Phil Rushington's Search, or, The Unknown Rider of the Ring — page 4: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

off, when his assistant, Walt Arkwright, brought the announcement concerning Eona, known on.the.bills as “The Girl Centaur.” ‘here was nothing startling in Eona’s per- formances, but she possessed a delicate, spir- ituelle beauty and brought to her work so much of grace and charm that she always gained an amount of applause that equaled Isabel the “hands” given her sister riders, and Mamie. For this reason, Phil, although looking upon Eona’s absence from the ring as a Likewise, necessity, nevertheless deplored it. and for the same reason, Walt’s mention of the unknown hurdle-rider claimed Rush's in- stant attention. “Some rider seeking an engagement, Walt?” 2 YAS: | looking for you all morning.” He’s been hanging around the lot ‘Some country boy, I suppose, whose eyes have been dazzled and head turned by the glory and glamour of the life as viewed from the Seats. Probably he has learned to stand on his head on one of his father’s plow horses and ride twice around the barn.” Rush laughed. “I hardly thing he’ll pass, Walt.” Walt laughed, too, but at the same time cast a puzzled look into his chum’s face. “In the old days at Springvale, Rush,” said he, “you were something of a mind-reader, but you must have lost the gift. off in that guess. You’re way The boy is a slender, well- dressed young fellow and looks as though he might be town-bred. He wouldn’t give his name, or any other details connected with himself.” Walt cast a searching glance about the grounds. “He doesn’t seem to be here now. Probably he got discouraged and went off. I'll see Mamie and see if she’ll do an extra turn, She’s been practicing at standing riding, in the Roman fashion, and if she’s able to doa specialty of that kind, she could make up as an qipectet different girl,” po AND DARE WEEKLY. They were on the point of cebatae ding a man in tattered clothes, his face. at covered with a ragged beard, che up t ee them. Removing the butt ofa cigage he was puffing, the hobo took off h tis erow pet Ret less hat and ducked his head. — eer se . “Say, boss,” said he, “d’ye want Yer’ hie a a wild man fer yer menagerie—feller yer have ter keep chained an’ that ye feed with ray vo meat every afternoon follerin’ the big ae 99 a 1 “Are you the wild man’s manager?” as] eC Rush, tipping Walt a wink. Eo : “Nope—I’m him. I make up fer the f an’ you bet it’s a daisy.” a a sg “Well, sir, I can’t engage you, We ¢ d on’t ae : want any fakes in this show.” x / “Shucks! The public likes ter | bugged. Ole P. T. Barnum said at self. But, say, how'd ye like ter eng o’ these Missin’ Links—a reg’lar What me u’d keep all the perfessers an’ the tific push guessin’? Hey?” dir wale eee eee ae ‘Would you make up for that par t, toc “W oul have ter ouldn’t is '9- make up much, neither.” | eg qe “But I just told you we didn’t want a yi fakes.”’ oh es ie aa “Well, I kin eat fire an’ swaller bili in’ | No fake about that.” “That’s too old.” “I kin juggle with butcher-knives, be ) “There are whiskers on that trick as the other.” “Sure.” He grinned. aga ~ . z _ © wy ~ ae aie _— = eo Ss as ¢ “= , “Mebby you’ve got an openin’ fer a man * > ‘. ee ter sell peanuts an’ red lemonade?” “No. If you could ride a horse and tuna ' | double-somersault through a burning: hoop, ee z Or something of that kind, we might oe i :: business.” _ * y* ae - - ‘st — = *. de a & Fl om ‘Ridin’ is out o’ my line. I ‘might ‘make a ee stagger ter hang onter yer trike donkey 2 an’ play the Rube.” j ey oe “We've got a man for that.” se a “No other openin’ ?” ty ie