Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-02-25
y Courtney Rylcy Cooper :
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"WhatT
"Joe," she said earnestly. you've
got to quit working so hard. At 1t the
first thing In the morning and the last
at night Uncle Dan wants you to
concentrate on the show itself. That's
what | was going to tell you. He's
giving you raise next week"
But he gave me one only short
time ago"
Il know. This isn't as much; only
five dollars week"
What's my new job won't have
to give up your act?"
'Of course not \" She laughed.
mo. It's something In addition. After
our acts over. you're to get into rid
Ing clothes as soon as possible, and
come in and run the races"
But" The white had come sud-
denly about his mouth. The girl
touched his arm.
II don't think you understand, Joe"
she said Its really terrible ad-
vance. Uncle Dan says that you're
Just natural Snowman. that you act
like a person who's been pent up all
your life and Is just blossoming out
into your real self" She perked her
pretty head and smiled. That's lot
for Uncle Dan to say Don't you see,
Joe? 1t means, next season. joe
you1l be assistant equestrian director"
The man mumbled his thanks and
looked away. The girl sensed bis re-
luctance.
II thought you'd be glad" came dis
appointedly.
Joe Barry whirled and caught her
hands.
Sue" came swiftly. III I can only
do what you say-work here and be
the assistant equestrian director next
year, or the worst paid canvas man on
the lot, I'll be the happiest person In
the world. 1t isn't the job-it's just
to be here, with you. with you-and
Uncle Dan and everybody he finished
lamely.
A bugle interrupted, the call to the
dressing tents. Sue looked with sur
prise at her wrist watch and was
gone. Joe Barry could find no Joy In
the news which she had brought him.
To dress In riding clothes and to APP
pear In "straight-face" before the audi
ence each day; this was tantamount
to putting himself on exhibition, where
every .clown cop" In the audience
might unconsciousIy watch and study
him. Suppose a picture had been fixed
In their minds, from long porting over
reward circulars? A certain hopeless
ness came over him.
But nothing happened, when, the next
day. Joe Barry took his new Job at
the races. 1t was not work In which
he could move about, he must stay at
the bell In the guise Of starter.
changing the gong for the start and for
the halfway and the wild ringing OF
the finish. But nothing happened.
One day Uncle Dan came clustering
down the hippodrome track and called
to Joe as he passed.
Got that thing arranged for this
afternoon" he shouted over shout
der. "See me right after perform.
ance. They're out here now In an
automobile"
what thingT' Joe called after him.
But just then the chariots came rum.
bling into the arena and the answer
was lost. Joe cut through the ring
and across the intervening stage to
the pad room. Half the circus seemed
gathered there about an automobile
from which men were Juggling cleo
trical devices. a six-horse team
swung into view. and behind 1t a
mixed cage of lions and tigers. with
Cathouse Green. the menagerie boss.
where you want these cats to do
their meowingT" he shouted to man
In the automobile.
fright there We can move the
microphone over beside the cage"
Microphone! He understood now
without Uncle Dams explanation !:
that radio idea, discussed one day.
weeks ago and then apparently for
gotten
Better 60 get your accordion. joe
Uncle Dan shouted from the crowd
about the automobile. Everything 8
sbout ready. Tell Sue to hurry up.
She's got to talk to her radio audi
ence and tell 'em how glad she is
everybody likes her act" He looked
at his watch. We've only got three
minutes more. Get move on your
self"
Joe Barry thought desperately. The
radio, sending his music to thousands
upon thousands Of listeners. music
which might be recognized
Didn't tell You to hurry" shouted
Uncle u. Dan. whats the matter
Scared OF the microphone7 1t won't
bite you"
A broadcaster hurried forward and
caught Joe lightly by the upper arm
to give him his distance, according to
the pantomimic commands OF the man
at the control. Joe Barry moved for
ward, amid a blur Of faces. His
tongue went swiftly over lips that had
become suddenly hard and dry. Then
slowly, to the guidance Of the man
| beside him, he stepped to the micro
| phone.