The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-08-04

SAS usually Qld, TO greet him before
she began dressing for the ring. I'm
nerved and apprehensive because Of
the unusual things that had lately
transpired Flip decided to investigate.
When he stepped from the tent he
was startled by the excited cry Of
'F1re! that came to his ears with ter
rifying effect.
Peg, Peg, my girl, where are your"
Flip shouted as he dashed to the en-
trance Of the women's dressing tent.
Fire. Fire! Fret"
The dread cry was passed along
from mouth to mouth. In an instant
the alarm had spread to every part Of
the show lot. and soon reached the in
terror Of the big top" where the as
sembled audience echoed the frightful
cali.
Wild disorder transformed the scene
into pandemonium. The crowds
rushed, panic-stricken, from the main
tent and thronged over the circus
grounds. Employees Of the show hur-
riedly formed themselves into buck
ct brigades" in an effort to quench
the flames.
With the first cry Of alarm, the ami
NAL men-keepers, trainers and
huskies-set about moving the cars
and as speedily as possible they were
dragged away from the menagerie tent
and the big top.
In all the excitement poor Flip, dis
tracted with apprehension and fear for
/ Pegs safety, rushed around half mad,
and had it not been for his friendly
associates he would have lost his
wardrobe
Searching high and low among the
burning tents, dashing in amid the
flames, he was continually calling for
/ Peg, his dread increasing momentar-
lily. When the show people were able
to get some order out OF confusion, and
as the flames died away because there
was nothing more to consume, the per-
formers repaired to the circus train,
while the workingmcn continued TO
move the show property that was
saved from the lot TO the cars.
Flip had faint hope of finding Peg
on the train, grasping at the straw of
possibility that she had made her way
10 the sleeper during the confusion on
the lot But the old clown was doomed
to disappointment and his grief was
pitifuI as he ran through the sleepers
calling for Peg and searching in every
berth available for signs of his little
girl.
Having enlisted the other perform
ers in the fruitless search, Flip left
the show train. determined to return
to the circus grounds in another
meager hope of finding Peg.
Meanwhile events had been strange
" shaping themselves within a stone S
throw Of the circus grounds and Peg S
peril was constantly increasing. The
burning Of the circus provided cloak
for some dastardly deeds.
When young Lund hauled the ward
robe chest containing Peg from the
burning tent he proceeded, while his
strenkth held out, to drag his burden
toward the street which passed along
the back of the lot
The show grounds were fenced in
on this side. and toward gate in the
fence I.und hauled Peg in the heavy
chest. 1t was slow work and extreme
" laborious, Lund's experience in the
dense smoke, so quickly following his
attack by Chockro. so weakened the
young doctor that he gradually sue
cumbed to the strain.
Just as he had dragged the chest
half through the open gate in the
fence his strength completely failed
him and he fell senseless across the
wardrobe box. Here he was discov
cred by policeman who, attracted by
the fire. came running up the street
bound for the burning circus.
Seeing the helpless young Lund ly
ing on the wardrobe chest the officer
concluded that there was work for hin
TO do Immediately. and. without pro
ceeding 70 the fire. he raised Lund in
his strong arms and carried him down
the street. Arriving at patrol box
he rang for an ambulance and SEM
Lund to the hospital.
The policeman had not proceeded
with his burden half block until four
rough-looking characters came run
ming across the street. on their way
TO the fire. They emerged from
lumber yard directly opposite the
show grounds. and headed for the
gate.
"Hello What's dis" said the hurl!
, leader of the pack Of rutfians as he
ran smack into the wardrobe chest
standing halfway through the gate.
''Dis looks worth while. Let's swipt
it," and they proceeded to swipe.
The four men raised the wardrobe
chest 10 their shoulders and, without
, further comment, started with it hur
! riedly across the street and entered
, the lumber yard.
; FREQUENTLY hating to frst the hesv,
box on piles of lumber. while the,
took a breathing spell, the thugs pro
oeeded through the lumber yard unit
they reached house old and rather
/ nttk fNac des