The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-10-29

out ahead of him stifhy. His wizened
little face was puckered UP in a grin
which did not look good-natured. And
O thin. reed-like voice was piping up
answers to the questions his half-pity-
ing, half-sneering audience was putting
That's him.! said Cutie with more
fsrvor than grammar. That's my
II think I'll go over and speak. to
he hurried over ana started little
comedy scene with the dwarf which in
creased the size of the crowd very
greatly.
make hit with the management IL he
gets such bunch around Charles plat
FORM" remarked Cutie. But there was
jealousy in her tone. / knew that she
felt ] ought to do something to make
Suddenly she voiced her feeling Vow
Charliell think lighter of me than
ever" she said, with unconscious sar-
casm. THE whole crowd is going up
Fortunately. I did not have to prove
or disprove my talents for Just then
Jimmy furnished all the excitement
that little tent Of freaks could contain.
man who looked his part-the part OF
a racetrack hanger-on, 1 mean-not Of
q gentleman!
His prosperity or poverty could be
judged by his shoes--they were burn
ished to high luster when the ponies
ran for him and spotted and duh when
no wasn't "touting for a good thing"
He entered the tent while Jimmy was
talking to the dwarf Charlie, and tossed
little roll Of paper to the dwarf,
Charlie unrolled II and laghed rs II the
note contained a good joke. Then he
showed It into the belt which held his
miniature trousers in place.
Jimmy leaned over the ropes and said
In an ingratiating tone: u know run
nier one than that"
Charlie hurried eagerly to the edge OF
the platform, and Jimmy picked him up
by the waist and whispered his story to
the midget while the crowd watched in
high glec at this pretty entertainment.
What they did not observe was a little
light fingered work on JimmNs part
which left him in possession OF the note:
He hurried away, leaving The dwarf
fairly doubled up with mirth at the story
he had heard.
AS soon as he was alone Jimmy opened
the note and read: Sam arrested for
shell game. We divvy and scatter after
race"
ousiy and then decided on his course.
Evidently the dwarf Ben Wilders, and
an unknown named Sam were partners
in n nefarious deal-so that I've divNy
| and scatter after race bore clear
do was to put himself on II par with
| one of the men.
So he came over TO me and laugh
ingly announced I'm going to JaA!'
/ laughed heartily after ] had re-
| covered from my amazement. | was
even more amused when Jimmy told
me the ways and whereforcs of his de-
| termination.
Jimmy Slips Away.
Jimmy slipped ont of the tent and
hurried over to the side OF man who
stood near the entrance. Him he asked
| in a casual tone: "What time is the
frce-for-all?" The mans reply told
Jimmy that he had time to carry out
his plans and he hurried out
Presently at the gate of the fail
| grounds there stood man wearing the
| increased trousers the baggy coat
| and the shapeless hat of the "rura
| hayseed:" even to the whiskers and tn,
| large umbrella, the latest entrant of III,
fair grounds looked a "rube."
| Presently Mr.. Hayseed reached into
| his umbrella and took out small fold
| -, table which he set up with a tri
umphant air of having outwtted tn,
| law. Then he took three shells and q
! pea from his pocket and began to ma
nipulatc them. \ shell game offers ont