DUCKED BY AN ELEPHANT
The great white billows of the Sparling Combined Shows were moving steadily across the continent.The receipts had exceeded Mr.Sparling's most sanguine expectations, and he was in great good humor.
Only one unpleasant incident had happened and that occurred at Franklin, Indiana.Phil and Teddy, while on their way to their car after the performance late at night, had been set upon by two men and quite severely beaten, though both lads had given a good account of themselves and finally driven off their assailants.
They did not report their experience to Mr.Sparling until the next morning, having gone directly to their car and put themselves to bed after having been fixed up with plasters and bandages by some of their companions.The next morning neither lad was particularly attractive to look at.However, bearing the taunts of the show people good-naturedly, they started for the cook tent just as they were in the habit of doing every day.
But Mr.Sparling had seen them as they passed his car on their way."Now, I wonder what those boys have been up to?" he scowled,watching their receding forms thoughtfully."I'll find out."And he did.He summoned the lads to his office in the tent soon after breakfast.
"I expected you would send for us," grinned Phil, as he walked in with Teddy."What about it? You are both sights!""Grease paint and powder will cover it up, I guess, Mr.Sparling." "I'll hear how it happened.""I can't tell you much about it," said Phil."We were on our way to the car when a couple of men suddenly jumped out from a fence corner and went at us hammer and tongs.That's when we got these beauty spots.If we had seen the fellows coming we might not have been hit at all.""Wait a minute; where did this occur?" demanded the showman.
"Just outside the lot at Franklin.It was very dark there, and, as youknow, the sky was overcast."
"Did you know the men--had you ever seen them before?" "I couldn't say as to that.""No, sir; we couldn't say," added Teddy, nodding.Mr.Sparling turned a cold eye upon Tucker.
"I haven't asked for remarks from you, young man.When I do you may answer."Teddy subsided for the moment.
"But, had it been anyone you knew, you must have recognized their voices.""They didn't say a word.Just pitched into us savagely.I think they might have done us serious injury had we not defended ourselves pretty well.""It occurs to me that you were rather roughly handled as it was," said the showman, with a suspicion of a grin on his face."Doctor fixed you up, I suppose?""Oh, no; it wasn't so bad as that."
"Have you any suspicion--do you think it was any of the show people?" demanded Mr.Sparling, eyeing Phil penetratingly.
"I don't know.Here is a button I got from the coat of one of the men.That may serve to identify him if he is one of our men.I haven't had a chance to look around this morning."The showman quickly stretched forth his hand for the button, which he examined curiously.
"And here's a collar, too," chuckled Teddy.
"A collar?Where did you get that, young man?""Oh, I just yanked it off the other fellow.Guess it hasn't been to the laundry this season."Mr.Sparling leaned back and laughed heartily.
"Between you, you boys will be the ruination of me.You take my mind off business so that I don't know what I'm about half of the time.But I can't get along without you.I'll look into this matter," he went on more gravely."Tell the boss canvasman to send Larry and Bad Eye to me.""Yes, sir."
The lads delivered the message.
Mr.Sparling's eyes twinkled as these two worthies sneaked into his tent, each with a hangdog expression on his face."Red" Larry had a black eye, while Bad Eye's nose appeared to have listed to one side.
The showman glanced at Larry's coat, then at the button in his own hand.He nodded understandingly.Bad Eye was collarless.
"Here's a button that I think you lost off your coat last night, Larry," smiled Mr.Sparling sweetly."And, Bad Eye, here's your collar.Better send it to the washerwoman."The men were speechless for the moment.
"Go to the boss, both of you, and get your time.Then I want you to clear out of here.""Wha--what--we ain't done nothing," protested Larry.
"And you had better not.If I see you about the circus lot again this season, I'll have you both in the nearest jail quicker than you can say 'scat!' Understand?Get out of here!"The showman half rose from his chair, glaring angrily at them.His good-nature had suddenly left him, and the canvasmen, knowing what they might expect from the wrathful showman, stood not upon the order of their going.They ran.
