The Circus Boys on the Plains; Or, The Young Advance Agents Ahead of the Show

at

rling rose above even

owner of the Great Sparling Combined Shows. Shaking the water from his d

owman, with an amused twinkle in his eyes as he

, sir," was the c

tenings, lift them high in the air preparatory to distributing them over the surrounding country. Guy ropes were straining at their anchora

ed no protest, going about their business as methodically as if the air were

showman's swaying office tent, the blare of the band off

I had already observed that the storm

s,

you so admirably put it. My feet are at this moment in a puddle of w

greed the pat

is how are the tent

well

as over your head you take it for gra

s,

gang is on du

ut in the

ht like this. But what were you doing out ther

lping a l

ing a

s,

t la

lot, sir, and I was helping to get he

sh

s,

red again we will have the elephant trainer bring over one of the bulls and haul her out

s,

on now under

mblers are in

ng reflect

finished his work

. He should be o

the job of drowning at which you already have made s

r," grin

, go

started to l

re!" bellowed

was not unused to the str

to do when you get t

't kno

ou are an intelli

list

s,

surveying his messen

ivate car at the 'runs,'"-meaning that part of the railr

s,

my tent at once. It is likely to strike itself if they d

rm, while Mr. Sparling methodically gathered up the papers h

gh the flap as he drew on his oilskins. Pulling the brim of h

was now little danger of a blow-down that night. He started off across the circus lot, splashing through the mud

mall army of men were rushing the work of loading the menagerie wagons on

ther is, the louder the men seem called upon to yell. However, if yell

s cosy office on board the private car. He had been there something like half an

il Forrest appeared a

e, did you not,

the showman, looking up quickly w

very bad ev

revise our statement

ghed the lad. "Yes, I think that

ved the formalities, come i

ht a few minutes' delay would make no difference. Had you s

thing urgent. The storm did not interf

le nervous at one time, but

s your

y Tuc

es

Man on Earth when I left the dressing tent,"

r wh

e he took off his tights. There was a mud hole in front of Te

had to wait, eh?" questioned th

thrash him if he did not keep

eaned back, la

getting to be a very

fe

ing t

es

ore trouble, and with less provocation, than anyone I ever kne

thing quite important.

ctly to the trai

spread in the dining compartment. It must be ready by this time. Co

here a small table had been spread for them, which, with its pretty china,

to me," smiled Ph

Mr. Sparling. "Be seated, and we will talk w

their entry into the sawdust arena in "THE CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS" after Phil by his quick wit had prevented a serious accident to the lion cage and perhaps th

life trailed down and captured a desperate man, one of the circus employees who, having been discharged, had followed the Sparling Show, seeking to revenge himself

forming a mission for his employer, was caught by a rival circus owner, held captive for some days, then forced to perform in the rival's circus ring, leaping through rings of fire in a bareback riding act. The details of Phil's exciting

he circus, on boats, which carried them from town to town along the big river. It was on this trip that Phil Forrest met with the most thril

e Circus Boys are found under can

Mr. Sparling after the two had seated themse

owly, Mr.

is

I am afraid I shall get lazy, unles

many acts have

gle bareback riding act and a double with Li

n nodded r

urself responsible for the menagerie tent and other things too numerous to mention. Yes; you should have a few more things to do,

he was now drawing from the little red ticket wagon every week. Phil was ambitious; he hoped, as has been said before, to hav

verything possible to aid the lad in acquiring a far-reachi

rling. Let's talk a

bably will enjoy that more

swered the lad with a

ng of giving you so

his employer with

hinking of c

from the show?" asked the lad, gazing at

Sparling Show could not get along without you.

ng me?" won

much about the advance work,

have picked up by reading the reports of the car manag

deal more to the advertising department of a show than

hould i

ahead of it. Let that work be neglected and you would see how soon business would drop

nd the Sparling Sho

time. That is a point that I cannot impress upon you too strongly. Any business wil

s worth taking,

eighteen thousand dollars a day for several weeks, it rather

nswered Phil, his eyes li

o the point I have

it you have in

join the advance for the

?" questioned the la

es

ave the

sity, much as I regre

ook on a sole

ld you l

uld not know what to do with myself away from t

s never finished. There is always plenty to do after you have finished your day's work. Besides, this branch of the

wherever you may

aid the young ma

uld be," smile

I to do?" asked Phil, now growing int

nd you out on Adverti

car of the three in

re to do. I will a

" mused the

n his eyes, but which Phil in his preoccupation failed to observe. "I am thin

ou wish me

on

ow

t as soon as

ow," replied t

d Mr. Sparling. "Besides, this is rather a bad night to make a change.

wden know I a

that effect-that is, I told him you

s Car Th

consulted h

four weeks ahead of the show, you know. We are in Flint,

here do we sh

gin

asy jump from th

I think you had better plan to join them at St.

-room trunk will be carried

does; then you can return to us, though I shall not expect you

Mr. Sparling-" added the boy,

es

y? Does he remai

wait a moment. Upon reflection I think perhaps he had better go alo

he does," s

t if you were not here to look after him. He would put the whole show out of business first thing I knew

e of the f

hree do, and in addition to this I shall send you both my persona

ecessary," p

waved the obj

riend to get ready now, and report to me in th

ion for the new life before him. And it was to be a new life

ht, and hurried away to his own