The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1922-11-09
FACTS AND FANCIES
Continued from page ~


night; and was preparing to ballyhoo
again. Standing on the bally-stand, clasp
ing "U-no, the Armies and Legless Won
aer" with his right arm; and waving his
left to attract the milling crowds, shouting
Justify: "All free!-All free! ALI free!
ETC." his rowing gaze happened to rest on
a startling scene. His eyes started from
their sockets. His blood CONCEALED. His
lips worked convulsively. "The Armless
and Legless Wonder" slipped from his
grasp and fell with a thump to the bally-
stand. Suddenly recovering "Sleepy"
leaped from the platform, and shrieked in
a terrible voice, two words:
"Hey! Rube y"
Mabel Weston had Just won out in an
other Irritation with Death. Her act went
off in fine shape. A big ovation greeted
her at the close. Even now, as she sat in
the miniature car on the raised platform
idly watching the shifting streams of
pleasure-seekers, she was aware of the
admiring glances of passing spectators.
Aduation is good, she thought. Danger?
Yes. But how she loved it all
"Sleepy" will be through soon; one or
two more ballyhoos, she unused, then he'd
come for her to go home. What's the
matter with "Sleepy" anyway, lately?
she wondered. He's so quiet and I'M
demonstrative. Not at all like the old
SLEEPY" Could he be sore at her frivo-
lous but artificial flirting? Everyone knew
she meant nothing by it. Wish he'd leave
them old books alone and pay little at
tention to me, she thought Oh, well
"Sleepy'-"There's that stranger again
coming this way too-wonder who he p
everybody talks about him-girls on
Creation say he's SWELL" she murmured,
half aloud, then, "Sleepy" ought to be here
soon, he
Glow d. you do" greeted the Stranger,
MAY come up?"
Aren't you somewhat bold and pre-
sumptuous?" countered Mabel, not without
the faintest trace of coquetry, adding:
"My husband will be along directly to
take me home"
"You surprise me-" said the Stranger
suavely, at the same time mounting the
short ladder to the platform, "At least
marriage has not impaired your beauty"
"Really now, you're ungentlemanly to
take advantage this way" hastily pro-
tested Mabel as the Stranger approached
the lilliputan machine.
"Tut, Tut said the Stranger with
deprecating gesture, "Pm Snowman my
self, and merely want to talk little bust
ness" and aware of MabePs disarming
expression at his words, seated himself
quite neatly at her side.
The fast thinning crowds just below
thought little or nothing of the man and
woman seated in the tiny car. Probably
show folks talking shop. So little heed
was paid them save only cursory glance
now and then. Yet some wondered at the
emphatic protests on the part of the
woman. Was she struggling? Was she
trying to shout? Who was the man any
way?
AS soon as SLEEPY" struck the ground
he quickly reached under ticket box,
grabbed a tent stake-there for the emer-
gency-and, again, giving the traditional
tattle-cry of the outdoor Snowman: "Hey!
Rube THAT was taken up Immediately
by his colleagues, travelling with incredi-
bic speed-started for the scene of combat
with "young" army at his heels.
Arriving at the free act location in the
center of the Midway, "Sleepy" sprang to
the platform-to the rescue of his now
fully terrorized wife. Jerking the mys-
ferrous stranger out of the car with fren-
zied strength, then raining series of