The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1917-01-13

called TO Peg, land We will 20 over the .
side after you"
With only their heads above water .
Lund, Peg and Jerry could not observe /
how their good fortune was working
out. They had not had opportunity,
during the excitement of the fight on
deck to look about them. But the
strange proceedings on the deck of the
steamer had attracted the attention of
two men who We're cruising around the
harbor in a motor boat.
What in the world is all that
rumpus on the deck Of that steamer
at anchor over yonder," said the man
who was steering the motor boat TO his
companion.
Certainly looks as though there was
something peculiar about it," replied
the other man.
I'm just curious enough to want 10
find out" said the wheelman.
The three swimmers were going
strong when the motor boat came to
their relief.
At Lund's request the motor boat
made directly for the pier from which
Peg had been kidnapped. AS they
approached their destination, the three
bedraggled unfortunates could see on
the dock a group of people, evidently
watching the little craft as ii fairly
flew over the surface Of the harbOr.
They're the folks from the show,
| I'll bet" cried Peg land I know daddy
! is anxious 10 see who's in this boat.
| And Peg was right.
| There was a scene Of great rejoicing
| among the crowd on the wharf when
the boat came sufficiently near TO per-
nit Peg to be recognized. The motely
group. most Of them still dressed In
their circus costumes, shouted with
JOY and danced about the wharf in
expression of their delight.
Strong arms assisted Peg from the
boat, and lifted her bodily 10 the
wharf. But when Lund and Jerry
scrambled to the pier. the rejoicing
reached a climax in cheers and tears
Peg was overwhelmed by her girl
companions. and Flip wept for joy.
The men who had effected the rescue
were heroes of the moment. and when
Peg and the others had prOfusely
thanked the boatmen, they were given
three cheers by the circus crowd as
the party started back toward the
show ground.
Flip's injured foot made it impOssi-
BILE for him to walk without assistance
Placing his arms over the shoulders
of Peg and young Lund the old clown
finally accomplished the journey.
1--WE are back in time for the show,
said Peg. But I guess the principal
clown will not be among those pres
ent."
Feels that way just now" said
Flip. And it will be the first show
I've missed in many moons, l can tel
you that"
With Flip made as comfortable as
possible in the mems dressing tent
Lund and Peg gave the old clown ar
outline Of their adventure. During the
conversation the thought occurred tC
Lund that the letter Peg had entrusted
to him for delivery, had not been Civ.
en- To Flip, and taking the precious
document from his pocket Lund hand
ed il to the old clown.
Water soaked and crumpled though
it was. Flip eagerly graSped the letter
and slowed it away in his pocket.
| g N
/ eagerly through the entrance TO the
| dressing tent saw the letter pass into
the hands of its rightful owner. The
Hindu chuckled to himself. in the
thought that he would have something
of value TO report to Mrs. Lund. his
boss"
When the other clowns had dressed
for the performance, the pain in
Flip's sprained ankle was so severe
that he decided for once to miss a
show. His companions derived con-
siderable sport from the old mans
misfortune. but Flip took their rail-
lery in good part.
And just at that moment the man.
ager of the show entered the dressing
/ tent He was plainly out of sorts, and
addressing himself angrily to Flip fair
/ ly shouted:
Say, old man. If you think you own
this show because you've travelled with
II for years. you're mistaken. What's
the matter with you? Why did you
miss the show tonight? Flip met the
lowering glance of the manager with
steady gaze and responded:
MY ankle is sprained. and l can
hardly hObble. It's a funny thing If
can't miss a show after all these
years without you hOllering" The
other clowns listened in amazement,
as Flip thus CURLY answered the man.
ager
well, old man. you'll never miss an
, other show while you are with this
trick. The next time I'll throw you
and your trunk off the train"
Flip was dOwncast when Peg came
to help him down tOsthe sleeper few
moments later. The girl presumed
that the pain in his ankle was the
cause of the old clowns unusual mood.
/ But when he told her about the decree
OF the manager, she tried TO cheer him
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