Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1919-05-22

ht Nuihth ihpluis w TIC rope itlu
der which hung Ovcr the side Of Tho
basket, and, climbing II. almost fcl
into, the light wicker framework. Sig
nor Mellini was already there, at work
arranging his ballast. He started Il
his feet as the strange ~apparltlor
wriggled over the side.
"Oh, It's you, Ryerson," he said
why amt you In the TENT"
II want the balloon, Mellini." said
the clown. Get out Of It,"
"Ah, quit your kiddin'," said the dis.
tinguished signor. Its too bloomin'
hot!"
Get out" said Ryerson omlnously.
sect out, or I'll throw you out"
The aeronaut cast one glance at the
white face, streaming with perspira-
ton, and then, convinced he was deal.
ing with a %lunatlc, jumped for the
side, and slid rapidly to the ground.
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 Keeling 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
CT ruininn nVnG nnnlA nVYk A f,..tIta.
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
travel? You got my telegram, SOM"
YES" answered Ryerson. 81 got it,
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 out?"
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.
Early the next morning, after a
sleepless night, Ryerson babe his IA
Their and mother good-by. They we're
too old to go and see him TACT" and
he explained that the circus was going
on a long trip now, and that they might
not see him for a year or more.
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 anv spreading ms If
endowed with life. He pushed through
the confusion, seeking the proptteeor's
wagon. He met a man he did not
know, and inquired.
'"The boss? 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 a friend
ly nod, but Ryerson walked in the di.
indicated to the proprietor's
He mounted the steps, a faint sick
ness in his heart, and knocked on the
door. Mainwaring's harsh voice babe
him enter.
"Well I'll be hanged It's Ryerson :"
Ryerson walked up to him and said
loggedly: 81 came back as quick as l
could, Mr.. Mainwaring. l guess you
want me. But l amt crazy. / had to
nave that money, and l took ii, that's
Ill.
Mainwaring stared at him n mo-
ment in utter amazement. Then:
You came back? You amt crazy?
Guess | must be, then. What'd you
'ome back for? You swipe my balloon
md a wad, and then you come back.
don't get it.. What's the gamer
Ryerson told him the whole story.
lie finished with:
Lock me up, if you want to. The
amt hurt, and I'll pay the cash
Jack when l get out. But make it
omewhere farther down the road, so
he folks won't get on. It'd kill them,
ure."
He finished, and looked down at his
.usty feet, waiting for the blow to fall.
There was no sound in the wagon
ntil he heard the scratching of a pen.
lie looked up fearfully, to see Main
n his cheek. When he had finished,
folded the paper carefully, put it in
II envelope, and handed it to Ryerson.
He then got up from the desk, and
trode out of the wagon, and Ryerson
card his roaring blasphemy at the
ant raisers.
Dazed, RyersOn opened the envelope,
nd in Mainwaring's labored hand,
cad the following:
"You Ryerson, l guess you're q fool.
on get out Of this circus quick. You
to Chapman, where my brother runs
lumber mill, and you see what he seq
V4,, ..- INaI. II