Part 1 (1/2)

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

by Edgar B P Darlington

CHAPTER I

ON THE OWNER'S PRIVATE CAR

”Bates!”

The voice of Ja rose above even the roar of the storm

A uniformed attendant stepped into the little office tent occupied by the owner of the Great Sparling Co cap, he brought a hand to his forehead in precise , Bates?” demanded the showgled condition of hiswet, sir,” was the coale was roaring over the circus lot,circus tents froh in the air preparatory to distributing the at their anchorages, center and quarter poles were beating a nervous tattoo on the sodden turf The rain was driving over the circus lot in blinding sheets

The night was not ideal for a circus perfor about their business as methodically as if the air ar down over the scene coain, as the wind shi+fted for aoffice tent, the blare of the band off under the big top told hi merrily on

”Bates, you are almost hu wet,” replied the showman

”Yes, sir”

”I have reason to be aware of the fact that 'she is co wet,'

as you so admirably put it My feet are at this moment in a puddle of water that is now three inches above reed the patient attendant

”What I want to know is how are the tents standing the blow?”

”Very well, sir”

”As long as there is a stitch of canvas over your head you take it for granted that the tops are all right, eh?”

”Yes, sir”

”The e is on duty, of course?”

”They're out in the wet, sir”

”Of course; that is where they belong on a night like this

But ere you doing out there? You have no business that calls you outside”