The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1916-09-06

There was crowd Of the PERFORM
ers assembled in one of the dressing
tents, when Chockro entered and read
to them the contents Of Mrs. Lund's
letter. ~ ..A..>;ai '.SA s't4tf"lNf,
When Chockrc had left the DRESS,
ing tent, to assert his authority in
other departments and sections of the
show, Flip made little speech to the
performers who gathered around him.
"rm an old man, and I've been q,
long time with this show" said Flip
"Never mind about this new change
in management. It's really none Of our:
business, and all we have to do IL.
give our performance, and earn our
salary. It's late in the season, any
how. Perhaps the show will never 60
out again, and we had better make:
the most Of the little time we still
have to 60 on with the outfit. Take
my advice, boys. Make good your
share Of the show, just the same as
though nothing had happened" =;
Flips advice carried immediate
weight with those who listened to him.
When Peg came to him, filled with
curiosity and bubb!ing over with eager
Impotence to be enlightened, the old
clown had harder tnsk than he had
accomplished in pacifying the other
members Of the show company. The
death Of Doctor Lund had suddenly
perclpitated q crisis that Flip knew
was Immediately at hand.
'What in the world is all this mys-
terry about?" said Peg. as she put her
arms around the old clowns neck and
laid her cheek close to his. won't
you tell me now what you have SO
many times promised you would"
| You must wait little longer. my
girl cannot tell you now" Flip re-
sponded. And despite the girls insis-
cent pleadings, the old clown remained
silent. III
when the time comes you will
know all about it, Peg DEAR" he said.
''You must be patient little longer
and understand that I know what is
best for you"
The performers were gathered in
little groups discussing the death Of
Doctor Lund. and there was q general
Dir Of discomfort and restlessness un-
usual with the well regulated organi-
cation. Particular resentment was felt,
toward Mrs. Lund for plncing Chockr0
in charge Of the shows affairs.
The Hindu was arrogant and dis
agreeable in the exercise Of his new
authority and before he had been on
the lot Is minutes he had come In con-
tact with enough of the employees to
start mutiny.
Chockro was particularly offensive in
Jhis manner toward Peg when he en-
tered her dressing tent to display his
great delight in being able to move
freely about on the circus lot, where
he had been compelled to sneak his
way through on former visits.
"I'm the boss here now, young lady,"
said the Hindu upon entering Pegs
dressing tent, "and I'm going to give
you to understand that in the future
you must obey my orders and not act
as though you owned the show"
well, even II you are the boss, you
have no right to be here in my dress
II ing tent" said the circus girl, 'and I
want you to leave at once" ...
When the Hindu hesitated, Peg
made move toward him. Chockro
evidently had no desire to start a
scene just then, and turned to go, but
he halted as he reached the entrance
to Pegs tent and with a sheer said to
the girl:
"Never mind. young lady, I'll get
you yet" <t- "
There had been . report circulated
during the forenoon that there would
be no performance that day, but the
Hindu, under Mrs. Lund's orders, had
no intention Of thus showing respect
to the dead Snowman. Exactly as
though nothing had happened the af-
ternoon performance began on time
and proceeded as usual.
So 1t was that the clowns carried
on their various stunts with the same
degree Of frivolity that always marked
their antics; the various acts in the
SuOW QlOCc6OcU WAIuOuL uuAl VI AAIcA-
ruptiOn, and there was not the slight
est indication that the owner Of the
show was then lying dead, right in
the same town where the performance
was going on.
Chockro and his henchman took ad-
vantage Of the activities In the circus
ring to search for the letter that was
now so important to Mrs. Lund-so
vital to Peg If her birthright was to
be established. The Hindu and his
man ramsacked Flip's trunk, while
the clowns were In the ring, but found
no trace Of the document.
1--WE must 60 through the girls
trunk, when she gets into the ring"
said the Hindu. "C0me on and We'll
get our bearings"
When the two men again entered
Pegs dressing tent the girl was
dressed and ready for the ring. 1t
was about time for her turn to be
called. and she was sitting on her
trunk, waiting for her summons.
The men were surprised to see her
there. having calculated that she
would be in the big top" with the
IokI 1uyo1O n