Part 32 (2/2)
The audience broke out into a roar, shouting, howling and stamping on the seats at the same time.
”Now, you may go,” shouted Mr. Sparling to the audience.
”Phil, you are a wonder. I take off my hat to you,” and the showman, suiting the action to the word, made a sweeping bow to the little Circus Boy.
Still the audience remained.
”Well, why don't you go?”
”What about the kid up there near the top of the house?”
questioned a voice in the audience.
”That's so. I had forgotten all about him,” admitted the owner of the show.
”Oh, never mind me. I'm only a human being,” jeered Tucker, from his perch far up near the top of the tent. This brought a roar of laughter from everybody.
”We shall have to try to cast a rope up to him.”
”You can't do it,” answered Phil firmly. Nevertheless the effort was made, Teddy watching the attempts with lazy interest.
”No, we shan't be able to reach him that way,” agreed Mr.
Sparling finally.
”Hey down there,” called Teddy.
”Well, what is it? Got something to suggest?”
”Maybe--maybe if you'd throw some peanuts and candy in my cage I might come down.”
This brought a howl of laughter.
”I don't see how we are going to make it,” said Mr. Sparling, shaking his head hopelessly.
”I'll tell you how we can do it,” said Phil.
”Yes; I was waiting for you to make a suggestion. I thought it funny if you didn't have some plan in that young head of yours.
What is it?”
”What's the matter with the balloon?”
”The balloon?”
”Yes.”
”Hurrah! That's the very thing.”
The balloon was a new act in the Sparling show that season.
A huge balloon had been rigged, but in place of the usual basket, was a broad platform. Onto this, as the closing act of the show, a woman rode a horse, then the balloon was allowed to rise slowly to the very dome of the big tent, carrying the rider and horse with it.
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