THEIR CURIOSITY AROUSED
"Phil, I have an idea that you are wondering where we are bound for?" said Mr.Sparling, with a merry twinkle in his eyes.
"I will confess that I have been somewhat curious," smiled the boy."From the route I could not imagine where you were heading.""You are not the only one who has been guessing.Our rivals are positively nervous over the movements of this show.They think we are going to jump into the Mississippi River, or something of the sort--""Or float on it," added Phil.Mr.Sparling eyed him keenly.
They were in the owner's private tent, discussing the business of the show itself, as these two did every day of the season, for Mr.Sparling had come to place no little reliance on the judgment of his young Circus Boy.
"What made you say that, Phil?"
"I had no particular reason.Perhaps I thought I was saying something funny.""Nothing very funny about that," answered the showman."I agree with you.""I thought perhaps you might ask me where we were routed for this season.""And I thought you would tell me when you wished me to know," answered the boy.
"It was not because I did not wish you to know our route, Phil.I rather thought I should like to give you a surprise.""Yes, sir."
"We are going to surprise the show world at the same time, so you see you are not the only one who will be surprised.""You arouse my curiosity, Mr.Sparling."
"Still you refuse to ask where we are going," replied the showman, laughing heartily."I have made my arrangements with the utmost secrecy because I did not wish any of the opposition shows to get a line onmy plans.Not one of them has done so thus far.Tomorrow they will know.Or at least by the day after tomorrow.I am not going to let you in on my little secret today either.Do you think you can possess your soul in patience until then?""I think there will be no trouble about that.If I have restrained my curiosity so far I surely can control it until tomorrow.We show at Milledgeville tomorrow, do we not?""That's what the route card says and I guess the route card is right." "Small town, is it not?""Yes, one of the little river towns.Do you know much about the river?""Nothing except what I observed when we played the southern states last season.I should like to take a trip down the river, and hope I may have an opportunity to do so one of these days.""You'll have the opportunity, all right." "Sir?""I said you would have the opportunity." "I hope so.""Perhaps sooner than you think, too.How is your friend, Tucker, getting along?""Pretty well, thank you.I guess he is working better this season than he did last.His acts are much more finished, don't you think so?""Yes.I noticed that he nearly finished a clown with one of his acts the other night," answered Mr.Sparling dryly, whereat both laughed heartily."Have you had any trouble, with any of the men?""Do you mean myself, personally?" "Either or both of you?""Some slight disagreements.What trouble we have had has been due wholly to our own fault," answered Phil manfully.
"With whom?"
"I would rather not say anything about it, if you will permit me to remain silent.""You are a queer boy, Phil."
"So I have been told before," answered the lad, laughing.
"And your friend Teddy is a confounded sight more so.I'm afraid he would have a hard time with most any other show in spite of the fact that he is an excellent performer.""I have told him as much." "Oh, you have?""Yes, sir."
"What does he say?"
"He doesn't take my advice very seriously, I am afraid.Teddy is all right at heart, however.""I agree with you."
