The Winslow mail., 1918-06-14
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lied that in the estimation of his rela-
tive he was shiftless and a neer-do-
well.
Tive done nothing to disgrace him
or the family" mused Verne resent
fully, after this last interview, $50 why
should go away? Yes, will y he ut
tered next, vehemently. "Not to please
his lordly ideas of the family dignity,
but because, come to think of it, do
cut measly figure with no ambition
beyond eight dollars week. Besides,
there's Elsie.'
Yes, there was Elsie, Elsie Todd, and
she was well worth thinking of.
He had secured board and lodging
at third rate hotel, mostly patronized
by the cheaper grade of stage people
and circus entertainers. Among these
was an Arab named Haidy, who owned
four performing elephants. Verne hap
pened to occupy the room adjoining
that of Haidy. One night he was
awakened by suspicious sounds in the
next apartment. He went out into the
corridor and stood listening outside
the door Of Haidy's room. Then the
sound as of someone suffocating i'm
PEELED him to push open the door. He
was big and fearless and what he saw
so aroused Verne, that he precipitated
himself into the room like a rushing
cyclone.
Two evil-faced fellows had Haidy
tied to chair and gagged. One was
~ %I,o r1f1 =
tress on the bed. The second of the
marauders was kneeling before the
captive with a lighted candle In his
hand. Fiendishly he would sweep the
soles Of the feet Of poor Haidy with
the torturing fame Of the candle, in
order to force him to tell the hiding
place Of his money.
"You scoundrels !" roared Verne, and
he seized the man with the candle by
the knape Of his neck and hurled him
bodily ten feet across the room and in
to the outer corridor. The other es
capped.
"You have saved my money and
maybe my life," spoke the trainer with
genuine gratitude. "Reach down that
clock hanging over the table,"
1t was only the skeleton of clock.
for, removing its back cover, Haidy
disclosed vacant space after he had
displaced a great roll Of bank notes.
'Those scoundrels must have watch
ed me-" said Haidy, "for I drew
large amount of money from the bank
today. I shall reward you"
"You won't do that" announced
Verne lightly. "Work is what need"
And work Verne got, for Haidy be-
came not only his considerate employ
er but his firm friend. In fact Verne
became manager" for Haidy.
The big elephant, Samson, became a
real favorite with Verne. He was old
er than the others, but his feats were
far more marvellous. 1t was about a
year after Verne had joined his for
tunes with Haidy that the latter said
to him.
Samson has been going stale for
month past and at the last show town
he broke down on half Of his clever
stunts. I've known for long time
that he was getting too heavy for pos
ing, and walking up the pyramid steps,
and those delicate tricks. If I keep
him on the program he will spoil his
three mates. By the way, I've got an
offer for a two years engagement in
Australia. VIII you come with us?'
II can't say in a minute" replied
Verne thoughtfully, and Elsie was In
his mind. "About Samson, now?" he
added.
"We won't take Samson with u.s."
responded Haidy, and he became seri-
-ous and sorry looking. "It's the chloro-
form sponge or bullet for that poor
old hero"
"I've decided about Australia" an
nounced Verne In steel trap order. II
won't 60. AS to Samson, mark out
my contract percentage and give me
Samson"
Verne contracted with q retired
ringman to accompany him in getting
Samson to Ridgeton overland. One
afternoon, they arrived at Bruceville,
twenty miles from Ridgeton. One of
Vernes former close friends lived
there, and, having arranged as to shell
ter and care for Samson, Verne sought
out Dick Joslyn.
When Verne had last seen his friend
the latter and his father were operat-
ing large plant at Bruceville. AS
Verne now neared this, he was amazed
to find the main factory in process Of
being wrecked. Work to demolish
nearly a hundred four room cottages
had Just begun as well. Verne found
his friend experimenting the task of
demolition.
whats up7 Going out of business?"
questioned Verne.
"Oh, no." replied young Joslyn. "just
beginning all over again. You see the
new railroad skipped us and has built
about mile west. We've got to be
near it to do business. We have