Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-10


Warren. 1T don't take no brains to think
that out"
Maybe that's why you got the inspiration"
replied ShoeString SarcaStically. "Of course
every other performer wouldn't get sore? Oh,
no. They'd all send me love notes an vi1ets!
Anyway, I couldn't hold Molly; we amt never
had a contract The worst of 1t is" he added
slowly. 1--WE kind of got bunch Shifty Willie
is sweet on her. Molly's pretty kid"
Stats nodded.
That's the whole scenario" said Shoestring
quietly. Lets go out to the track and see how
Sadhim Beys maxim it. At least, there's one
guy we're sure of. He can quit any time he
wants to, but the same clause that let's him
do that makes him slip me five thousand dol
lars release money"
did you ever see q bull-tender with I'VE
grand?" asked Stats Warren, and laughed for
the first time that day.
EVERYTHING seemed to be going in splendid
shape at the track Snyder understudy
for Sprinto, had developed even better racing
proclivities than the originator of the act.
When, 20 feet from his trainer, he put on the
brakes after catapulting trip around the hip
podrome track. 1t was like an express train
blowing into corn field. This, at least, was
. weapon with which to fight vicious adj
versity. Shifty Willie Moran possessed no
racing elephant.
Another week went by, and with it the
quarters to large. vacant lot at the edge Of
the town. RehearsaIs were held. With the
first one, something happened.
When, from far away in the big top Sprinto
had heard the call of his master, he did not
stop to figure that the signal might not be for
him. He had simply given a few terrific yanks
at his chain and lunged forward in q Decline
which only collection Of loaded wagons had
halted
TAKE him Quit" yelled Charlie. Better
keep on goin'-we don't want . wrecked cir
Gust"
So the dethroned Sprinto did not halt until
he reached the bull cars down I'm the railroad
yards, there to remain each day until his UNI
derstudy's act was done. Then he was brought
to the lot and lowered to the status of a work
elephant
The show opened, and for once shoestring
forgot the worries which had obsessed him.
The spotlightS played upon little Molly james
the excitement OF stardom seemed to have In
creased her artistry q hundred-fol Snyder
doubling for Sprinto rolled into the ring and
raced around the hippodrome track while the
close-packed tent shouted with excitement Sub
stitute aerialists, acrobats and equestrians came
and went, some Of them good, some Of them
poor: the throng seemed satisfied Two I'M
usually good acts had overbalanced any other
mediocrity.
Out to the road went the Worlds Famous,
and toward the Pacific Coast. But at Portland,
Shoestring Charles satisfied manner departed.
A gray-haired man with a red and black band
on his panama hat, the pinkness Of barber
shop massaging on his checks, and wax on his
dyed mustache, had been very much present
all day.
ITS great show, Old Pail" said Shifty Willie
Moran as he whacked Charlie on the back fol-
lowing the matinee. TITS Knockout"
Sure" answered ShoeString Charlie In the
same overtone Of affability. 81 need 1t to buck
a Snowman like you. Understand you're goin'
tn limit for your joint at the Jubilee, Willie.
There won't be none better, unless It's
yours" answered the adversary.
But when they parted Shifty willie's cold
gray eyes resumed the calculating look they had
held all afternoon, and Shoestring headed
straight for the dressing tents.
well, Molly" he said when at last a smooth
hrnbed little being Of silk and tulle had an
swer7d his summons, "whatd Shifty Willie
Moran want when he came back here this aft
er~~5n:"
s.. looked up at him. eyes wide with sur
prs, Then suddenly she Strengthened.
CIR Shoestring," she said I've figured It
Ou.. owe you pretty near everything. But
! oy--"
'1Iox, nix, Kid" the show owner put hand
on her shoulder. Don't flood tn dressin' tent.
I know about them kids. He's offered you q
bunch O. klink. You wouldn't even consider &c.
II he hadn't. An amt going to stand IN
your way. But you ought to be careful.
TITS just this" he went on, patting her
gently. You're my little kid. I want you
TO be happy. I wouldn't want anything to
happen
"That guy may clean up with his opery But
he's got to do it right from the first per-
Torrance. He won't have q thin dime on openin'
day, An If he don't cop plenty o. klink right
from tn jump, it's Katy-bar- the-door. SO sup
pose you tell him that you can't get away from
here until the week after he opens. An don't
make no contract. Then, II he cleans up may
ko he al he @fa