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

and that took in every man in the car. "Get in your reports, and get them in quick, or I'll fire the whole bunch of you n

illy Conley who bore the title of assistant car manager, bu

the men, as Phil and Teddy stepped i

boys," greete

e turned on

s," said Teddy

large e

ody la

ed out today, from back wi

y companion, is Teddy Tucker. We're green as grass, and we s

e good opinion of the men

llow over there by the boiler is Chief Rain-in-the-Face. The one next to him is Slivers. The frea

as Rosie the Pi

an advance car long enough. I couldn't remember mine if I didn't get a letter occasionally to remind

smiled Phil. "Do you kno

ile of pape

es

rest of the berths are occupied, unless the Boss

to be in a huff about something tonight," answ

bout a roughhouse in the office this

talk about that," re

, and tell us all about it

to suit the men so they pounced upon him a

s the paste can for

in the stateroom that afternoon, describing in d

oncluded, all hands turned

thought it?" wondered

by Egawa sidled up to Phil and

e Baby. "Bad medicin

ers back with the show," nodded Billy. "What are

t we are here for

ng wished u

r way through. You have done a mighty good job in downing the Boss, but look out for him. He'

lau

ot afraid of him. Are all ca

ring Jakes. But Snowden is the worst ever. He has the meanest disposition of any man I ever knew. This is his first season on Num

hook h

t him treat yo

s; others mothers and sisters to look after. It's put up with the roast or get out. And let me tell you

re do we eat?" i

at

you fellows i

ntract hotels isn't eating; it isn't even feeding. You folks back with the show don't

tract hotel?"

t his compani

n the show business long enough t

hook hi

he gets through with the livery stable business he hunts up all the almost food places in town until he finds one that will feed the advance car men for five or ten cents a meal. Then he signs a contract and goes off to a real hotel for his own

replie

us after you have had

started fo

Snowden told you to get them in at once,

ait," grow

a row when you get

so what's the odds?

any idea that it was like this. If ever I own or run a show it will be differe

hat I am working for

e we

been overdrawn. All hands filed into the dining room, and P

r at one time shambled up to them with a soiled napkin thr

he demanded with a suddenness

hen permitted his gaze to wander about the t

l I have?" reflect

y that I can't thi

n soup; wha

er foot, flopped the napkin to the other

e?" he demanded, with a ris

bean soup if it's all the same to yo

t Teddy's droll manner, but the Circus Boy did not even smile. He looked at them wit

ot know yo

meal passed off

think of the contrac

were strolling

," answered Teddy. "Why didn't the contracting agent sign us up with a livery stable

But we shall get along all right. If we get too hungry we can go out

n't have any stomachs left. Now, you want to

ch, if you can spare the

, then we'll have a nice long talk,

Snowden wait

s bite isn't half s

in. To his tirade no one gave the slightest heed. The men went methodically to work, writing out their reports to w

e office while the manager was going over

Come

sitting, taking his time about doing so, and, wearing a bro

rouble now?"

hat's the word. It's

re your

I suppose," g

your feet. All you know how to do is to k

the tirade with

hat it is all about I

ose billboa

e matter w

er? M

t's what

torn off

what of

show comes around, the ticket takers won't accept them. Then there will be a howl that you

right," growled Rosie

dare contradict

fire you now only

f here! C

y, but with a weary e

s. That's about what the tickets will com

explosions to those out in the main compartment of the car. Every

go outside and t

rom it all," answered Phil. "I don't know; w

used to it a

ed the Missing Link, dismally, as th

lly Conley. "There is going to be an ex

ot exactly in th