HIS FIRST BAREBACK LESSON
"Where's that boy?"
"He'll catch it if he ever dares show his face in this dressing tent again."This and other expressions marked the disapproval of the performers of the manner in which their enclosure had been entered and disrupted.
"Don't blame him; blame the mule," advised Mr.Miaco, the head clown.
"Yes; Teddy wasn't to blame," declared Phil, who had entered at that moment."Did he do all this?" he asked, looking about at the scene of disorder.
"He did.Lucky some of us weren't killed," declared one."If that mule isn't cut out of the programme I'll quit this outfit.Never safe a minute while he and the kid are around.First, the kid gets us into a scrimmage with the roustabouts, then he slam bangs into the dressing tent with a fool mule and puts the whole business out of the running.""Was Mr.Sparling--was he mad?" asked Phil, laughing until the tears started.
"Mad?He was red headed," replied Miaco."Where's Teddy?""He got stuck in the strong man's trunk there.The boss had to pull him out, for he was wedged fast.Then the young man prudently made his escape.If the boss hadn't skinned him we would have done so.He got out just in time.""Are you Phil Forrest?" asked a uniformed attendant entering the dressing tent.
"Yes; what is it?"
"Lady wants to see you out in the paddock." "Who is it?""Mrs.Robinson."
"I don't know any Mrs.Robinson."
"He means Little Dimples," Mr.Miaco informed him."Oh."Phil hurried from the tent.Dimples was sitting on a property box, industriously engaged on a piece of embroidery work.She made a pretty picture perched up on the box engaged in her peaceful occupation with the needle, and the lad stopped to gaze at her admiringly.
Dimples glanced down with a smile.
"Does it surprise you to see me at my fancy work? That's what I love.Why, last season, I embroidered a new shirt waist every week during the show season.I don't know what I'll do with them all.But come over here and sit down by me.I ought to thank you for saving my life this afternoon, but I know you would rather I did not."Phil nodded.
"I don't like to be thanked.It makes me feel--well, awkward, I guess.You froze, didn't you?""I did," and Dimples laughed merrily."What made you do so--the horse?""Yes.I thought he was going to fall all the way down, then by the time I remembered where I was I couldn't turn to save my life.I heard you call to me to do so, but I couldn't.But let's talk about you.You hurt your back, didn't you?""Nothing to speak of.It will be all right by morning.I'm just a little lame now.Where were you--what show were you with last year?""The Ringlings."
"The Ringlings?" marveled Phil."Why, I shouldn't think you would want to leave a big show like that for a little one such as this?""It's the price, my dear boy.I get more money here, and I'm a star here.In the big shows one is just a little part of a big organization.There's nothing like the small shows for comfort and good fellowship.Don't you think so?""I don't know," admitted Phil."This is the only show I have ever been with.I 'joined out' last season--""Only last season? Well, well! I must say you have made pretty rapid progress for one who has been out less than a year.""I have made a lot of blunders," laughed Phil."But I'm learning.I wish, though, that I could do a bareback act one quarter as well as you do.I should be very proud if I could.""Have you ever tried it?" "No."
"Why don't you learn, then?You'd pick it up quickly.""For the reason that I have never had an opportunity--I've had no one to teach me.""Then you shall do so now.Your teacher is before you." "You--you mean that you will teach me?""Of course.What did you think I meant?" "I--I wasn't sure.That will be splendid.""I saw your elephant act.You are a very finished performer-- a natural born showman.If you stay in the business long enough you will make a great reputation for yourself.""I don't want to be a performer all my life.I am going to own a show some of these days," announced the boy confidently.
"Oh, you are, are you?" laughed Dimples."Well, if you say so, I most surely believe you.You have the right sort of pluck to get anything you set your heart on.Now if my boy only--""Your boy?"
"Yes.Didn't you know that I am a married woman?" "Oh my, I thought you were a young girl," exclaimed Phil.
"Thank you; that was a very pretty compliment.But, alas, I am no longer young.I have a son almost as old as you are.He is with his father, performing at the Crystal Palace in London.I expect to join them over there after my season closes here.""Is it possible?"
"Yes, and as my own boy is so far away I shall have to be a sort of mother to you this season.You have no mother, have you?""No.My mother is dead," answered the lad in a low voice, lowering his eyes.
