked in cages. and tied to cartwhccls. Pa
rade wagons Roman chariots, and the
gildcd throne Of the tcn-thousand- dollar
Circassian Beauty were lined up in an alley.
All had wells & Howe painted big all over
them. a couple Of blocks down the street
we came to the town hall and lookup. On
the front steps sat Billings.
"Tugged sevcnty-thrcc of the rascals,
said he as we drove up, "and they're all in
theah waiting to he brought befo' the bah
of justice. Yes, Sab, Look at the vermin.
No man, Sab. can tampah with the honah
Of Petertonl No, Sah Not with impunity,
Sah,"
Through one of the barred windows Of the
iai we could see the Circassian Queen, her
face tlattened against the grating The
heads of the firm OF Wells & Howe were
visible at another. They still wore top
hats. Clowns, acrobats. equestrians. and
roughnecks gaspcd for air at the seven or
eight other openings, while a crowd OF the
curious gazed at them from the sidewalks.
Among them | saw Skinny McGee, cham
pion pickpocket, and pointed him out to
lack He saw me point.
Hello. Mr.. Coleman" said he, dofiing
his hat and grinning. I've got to hand II
to YOU You certainly put this one over all
right How's Fat florence
He referred to the obese lady in our side
show, whom he had met once in interesting
circumstances. told him Florrie was hold
ing her own at GA avordupois. Then. with
a cordial goodby to Billings, we drove off to
the lot where the Mighty Harlins Show
was exhibiting. Sam met us at the en-
trance.
HOWDY, Folks" he said, and chuckled.
IL This trick is working out fine. All the
officials Of Peterton are sitting inside watch
ing the show Tent is packed, and we've
stopped selling tickets. y dozen lawyers
have tried TO get in, but can't; 50 Wells &
Howe must stay in jail until five. They've
sent out orders to pull down their canvas
and haul to the train. Not enough people
out Of prison to give a show. Can you beat
it, Come inside, and I'll find YOU a place
to stand anyhow You'll see some-what's
that
Somebody had tapped him on the arm.
1t was our friend the grocer, with his bill.
"To bust one truck, $50: to bust 96
watcrmelons. 5000; total, $500 Sam
read "All right, Mr.. Groceryman, and he
fished out tifty-dollar note There you
are, and I'm much obliged to YOU
You We got eighty cents comm to you.
and amt got no change, said the man.
Sam thought a minute. I'll tell YOU