Evening star., 1923-11-04
. HE long, canvas-covered cars
of the World Amalgamated Cir

Gus rocked and swayed with
Il the uneven roadbed Of a side
line railroad. 1t was night-a blaci
night of slashing rain and shriekins
winds and jagged lightning. In the
dripping. tarpaulin- covered cat-cage,
the feline jungle beasts roared ant
Missed and leaped. Here and there
along the rocking train huddled figures
in slickers and storm coats made thei,
way from one den to another, carefully
listening at the side-boards for sounds
of battle-the conflict of savage beasts
which turn upon one another with 6
madness bred Of darkness and fright.
In the horse-cars the hostlers made
the rounds of the animals, pettins
them and reassuring them. Back ir
the executive Pullmans, superinten-
dents and managers made their plans
for the next day, plans for wet lots
for dangerous, rutty rings and slip.
perry hippodrome.
The Worlds Amalgamated now was
In the grip of a midsummer tempest
and with the next show-s4AnS a hun.
dred miles away. Everywhere about
the dripping train there was discom-
fort-danger.
Far ahead, in the biggest of the
elephant cars, great, shadowy hulk
turned and twisted and trumpted as
he sought to evade the attacks Of a
"bull-hook" in the muscular hands OF
a man who cursed and shouted at him.
His chains had parted as he lunged in
fright during an outburst of thunder;
now he was an unfettered monster
stumbling from one side Of the car to
the other. The trainers voice rose to
q scream:
Get over there, Rajahr' he shouted,
and drove the bull-hook deep into the
soft flesh behind the great elephant g
ear. Get over there. or Pll-"
Then he turned quickly, as a swish
Of rain sent his attention to an opened
ventilator and the dripping figure
clambering within.
''That you, boss?"
Eyes! What the devil are you trying
to do totthat bull?'
A man had dropped into the circle
of light. his eyes blazing. Haven't
You got any more sense than to hook
an elephant when he's scared? Get out
of here.'
The other man drew back sullenly.
"He broke his chains, Mason I had
to do son1ethingn'
You didn't have to try to cut him
to pieces. Rajah!"
The command was sharp, yet with
a friendly quality. The beady eyes
of the elephant turned in the direc-
tion Of his master. Slowly Mason
went forward. Come on, Rajah, old
boy!' he shouted. "Everything's all
right-everything's all right"
X X X
LIE grasped the brute's trunk and
i L and clung to it, slapping the
pachyderm about the mouth, blows
which were only friendly pats TO the
hick-sktnned mammal. The elephant
squealed-a call Of friendship-then
ceased his twisting. Soon he was
only a great, swaying hulk again, his
beady eyes fastened on the man who
to him, meant friendship and protec.
tion and love. Mason reached for the
stay-chain; then as he turned he
paused.
II thought I told you to get out OF
here" he said abruptly
I'm going" Brace moved surlily
toward the ventilator
We'll, move, then. You've only 20,
twenty minutes to pack your stun
We stop for water at Larretsville."
MY stun" The assistant paused
on the ladder. then slowly clamberet
down again. rWhy-why, boss, yor
ain't going to red-light mer
Amt II" Mason dropped the chain
came. forward. Brace stood Will
hands shifting along the taped handl.
Of his heavy bull-hook. Your,
through! There amt a man on thi.
show can sail into a cat or a bull
without getting stepped off for 1t
You get out Of this car and off thi.
train! You're through"
I've got a right to my moneys"
Money? Nothing doing! L.'s cow
ards like you thatr--" He paused
'gs you've got anything coming t.
you, you're fined that amount. Ant
you're red-lighted at the next stop
Maybe the next show you go OF
you1l-well, aren't you eoing?"
mo. I'm nSf going!"
Mason doubled his fists.
"Just az you please. Get OF or b,
put off,"
TI'm not going. You're red-lishtin
me of this show because you're zeal.
Gus o. me. Mason. I'm q bette,
animsl-man than you ever thought o
being"
Get up that ladder, Brace. and
pack ups
"Ill not! I'li-"