Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-07-18
"Get out" said Ryerson ominously.
McnA nnt ~. III Ahnn., Ia. 49, d


He shouted as he landed, and people
began to run out Of the tent.
No sooner had he gone over the side,
however, when Ryerson pulled the pat
ent release cord, and shot reellng into
the air.
He remembered little Of that par
ticular ascension, as he looked back at
1t later. He remembered how slowly
he seemed to move, but In the right
direction. After an eternity, his
stralning eyes made out q familiar
cluster Of houses below him, and in
his agitation, he pulled the valve-cord
too far, and crashed down into the
orchard Of his fathers house, to land
in the top Of an apple tree.
AS he climbed painfully down from
1t an old man ran from the house
shouting, to stop In amazement as he
recognized in the strange, bedraggled
figure, his son.
WELL" cried the old man, as they
met. us that how you circus folks
travelr You got my telegram, sonT
"Yes," answered Ryerson. II got II,
father. and here's your answer"
He reached into pocket, and hand
ed the wallet to the old man, whose
eyes shone.
"Ye got the money, SOM" he almost
shouted. Men mother won't have to
get out2"
He threw his arms round the young
mans neck, almost crying for Joy. At
that moment his mother ran from the
house, and strange painted figure that
he was, threw her arms round him,
and kissed him tenderly.
When the old man explained what
the boy had brought, motherlike, she
thought less of the saved home, and
more Of the son who had saved 1t.
II knew my boy would take care OF
u.s. she said fOndly, hef eyes gilsten-
Ing, and then, returning to the manner
of the old days, "you 60 upstairs, VIII
lie, and wash that stuff off your face,
and get into q suit of your old clothes.
You always was turnin' up unex-
pectedI''
RyersOn said little at supper, after
he and his father had packed the bal
loon into its basket. 1t was enough to
have his mother hover over him, and
pile his plate with food, and hear his
father recount, over and over again
How set back that old skinfint were
when he come to put us out, and got
his money for his trouble"
Early the next morning, after q
sleepless night, Ryerson babe his ia
Their and mother goodby. They were
too old to go and see him "act," and
he explained that the circus was going
on long trip now, and that they might
not see him for year or more.
They kissed him fondly, and he set
off over the dewy fields, looking back
from the crest of the hill, to wave a
farewell to the two old figures In the
doorway Of the gray, little farmhouse.
At the edge of the town, he found
the familiar wagons, and the hurry
ing men. the poles going up as by
magic, and the canvas spreading as II
endowed with life. He pushed through
the confusion, seeking the proprletor's
wagon. he met a man he did not
know, and inquired.
"The boss7 Back of the fat lady's
wagon there. Better keep away from
him, stranger. He's hot today. Crazy
man stole his cash, and went off in the
balloon yesterday, and they amt
heard nothin' Of him SINCE" The man
went about his business with friend
Iv nod hut Ryarcon tuoIkad In 1ha ~.
rection Indicated to the proprletor's
wagon.
He mounted the steps, faint sick
ness In his heart, and knocked on the
door. Mainwarlng's harsh voice babe
him enter.
He did so, and as the bull-necked
man seated at the little desk caught
sight Of him, he seemed to lose the
power of speech. His face became
purple, and then paled. Then he
seemed to explode.
swell, I'll be hanged It's Ryerson !"
Ryerson walked up to him and said
doggedly: II came back as quick as
could Mr.. Mainwaring. guess you
want me. But 1 amt crazy. had to
have that money, and took It, that's
all.
Mainwaring stared at him a mo-
ment, In utter amazement. Then:
"You came back2 You amt crazy7
Guess l must be, then. What'd you
come back for? You swlpe my balloon
and wad, and then you come back.
I don't get 1t. What's the gamer
Ryerson told him the whole story.
He finished with:
Lock me up, II you want to. The
balloon amt hurt, and I'll pay the cash
back when l get out. But make II
somewhere farther down the road, so
the folks won't get on. It'd kill them,
sure"
He finished, and looked down at his
dusty feet, waiting for the blow to fall.
There was no sound in the wagon
until he heard the scratching Of pen.
He looked up fearfully, to see Main
warlng laboriously writing, his tongue
in his cheek. When he had finished,
he folded the paper carefully. put 1t 10
an envelope, and handed It to Ryers0n.
He then got up from the desk, and
strobe out Of the wagon, and Ryerson
heard his roaring blasphemy at the
tent raisers.
Dazed, Ryerson opened the envelope,
and In Mainwaring's labored hand,
rend the following:
"You Ryerson, guess you're a fool.
You get out Of this circus quick. You
a lumber mill, and you see what he SEE
to you. You pay back the cash when
you gets II, and don't you think your
the only man what's got a mnther.
"Yours truly,
"A. MAINWATlI1y0."