The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-04-16

caravan by paint and the addition
OF a. window or two. Gilt letters
across It's sides announced that it
was the property of "The Great
Enrico az Karlo."
TUBBY forgot the rain as he
- eyed the gayly decrepit entour-
age with wistful approval. That
was the way to travel A hobo
paradise.
The caravan seemed deserted. He
tried to peek in the windows for a
glimpse of the heaven inside, but
the curtains we're drawn. Timidly,
he lifted the latch on the door in
back-just TO look. 1t was dark.
Drawn on by curiosity, Tubby
climbed the back step. Another.
step and he was inside. How nice
and dry it was
The door clicked shut behind
him. Tubby turned in sudden panic
and fumbled for the latch. He had
no ambition to be caught there-and
spend the Summer behind bars on
the Island.
A low growl made him turn from
the door, and his back hair stood
straight out. A pair of cold, green
eyes cleaned in the dark. He felt
warm breath on his face, and then
something wet and hot rasped
against his whiskers.
Tubby's knees slowly sagged be-
meath him. lie wanted to howl as
he remembered, too late, the "S
KARLO" part of the gilt lettering
outside. He'd walked into an ami
NAL act!
TINE Great Enrico packed the last
of his belongings in his trunk
with a jauntiness he far from felt.
In his street clothes, minus the red
tailcoat, top hat, and high-heeled
boots he wore for his audience, he
was just gray little man hiding
behind a fierce, upturned mustache.
"Enrico, it breaks my heart"
King Bradley, owner of Bradley's
Mammoth One-Ring Motorized Cir
Gus, sat in the dingy little dressing
rooms only chair and waved a
chewed cigar in his pudgy hand,
but, like said before, I just amt
got spot for you and Karlo this
season"
Sure, King. Sure. I was lust
giving you first chance at the act,
that's all. The Baker Brothers Big
Show has been after me all winter"
He lied bravely. I've been holding
them off til I saw you"
King Bradley nodded his appre-
citation of such loyalty. "Then
you're all set-nothin to worry
about"
nF course. we'd rather so with
~ you. like always. It's a good
act, King"
HUh-huh. Karlo's smart ami
NAL, but we're maxim the same cir
cult again and I gotta have fresh
attractions"
Enrico looked offended and start
ed to protest.
Il caught the act tonight" King
Bradley shook his head. Its stale
Bruno walks his barrels like he
was dom it in his sleep"
"Wait1l you see our new rou-
tine" boosted Enrico quickly. It'll
panic EN-. All it needs is a bit of
polishing"
Yeah, I'd like to see it." said
King Bradley without enthusiasm,
only I'm goin' South next week.
We open in Waycross, G. A, week
from Monday"
The Great Enrico sighed. Way
cross, G. A." where the days were
soft and bright with sun, and the
cool nights fragrant with the pun
gent odor of pine smoke.
Bradley started for the door,
well, gotta see that PASCAL team
when they come off. That's what
! come over for-I mean"
ooh. That wire act" Enrico's
expression went dull So Bradley
hadn't come to see him and Karlo
after ALL
"Umm-well, good luck to you"
King Bradley edged through the
door and escaped.
TINE great Enrico slowly closed
L. and locked his trunk. On the
way out he paused for a moment
before the makeup mirror and gazed
at the little man who stared out
at him. He looked whipped. He'd
banked every hope on joining up
with King Bradley this spring,
now that he'd finished the last of
thS Few poor bookings he'd been
liable to get. He was broke. The
coming summer didn't look so good.
The Great Enrico turned I'D his
coat collar against the driving
rain as he slorched from the stage
door and crossed the walk to his
caravan. AS he clicked the latch
on the door. a cautious cry reached
his ears alpl"
Swiftly he flung the door open
and reached inside to switch on
the highland
There was Karlo, an alert and
very self-satisfied police dog, sit
ting upright on the back OF a fat
and frightened hobo. sprawled face
down on the floor. The Great
Enrico grinned In spite OF his
blues.
"Halpl" Tubhy wieks cry was