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won‘: FATHER ROBE The com
The house is full of arnlca,
And mystery profound;
We do not dare to run about
Or make the lightest sound;
We have the big piano shut
Since father rode the goat.
He joined the lodge a week ago-
Got In at 4 2. In.
'A.n:l sixteen brethren brought him home,
Though he says he brought them.
His wrist was sprained, and one big rip
. Had rent his Sunday coat-
There must have been a lively time
when father rode the goat.
Ila’: resting on the couch to-day,
And practising his sl s-
The hailing signal, working grip,
And for relief he pines.
lle multeru passwords 'nea.th his breath
And other things he'll quote.
They surely had an evening’s Work
When father rode the goat.
He has a gorgeous uniform,
All gold and red and blue.
A lilit with plumes and yellow band,
And golden badges, too.
But, somehow, when we mention it.
lie wears a look so grim,
We wonder if he rode the goat,
or if the goat rode him.
>0-
TEDDY, THE TUMBLER
' By R. T. EMMET
CHAPTER I.
our Iron nnrsvmr.
Teddy Small was a. bright boy. In the
little town oi liieadviilc he had this ox-
eelient reputation-of being a. bright
It-bolar, an athlete, and was as honest as a
now dollar. '
“I tell yew," said the stcrekeeper. Jason
Siznpkins, “It that boy yows up he'll make
his mark. I'd ruther have him tew work
for me than any grown man I ever see."
But it Teddy was the brightest hm’ in
Lleadviile, he did not know it himself. lie
was as modest and unconscious of his own
merits as could be well imagined.
lie was an orphan lad.
Ila lived with an aunt, a kindly and fair-
ly well-to-do widow lady named Malvinia
Belden.
"I tell re, llaivfny thinks :1. hcap lunre
of :!..1r yous: nevvy of hers than she would
of l1:“l‘ own child," declared a neighbor, who
was of the observant order.
But hlalvinia. didn‘t care for pntdic opia-
lon. Teddy was the apple of her eye. The
boy was huulored and indulged lg an ex-
tenr that would have spoiled u ordinary
chi d. ‘
ut Teddy was not of the kind that are
iv spoiled. He was just as sensible and
re was no other boy‘ in the town so
- as Teddy at turning nip-Hips, hand-
IVYWS3. mmenanlts and other wonderful
lie was :1 born acrobat, and it was to
Soxvxe the winning or his fortune, as we
a R .
one day the gilt ball on the church
ccple became displaced. The weather-
vaxzs was out of plumb.
Teddy overheard the church committee
diswnssing the advisability of procuring
I ‘Stet-‘pie Jack" to repair it. The young
acrobat at once volunteered his services.
.1.-id then, In the presence of a. big crowd,
he climbed the steeple and llxed the vane.
I: -::s a most hazardous feat.-
Trddy was in school and preparing for
college, for fllaiviny” Beiden
give him a good education; but one day he
went home and bursting into the house in
his usual rollicking way met with a shock
and an Incident which made a. complete
change in his career.
Stretched at full length on the floor was
his dear aunt, who had been as kind to him
as a mother.
Sire was cold and stid in death. An epi-
leptic fit had proved her end. This left
Trdrly wholly without relatives that he
knew of. He was alone in the world to all
intuit: and purposes. , '
There was quite a snug little sum left in
the bank for Teddy. The law appointed
> llr. Simpkins. the grocer. as his guardian.
- n
at from that hour Teddy was a changed
50?. '
He might have gone back to school, and
there would have been sniilcient money to
iini.-ti his education, but he decided not to
0 so.
Vrry wisely he went to work for Mr.
Bimpkins. Matters went on very well, un-
til a drcbug visited the town, and the store
was burned. As Mr. Simpkins decided to
HAPPY DAYS.‘
retire from business, Teddy was left with-
out A Job.
As times were hard. and employment in
Meadvilie not well paid, Teddy decided to
start out and seek his fortune elsewhere.
So be packed his effects in 3 small bag,
and took the highway to Walk to Canton,
which was a small city twenty miles away.
I was a dehghtful Juno day, and
the ilclds were bright and green, and the
air scented with sweet odors.
Teddy was a. lover of nature, and he
drank this all In as he walked on. Ills
spirits were high and his step elastic.
It was not long before he came to a cross-
ro s. ,
Here he sat down in the shade to rest.
As he sat there his eye caught a huge cir-
cus poster which illuminated a fence near
by.
"Murray Bros. Great European Circus."
Teddy's veins tingled. A sudden idea
had entered his brain. It was not the nrst
time he had entertained it, eit r.
So intent was be upon studying the cir-
cus bill that he did not see two rough-look.
lng, dust-stained men who came trnmping
up Lbe highway. '
But they saw him, and one of them called
out. .
"Hello, kid! Goin’ to (her circus?"
In moment Teddy was upon his feet.
He stared at the two men. They lziughed
loudly. . ,
“Ha, ha, ha! We gave him a scare, dIdn’t
we, Josh? Don't be afraid, ieetie feller.
We wou‘t eat yer up!" ,
not afraid." replied Teddy, with
I didn't know there was
anybody so near."
‘‘I say, Josh, ht-‘s a smart-lookin' boy.”
"Ye're right, l>lira.m."
0 men came nearer and threw
themselves down in the shade near Teddy.
Somehow their faces did not look evil, and
their manner reassured the lad.
“Ugh! I am tired," said the man mulled
Hiram, as be stretched himself. '"l'l1a.t's a
long walk. and all because We missed that
train, Josh Green."
“Th2.t‘s riglm Hiram Bell. 1 don't know
what the boss will say when we're not on
hand to help set up the canvas." .
“Well, I do." ,
“What?” ’
"He'll do some tall swearing. I say, my
boy, how far is it to Canton?"
“I think it is about six miles," replied
Teddy. ‘
“So far? Well, we ought to do it in an
hour and a half. Do ye live near here, little
fellow?" ’ ‘ .
“I have no home?’ replied Teddy. “I am
out in the world to seek my fortune.”
The two men gave a. start. They stared
at e . '
“Is that straight, lad. Ye look too well,
ed for a vagrant."
am no vagrant," replied Teddy, proud-
ly. “My home was in Liendville. but my
aunt with whom I lived died, and now I
have to look out for myself."
The man called Hiram Bell grew strange-
ly interested. He looked at Teddy very
and somcthin like moisture
sharply,
well-spoken littlc lad. I once had a. boy
like you, and lost him. Ah, it was a hard
blow. lily life has been a wandering one
ever since My wife and boy died in the
same week. nu was hard, Josb Green."
in.”
"You look like an honest boy.’ said
Hiram Dell, inquirlngly.
“I have a. letter of recommendation from
Mr. Simpklns, the village grocer,‘ said
Ted
“1Vhat kind of work are you looking
r."'
"Anything," replied Teddy. “Just before
you came up I was looking at that circus
bill and thinking perhaps I could get 3
chance with the show."
The two men gave a. start and exchanged
glances. Then Green laughed, and Bell did
the same.
“That is the aspiration of half the boys,”
d Bill. “Better give it up. It is a bad
life. What can you do?"
“I can tumble."
“Can you?"
“Yes, sir." ,,
"I have no doubt you think so; but when
you get in the ring with the others you will
find you knowynoihing about it.”.
"Perhaps so,” said Teddy, plnckily, but
I'd like to ." .
"Do you really mean it, lad 7"
“Yes.” ,
. “It what you say is true, and you are
in earnest, we can help you. We we in
the employ of the circus’
Teddy gave a sharp cry of Ellrprlse.
“You are?" he cried, eagerly. "Oh, I wish
you would help me. think I can show
you that I can do all the tricks the tum-
blers do in the circus.”
' “Better adopt the boy, Hiram," laughed
reen. ‘He’: is likely one."
But llell was now in a serious mood. He
questioned Teddy sharply, for he knew that
Finally he become satisiied. and at one:
was deeply interested in the orphan boy.
“I'll take you to Murray as soon as we
get to Canton," he :1. "He's always
ready to hire smart tumblers."
“I'll do my best,” said Teddy.
"I don't doubt it.”
Green and Bell explained that they were
canvaumen wi great circus, a that
they had missed the train at a. town below.
As they were anxious to be on hand when
the tent was struck that night at Canton
they had set out to walk the twenty miles
between the towns.
With six miles more to walk they ought
to be in Canton before dark. This would
give them time to introduce Teddy to Mr.
Murray before the evening pqformance. '
Teddy's veins tlngled as he thought of
e prospect before him. He was steady
delighted, and his hopes were high. -
Bell and Green scemed to take A huge
fancy to the la When they dually
reached Canton they went at once to the
circus grounds.
The ufternoon show was just over, and
they met Mr. Murray as he was leaving the
ticket cdice. He was a. stout, kindly fea-
tured man, with side whiskers.
"Hello, Bell!" he cri . “You got left
behind, ehf We had hard work getting the
canvas up without you. I hope it won't
occur again.” ’ ' -
"It will not if I can help It. Mr. Murray."
said Bell; “but I would like to speak with
you a moment."
"Well?"
“Here is as bright a boy as I ever met.
He says he is a. smart tumbler. Will you
put him on’the salary list if he can do a.
turn?" . . '
Murray, the astute circus man. looked at
Teddy critically.
“You don't look strong, lad," he said.
“Have you got your parents’ consent?"
“I am an orphan,” replied Teddy.
"I-Io’: satisded me on that point," said
Bell. “it's all right.”
“Well, we have ite an
hats just now. Take him to Dalzell.
can rehearse at half-past six. . If he is
right I'll put his name on the hills."
Teddy was transported.
he cried. “I will
army of acro-
He
31
“Oh, thank you, sir,”
promise not to disappoint you.
Again Murray ,lool-ted at him critically.
Then he turned away. Bell lifted Teddy
off his feet and swung him around. '
"It's all right, 1341:" he cried. “Ye’re one
of us. We'll travel together, eh? That is
it old Hiram Bell a:ln't too rough company
for ye."
“Here's my hand!” cried Teddy, heartily.
“We are forever friends.”
"Forever friends!" cried Bell.
,so it proved. There came trying
times ahead when the strong-armed he:-.d
canvzsman was able to do Teddy a good
turn.
For Murray's circus was bound to see
some thrilling times.’ Our orphan had on-
tered upon 9. career as strenuous as often
falls to the lot of an American boy.
So it happened that when the actors
gathered at half-past six for the rehearsal
Teddy was introduced to Mr. Ualzell, who
had charge of the ring.
CI:lAP'l'El't ll. ’
r:.vnmz nu canvas.
Tony Dalzeil was advcrtisw on the cir-
cus bills as the peer of all ringmasters.
He was a tall, dark. handsome man, with
much dignity and a full, mellow voice.
gazed at Teddy critically, as he ran
into the ring, handsome in a. suit of
spangled tights which had been provided
lm.
h .
One after another of the aspiring circus
athletes were tried: but one after another
fell short of the mark, and were promptly
told so by the tin 5 er.
Teddy found that it was Just as Hiram
Bell had said-that one must be better than
e average to stand a chance these days.
But the tricks these people failed on were
old and stale to our orphan boy.
So be plucked up courage.
the big csnvasman, stood
some distance away, with his gaze on Ted-
dy, and anxiously awaited the decision.
Dalzell ran his eye over the boy in a
criticizing way.
Then he said loftlly:
“What can you do!”
“Tell me something dimcult to do,” he
said, boldly. The ringmaster stared.
“Eh?” he exclaimed. "You are a con-
ceited youngster. Yuu had best show that
you can turn a common handspring."
Teddy lit on his hands, and was over like
9. leather. With such lightning quickness
was it done that the movement could hard-
ly be followed,’ but the rlngma.st.er's lip
curled.
f‘Any kid can do that," he said; “but the
double turn is not so easy."
Like 3 dash Teddy sprang in the u.lr and
turned over twice.’ What was more, he did
not alight with the usual spasmodic edort.
but graceful and square. ‘
ringnastefs eyes t n
H p.‘ no be-
it would be a serious matter if he was not 5 came interested. One after another he re
' posted the list of feats. .
really his own master.
k
'f'eddy'easlly did them Lilmlle was hand-
sonib. sprightly and gracei‘uL.,What more
id be asked? -Dalzclrs face beamed with
plenum’; x
“Teddy, you're a wonder," he cried. “You
will do. I‘ll feature you as the great’ boy
tumbler. Your salary will be forty-dye dol-
lars a’ week and expenses. ,Is that 'all
ht?" '
Teddy felt giddy. This was to him a
princely salary. He could only say:
f"i'hat u very generous. I shall hope to
if.’ ' ‘
earn ,,
“Bab! Murray Bros. don‘t care what
they pay. but they must have the “At.
See! You must work all the time
ou lose your job.
Teddy
went on: . c
“Now, i‘m going to put you into a. sin?
act to-night. Did you ever do any;work
on the springboard?" .
‘ h. yes. sir." .
“Well, the Dumas Brothers do a spring-
board act. They leap over six elephants,
and turn three times before alighting on the
mattress. Now, I am going to try you in
that act. There are three brothers, Ed,
Tim and Leon Dumas. Ed got hurt at the
last town, and cnn’t go on. We wo d have
to cut out the act if we couldn't get a sub-
stitute. Will you try’it'1"
“Of course I will. Will you give me a
chance?" he cried.
“Yes; right now. I'll call Jim and Leon
out. We'll bring in the elephants. If you
can do that trick, boy, you will save this
show. It is the great feature."
"I will try it,” said Teddy, modestly.
Remember, many have tried it and
failed. The Dumas Brothers are the only
people who have‘ ever done it; but there
is something about you that makes me
think you can do it." " x -
At the word the elephants were led into
the ring. They were placed before ‘ the
great springboard. Then came the Dumas
Brothers. They were masters of Lhe urtpof
xvinst ' ‘ ,,- ‘
They looked at Teddy critically.‘
"Say, Jim." said the ringmaster, f‘I'm go-
ing to put Teddy Small in with you in this
not to illl the pi " ‘
“All ri
“Well,
25‘
w
's got to be a good ode.”
I think the stuff is in him. Just
give him a little coaching." ‘-
The two performers proceeded to do this.
Teddy‘ listened attentively. He saw them
leave the springboard and do the triple
somarsault in mid-air.
It seemed to Teddy a frightful distance,
and the chances of breaking one's neck
were enormous.
But “do and dare" was Teddy's motto.‘
He weut’np to the little run leading to the
springboard. Then he started.
Down he Went like a shot. His feet struck
the springboard g '
went like-a feather.
phznts than the other actors he went.
D. “P;
Then he threw one-twtr--three easy som- ,
crsaults, and In that flash a! time he saw
the mattress far below. ’
In that infinitesimal space the boy's
quick wit acted. He saw that his calcula-
tion allowed margin for still another turn.
He tock it, and landed fairly and squarely
on the mat. . '
For a moment the performers present
ere dnmfounded. Then they burst into a
you Even the as Brothers.
though they were outdone, gave sshout of
approval - -'
As for Dalzell, he stared, and rubbed his
y .
“Wh'ewi" he exclaimed. "Did you turn
four times, boy?”
. .6 ..
1 , r.
"I wondered if my eyes were not at fault.
Why, lad, do you know what that means?
Can you do that every time?”
“l think so. sir." -
"W'hy, youare the star of the circus. You
are the wonder of the world. That trick
was never done before, and the smartest
men in the world have tried it. Boy, your
iortnae is made."
Teddy could hardly believe all this.
had been to him so very easy.
"You see, it can h2 easily explained," said
Jim Dumas. “The boy is a wonder. lie is
perfectly muscled, knows how to lean, and
is so light that he makes time in the.air.
We are too heavy for more than three
Imes " ‘
It
To make sure, Teddy repeated the leap
several times. He found it easier each time.
This settled it. Dalzell hurried away to
acquaint the Mnrrays with his great find,
and secure a. contract for this wonderful
boy phenomenon.
“By the great horn,spoon!" cried Hiram I
Bell. ecstatlcaily, as be fairly embraced
Teddy. "You are going to he the star of
this circus, lad, and to think I found ye;
but ye won't get a swelled had an’ forgit
yer old friend?“
“Never!” cried Teddy. "rrphaticaliy. ‘‘I
owe my good fortune L: yrs.”
“Only think at it. boy! Yon’ll have your
name an the show bill! bigger than any-
body else’; But let me tell you some-
thing.” -‘
Hiram lowered his voice.
. , uv
sllghting of your work will he notlced,i‘“d '
- s
bowed silently. The riugmaslel‘ '
9 .
Higher over the elc- '
