The Circus Boys on the Mississippi; Or, Afloat with the Big Show on the Big River

ring where we are bound for?" said Mr. S

curious," smiled the boy. "From the route

itively nervous over the movements of this show. They think we are

on it,"

ing eyed

w itself, as these two did every day of the season, for Mr. Sparling had

you say t

on. Perhaps I thought I w

y about that," ans

ee wit

ight ask me where we wer

ell me when you wished me

did not wish you to

should like to gi

s,

d at the same time, so you see you are

y curiosity,

did not wish any of the opposition shows to get a line on my plans. Not one of them has done so thus far. Tomorrow they will know. Or at least by t

estrained my curiosity so far I surely can control it unt

card says and I guess t

own, is

river towns. Do you kn

ates last season. I should like to take a trip down the river,

the opportuni

ir

ould have the

ope

hink, too. How is your fri

g better this season than he did last. His ac

cts the other night," answered Mr. Sparling dryly, whereat both l

n myself, p

or both

le we have had has been due wholly to

h wh

thing about it, if you will

a queer b

d before," answered

afraid he would have a hard time with most any other sho

told him

you h

s,

does h

seriously, I am afraid. Teddy

ee wit

to place on the "grave" in memory of Mrs. Waite's soldier dead, to all of which the showman listene

t I was a soldier,

Were you

nt," said the showman reminiscently. "Perhaps had I been older I might

ded Phil Forr

s most intimately at the present moment. I want to say that y

. I am doi

ess, and that is no slight factor, either. I have been waiting to talk ser

es

ur plans for

the show business. I am trying to lay up some mo

busi

y business I know anything about, and I kn

more about the circus business than you do. Many of them not so much. You are a born showman. Take my word f

ld like

ge you would spend four years there and when you finished, you would find that the show world had been moving right along just the same. You would be out of it, so

you advise,

pointing out the facts for

gratitude. I shall never forget all you have done for Te

e me no

never be able wholly t

e, my boy. You will want to pack a

y dressing-

ll your b

ked his

ference to your st

why, Mr.

ght you will spend on the sleeping c

tand. Am I to l

e the

s,

length of time-at least not while I am in the business. No, you are going on a little trip-the show is going on a little trip. That is the surp

d anticipation of what awaited him on the morrow. Strange to say, Phil

was to be a