Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 900) (1894 10 23)
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ed | “fia NEO . G. « alee) 4 ] a Da op ; >) Y ‘ : ; = we " P AW aft (' me 1 am fill A , i} ANN , \ - A A Wy \S ee NS NY . WY \ \ Lopshih \ A \ : \ t ANY Wy \ Ny WY . iS \ \ \ Ny N \Y . X : \ WY ; Ht Vea | my | By NS \ : NY \ . Ball nh \ niente, “e Ww” wilt ; ry ! RRQ QOL “AAAAKA QED” AH WN \ | y if _} wf \\\ \ » W : U My \ ul | \ -_ Sl \ SR A, MAF WA AN A ‘ EEE en ae ek» S a Ree Sia ___’, DRA ~Go Jinn I ta it ll Tl al al ll tala Copyrighted 1894, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, rT s&s X \, y | i October 28, 184. } 1} = eis ty 4 A Pre Comet ae Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y , Post Office. $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, No. 900. a Year. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 cents, Vol. UXXV. —— Var — MEQ Y) NF, \\ \\ \ \ wt \' 7 b 2 = notes : ' yet a 7 oo = ~ : y ~ ’ “samen /e lif eZ, » o> : : Ne HTH] } iN i\ ’ .° / E “y - = . + | 1 \ \\ 7 NO\ //))I\S// Be TST Ns sons - } . ~ Mit \\ \ \ iy { ' \ — iy 2 \\ \ \ WA \\ Ra i { SQ) \ ZY ‘ \ \\ \y A \\ Rh \\ Y X\ bys Valens \\\ >\ Mas WM iii.’ \ i) is ee) OR, THE Circus ()ueen’s Shadower A Romance of the Sawdust Circle, BY J. C. COWDRICK, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ BROADWAY BILLY” NOVELS, BTC, CHAPTER I. {THE BOY WITH CIRCUS ON THE BRAIN, Say, mister?” ** Well, say it quick.” “Can't I fetch water, or do somethin’, td’ get a free ticket?” =aahea oP rev esinn Harry spat superintendent of the) oo oeiten Seniesa tans ‘Greatest One-Ring Show. On Earth,” ob«l SS ————— served the little fellow well. "ON, BEAUTY!” CRIED THE ARENA QUEEN, WHILE SHE LOOKED BACK AT The applicant was a bright-eyed boy of! fourteen years, of muscular build, with dark} THE INFURIATE ELEPHANT WITH HORROR,
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‘tickets for all the performances, give usa driok?” — >. Jumping-Jack’s Jubilee. ous : So — t hair and tanned face, and his whole raiment | ‘‘I’m carrying water for the gang in the consisted of hat, shirt and trowsers. big tent, and there—” ° ‘*What’s your name?” the showman ‘*We don't care a picayune who you are asked. carrying it for; you hand over that pail or ‘My name’s Jack Reed, but the boys all | I’ll kick a lung out of you!” call me Jumpin’-Jack, fer a nickname, sir.” The fellow was a dark-faced man of “« Jumping-Jack?” thirty, perhaps, and was evidently the boss ¢ Yes.” of the gang at work upon thistent. As he ‘Ha, ha, ha! Well, that is a nickname, | spoke he stepped forward and reached for true enough. Why do they call you that?” | the pail. ‘* Because I’m a jumper.” .‘* Keep off!” Jumping-Jack warned. “Let me see you jump, if that’s the ‘‘Give me that pail, confound you, boy!” case.” With this he gave Jack a cuff on the side The boy flung his hat to the ground, | of his head. leaped up lightly, and to the astonishment Jack had been trying to escape him, but, of the showman and all who stood near, | of course, could not do so with the heavy turned over backward with the greatest | pail in hand, ease, as quick as a wink, and came down No sooner had he been struck, however, upon the same spot where he had been | than he stooped slightly, gripping the pail standing. with both hands, and in the same moment ‘Great Scott!” Harry Murray exclaimed. | the whole contents was dashed in the man’s “Where did you learn to do that, boy?” face. . ** Learnt it myself, sir.” Harry Murray, coming from the big tent, ** Can you do anything else?” was justin time to see the whole perform- **T can jump over a string a foot higher | ance. than my head, with a run, sir; and | can He ran speedily toward the scene. tumble twice, if I get a good start.” With an oath, the drenched man picked up The mischief you can! You are a circus | a tent-pin and aimed a blow at the boy which in yourself, But, you must have seen some- | must have killed him if he had been body do these things to put you in the | struck. notion of it, didn’t you?” Jumping-Jack ducked his head with the ‘Yes; there was a circus here two years | quickness of lightning, and before another ago, an’ me an’ some of the other boys took | blow could be aimed he had ieaped in the air to playin’ circus. I’m the only one that |and the heels of both feet were planted stuck to it, though, and now they say I have ; squarely upon the man’s breast with force. circus on the brain.” Down went the man, with a shock that al- ‘Well, you have made a go of it, sure | most rendered him insensible for the mo- enough. Yes, take that pail and get some | ment, water and keep this gang of men supplied ‘That was a close call for you, boy,” said while they are at work, and I'll give you | Murray, who reached the spot at that mo- And, say, | ment. I’ want to see you again before we go | for he is an ugly devil.” away.” - Jumping-Jack noticed that the superin- ‘All right, sir.” tendent had a pistol in hand, The boy grinned from ear to ear, gave the ‘‘He wasn’t quick enough, that was all,” wink tu some of his chums who stood a little | Jack responded as coolly as if nothing had happened. ‘I'll have to go and fill’er up distance off, and grabbing up the pail was away like a shot to begin the work that was | again,” taking the pail and starting off im- to bring the promised reward. mediately. The showman turned sharply to some of | Harry Murray looked at him a moment, the men who had been lagging at their work | then turned to the man on the ground and ordered him to get up. while he had been talking with the boy, his ‘* You are making trouble again, are you, voice soon had them all on the jump again Tom Hunter?” he demanded, ‘‘If you had at their liveliest, and the big white tent grew and assumed shape with every passing | killed that boy I would have shot you down minute, , in your tracks like adog! Don’t you dare to This was a red-letter day in the annals of | lay a finger on him!” Warrenton, ‘“ Well, he needn’t been so ’fraid of his water, need he? An’ what business had he to drown me like this?” ** You should not have struck him. it all. He knew what he was about.” “Well, you tell him to keep clear o’ Tom Hunter.” ~ The last was said in a muttered tone, and did not clearly reach the ears of the superin tendent, as the fellow turned to his work. Most of Jumping-Jack’s chums had wit- nessed the set to, and they could not conceal the admiration they had for their hero. This was the first time they. had ever seen Jack fight just that way. Murray remained within sight until Jack returned with the second pail of water, and had passed safely into the big tent, and even then, before going elsewhere, he told some of the men to have an eye upon Hunter to see that hedid ‘the boy no harm. The showman had taken a liking to Jump- ing-Jack. na few hours the tents were all up and the minor details were being pushed rapidly to completion. ‘ ’ The band chariot and othér vehicles, were forming in line for the great street parade, and now there were great crowds of sight- xd standing around and taking in every- ing. ; Among these was one John Witman, a well-known character around town. He wasa drunkard, a veritable sot, who, For weeks this day had been eagerly looked forward to, especially on the part of the boys of the town, Every foot of available space throughout the town, almost, had been made use of by the bill-stickers, and the gorgeous pictures had been viewed again and again with won- der and delight. And this was the day—the day of all days to the small boy, and the circus was there, a reality! ‘ {t was bright and early in the morning. The train bad arrived before daylight, and ‘when the town awoke the wagons were being removed from the railroad to the field where the tents were to be put up. As ever, the boys of the town were on hand as quickly as possible, and ‘* Jumping ” Jack Reed was second to none, as may be imagined from the glimpse the reader has now had of him, and the words quoted. Jumping-Jack made all the haste possible to the nearest place where water was to be had, and filling the pail, hurried back again. Before reaching the big tent he had to pass another that was being put up. Here he was stopped, by one of the show- I saw men. ‘* What do you want?” the boy demanded. ‘¢ Water, of course, you monkey!” 4*Well, you can’t have any of this, sir.” **What? You mean to say you won't So ene RS i eS eo SO a Ee pt ee ‘“‘T thought sure he would kill you,: in his younger days, had had some connec- tion or other with a circus himself. s He was now sober, or as sober as he was ever likely to be found in this world, and had been talking with the workmen here and there around, about old times, trying to ‘© work ” a pass, 4 Jumping-Jack had finished his work and was standing near him, They were looking at the band-wagon and other attractions, and while they were thus engaged Tom Hunter came along. Jumping Jack had been taking care to keep out of his way, and so drew back a lit- tleand put himself on the other side of Wit- man, where a tree concealed him partly from view. The drunkard, on the strength of having been in the profession himself, had made his way further to the front than others cared to intrude, and when Hunter came along and stopped near him, Witman engaged him im- mediately in conversation in which Jumping- Jack was destined to hear something impor- tant. rete es CHAPTER II. A STORY THAT SUGGESTED A SCHEME. ‘*T’w blamed if you don’t git up a good © turn-out, neighbor,” Old Wit paid compli- ment, That was the nickname by which the bum was familiarly known—‘‘ Old Wit.” ‘* Yes, it will do,” growled Hunter, “‘Tt ’minds me a good deal of what Cook ‘n’ Tucker's was, fifteen or twenty years ago, an’ I tell you that was a hummer!” ‘‘T’ve heard said that it was a good show,” Hunter merely rejoined. : The eld bummer prattled on, in his crack- voiced way, saying a good deal in praise of the old show, but ‘‘ allowing” that this one was just a little better; and meantime the parade was forming. f Presently the superintendent of the show came running with a little child in his arms, a child nut more than five or six years old, as pretty as a flower and clad in the neatest and at the same time the most striking cos- tume that can be imagined, for such a tot. Murray passed with-her close to where Old Wit and Hunter were standing, é At sight of the child the bummer’s face turned ashy white, he gave a gasp and a start, involuntarily taking a step forward to- ward her, Hunter noticed him, ‘‘What’s the matter with you?” he de- manded. ‘‘That—that kid!’’ the bummer ejaculated, ‘“*“ Who—who is she, neighbor?” * You look as if you had seen a ghost, old man, That’s Sam Bruce’s_ brat, curse him! She's on the bills as ‘ Baby Bess,’ ” “Dast me if her face didn’t give me a shock.” ‘Tt gave you more than a shock, I should think, the way you looked and acted.. Re- minded you of somebody?” ‘«'That’s what it did.” “Who?” ‘That's quite a story, neighbor. But, say, how comes you ain’t in the parade yer- self?’ ‘‘T’ve got the bounce, that’s the reason.” “« Whew! ye don’t say?” Fact;” ‘* What fer?” ‘Well, like your case, it’s quite a story. Had some trouble with a boy here early this mornin’, an’ as Murray had it in for me anyhow he used that as a ’scuse and let me go.” ‘*Who was the boy?” “They call him Jumpin’-Jack, I believe.” “] know him; smartest chap in this hull town if I do say, hang him!” y “You have no love for him?” ‘Well, not much; but that ain’t to say he ain’t smart. He’s a boy that’s got circus on the brain.” :
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al umping-J ack’s Jubilee, NR ‘He'll never make a performer, though, | ‘What do you mean by the other case, af [I get a fair chance at him before I leave old fellow?” Hunter asked. this town, I'll break his bacx for him, “* Tt was a case in which I figgered myself for what he did to me. What is your | about the same as you seem to figger in this grudge?” one.” **Tell me about it.” ‘*] don’t mind, seein’as you have shown your hand to me.” ‘*' You needn't have any fear, if it’s any- “Ob, well, that don't matter; you kin do what ye please to him, fer all o’ me, neigh- 4 bor.” 4 “Say, I want to talk with you soon’s the | and lend me a hand if I want help to carry out my plan?” ‘* Well, how much is there in it?” ‘* Five dollars.” 4 ‘‘[m yer turnip; you needn’t look no fur- ers” | “Allright. I'll think of the plan, and | will see you again before night.” ‘Good enough. But, say, you don’t ‘parade starts.” ** All right, neighbor.” It was true that Old Wit had no love for Jumping: Jack. k About a year before the time of our story there had been some stealing done in and around Warrenton. A young man was accused of the evil- doisg, and might have been arrested for it had it not been for Jumping-Jack, who clear- ed him by putting the crime upon Old Wit, 3 where it belonged. The bummer got off with a light sentence, as only one crime could be proved against ; him, but that put an end to the stealing. y Hence, his reason for the dislike he had fi for Jack. } The parade now started off, in all its array ' of gold and glitter, and the band struck up a popular air. 4 lt came as nearly up to the bills as such SS parades generally do—maybe a little nearer, and the waiting crowds broke into a cheer . when the music struck up, and the boys ran fs after the wagons. There was one exception—Jumping-Jack. a=) He had heard enough of the conversation 4 between Old Wit and Hunter to make him eager to hear more, As the wagons passed, there was one little chariot in which rode Baby Bess, who was ‘ _ billed also as the “ Rose of the Ring,” and Old Wit looked at her again keenly as she rode by. ** Dast me if I couldn’t swear it’s the same kid,” he said aloud. Upon a flat, open platform, just ahead of the tiny chariot, rode a clown of the usual type. } ies looked in the direction of Old Wit ae and Hunter, and kept his eyes upon them s until they were left behind, when he gave his attention to the ‘‘ funny business ” of the : 3} hour. ? rf “« That’s the kid’s dad,” said Hunter, call- ag) ing attention to him. ‘‘* He is more’n half ica afraid of me, ’fraid I’ll do barm to the brat if ” Let. the chance; and, between you and me, old fellow, there is some foundation for his fears. My time has about come, I tell you.” ‘* What have you got ugainst him?” _ **Enough, be sure of that. See this hand- some woman coming now?” ; He indicated a beautiful young woman mounted upon a splendid horse and attired in a charming habit. Age) ** Yes, I see her,” said Old Wit.. ‘* Well, she’s Mlle. Lucie, the mother of _. the brat. Ha! shesces me, too. See where she’s got her hand? Well, she’s got a pistol in her fist; the way I know, she pulled it on me once.” ° \ ‘* Whew!” Sam Bruce’s rival for her hand, about seven years ago, but I didn’t stand no show, as she was struck*on Sam. I swore that I would it even, though, and I haven't forgotten it. joined the same show a-purpose this year.” - Hang me if it don’t sound like t’other Here, let’s set down on this | “‘That’s what I told ye. | come of it. | thing to be afraid of; maybe we can work together.” | ‘*Oh, no; the thing I speak about was done years ago, and has almost died out of | mind and memory. Still, mebby I could be | | handy to you, for a consideration, What say?” | ‘* We'll see. Go on with your story.” ‘*Tt ain’t to-be supposed that you ever heard tell of Albert Cooper, a farmer that / lives just a few miles out of this town, who had a child stole away from him about seven- teen years ago; no, of course not. Well, this | kid you call Baby Bess is the life pictur’ of that child.” | Jumping Jack's ears were wide open now, | if ever in his life, Every man, woman and child in Warren- ton had heard the story of Lucy Cooper, for it was a matter that would probably never be forgotten. ‘ ‘Never heard of it,” said Hunter, ** No, not to be s’pcsed you had. It wasa mystery for a long time—in fact it’s a mys- tery still, and allus will be one, L reckon, The recollection of it will never-die out, here at Warrenton, it ain’t likely; and. there has allus been a sneakin’ suspicion that I had somethin’ to do with it; but, I hadn’t. You see, Al. Cooper an’ me was rivals fer the child’s mother when she was a gal.” | ‘Hal! the case is something like this one, | sure enough.” Ye see, Mary | Reed was the finest gal in all this part of , country, and she could have had her pick of the young bucks around—and she did, too. She picked Al, Cooper, though 1 made a hard fight myself, an’ it was that disapp'intment that sent me to the dogs, I allus hold. Like you, I swore I'd git even some day, and by heavens | did—that is, it was just the same as if [ had, when their child was missin’ an’ couldn’t be found.” “The very thing!” exclaimed Hunter, ‘* You have given me a plan, old fellow, and I'll pay you well tohelp me carry it out!” CHAPTER IT. JUMPING-JACK DISCOVERED. JUMPING-JACK could hardly contain him- elf. ; He believed he was getting at the truth of that mystery of so long ago, something that had taken place before he was born. : John Witman had been suspected of hav- | ing something to do with the disappearance | | of the little girl, but he had denied it, and nothing could be proved against him, and so he went clear, , on Now, by his own words, ™ it seemed plain | he still denied it. Jumping-Jack certainly believed him guil- ty. sir So you are goin’ to try the stealin’ rack- et, too, are you, my fine fellow?” said Jack inthought. ‘‘I guess [ll have to take a hand in this game myself and see what will If you have got it in for me I'll have it in for you, too, and you sha’n’t harm the Ring Rose if I can help it!” ‘ ‘«Then youj think you'll steal her?” asked the bummer. _ “That’s what I'm going todoif lifeis spar- | ed me until this night. I'll be revenged the same as you—” ‘Yes, but 1 haven’t said that I stole the other one, mind ye.” ‘“'That’s all right. Will you keep mum mean to kill the kid, nor nothin’ like to that, do ye?” ** No, of course not,” **Can’t help ye, if ye do, that’s all, I’m a hard old nut, but Icouldn’t go tc that length,” ‘* You needn't have any squeamish feel- ings on that point, for I’ll take the kid and bring her up in the profession. There'll be a fortune in her, once she has learned to ride well,” ** An’ you'll bring her out?” ‘**That’s the plan; and, maybe marry her some day. Ha, ha, ha! that would not bea bad idea; since I couldn’t have the mother, take the daughter. Ha, ha, ha!” The fellow laughed aloud, and the old | bummer looked around to see if any one was paying attention to what they were-saying, As he looked he espied Jumping-Jack be- hind the tree, and with an oath he got up. ‘‘ What are you doin’ there?” he fiercely demanded. At the first word Jack was upon his feet and at asafe distance, and as Hunter, too, sprung up, he glared at the boy in a way that bcded ill for him if he could get hold of him. ““T was takin’a rest, after luggin’ water all the mornin’,” Jack answered. ‘““Yes, and you were listening, curse you!” cried the discharged circus man, in a rage, and he looked around as if to see who was watching. ‘* Well, a feller couldn’t help hearin’ what was said in his presence, could he, old hoss?” demanded Jumpiag-Jack, fearlessly. ‘I was here when you set your mills to runnin’, and I hadn’t no eall to pull out.” “Tl pull you out, curse you!” grated Hunter, taking a step forward. “And I'll knock you out, if you try it on,” declared Jumping-Jack, picking up a stout stick that lay handy. | As he spoke he swung the stick in a threat- ening manner. ‘Did you hear what we said?” demanded Hunter. ‘Yes, every word of it, Don’t see any need to lieabout it, What's more, if you go to carry out what you intend doin’, you will find that a feller ‘bout my size is goin’ to have a.finger in the pie. As fer you, Old Wit, you had better take care how you run the risk of gettin’ into trouble. out once, and I can do it again, if I have to.” * You didn’t hear nothin’ to hurt me,” de- clared the bummer. ‘‘ Everybody knows that story I told, an’ I said plain as how it wasn't my doin’,” ‘“‘That’s all right; but, you are this feller’s turnip fer five doilars—that’s what you said, and if there is any funny work goin’ on here “I’m giving it to you straight. I was | that the suspicion had been right, although you will get a berth in the jug again.” The loud words had now attracted some of the laborers belonging to the circus, and one of these stepped toward Hunter, “Here, what's the row?” he demanded. ‘“None of your business,” the retort. ‘« 1m doing this.” ‘ Well, TM make it my business, anyhow, and you won't be doin’ it—if you intend to hurt that boy.” 5 ‘Let him come and git a taste of this if he wants to,” cried Jumping-Jack, tlourish- ing his stick. ‘‘I have tumbled him once ae I can do it again. I ain’t ‘fraid of f m.” g e ‘You get off out of here, anyliow, Tom Hunter,” cried the showman. ‘‘ You have got the bounce, and Murray saidfor us to see that you didn’t do any mischief to this — TEE: vee NRA: ATOR Ty anne Ail T fixed you . /
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4 Jumping-Jack’s Jubilee. lad. Off with ye, now, or you'll be sorry ou didn’t, that’s all. Boy, you want to eep your eye open for that fellow.” ‘*T’ve got my optic skinned for him, you bet,” declared Jack. “Pl fix you out, curse you,” growled the angry Hunter. ‘‘ And for you, Hank Bliss, Tl maybe square up with you, too, for you have been lookin’ for my job a good while, and at last you have got it.” ~ ** Couldn’t have got it if you had behaved yourself, and I didn’t do nothing to get you out, that’s sure.” ** That’s your say-so.” ‘‘ Well, get on out of here, anyhow. And you, boy, take my advice and stay away from where he can get acrack at ye. He'll most likely lay you out, if you give him half a show.” The man made a step toward Hunter as he spoke, and Hunter and Old Wit moved muttering away. “Tl fix i curse you!” Hunter hissed again, scowling at Jack. ‘**Look out you don’t git fixed,” Jack re- torted. ‘‘What’s this all abcut, boy?” asked the man called Hank Bliss, who, as we have learned, had been put in Hunter’s place. ‘‘Tt means that feller is up to mischief, that’s what it means,” answered Jack promptly. ‘‘ Where is the boss of this con- cern? He wanted to see me, and I guess this is as good a time as any.” “You mean Murray?” **T guess that was his name,” ‘* He's in the menagerie tent,” with a jerk of bis thumb, ** Well, just show me the way in and let me whisper at him for a minute, if you please.” ** Come right around this way and go in.” He indicated the direction, and Jumping- Aack was soon under the canvas. Some work was going on in this tent, to make it ready for the reception of the animal wagons on their return from the parade. Owing to the noise of the workmen, and the distance of the tent from’ where Jump- ing-Jack had had the trouble with Hunter, the superintendent of the circus had heard nothing of it. ‘*Hello, Jumping-Jack!” he greeted his friend. ‘‘I suppose you have finished your -work and want your pass, eh?” : ‘* Yes, the work is done, but that ain’t what’s brought me here,” Jack made re- ly. . , if What then?” ‘*'To put you onto somethin’ that I’ve got hold of. That man Hunter, that got knock- ed over this mornin’, is up to mischief.” ‘*Ha! Iam not greatly surprised. What s it?” ‘‘He means to steal Baby Bess, the Ring Rose, if he gets a chance, and means to do it vo-night.” ~The deuce! I'll have to take care of ‘him, I see. Where is he?” “He's gone off now, sir.” ‘* Well, he had better not come fooling around here, if he wants to keep his skin whole, I can tell him that, But, we'll look put for Baby Bess, same as we have been right along.” ‘*That’s what you want to do, sir, for he means it, this time, sure enough. I heard the whole talk.” “* There’s two of them, then?” ** Yes; he has picked up a bum that be- lougs here, but he ain’t no good.” ‘Well, my boy, here’s your pass, Much ee obliged to you for putting me on watch of him. Look out for him yourself.” “Pil do that, you bet. Thank ’e, sir” ** And don’t forget that I want to see you before we go away from here. I’m too busy to talk to you.now. Be on-hand to take in és jan patel na and 1’ll promise you some aOeE Sep ane,.” Paige / ats * 4 | ’ feud CHAPTER IV. CAUGHT IN THE ACT. In the mean while Old Wit and his schem- by, sh had disappeared. hey had left the show-ground and made their way in the direction of a groggery that Old Wit regularly patronized. ‘* You have got to look out now, boy,” said the bummer, as they went along. ‘I have told ye what kind of a chap that young- ster is. and he'll wind us up ’fore we know it if we don’t watch out.” ** Let him try it, that’s all.” ‘* But he’ll do it, sure’s you live. I'll bet he has told the boss all he heard us sayin’.” ‘* Yes, Lexpect he has done that, but we can get around that point—orat any rate I think I can do it. 11] shave off this whisker and not a man of them will know me.” ** Ha! never thought of that.” ‘* And the boy himself won’t get onto me, don’t you see?” ‘*T don’t know about that part of it. Ye see, 1 know Jumpin’-Jack and you don’t, that’s the difference ” ‘* To hear youtalk a feller might think he was a detective. He might be able to get overa man like you, but he don’t want to monkey around me, that I'll tell him. But, Vil fix him.” ‘¢What’ll you do?” — ‘* Lay him ou the shelf for a time.” ‘* You don’t mean to kill him?’ ‘*Oh, no; at any rate we won’t say s0. I’ll put him te sleep, to keep him out of the way till the show is gore.” “Well, 1 sha’n’t object, for I have got it in for him, too. But, he isa good deal too smart for me, forI ain’t as steady on the pins as I used ter be, an’ he kin jump all around me.” 2 Il cut short his jumping days, hang m!” Hunter had still a painful recollection of one of Jack’s jumping feats, and to be re- minded of it served to anger him the more. A few of their remarks, these, and by this time they were at their destination, where they entered and where Hunter cemented his compact with Old Wit in a social glass. They sat down to talk further. ‘¢ Yes, that’s what I'll do,” Hunter said. **T’ll drop this beard, and I won’t be known, We'll part company till night, unless I want to use you sooner, in which case I’ll hunt ou up on the quiet. The first move of all is to get that boy out of the way.” ‘* You can’t do nothin’ if you don’t.” *‘T don’t give him credit for all the smart- ness you seem to thipk he has; it is mainly a matter of revenge with me.” “Allright. What then?” ‘Then for a chance at the gal. She will be guarded, but they won't know me after 1 shave, and before they know it I'll have her and make off. Then I'll want your aid.” “And I’ll stick to my bargain, you kin rely on’t.” | * Well, here, take another snifter, and I’ll be off. If you see any one askin’ for me, tell’em that the last you seen of me I was ' goin’ out of town countin’ the railroad ties as I went.” “é All right.” They took a parting dose of poison to- gether, and Hunter went out. Half anhour later it would have puzzled Old Wit to re- cognize him, All the minor streets of the town were de- serted, everybody being out upon the main thoroughfares to see the parade, and the ras- cally Hunter had not been observed by any one on leaving the barber’s. He made his way straight back to the show grounds, Passing near enough to some men who knew him well for them to have a chance to recognize him, he thus tested his disguise— to call it that. - ‘ ; ahey did not know him, though one or two | tooke Bele seat | sharply at him. \ Ne y a, - eee —— oO ® ; a mig presently, he fell in with Jumping- ack, lf he had calculated upon fooling the boy, he was mistaken, for with one penetrating glance at him, Jack cried out: ‘* It won’t work, old man. You can’t get: close enough to me that way, to run me down, and you don’t want to try it on, for if you do you'll get into a peck of trouble, sure as you live.” . ‘*What do you mean?’ demanded Hunter, changing his voice. ‘‘ What are you talkin” about?” He had stopped, and tried tolook the inno- cent, apple-cart for you again.” Hunter now smiled, still persisting, hoping to make the boy doubt. “‘T guess you must be mistakenin the: man,” he said. ‘‘ Nobody has upset my apple-cart, as you call it, and I think it would bey something bigger than you to do it, my lad.” Very pleasantly he said it. ‘*No use, old sport,” said Jumping-Jack. ‘‘T know you, and you know I know you. May jest as well shy off, now, for if yow monkey with me I'll jump up and come down on your pate in a way that will make your head swim. I'll tell the boss about. your whiskers, too.” The fellow went on, and Jack looked around to see if he could sight Murray. He knew he had come out of the tent, He saw him a little distance off, talking with another man. Jack moved toward them. ‘* You say heis employed in this company ?” he heard the stranger ask. ‘*Yes; he is our best clown,” answered Murray. The stranger was a well-dressed man, evidently an Englishman—a distinction which Jumping-Jack could not draw, of. course. ‘* And his name is Bruce, you say? Samuel Bruce?” ‘That is his name, sir.” ‘He must be the man. Where can I find him? Is he somewhere around in the canvas?” *‘ No; he is just now out with the parade. ‘‘Mean just what I say,” rejoined Jack. | ‘*You keep your distance, or I’]l upset your I will Pe him out to you when the wagons — in, come if you care to wait around. It won't be a great while, now.” ** All right, I'll wait. In fact, it is highly important. I bring Mr. Bruce good news from the other side: the truth of the matter is, sir, he has just fallen into a fine estate, on the death of an elder brother.” ‘“* Well, I’m glad to hear it. He’ll have to stay with us to the end of the season just the same, however.” : Murray now sighted Jack. ‘‘ What’s wanted, my boy?” he asked, seeming to read in Jack’s face that some- thing had happened. “7 just want to put you onto that fellow again,” said Jack, his whiskers shaved off, and he’s around here again. But, he didn’t fool me worth a “T’11 fool him, though,” cried Murray, ‘*T’}l see if there is any law in this*town, if he don’t keep away from here.” ly. There was something about the man he did anything against his credit for all that. | _ Still, as he asked er Bruce, and as Jack was already interested in the clown, know- Ring, the boy made up his mind more if he could. The gentlemen walked leisurely away, and. was joined | Aiaeigtn rather sullen-faced fellow. to learn ‘He has gone and had > not particularly fancy, but it might not be Jack was looking at the stranger casua’-— _by another man, a ing him to be the father of the Rose of the — a They sat down on the very box where
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Jumping-Jack’s Jubilee. Old Wit and Hunter had held their talk a little while before, and Jack lost no time in ‘placing himself behind the tree unseen and unheard, ; ‘© Yes, he’s the one, no doubt of it,” he . ‘heard the first-mentioned saying. ‘I will ‘publicly make known to him his good for- ‘tune, and give him the papers, and after that there can never be any doubt as to his ‘identity, you see. We are near the end of our work now.” ‘*That will end your part of it, when you ' have done that.” ‘* Yes, and then comes yours.” ' “And I’Ildo mine up in haste, just as soon as chance offers so that it will have the appearance of an accident.” “And that done— But, what’s the mat- ter with that fellow?” Aman was motioning to them, making ‘signs they could not readily understand, and the first-mentioned called out: ‘* What is it, fellow?” ‘‘ Well, if I must holler, look behind that ‘tree!”’ The informant was Tom Hunter, and he pointed to where Jumping-Jack was hiding, and there the boy with circus on the brain was discovered in the act of listening. CHAPTER V. A CLOWN IN GOOD LUCK. Jumprmne-Jack was out of reach in the Same moment. ‘*See here, boy, what were you doing there? Were you listening to our private conversation?” ** Of course he was,’’ declared Tom Hunter. “He is an infernal young spy and tattle- tale, that’s what he is,and all he is. Take care what you say in his hearing, is my ad- vice.” “And if you want to keep out of the com- ‘pany of a rascal,” cried Jumping-Jack, _ ‘just shun that fellow same as you would a ease of yaller fever or worse. He is rank ’izen clear through and through, and he knows that I know it. What have you got ss to say to that, Hunter?” ds) «You'll know before I am done with you.” pis, | ‘© And you had better be done with me be- | fore you begin. As to my character an’ general bill o’ health, gentlemen, I’d ’spect- fully refer you to Mr. Murray, the gentleman rou talked with a minute ago.” f ~*~ And he knows nothing about the little cuss,’ declared Hunter. ‘He has shown what he is by listening. I have got it in for chim, and I’m going to give him the best drubbing he ever had in his life before I eave this town. Don’t you forget that, you young rascal!” — Well, he heard nothing from us that othe - amounts to anything, evenif he was listen- iin ing,” remarked the elder of the two men. ee _ ¢* We have nothing tv conceal; therefore his Be cusps listening does no harm.” . \*»— «“'That’s nothin’ to me,” said Hunter, “I geen him there, and thought you’d ought to know it.” . “Certainly, sir, and greatly obliged to Pou; but, it made no difference, and if the young gentleman desires to hear more he may sit down here between us. What do ou say, my little man?” ~ With a grin upon his face, Hunter walked away, inasmuch as he saw Murray approach- ing, and did not wait to hear Jack’s re- ~ 4 pf) a ponse. seeeWouldn’t mind hearin’ more of it, if it ‘was goin’ on in the same way,” said Jump- Fi ck, “but I guess you'd change the 3 orget that I’ve heard somethin’.” “Why, what do you mean, ct iN as ang AN T mean what I say. I have stored away what I heard, and I’ll remember it, too.” “Tf you'll excuse me, Mr. Taggard,” said you jacka- ; ples. J ol ibject if I took up your offer, Don’t\you the sullen-faced man, ‘‘1’ll be going now, as I have a matter of business to attend to.” The men looked at each other, Something like a signal was exchanged, with eyes, and they understood. ‘*Certainly, Mr. Mulvern,” the elder re- sponded. ‘‘I’ll see you again later, after I have finished my business here with Mr. Bruce.” They took polite leave of each other, with a wave of the hand, and the man called Mul- ; vern went off in the direction Tom Hunter had taken, walking leisurely and swinging his cane. Jumping-Jack looked after him with sus picion. . ‘*Mebby I’m wrong,” he thought, ‘ but I’ve got the idee that he is goin’ fer a talk with Hunter. Shouldn't wonder if a feller about my size an’shape got into trouble et.” Meantime Murray had come up. ‘*Was that Hunter?” he inquired of Jack. ‘Yes, the first feller, sir,” Jumping-Jack made reply. “T thought so, and I was going to run he out of herein ahurry if he hadn’t start- e ned ** Guess he seen ye comin’, sir.” ‘*No doubt.” ‘“You know this boy then?” asked Mr. Taggard. “Why, ” certainly,” answered Murray. «Just picked him up here this morning.” ** Ah! then he is a stranger to you, really. He was caught listening behind this tree a minute ago.” ‘* Listening?” and Murray looked at Jack, ‘‘ Yes, listening. J was talking here with my man Mulvern, when a man called our at- tention to him.” ‘That was Hunter,” spoke up Jack. ‘‘Tf that's the case, don’t go a cent on that fellow,” advised Murray. ‘‘ This boy is all right, and I'll vouch for him, Is it true that you were listening, Jack?” ‘‘ Fact,” Jumping-Jack admitted. ‘* Well, you’re honest about it, anyhow. What were you listening for?” “To hear what was said, that’s all. a friend to Sam Bruce, even if I don’t know him yet, and I wanted to learn somethin’ about what these men have to do with him,” “Oh! if that is the case, it is all right,” cried Mr. Taggard, laughing, and he held out his hand to Jack. ‘Give me your hand, my little man, for I, too, am the friend of Mr. Bruce. Ihave come all the way from London todo hima service. There is no more to be said.” | I’m Jack gave his hand, and the man shook it nes “Tll take your word for it,” Jack said, simply. The man locked at him sharply, and Jack thought he saw something of a threatening expression in his eyes. Murray, too, looked at the boy, as if won- dering what he meant by his words, as well as by the mannerin which they were spoken. ‘‘I think you can safely trust’this boy, Mr. Taggard,” Murray said. ‘‘I have found him quick, straight and reliable, so far. But, look out for that fellow Hunter, who spoke evil of him,” “Had he reason to speak ill of the boy?” ‘“Yes, from his point of view. The boy knocked him down this morning for inter- fering with him, and served the fellow right.” ‘Knocked him down—this boy the man down?” . «Yes, as neatly as you ever saw.” ». “The deuce!” | “You will find bim himself, even if he is small. ‘| say further that he is on the side of right in his dispute with trust the boy, sir.” ‘““No doubt of it, if | is this the parade?” xf ve i ~ it: \ ’ Lt i ise i >\ Waa’ ‘ He F iy HY J he, t able to take care of Hunter. You may safely knocked | And, I will you say so. But, | The parade had made its round, and had reached the starting point, ~ When it came into the grounds the clown riding on the platform car leaped lightly to the ground and took Baby Bess from her chariot. Nor did he have to lift her out, either, for, clapping her hands gleefully the child sprung to his arms as he put them up to re- ceive her, and he held her on his left arm. He looked along the line to see his wife. She was coming, and slipped out of the saddle when she reached the spot, an at- tendant taking her horse. ‘Mr, Bruce, see here.” The clown turned instantly, and ‘‘ Mlle, Lucie,” too, looked in the same direction, It was Harry Murray who had spoken. ‘*This gentleman has come “%o find you, and has some good news for you, so he tells ’ me.” Murray then introduced Mr. Taggard. ‘Yes, I bring you news, sir,” that gentle- man proceeded to explain, as soon as the civilities had been exchanged, ‘* Your elder brother, Richard, is dead, and in consequence you, as the next of kin, come into the estate of your father. Your younger brother, Charles, sent me personally to find you, and in the interim he is taking care of the pro- perty for you,” The expression of the clown’s face could | not be determined, owing to the fact that his face was bedaubed with paint. His manner, however, was sad. ‘This is bad news rather than good, sir,” he said. ‘I had not heard of Dick’s death, and I’m sorry. Iam well enough off as I am, and care nothing for the estate in England,” ** Hoity-toity!” exclaimed the pape for such he evidently was, ‘‘ You would not be human, were you meaning what you say. Here is a big fortune, all yours, and you have only to come and claim it, Allow me, sir, to put the papers into your hands in the presence of these witnesses.” ‘*But, what proof have you that I am Samuel Bruce?” asked the clown. ** All that is necessary, sir. The fact that I have followed you step by step, and the further fact that you acknowledge your identity.” ‘Weil, I accept the gta of course, since it is my right, but I cannot attend to the matter now. I will write to Charles as: soon as possible and tell him to make use of the place the same as if it had fallen to him, The attorney bowed, and with a neat little speech took his leave. ; aes CHAPTER YI. JACK MAKES FRIENDS, Sam Bruce was a general favorite with the circus company, As the attorney took leave, after his little speech, those who had heard it gave a cheer for Sam, 4 “ Thanks, friends,” the clown responded, “You'll find that this bit of good fortune hasn’t turned my head, and that Pll be the same Sam. Don’t believe Vil sing a_bit louder this afternoon,” They laughed, and the clown, with his wife and their little child, turned to goto their dressing tent, . Kg -.“ Another word with you, Sam,” spoke up Murray. ‘‘ But, I'll walk that way with ou, Come along, Jumping-Jack, for want to introduce you to this lady and gentleman. My protege, Sam.” j ee K + “Tm with ye,” responded Jack, and he leaped lightly and turned over with as much ease as the best man ‘ show could have done. bey di eo pL And he turned three or four times in quick, succession, to show what he coulddo, fort a ‘Yes, here it is,” : s oe until I can join him.” a“. connected with the geen et Fate | Jack, every time, you bet!” ee
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6 “‘ Where the deuce did you find it, Mur- ray?” asked Sam. **Tsn’t he a daisy ?” “ He’s a jumper, no getting around that; or, I should say a tumbler. He’s a card, no mistake.” “I’m going to see what he can do this afternoon. They call him the boy with circus on the brain. He saw a show about two years ago, and this is the result of his practice since.” ‘* He’s got circus in his bones, too, then.” We need not say that this talk tickled Jack, he was only a boy, and was still sus- ceptible to praise. Jack knew, however, that every word of this praise was meant; he could distinguish between honest praise and unmeaning flat- tery, young as he was. Then, too, he had an object, » He wanted to join a circus, and this was the circus he wanted to join. He sawhisop- portunity, and meant to make the most of it, if a sample now and then of bis jumping ability would win for him any consideration; and, by the appearance of things, it would. ‘* But, Sam, I have a word of caution for . you, that is what I wanted to see you about,” said Murray, ** What is it?” ‘** Look well to Baby Bess to day and to- night.” ° ‘“ Why, what is the matter?” asked the child’s mother, in a tone of alarm. ‘“‘ Well, I had to get rid of Tom Hunter this morning, and he bas made threats against you—or, that is, has really planned to steal the child, if he can,” ‘‘The monster! But, let him try it on, that’s all,” ' The woman tapped her pocket. ‘* Yes, let him try it and see what will hap- pen,” grated the clown. ‘‘I’m glad you told me, Mr. Murray.” ‘You can thank this boy,’ Murray de- clared. ‘ He is something of a detective as wellasa jumper, and he found out about the scheme, and put me onto it. But, take mighty good care of Baby Bess.” Jumping-Jack’s Jubilee. girl, and you speak a good word for me to the boss,” ‘*Done!” said Bruce, promptly. ‘‘ That was just what I was going to propose to you. ‘We have a man to watch, her, when we both have to bein the ring at once, but it won’t do any harm to have extra help on hand, under the circumstances, I'll speak to Mr. Murray about it,” ‘¢ Yes, but | have got to see the tumblin’ or bu’st. Didn’t think about that when | spoke. But, we can fix that somehow.” ‘* Well, we'll see about it later.” Jumping-Jack took leuve of their tent and sauntered around to see what was to be seen, and all he had to do, when questioned, was to show his pass. Murray had given him not only a ticket, but a general pass to the whole concern, good anywhere at any time, proof of the liking he had taken to the boy, And, all. ‘*T told you something was going to hap- pen to-day,” spoke ‘Mlle. Lucie,” as soon as Jack had gone. ‘* Well, something has happened, Lucy,” answered the clown. ‘‘I have dropped in- to x fortune, it seems.” ‘*T know; but, I mean something ierri- ble. You know I mentioned it to you early this morning, and the feeling is still | over me,” ‘* Well, do not let it make you nervous, darling. We have had warning of some- thing to look out for, now, thanks to that boy, and Hunter will have to be sharp to do us harm.” ‘*Oh! what would we do if he should steal our pet?” The mother caught her child to her arms and pressed her fondly, while tears sprung to her lovely hazel eyes. ‘“Who is goin’ to steal me?” asked Baby Bess. ‘** Nobody,” answered Sam Bruce, decisive- ly. ‘* You must stay close to papa and mam- ma, and Mr. Murray and Charlie.” ‘Oh, yes; me won't let any bad man steal place where we may go. I take it things: have gone wrong with you, and that you would like to get a lick back at somebody. Am I right?” ‘I guess I’ll let you show your hand first,” returned Hunter, guardedly. CHAPTER VII. EXCITEMENT IN THE RING. By one oclock the streets of Wairenton were crowded. The whole town was out, nearly, and peo- ple had come in from every direction, far and near. q Nothing will draw a crowd like a cireus, and this particular circus seems to be par- ticularly successful in that respect. It was. doubtful whether its canvas could accommo- date the people. The children were legion, the lovers were: many, and the older people, too, even to the aged grandsires, had come in to see the: show.’ The bills on fences and dead walls were: gazed upon by gaping crowds. All had one thought— the circus, Among others were a middle-aged couple,. man and wife, evidently well-to-do farm- ing people, who walked arm in arm as fond- ly as lovers in the first blush of their amo- rosity. They were a good-looking couple, too, whose faces seemed to show that their matrimonial life had been one of peace. Yet- there was, withal, a certain sadness in the faces of both which seemed to speak of sor- row that had come into their lives during the years that had flown. We find them standing and gazing upon some of the gorgeous posters, not by any means alone, ‘* | believe it will bea good show, Albert,” spoke the woman. ‘Haven't a doubt of it, Mary,” was the answer. ‘* And it willbe the first one we have seen in many a day. You know you was sick with rheumatiz when the last one was here, two years ago,” ‘* Yes, and you was such a goose over me - ~ omg the sturdy little fellow was bound to see it oe ‘““No need to tell us to do that, Mr. Mur-| me, Baby likes that boy, mamma, but he a ee / won't steal me, will he?” that you thought you couldn't come in to. hg, ‘‘I suppose not, and yet there is great| ‘‘ No, he would not steal you; he would | town to see it just ‘cause 1 was sick and Et need, too, The fellow is thoroughly aroused, | bring you right back to mamma.” couldn’t come. ‘Fore that one, there hadn't. | he and means mischief.” So they talked with the child while they | been a show here in goodness knows when,” bee) ‘* Well, let him take care.” laid off their show trappings, there in the ‘‘T do believe Cook and Tucker's was the > ts : __ “And, too, you may not recognize him, obddag of their tent, and when finally they | Jast, and that was the year that—” . Aas for he has shaved off his beard.” came forth they were found to be as hand- “There, now, Mary, don’t let’s bring up» “We'll both know him,” said ‘ Mlle. Lucie,” ‘‘ for he had no beard at the time when we knew him and had trouble with ‘All right; but, be watchful.” As that was all Murray had to say, he dropped behind, but Jumping Jack contin. ued on with the little family. — ‘And [have got something more to say to you, too, Mr. Bruce,” Jack declared in his frank and open manner. ‘*And what’s that, my fine jumper?” ‘*- You want to keep your eyes peeled for that sleek feller what gave you the papers and said you’d got a fortune.” “ Why so?” : ‘Cause, | have the idee that he don’t mean ye fair, that’s all. He's gota chum with him, an’ I heard ’em talkin’ somethin’ that wasn't as goody-goody as it might ’a’ been.” “That so? What did they have to say?” Jumping Jack told what he had heard, to which the clown listened with interest. ste “There may be something in it,” he said, ‘‘T don’t know what it can mean, exactly, ‘but that kind of talk seems to have some sig- nificance.” ‘Have you joined this show, boy?” asked the mother of Baby Bess. “*No, but I'd like to,” declared Jumping- - Jack, eagerly. ‘Tell you what I'll do; Vl try to keep my eye open for that skunk, so’s “he don't get the chance to steal your little some a couple as one would wish to see. Meanwhile, what of the man Mulvern? Following the way Hunter had gone, he overtook him soon after passing out of sight of the show grounds, ‘*A word with you, my man?’ he re- quested, ‘“‘] don’t care,” answered Hunter, ‘if you want to.” ' ** Yes, I want to ask you something more about that boy who was listening.” “T’'ve told yon all I know about him, ex- cept that he is as good as done for, if I get a chance at him.” ‘* What’s the row between you and him?” ‘* That don’t matter.” ; ‘* Well, 1 saw there was somethin’, and I'd like to make you a fair offer if I may.” ** What is it? I bet you are a Britisher, and you are a ugly lookin’ bulldog, if I do make bold to say it. Can’t you do your own work?” VY eek ‘* Why, what do you mean?” ‘*T mean thaty I can see as far into a board as the next man.” “Md You'll have to explain clearer than that.”’ ‘« Well, I mean that I know you are up to some deviltry, the way you looked when you found that boy had been listenin’, and you would like to have his mouth closed up for awhile.” atthe ‘‘You are a shrewd fellow, my man. Id like to have a chat with you, if there is some the past if we can help it; not to-day, any- how. I know how you'll feel, 1f you do.” » “ Well, it ain’t no worse to say it than to. think about it all the time, is it, Albert?” ‘*No, I suppose not, Mary; but, let’s try” not to think,” They pressed each other’s hands and moved on to look at other pictures, as they slowly made their way to the grounds—for they were early. On one very high fence that inclosed a. new building that was being erected, was a particulary gorgeous display, and the \couple naturally stopped to look at this one: ‘too. ; At the top was the name of the wonderful. show— ps : THE AMERICA-ENGLAND CONSOLIDATED HIPPODROMES. _ Tnkr Greatest ONE Rinc Suow ON EARTH.. And after the name followed all the etcetera, all the way down through the: middle space of the fence. On either hand were pictures, some more extensive than could be found on any other at it, F er One of’ the pictures was that of Baby Bess, in her bareback act. spe fence, and this was really as good as the show itself, to some of the rusticswhogaped
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She was pictured upon a big gray horse, cleverly balancing on one foot and tossing kisses to the people around. ‘© Goodness! do they allow a child like that to ride?” gasped the woman, as her eyes : ae: took it in. : ‘“* T suppose they do, Mary, or it wouldn’t be here,” answered the husband. ‘‘ I guess all the pictures ain’t as true as might be, how- ever. The child may have been six years old once.” ‘** Six years old—is that what it says?” ‘* Yes; Baby Bess, the Rose of the Ring, only six years old; that is the way it reads,” ** And that was just the age of—” *‘ Now, Mary, please don’t keep remindin’ yourself all the time. Come on, maybe we'll find it open now.” They moved on in the direciion of the show-grounds, and ere jong were lost in the reut throng that was rapidly gathering be- ore the entrarce to the big tent, awaiting \ for admittance. When the time for the performance came, the great tent was packed. It was asight to gladden the showmen’s eyes, for it seemed almost impossible for them to seat any more people. There was a buzz of expectancy going on, while the crowd waited for the band to strike up and the grand entrance to burst upon their sight, and rustic lovers munched pea. nuts to their soul's content. Finally, the band brayed out, and the time \ was at hand. Came then the grand entree, thrilling the audience with delight, and act followed act in rapid succession, The show was a good one, as circuses go, and particularly good was the leading clown, Sam Bruce—he went by his true name on the bills and in the ring. Mile. Lucie, who, in the ring, looked to be not more than eightéen years of age, made a hit, and was a general favorite, Her riding was certainly something above the average. Finally was announced—‘‘ Baby Bess, the Rose of the Ring.” The band dropped to lower and slower music than had been played while the moth- er of the child was riding, and in from the rear came a big bray horse upon the back of which sat the child. It was a pretty sight. ) More handsome than any rose was the child, and her soft hair rose and fell with ‘every movement the horse made. ~The animal did not carry a pad, but had a square of gold cloth strapped tightly to place, and on this the child sat, in perfect compose, while the horse made tlie circle of the ring. Murray was‘ ringmaster, and Sam Bruce Wwas on hand, needless to say. _ The horse had made only half the circle when suddenly there was a woman’s scream, loud and piercing. It came from the right side of the tent, and every cye was turned in that direction, _ where, from one of the lower seats, a Woman - was seen making her way down toward the ee A At Ting. : _ * My child!’ she cried. ‘‘My child, my — Jong-lost child!” here was a man with her, who wastrying to detain her, while his own face was pale as death. - **No, no; I know. better!” the woman cried out. ‘*I know itis my child, my dar- ling! Could there be another like her in the ~ world? ‘No, no!” 4 _. here was great excitement, and as the big’ gray showed some of it the clown ran’ to his head and stopped him, patting him and rubbing his neck, while he essayed a joke with the ringmaster. The woman had broken away from the - man who tried to detain her, and was now _ Tunning to the ring. _ She was recognized, and her name was on many lips. De ee ——— ——————— Jumping-Jack’s Jubilee. ** Mary Cooper!” ‘She thinks it’s her Lucy!” ** And it is enough like the child, too!” “The sight has turned her mind, the poor thing!” These anda hundred more such, all in a brief space of time, Murray met the woman at the edge of the ring, and gently held her back. Albert Cooper was at her side imme- diately, pale as death, and tried to draw her away. ‘«Ts she crazy, sir?” asked Murray. ‘“*No; she thinks that child is one that was stolen from us seventeen years ago; and, it looks enough like her, Lord knows.” ‘‘Seventeen years!” gasped the poor wo- man, passing her band across her fore- head. ‘‘Seventeen years! and it seemed only yesterday, when that sweet vision burst on my sight.” ‘«This child is only six years old, lady,” spoke Murray, ‘‘so you see how impossible it is.” ‘*Yes, yes, just the age of our .Lucy, sir.” ; “Well, return to your places, and let the performance go on before there is excite- ment—” ‘‘No, no; I must have one look at the child—one close look, sir, Do not deny me that. I am not crazy, though God alone knows how near I have been to it at times in my sorrow.” ‘Sam, this way,” the ringmaster ordered. « Let the lady see the Rose of the Ring.” The clown obeyed, coming around the ring with long, ludicrous strides that made the people laugh, singing—‘‘ Ring around a rosy, pocket fullo’ posy,” etc.; and the child was brought near the bereaved woman. CHAPTER VIII. PROMPTED BY THE DEVIL, Tiosx present who knew Mrs.Cooper, and they were many, felt keenly for her. There were many who remembered her little girl well, and these recognized the striking likeness this child bore to her, What we have described took place all in a short space of time, and there were many present who looxed upon it as a part of the regular performance and wondered what was coming. ; In a few moments the clown had reached the spot where the woman was standing on the bank surrounding the ring. The woman laid Her hand on the child, Jooking earnestly into her face. : Only a moment, then she caught her into her arms. ‘*My Lucy! my Lucy!” she cried. “There, there, lady!” said the clown, de- cisively; ‘‘this will never do, The perform- ance must go on. If you’)l stay after the performance you shall see the child again.” | Baby Bess was badly scared, and was ready to cry. Sam took her from the woman’s hold and replaced her upon the horse, while he was speaking, ‘*You will let me see her again?” the wo- man asked, ; «Yes, I promise you that.” ‘* But, who is she? Who are her parents?” “1 am the father of the child, lady.” ‘*And she is so much like my Lucy, so much like her! Yes, Albert, I'll go back now.” The clown was leading the horse around the ring again, and the farmer conducted his trembling wife back to the seats they had occupied, «Hello, Mister Murray out, stopping the horse, — ‘* Well, sir,” with a crack of the whip, “what is it?” nt ‘“‘ Baby Bess has got to have more pay.” “e More pay bak ‘sos, alr. !” the clown sung ' ‘And why has Baby Bess got to have more pay?” ‘* Because she’s getting so sweet that the ladies take her for a rose in fact, and want to pluck her.” ‘‘She’s only a bud, yet, Sam; we'l: see what she’ll be when she blooms out in full, and then we’ll see about increasing her pay. | But, sir, why are you rubbing your leg | that way?” The clown was rubbing his leg vigorously | all the time. ** Didn’t you hit me?” ; ‘*Of course I didn’t hit you, sir.” ‘Oh! I thought you did, and I was rub- | bin’ where I thought it was goin’ to hurt.” ‘* You are a fool, sir!” The ringmaster gave his whip a sharp | crack, the clown gave a yell and turned over ! backward, the horse broke into its slow can- ter, and the performance went on. Farmer Cooper and his wife watched the , little child go though her performance, both very pale, and when finally she left the ring, throwing kisses right and left, both drew a | sigh of relief. | ‘I'm glad that’s over,” spoke tbe good woman. ‘“And so am JI,” said her husband. . “‘ Don’t you think we'd better go out and go home?” ‘“ No, no; I couldn’t, not till I’ve seen thag child once more, I want to see her close till T have a good long look. I could never rest easy if I didn’t, Albert.” . ‘Allright, I won’t oppose ye, Mary.” . In the mean time something else had been going on, in a quiet manner, Tom Hunter, having had his talk with the man Mulvern, had come back again to the circus-grounds, He was now ina measure in disguise, but moved with caution in order not to be recog: nized, incase he happened to come face to face with any one whom he could not de- ceive. | ‘‘T)1 fix him,” he said to himself, as he | caught a glimpse of Jumping-Jack. ‘‘ Once let me get into the properties tent unseen, and I'll have a disguise that no one will pen- | etrate,”’ | When he came where he could act boldly, | he set to work as one of the common laboring- hands, ‘ Taking up some hay, he entered one of the ents, F Here was an elephant, among other animals, and he put the hay in to it, which was all right to do atabout that hour. , ‘ But, he did not stop at that. He noticed | that the beast was in an ugly mood, into which it had a way of getting sometimes, and as if another thought came to him on the spur of the moment, he teased it. This was while Mlle. Lucie was in the |ring doing her act, which the fellow, well | acquainted as he was with the routine of the | performance, was well aware of; and the | sinister smile upon his face, what could be | seen of it for the dirt he had put on, was sus- | picious, To come from the ring, the queen of the arena had to pass this clephant at rather | close range. Qontinuing to tease the brute, from a place where he could not be seen, the villain soon had it in a towering passion, © The elephant was an ugly cne, and when thoroughly aroused wus dangerous, and Tom Hunter seemed to know just how far to go in order to put it in the mood he desired for | his purpose. ; , Presently a change of the music told that the act in the ring was ended, and that the rider was coming out. tae ea, Hunter gave the elephant a final prod that thoroughly aroused it, tT ae Out dashed the queen of the arena, just as the elephant tossed its trunk and gave — voice to a roar, and the distance was so short that the rider could not stop, : . Se, RRR A IAA > Te
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8 1. = . N The elephant struck at her as she passed, ‘barely missing, and the horse became for the instant terrorized and stopped with a snort right where the elephant had opportunity to repeat the blow. ' “On, Beauty!” cried the arena queen, while she looked back at the infuriate elephant with horror, The brute had its trunk raised, and was flourishing it like a man about to strike a blow with a club, and Hunter applied the torment again. Down came the weapon with which nature had provided the monster, and only for the fact that in the same instant the horse gave a leap forward, both rider and horse might have been killed, As it was, they barely escaped. Hunter was out from his hiding-place and away in a moment, and the cry of the ‘woman brought employees to the spot im- mediately. There was excitement for a few minutes, but there was no time to spare just then, and another performer was on in a moment, while the employees took charge of the enraged beast. ‘Ourse the luck!” muttered Hunter. ‘‘It would have done me good, if the old fel- low bad bit the woman and killed her on the spot. But, I have it in for them, and they have not felt the weight of my hand et. wait till to-night! I’ll fix them both f I can!” In another minute he was at work at some- thing. and no one took particular notice of m, Gradually he made his way around toa certain tent, Here he made himself busy, Several tumblers were there, making ready to appear, and presently they came forth running, and the discharged employee le in, oO one was there, but others would be in assoon as the act ended which was now being performed, and whatever his errand ‘was the fellow had to work lively; and he did, too. He was well acquainted with the f ace. . Going to a certain chest, he opened it, and taking out some articles, quickly eelected, he thrust them into his pockets. Picking up two buckets, then, he was just going out with them when another man came in, but Hunter’s presence was not ques- tioned, as he was taken to be one of the reg- ular drudges of the company. Needless to say, though, no water was brought, and the buckets were found later on around on the other side of the tent. Hunter left the grounds and made his way to some stables in the rear of a third-rate tavern, Here he found the man Mulvern, Wen what luck?” that worthy inquir- ed. ‘Good luck and bad,” answered Hunter. ‘*Ttried to kill the woman, and failed, but I did get the disguises we need for our business to-night!” ‘Excellent! Just as well that you did not succeed, and you were crazy to try it. Such an accident would have spoiled every- thing for this evening’s performance, you ought to have known.” } - CHAPTER IX. A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST. | Wuite we have purposely omitted th ‘talk between Hunter and this man Muivern, the foregoing is sufficient to show that they had come to an understanding. That there was a double scheme on foot Jumping-Jack’s Jubilee. fellow’s disguise fooled even the keen eyes of Jumping-Jack. Deceived once, he was likely to be again, for Jack was only a country boy after all, and it was just possible that he would be overcome and disposed of before the night’s work commenced. When the performance was over Jack made his way to Sam Bruce’s tent. ‘Well, what did you think of it?’ Sam asked. ee UE EEEEEEEEEEREEEC aenmemeemeneed - ———— ne ‘‘Immense!” cried Jack. ‘‘ What did you think of that woman who wanted to lay claim to your child?” ‘Say, do you know her?” ‘Yes, sure; she had a child stolen from her a good while ago.” Jack related the circumstances as they were known to bim, and the clown and ‘Mille, Lucie” listened with interest. ‘it is a strange story, almost like @ ro- mance,” the handsome woman observed. “Yes, and there is another chapter comin’ that will be stranger still,” declared Jumping- Jack. ‘Yes? What do you mean?” “lve got my optic onthe feller what stole that child.” Our? r Yes “me.” ‘‘Why don’t you expose him, then, and have him arrested?” ‘‘T haven’t got the proof all down fine yet, that’s the reason, Just give me 2 little time, and I’ll yank him.” ‘* Who is he?” ‘Never mind that, now; he is standin’ in with this feller what is tryin’ to steal your child, and they want to play the same trick over again. But, they won't do it while Jumpin’- Jack is around!” Jack jumped up, cracked his heels, flop ped over and came down in his same tracks, without apparent exertion, Just then Mr. Murray appeared, bringing with him Farmer Cooper and his wife. ‘‘Bruce, these good people want to see your little girl again,” he said. ‘I have heard something of: their story, and you can’t use them too well.” Mrs. Cooper entered first, trembling. ‘You are the child’s mother?” she asked of Mile. Lucie. ‘‘ Yes, madam,” the answer. ‘‘May I hold her on my lap, just for a minute, while I look at her pretty face?” ‘Certainly you may, Bess, go to the kind lady, and let her love you, for she once had a little girl very much like you, she says.” The child obeyed, half timidly. ‘© God bless you for your goodness!” the woman said, with trembling tone. ‘ You need not beafraid of me, little deary, for you are the image of the little girl I lost, my little Lucy.” She placed the child-upon_her lap, as she sat on a stool in the tent, and toyed with its a as she looked fixedly upon its sweet ace. “It is the very face of my lost darling,” she said, half to herself. ‘* Don’t you think she is like Lucy, Albert?” ‘Yes, she certainly does look a good deal like her, that’s so,’ the farmer admitted. Mi If we could keep her,” the woman sigh- ed. ‘We could not spare her,” said the fond mother, pleasantly. without our baby Bess.” ‘ ‘Yes, but you are bringing her up to a hard, rough life, as you must know, and she is so ge and tendera flower. Couldn't you let me take her and bring her up for ‘| to contain himself any longer, ‘*We could not live “ But, we are worth a fine farm, my hus- ‘band and me, and we have several thousand dollars besides; let us have this child, and every cent of it shall go to her when we lay down our heads,” “You ask animpossibility, madam,” spoke up the clown, ‘‘ Besides, we have just come into a fortune ourselves, and can leave this life at any time.” Mrs. Cooper sighed deeply. ‘Tt will seem like losing my child again, to part with this one,” she said. “I wish we had remained at home, Albert, and hadn’t come out to see the show at all. Ishall never get over this.” ‘Yes, I wish we had,” the man answered. ‘« How long is it since your little girl was taken?’ the mother of Baby Bess asked. ‘Tt is seventeen years this summer.” ‘Let me see, she must be a young woman h about twenty three by this time, then, if she 4 was the age of Baby Bess.” , “Yes, if she is living, but who can say?” ‘“‘That is true. Did you live here at the time?” ‘‘ Yes, we have never lived anywhere elise.” \ _ ‘And you never heard a word about her?” } ‘Nota single word, Oh!.you can’t im- agine how terrible it was.” ‘« Yes, I can imagine it, too, for it is some- thing we have been in dread of in regard to Baby Bess. I should go mad!” elt would be a blessing if you could if it should happen. But, what have you to fear for her? Who would be so heartless as to take her from you in that way?” : | “It is hardly worth the while to tell the ys story, madam. It is a man who was in love with me and who wanted to marry me wher S53 I gave my hand to dear Sam_ here, and he swore he would have revenge.” oh Mrs Cooper was pale again, and she look- ed at her husband. ° HH ‘Tt is our own story over again, Albert,” she said. ‘‘ You remember all about John | Witman, the poor, worthless fellow?” ‘‘] remember him well enough,” was his response, ‘‘and I have never quite give x up the idea that he had something to do, with the disappearance of our little Lucy, _ either.” 1) The farmer’s face was drawn, and there was a hardness in his tone. “ What was his name?” asked Mile, Lucie. ‘* John Witman; he is now known as Old Wit, the bum. He is a good-for-nothing fellow who does not draw a sober breath from one end of the year to the other,” Bua us “ Yes, and I have got aironinthe firefor = him, you bet!” cried Jumping Jack, unable aA **T am goin’ » Tim, ! for that feller, Mr. Cooper, for I feel certain - mrt: the man that did take your little girl — off,” ; ‘* Hal what is that you say?” Moat ‘“'That’s what Isaid) and I’mgoin’toprove it on him, too,” y niet ‘Say, ain’t you the boy they call Jack, that I offered ‘a home to once, about a year ere. ago?” ‘© T’m the same Jack, sir, and I know you, } I feit ‘bliged to you, but I wasn’t never cut out to be a farmer, and there was no usefool- * in’ you.” eM 5, : “But, do you know anything against Old Wit? Ifyou doit is your duty to let me ~ know about it atonce, and I'll attend tohim. = * I have allus thought in my heart he done aa Bat uy . i ts eet * You hold on just a little bit, sir,” said j r Jack, and give mea chance at him,andTI * necds not to be said, now. But, whether or|you—” , find out all about it.” a, rc’ 4 not both or either of these schemes would be |" The mother laughed, but it wasa painful ‘Yes, but what can a boy like you do | i carried out, remains to be seen in the chap.- | effort. . against a man?” “a ar) ters to follow. - No, no,” she said quickly. ‘‘ This life ‘‘ Didn’t I put him in the cooler once?” 4) ee i: #s In his visit to the grounds, Hunter had} may seem rough to you, but it is ali right | ‘‘ Well, yes, that’s so.” hy 6 ee aes seen nothing of Jumping-Jack. when you're used to it, No, no, we cannot} ‘“ And I kin do it again, you bet. PM Jack had seen him, once, but this time the | spare Bess.” | bring him to time quicker’n f ‘Kin, jump ‘ : f é¥ . ¥ ' 4 x ni " ; yyy MAA tee) PS r ft ‘ y va Pe oh aa ) { An ke eT
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4 ed that he had come down upon the but the fall had not hurt him in the _ “* Give consent!” he cried. a trifle soon.” With that Jack turned a standing somer- set, and continued to turn, making his way out of the tent in this fashion, and the clown had to laugh at him, while at the same time he had to admire. ‘* That fellow is going to make a perfor- mer,” he said. “* He iscoming to nothing,” declared the farmer, shaking his head. ‘* I offered hima home with me, but he wouldn’t take it. *Fraid of work, I guess.” “* Hasn’t he got any home?” ** No, he merely hangs on arourd town; Lord knows what he’ll come to, and he is such a bright fellow that it’s a pity, too.” ‘‘If that’s the case, he is all right,” said the clown, confidently. ‘‘ Murray will take care of him, I think. He’ll be a card, and Murray will bring him out, Ill put a flea in his ear. But, we’ll have to ask to be ex- cused, now.” CHAPTER X. \ JUMPING-JACK IN A BOX, an Hewt1io, Jumping-Jack, there you are, e ~ gt ‘Yes, sir, here I am, and you've only got to pull the string to set me off.” ** Well, that’s what I want to do; I want you to come into the tent and show me just how good a tumble you can do,” Jack’s face colored; the golden opportunity had come! pe The man who had spoken to him thus was Murray, the superintendent of the big show. They entered the. big tent, where they found the spring-board and some of the _ tumblers’ paraphernalia still in place as it wating been used, and Murray told Jack to try it. A good many of the performers were on - hand to see the experiment. Murray must have told them of his in- tention, though they had all heard of the boy tumbler before that. ‘All right, if you'll bear the funeral *spences, sir,” assured Jack. ‘‘ We'll take the chance of that, young- ster.” So, Jack got up on the spring-board to test it, finding that it was something almost mew in Oe aera practice. He first jumped standing, using the spring instead of a run, and his very first effort re- sulted in a double somerset with ease and grace, winning applause from those who saw him do it. “Bravo!” cried one of the best tumblers in ‘the show, ‘‘ You’}l make a good one, boy.” ‘*That is what I think about him,” said Murray. ‘‘I’m going to have him, too, if I can get the consent of his parents.” ‘Shall I run and try it, now?” asked Jack. “Yes, take a run; you can’t hurt yourself ou strike the pads,” ~- o, Jack took a good start and made a leap if off into the air with the lightness of a feather, _ seemingly. i Over and over and over he went, and he had begun the fourth turn when he discover- ads, east, and he leaped up lightly. His audience was cheering. ‘‘How many times was that?” Jack asked. “Seemed to me I was makin’ about ten, more or less.” “You made three whole ones, anyhow,” answered Murray. j **That’s good.” “‘Have you any parents, boy?” | ae Noap. ” ' “* Any relations?” . _**Got one old aunt, but Lain’t proud of cher.” j ! p r yraea f¢ Welly do you. think she would give con- gent to your joining this show?” -Jack’s heart almost stood still, * eo Lae hy Pate | he ) 1 AE, _‘* Mister, she’s, Jumping-J ack’s Jubilee. only hopin’ I'll die or run away, I take it, aud she'd give you a premium to take me off her hands—not that I’m on’em very hard, but it sort o’ pains her to see me goin’ ardund hungry and half clothed, an’ she’s too stingy to do anything for me.” ‘*Then just consider yourself as belong- ing to this show, and we’ll give you a little practice and afew lessons and bring you out.” . ‘* Whoop ee!” cried Jumping-Jack, and he started and ran around the ring. ‘‘ But the clown will kill me the first time I kick up sawdust,” Some of the performers shook hands with ae boy, and it was the happiest hour of his ife. When Murray went out he found two men who wanted to see him. They were rather seedy-looking, down-at- the heel fellows, and their appearance indi- cated that they were little short of tramps. “Well, what is it?” the showman de- manded ‘* We want work,” spoke one of the men. **Kin ye help us out?” ‘* What can you do?” “Anything we're told to do, and you'll find us willing,” was the civil answer given. ‘“Where’s Browning? Send Browning here.” This to some of the men belonging to the show. A foreman soon appeared, and he was told to_put the two men in his gang. It happened that the circus was short handed, and Murray was hiring anything that came along, just then. Perhaps it was this fact that had made Hunter a little over-confident that morning, but it had not saved his bacon in the least, When Murray decided that he must go, that had settled it. The two new men were given work to do, and no more was thought of them. These men were none other than Hunter and Mulvern. . Nothing further of moment took place during the afternoon, and the time for the evening performance drew on. _If there had been a crowd in the after- noon it promised to be even greater at night, and quite a number of additional seats had been supplied around the ring. It was getting late in the season, and it was dark by the time the doors were open for admission. The crowd poured in at a great rate imme- diately. It was about this time that a man accosted Jumping-Jack, as he was about to enter the menagerie tent. Ay ‘‘Have you seen Mr. Murray?” the man asked, * ‘* Not lately,” answered Jack. » “Yeu are the feller they call Jumping- Jack?” ** Yes.” ; ‘Well, Mr, Murray is lookin’ for you, and he was out by the last stable tent a minute ago. * All right, I'll find him,” said Jack, and he was off at once, He ran out and around to the place men- tioned, for he had taken ina good understand- ing of the lay of the camp. w hen he came near to the tent indicated by his informant strong hands suddenly seized him, a hand was clapped over his mouth, and struggle as he would he was powerless to free himself. _ ‘Ob, yes, Mr. Murray wants to see ye,” one of his captors hissed. ‘* He wants to see ye real bad.” ' muttered the other. ** And won’t that be too bad, too bad.” They laughed, while they ' bind and gag their c ptive in the best man. ner imaginable. i a roceeded to) a a his admission. His appetite forr ** But he won’t know where to find ye,” | over a four-foot fence, and I can do that just Well under the shadow of the tent, where no one was likely to interfere with them, they were as silent as possible and made all the haste they could with’their evil work. As soon as they bad the boy bound they laid him on the ground. ‘“Now, what do you say?” whispered one. Jack recognized the voice of Tom Hunter, and he knew that he wasin the hands of one who would show him no mercy. He had been keeping a lookout for this fellow, but had not seen him for some time. The other he did not know, but suspected who it was. ‘*T think my plan is best,” answered the other, ‘*He might be discovered, that’s all,” ‘*No more likely than if we throw him over that back fence, as you said, and we might be discovered doin’ it.” ‘““So we may be in the other, and what then?” _ Roll him in somethin’, and it will look as if we are packin’ up the property. ‘* Which we have no business to do, in our present jobs. Bui, we have got to act quick, so come along with him.” Jumping-Jack was picked up and carried away. They kept well in the shadows with him, and coming to a lonesome spot, put him down again, One of the fellows now ran off, presently returning with some rugs and other stuffs belonging to the ring, and into these Jack was rolled. 4 He could hardly breathe, and felt that he was about at the end of his earthly career of usefulness, but when they picked him up ‘again it somehow freed his mouth, and he was not so uncomfortable, He was carried to where some chests were standing, and into one of these, on the top of the others, the helpless boy with circus on the brain was put. This chest would not be opened till after the night performance, and by that time their work would be accomplished and they would be out of reach. R Jumping Jack was in a pretty bad fix.” CHAPTER XI. THE OLD BUM IN TROUBLE, THERE was a man in Warrenton who seem- ed to be out in the cold, as it were. This neglected individual was John Wit- man or Old Wit, as he was better known, He had seen nothing of his new friend, Hun- — ter, The truth of the matter was, Hunter had little or no further use for him, now that he had fallen in with Pete Mulvern, and he had nothing to fear from Old Wit, since he would hardly dare to reveal anything. — Old Wit had spent the whole afternoon hanging around the hotel where he had parted with Hunter, ae ; He could not understand why the fellow. did not return. ia in As night came on he made his way to the — circus-grounds, determined to look him up if he was to be found. | bags His search was fruitless, however, for the fellow was not to be found, It was not be- cause he was not there, though, for he saw the old man looking for him and grinned to —— himself. \, : On account of Hunter, Old Wit had missed the performance in the afternoon, =~ He was determined to see che evening show, if possible. cs se “Just how it was to be done, he did ‘not G know, for he had not the wherewith to pocket drained constantly, He hung around, when he had ‘given up — his search for Hunter, and wandered idly around among the tents, talkit Bible there with any one who would lis! en to him,» and he was loud in his praise of the ater Ty Las \ "ad wt aoe te Ae nm Kept his ee hpi’ -- We Bad ? a ‘a h; Bays
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10° Little he thought, that he was going to get himself into trcuble. In his meanderings he came finally to the entrance to the private tent of Sam Bruce and his wife, where he looked in. ‘* Mlle, Lucie”’ was there, and Baby Bess wis asleep on a cot just behind a flap par- tition of the canvas. The bummer poked in his head, to learn what. this particular tent was for, and at sight of him the woman gave a cry of alarm. ‘*Durnation!” ejaculated the old bum. He was staring at the woman with eyes dilated. * Pop Turner!’ exclaimed the queen of the arena, excitedly. * Et’s me, gal, sure encugh!” the old fel- low admitted. ‘‘Darn me ef I knowed ye afore when I seen ye.” ‘*That was because I had my fine feathers on, I suppose. But, what are you doing here, Pop? I have not seen you before, in a dozen years, it must be. Are you still trav- eling?” **No, no; I gave that up long ago, gal.” ‘And where do you live?’ ‘*Eudon't matter; I’m glad to ‘a’ seen ye again, gal, an’ I hope you ar’ doin’ well. I! be goin’ on, as I’m in a hurry,” He was going. too. ** Hold on,” the woman ordered, to talk with you a minute.” **T can’t do it nohow; | have got to meet a man, and must be goin’. Mebby I will see you— ‘** You will see me now,” and she got up and took hold of his shoulder with a firm rip. ‘*Come right in here and sit down, or I must have a chat with you. ‘I don’t care if you’ve got an appointment with the President.” ‘* Let go, gal; d'ye hear?” His rummy face was pale, and he pulled to get away. f he little woman drew a pistol from her pocket and presented it at his head, saying: '*T wouldn’t want to hurt you, Pop Tur- ner, but you are not going out of my sight till you have answered some questions. Jome in and sit down, or I'll have to enforce my command in a way you won't like,” There was no help for the bummer, and he had to obey. He slunk in and sat down on a stool, toy- ing nervously with his rag of a hat, and sul- lenly asked: * Wull, what is it?” ‘About the earliest recollections I have, Pop Turner, are of you.” ‘That’s nat’ral, seein’ that I was daddy to ye after yer mother done her last act an’ retired from the ring, gal.” , ‘You speak in a heartless manner, Pop Turner. Would you care to have any one speak so of your mother, if you have any recollection of her? I think not, if there is any feeling left in you.” **Oh, well, that is nothin’; say what you want to,” ‘*T want to know the truth about my par- ents, thut is what I want, and you are the ““T want —— ee EE only one who can tell me.’ ‘‘Well, it’s a short story and soon told. Your mammy was a rider, like yourself, | and you was a sort o' come by-chance, Ss, take it. That is your whole peddygree, fur as I know.” » The young woman's face was flushed. -*Can you tell me my mother’s family name?” she asked. ‘*Durn me if I kin. She wus on the bills as Lucy Long, an’ that’s the long an’ short ee: eis ee ‘*And you never heard her speak of my | father?” : ‘* Never a word, gal.” ; ‘** And that is all you know about me?” ‘‘That’s every blessed word, gal, 1 take my dinner.” ‘“‘How was it that I came to be left in your keeping, as I was, Pop?” ‘Well; your mammy hadn't no other friend, an’ she jest asked me to see that you was took keer of.” “«Tf that isall you know, there is no use in pressing you further, so I will let you go, now. I don't suppose we'll ever meet again, Pop. so I'll say good-by for good,” She held out her hand, but at that moment Sam Bruce entered the tent. ‘‘Hello!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ Who is this?” ‘This is Pop Turner, that I have often told you about,” said Mlle. Lucie. ‘Pop Turner? Then he wears two names, for he is known as John Witman, or Old Wit. Hold on, old chap; don’t be in a rush!” The bummer showed a disposition to cut short his stay, but the clown laid a hand up- on his shoulder and forced him easily down to the stool from which he had just got up. The bummer’s face was now cold and white, and a perspiration-was on his fore- head, while he was all atremble. “Then he is the man—” began Mrs. Bruce. ‘The man that was suspected of stealing that woman's child, seventeen years ago, Lucy. ; ‘That was a lie,’” muttered the bummer. ‘‘T was not in this part of the country at that time, an’ they all know I wasn’t. I was set free o’ that suspicion at the time.” ‘** At what time, sir?” ‘* Weil, when I come back here to live, somethin’ like a dozen years ago,” ‘Where had you been during that time?” ‘‘Some of the time travelin’ with shows; some of the time doin’ other work.” ** And it was about seventeen years ago, I understund, that this lady, my wife, was placed in your keeping.” ‘: Yes.” ‘And it was seventeen years ago that the child of your rival in love, Albert Cooper, was stolen from her home. By the way, what show were you with at that time, my man?” Old Wit was not dealing with ‘‘ Mlle. Lucie” now. e was as pale as death, and was trembling from head to foot, a fact that gave ground for suspicion, | ‘*T guess it was Cook & Tucker’s,” he an- swered, ‘“And that was the show in which my wife first appeared. Old man, I'm going to look further into this matter,” **I—I have just told your wife the truth about herself, fur’s 1 know it,’ the bum- mer declared. ‘‘ You won’, find nothin’ good by pryin’ into the past, I give you fair warnin’,” : ‘* Better to know the truth than to remain in uncertainty. ’ The woman, too, was pale. ° This talking had awakened Baby Bess, and she now came around from the patti- tion. At sight of her, Old Wit gave a start, and there was an increased lcok of alarm in his eyes, She seemed to come like an accusing angel to confront him. **What’s the matter with you now, sir?” demanded Bruce, ‘* Does this child so much remind you of the looks of my wife when she was a little child? Well, Ido not won- der. Where’s that photograph, Lucy?” The woman took a picture from her pocket, which she had hunted out from among her effects that afternoon after the visit of Mrs. Coopez, and it wus certainly wonderfully like the child before them. | It was a likeness of herself at the dge of seven, a picture ** Pop Turner ” had had taken. / pas! CHAPTER XII. TAKING CARE, OF OLD WITMAN. Tus picture was put in old Wit’s hand. ‘* Darn me if there ain’t a strong likeness,” he admitted. ‘lj umping-J ack’siJ ubilee. — . — ‘* Of course there is,” said Bruce, ‘‘ and it is suspiciously strong.” , ** What d’ye mean?” ‘‘Tmean that I strongly believe that my wife was the child of the Coopers, and I’m going to know.” Old Wit was getting sullen, now. ** Well, I wish ye luck in findin’ out,” he muttered, ‘‘I have told ye the truth, an’ I'd like to see ye prove it anything else. Don’t see how you could go about to do it.” ‘* We have got a clue already, sir. There is a boy around here called Jumping-Jack, who knows something about you,” The bummer paled again at this, but stub- ’ bornly held out ‘« That boy kin lie as tall as he kin jump,” he declared, ‘‘ an’ he will have to prove what he says, 1 reckon. Now, if that’s all ye want o’ me, I’ll be goin’ fer I ain't got ne time to foolaway.” i ‘‘ No, I suppose time is important with you,” said Bruce. ‘‘ But, you are not going inahurry. I am going to hold fast to you till this thing is cleared up. I'll send for Mr. Murray and have that boy brought here to face you, and we’l! see how it will stand.” He forced Old Wit back to his seat. The old fellow’s face was white, but he de- terminedly persisted. t ‘Well, do yer worst,” he defied. ‘‘ Whem you have found out your mistake mebby you will own it. Lucy Long, I didn’t think this of you, after the kindness I have done fer 4 vou in the past.” ‘My husband js seeking only the truth,” was the response, | ‘‘And that Iam resolved. to have,” de- clared Bruce. ‘‘ Lucy, can you keep him here a minute?” ) ‘©You had better let me go and bring Mr. | 7 Murray,” the woman suggested. ‘I can do that better.” ‘‘ Allright; but, take care!” «1 will,” She was off at once, and the moment she had gone Bruce said grimly: ’ i ‘‘ Now, old man, the best thing you can ae doisto ownup, If you want to get off | easy. that is the best thing you can do.” {i “You wouldn’t trap me that way, even if ‘i I was guilty,” wasthe sullenretort, ‘* When Cp you have proved the thing against me if a, would be time enough for me to. take water ts on it,” ' f ‘And that would be too late to do you i any good,” telai ‘Can't confess to what I ain’t guilty of, rere all the same. Is'pose you'd like to prove 3 your Lucy a lady, but she was a nobody, sir.” wi Pee ‘* We'll see,” said Bruce, a hard line form- ing around his mouth. ’ ee} i a few minutes his wife returned, bring-' - ed ing Harry Murray with her, but not the he boy. ” ae. Bruce: had already given the show- hc man an ideaof the situation, and upon his- et coming in he took a keen survey cf the old sma bummer. , ‘‘You are the fellow I saw this morn- ing,” he declared, ‘‘ You started and stared at Baby Bess when I had her in my arms. ei and was about to put her inher place inthe = line of parade,” ‘ . “T can’t deny that,” admitted the old - bummer. hy OR bet ‘You thought you recognized her.” __ “A Ag. a fak “‘T knowed she looked mighty like the ai meg child of Lucy Long, cf course.” yaern t ony ‘«And you had some conversation about Vr OB the matter with Tom Uunter, which was. es oy overheard,” H Sa pt ae «* What if it was?” “That is what we are going toattend to, oie We'll find the boy that overheard the talk, = and I think we can bring you to time,” said Be: i aay Bruce. ‘I believe you are the man who ae a A stole the child from the Coopers.” i “i . “And you think your wife is that stolen a a child, Sam?” asked Murray. i )
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ido: proveit. Itisstrange where Jumping Jack can be; the men can’t seem to find him.” Just then a man came to the tent. ‘«Wecan’t find the boy, boss,” he report- ed. ‘“Have you seen anything of Hunter?” the showman asked immediately. ‘* No, nobody seems to ‘a’ seen him, either. Hepe he hasn't got in a crack at the young- ster.” ‘* He must be found,” cried Murray, *‘ I'd give a big sum rather than see that-boy come toharm. Find him, Smith, if possible; ask everybody you see, and have them all hunt for him.” ‘eYies, sit.” ‘‘And what about this fellow?” Murray asked. ‘“We must not let him get out of our hands,” said Bruce. ‘‘ I we do, he will give us the slip.” . ~ © Youare right. I’lltell you what you had better do, you had better take out a warrant for him and let the authorities lock him up, and put the case in Mr. Cooper's hands.” “You'll have your trouble for your pains,” growled Old Wit. ‘‘ You can’t prove noth- in’ ag’in’ me.” ‘‘Say, do you know where that boy is?” ‘No, 1 don’t; but I hope he has broke his cussed neck!” a ‘But, there is no time to attend to it be- fore the performance,” said the woman, ‘You are right,” agreed Bruce, ‘No matter; I’ll set Jones to watch the man and he will not get away, that is certain. Will you send him here, Mr, Murray?” ‘«That is the very idea, Yes, Pll send . him,” ' Murray took his leave. ‘* You see we mean business,” said Bruce. * ee a PRPS —* 2 5e oI: SS SS —————$———— Jumping-Jack’s Jubilee. 4 _ . = = ‘ He made every effort to free his hands, but | reach, and he “ Well, it is possible, but we have got to | that was impossible, and of course it was | around,” just as impossible to free his mouth of the gag that prevented him from calling for help In his struggles he made one discovery, though it might not amount to anything. This was, that the chest he was in did not | rest solidly upon the others. r The movements he made caused it to rock. Jack heard the band strike up, and knew ‘the performance had commenced, and he longed to be where he could see it But, that was not all, he knew he must get out if he was to keep his promise to Sam Bruce that he was to keep an eye upon Baby Bessthat night to see that no harm came to her. : The thought rendered him desperate, but what could he do? There was no escape for him, and he would have to remain where he was until the box was needed, unless something unforeseen chanced to turn up in his favor, and that was not worth hoping for, CHAPTER XIII. A HEINOUS SCHEME IN MIND. Tue performance was on, If the crowd had been great in the after- noon, it was greater in the evening by some hundreds. } Every performer was at his best, and no one could suspect that the mind of the lead ing clown was fixed upon anything other than the nonsense of the hour, The very reverse was true, however. He did well his part, but all the time his mind was elsewhere, thinking of the various events of the day, and the mystery that he hoped {| soon to clear up, So it was with Murray. He was greatly worried about the disap. pearance of Jumping Jack. The word was passed, and all the employ- ees of the show who were idle or could be spared were looking for him : : One of these was Jones, the so called de- tective of the show, who had disposed of his prisoner, Oid Wirt, in the manner we have shown, and who was looking around the town. /£ ' The two men in disguise, Tom Hunter and Pete Mulvern, had so far escaped detec- tion. After the performance commenced these- two wandered off together toward one of the stable tents that was out of the way. ‘‘ Well, when is it to be done?” asked Mulvern. ‘‘Right after Baby Bess performs and comes from the ring,” “And you think it will work?” ‘See no reason why it should not.. I'll ‘tend to my part of it, and you see to yours ” « But, there isa big risk to run, letting that lion out of his cage, you know, and we may get more than we bargain for before we are done with it,” ‘Tl take chances of that, and you can do the same. I'll be off in a hurry, and you can seek a place of safety before I open the door, snd when the excitement is on you can do the trick.” ‘| think it will work.” ‘* Yes, of course it will, Bruce will be one of the first. to try to capture the brute ” ‘*And others will shoot at it, and a stray bullet may hit the clown and that will be the end of it. A pure and simple accident, of course.” . ‘« That's it; now you have it.” L ~ * And -I’m eral obliged to you for your help. I wish I could do something, more to aid you.” , ‘Don’t see how you can. I'd like to fall in with that old sot, Old Wit, now, for I will need a guide till I get well out of | to start, must know the country ‘“'Then jest scoot around here and set me free, durn ye!” This in a hoarse whisper, from the other side of the canvas, and it caused both men They looked at each other, in the very dim light, and Hunter asked. “a ‘Is that you, Old Wit?” ’ ‘Course it’s me.” 4 **And what are you doing there?” -‘*T’m a prisoner,” ‘ Prisoner!”’’ + Segue This in whispers. ‘‘ Stay right here, Mulvern, and I’ll sneak around and free him.”’ “ All right, but take good care about it, for if anything turns up now we are dished, i maybe for all time.” . ‘*T’ll take care.” Hunter left his accomplice and moved around and entered the tent, and was not. 7 long in finding Old Wit, by the light of a lantern that hung in the center of the tent. He freed him at once, and the old bummer followed him out. They joined Mulvern immediately, and the three moved off to the rear of all the tents. i. where they would not be likely to be over- ; heard again, ’ ‘ How came you there?” asked Hunter. _ Through that cussed boy,” the bummer growled. ‘* Well, we have taken care of him so’s he- won't bother us any more,” “Tm glad of it. But, I heard you say that you wanted meto guide ye some’rs, didn't iy” * “Yes, you have it right. Lam going to q steal that kid, and want you to guide me off to a safe place in-the woods, and then help me out to-morrow so I can get away.” ‘< I'll try it, for 1 have no love fer any of ‘em, now, and this will be a dig at—” But, he stopped short and did not finish. ‘¢We understand,” said Hunter, ‘Allright, ef ye do. I heard your plans. laid out, an’ I want to tell ye I ain't got no business around here if you are goin’ to let. that big lion out.” ‘'That is what we are going todo.” . “Then I ain’t in it. Tl bid you good- evenin’," and Old Wit started off at once. He had not taken three paces, however, when their hands fell upon him. ‘‘No you dont!” said Hunter, grimly, ; “You have got to aid me, or we’ll put you: ee back where we found you,” ye.” “Tf ye try it I'll squeal on ‘* We'll gag you.” *' T'll raise a row and block your game.” ‘You try it und I'll slit your throat hissed Mulvern, displaying a knife as he * made the threat This brought Old Wit to time quicker than anything clse could have done, for he had a dread of a knife anyhow, and there ee was that about the threat to convince that a the man meant what he said. ; “a ‘*But, we'll all be killed,” the bummer | ' e : urged ; a ‘No we won't, for the lion will never get out of the tent alive,” assured Hunter, | m - ‘They'll shoot it if it won't go into its. a ” r “Yes, but what do ye want to let it out er” he é “To make an excitement so that wecan carry out other plans. Now, will you aid me or will you not?” ae “* What is it I’m to do?” - _ “You must guide me to a safe place in the woods as soon as] get the brat.” ‘And go to jailif I get foundout.” ‘You'll go to jail anyhow, if we leave youhere inthe hands of the showmen, for = uce is onto you, now.” up: See “Well, Is'pose Pll haveterdoit.” = = y“T guess you will. Now for the plan, U
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for there is no time to spare. Whichis the best way for me to go with the brat soon’s I get her?” ; ** ] would say to cut right back across this field to the rear fence, and then up that back Street to the lane and so on out to the woods, - where I know of a wood-road that leads to a old cabin.” ‘* Good enough. Can you find it in the dark ?” ‘* Yes, easy enough.” “* All right then, that’s the plan.” “ But, I don’t want to be near that ion when ye let him out.” ‘* Don’t see how it can be helped.” ‘* Can't I wait by the fence till ye come?” “ You would wait till we had gone, and ‘that would be the last we’d see of you.” ‘* No, I swear—” ‘ Don't swear, for your oath is no better than your word.. We won’t trust you, and that’s all there is of it.” ‘But, I'll be scart out o’ my wits, and won’t be worth a cent, 1 know. My legs will Le so weak I couldn’t run, an’ what good would I be to ye? Let me wait right by the fence,” ‘* [ll tell you what,” said Mulvern, ** What is it?” “We'll gag him and tie him to a post of the fence. ou can cut him loose in a quar- ter of a minute, when you come.” ‘*The very idea! That’s the way we'll fix ‘it, old man, and there’s no use of your object- ‘ing to the plan, for we'll carry it out... Come right along now, and we’ll fix you olit,” Old Wit objected strongly, but that was all the good it did him. He was taken to the fence, and there secur- ed toa post by his hands tied behind his ‘back and a gag was putin his mouth. There ‘he was left, and the two villains hastened ‘back to carry out their plans, CHAPTER XIV. A MOMENT OF EXTREME PERIL. | In the mean time Jumping-Jack had been ‘trying, at intervals, to free his hands, but, as | said before, the task was hopeless, He had discovered, however, as stated, that the box he was in did not rest in a per- fectly solid manner upon the others, but it ‘was some time before he saw how he was to ‘use the circumstance to his advantage. ' Finally it came to him. ‘* What a ninny [ am,” he muttered, ‘‘ not to think of that before! Reckon I'll be a mummy, if 1 keep on sweatin’ this way. Wonder if I can’t shake this box enough to upset it, and take the chances of a fall in it? Seein’ that it’s cracked, it may split open an’ jet me out,” The performance in the big tent had now been on for some time. No sooner thought of than the boy set about putting the thought into practice as best he could, There was room and to spare in the big box, but’. Jumping-Jack was so wrapped up that he had but little use of himself. He could not move arms or legs, but the idea came to him to try to roll. He tried it. ‘The box rocked but it did not fall, As this was Jack’s only hope, however, he ‘kept it up at intervals, hoping that it might ‘possibly draw attention to the box. This seemed more likely than that he would cause it to fall, for, should any one pass near when the box was rocking, that ‘person would certainly want to investigate ‘the strange phenomenon. ; Practice, however, taught the boy a les- q son. UF Spit ' bade He found that by starting the box in! - motion, and keeping that motion regular, the | -. box toppled more and more at each move- - ment. cat Profiting by this, he started once again, | Pray ‘| heart, Jumping-Jack’s Jubilee. after a spell of rest, resolved to keep it up till something happened, ,if he could pos- sibly hold out, and so he did, too, to his satisfaction. More and more the box toppled, and finally it overbalanced and down it went with a bang and a crash. ‘‘Here we go, anyhow,” thought Jack, when he felt it going. ‘‘ It is life or death, this act, I guess. But, I can’t get hurt much, the way I’m wrapped up.” This was true. The box struck the ground on one corner, and it was split from end to end. It dropped to its side immediately, which ' had the effect to split it yet more, and it | when she should come out, dropped open wide and Jack rolled out, ‘¢Thunderation |!” So cried one of the showmen, who ran ! | sing, broken now and then when the clown along just at that moment. The box had come near to striking him, ‘and he looked to see who had been so care- less in handling the property. He saw no one, and this caused him to where he could command a full view of the scene. Hunter having unlocked the door of the cage, daited under it to the other side, with a pole in his hand. That pole he pushed into the cage, and placed its end against the opposite door, | When he was ready, a push with the pole would open the door. They waited, then, for the right moment. Presently out from the arena dashed Mlle. Lucie, and it was then the turn of Baby Bess to do her act Mrs. Bruce dismounted and surrendered her horse, and waited to be near her child She was Clad in a habit, the act she had just performed de- manding that kind of dress. The music told how the act was progres- had something to say, and finally the act ended, Hunter had been waiting for this. Mrs. Bruce was standing only a little dis- stop to investigate what it was that had | tance from the cage of Samson. rolled out of the broken box, and as he stoop- ed Jumping Jack gave forth a caused him another exclamation. The showman felt with his foot. ‘‘ Who are ye?” he demanded. Another moan, The man now stooped and felt with his hands, carefully, for it was in too dark a spot for him to see well. Finding that it was a boy, and that he was bound and gagged, the man thought immediately of the missing Jumping-Jack, and rightly guessed that he had found the little fellow. It took him but a moment to unwind the rugs and other wrappings and to free his moutb. ‘Whew! that was a roaster!’’ cried Jack. ** Are you the boy called Jumpin’-Jack?” asked the man. | ‘Yes, I’m that same misguided youth,” answered Jack, grote : ‘* And how came ye here?” ‘« Fell into the hands of the enemy,” the response. ‘** Well, the boss is lookin’ fer you, and is worried, so you had better show yourself soon’s ye can,” ‘Allright, you just free my hands and feet for me, and I'll be off to find him in about two twitches of a wink, more or !ess. Ihave had a good rest, now, and feel like getting on,” The man laughed while he set the boy | free, and when he had done Jack leaped lightly upon his feet. Just at that moment came a cry of alarm from the direction of the menagerie. It was repeated; then came &® woman’s scream, and followed immediately other cries | and screams of greatest terror. ‘©“What the deuce is up?” cried the man who had freed Jack, ‘*Quickest way to find outis to go and see,” answered Jumping-Jack, and he was off like a shot, ' . The reader has guessed what the trouble | ‘ { i was, | This seemed to suit the inhuman wretch groan that | all the better, and shoving open the door he gave the lion a prod. There was instantly a terrific growl, and turning and seeing the door of the cage wide open, the horrified woman gave voice toa wild scream. As’ Hunter had dropped his pole at once, and running behind the cages, came out at the exit just in time to intercept the horse of Baby Bess when it came out, and he caught the bridle. He ran with the animal across the space of the tent, and out, while every eye present was fixed upon Mlle. Lucie and the lion. Oaly a brief moment had elapsed, yet the scene had changed. The growl and the woman’s scream had caused every eye to turn in that direction. Another scream followed, with cries from others, and with a growl again tle lion leaped from its cage, striking the woman to the ground as it did so, and now it stood over her, Cries and screams of horror were heard on every hand. Other performers and employees ran in from every direction, and in from the ring, as quickly as possible, came the clown and ringmaster. ; About the time of their appearance, Jump- ing- Jack rolled in under the tent, to find out what it was all about, and he discovered that he had come in at a point where a man was standing on a wheel of one of the cages, He did not see Jack, and it had been im- | possible to hear him, in all the uproar, and he was looking through the bars of the cage, © with a pistol in his hand. Jack stupped right where he was, with an eye upon this man. But, to return to Mlle. Lucie. She was lying on her back, and the lion had its left fore paw clutched in her riding habit near her hip, while he glared at those in front of him, For 2 second every man had stopped and The big lion, called Samson, was out of , recoiled, tbrilled with horror and almost his cage, and terror was struck to every It was the work of Tom Hunter! On their return tothe grounds, after se- | curing Ole Wit, they had set about carrying | voice, the same instant, : 1 that fellow, or the woman will be killed out their diabolical design. , Hunter knew the programme of the per- formance well, and eould tell just when each | member of the company would be on and doing his or her part, and he timed his action accordingly. They made their way into the menagerie, and watched their opportunity, . lt came, and they seized it. paralyzed, butfit was only for a moment, when the clown and the ringmaster made a leap forward together. ** Back, for your lives!” cried another — **Let me attend to before your eyes!”’ CHAPTER XV... EXCITEMENT THE WILDEST, THE new-comer was a man of stern face — : and keen eyes. He had a heavy mustache, wore a square coat and derby hat, and in his right hand he Hunter unlocked the door of the lion’s |'carried a heavy whip. cage, and Mulvern placed hitaself where he | The tip of ep was set with sharp was in some degree out of danger and from | steel spurs instead of I . ; f : the usual snap, and
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Jumping-Jack’s Jubilee. the extraordinary size of it made it a weapon to be dreaded, once a taste of it had been administered. This man was on the bills as ‘‘ Professor Mordaunt, the Lion: Tamer,” but in private life he was known as Charlie McHartley. With his words, he thrust the others aside and faced the lion! The eyes of the man and those of the . beast met, and there was ® moment of terri- | ble suspense. All who beheld it held their breath with very horror—or nearly all, for we must ex- cept the man who was standing on the wheel of one of the cages, him with the pistol in his hand. The lion-tamer bent lower and advanced inch by inch upon the beast, and the lion crouched and gave a warning roar, Mile. Lucie lay as still as death, her eyes turned imploringly upon her rescuer. Suddenly Charlie McHartley gave a blow { with the whip. | The steel thorns struck the lion on the | nose, and the blood spurted forth instantly. ) With a roar like thunder, the lion releas- ' ed its prey, crouched back, and the next in- stant had sprung forward at its tormentor. _Novsooner released, than Mile. Lucie was upon her feet, and, running for her life in the direction in which her child had been led, she disappeared from sight at once. | As though he did not see her, Sam Bruce stood as if rooted to the spot. His eyes were upon the lion and the lion- | tamer, and he and Murray were almost the only ones to hold their ground, | Murray had armed himself with an jron bar, and was ready toaid the tamerif chance | offered, or if it was found that he needed aid, for, possibly, he would prove master of the situation. But this could hardly be hoped for, In order to save Mile. Lucie he had had to draw the rage of the beast upon himself, and the consequences could hardly be calculated, As the lion made its leap, McHartley dodged, and with the butt of his whip dealta blow on the head of the king of beasts that must have stunned an animal of less power than old Samson. ** Shoot the lion!” some one cried out, _ “Yes, yes, shoot it; that’s the only way!” Instantiy came one or two shots, but with- ~ out effect. _ *€ Mister, don’t you do that again, or I'll break your arm with this rod,” See eis AS ie~ ae my The speaker was Jumping Jack, and the -- ‘man addressed was the fellow we have men- » Fe ie tioned as standing on the wheel of one of the cages, . ©. The man turned upon him instantly, his ‘anes face pale. * What do you mean?” he demanded. ra sm trying to kill that lion before it can do ~ harm.” JT know better,” said Jack, coolly. ~ *€¥You aimed at Sam Bruce, straight as you could, and your bullet made him dodge. Don’t you try it again, I warn ye.” . And the boy had his weapon ready, yh He was armed with «a short piece of iron bar, which he held raised for instant use, » ***¥ou lie! you young jackanapes'” cried .. the man. , _ No, 1 don’t lie,.either, and you know I don’t! Now I know what you and that other feller was talkin’ about, and—’’ “Curse you! take that!” The man jerk his revolver up to fire at umping Jack, and did fire, but the iron d fell upon his arm just the second be. the weapon went off and the bullet was re itried in the ground. a e Weapon and grabbed his arm, and Jack outed loudly for help. Sam Bruce, seeing who it was, ran to him mediately, — But, meantime, the lion. I Before it could turn to leap aside, the ae: a he LS eee —————— ems = > = With a groan of pain the man dropped | tamer was plying his whip upon it with all his might, bringing a spurt of blood at every crack. The lion turned; the blows fell upon its head and face, thick and fast, and it was more than the king of beasts could stand. With a wild scream it turned and dashed away. It had made its escape! Instantly rose the cry that there was a lion at large, and excitement reigned supreme. People in the great tent made a rush, the side of the tent was torn down, and in their mad haste they did as much harm to themselves as a dozen lions would have done, probably. All was confusion and terror, * The man who had attempted the life of the clown tried to run away, now, but Jumping-Jack sprung before him, swinging his bar of iron with full intent. ‘*Don’t you move,” he cried, ‘‘or I'll brain ye like I would a mad-dog!” ‘‘What’s this?” asked the clown, running up. im This man tried to kill you, that’s what,” said Jack, ‘** The little fool lies,” crled the man, ‘I fired at the lion,” “If you did, you made a mighty poor shot, that is all I can say,” declared Sam. ‘*Your bullet came within six inches of my head, that I’ll swear.” ‘Then it wasn't my bullet, that’s all. I was not the only one who fired. I had no reason to shoot at you; why should I have? This boy is crazy, and ought to be in a madhouse.”~ ‘*Maybe you'll say you didn’t try to kill me, too,”’ cried Jack, ‘‘ Mr, Bruce, it is just as I tell ye, and you don’t want to let him get off.” *Tll take care that he don’t, my boy,” said Sam, and he laid hold upon the fellow. The man made an effort to get off, but it was useless, / Jack had partly disabled his right arm, but then he would have been no match for the clown, anyhow, ‘It's a lie!” the fellow cried. ‘* What should I want to kill you for? And as to the boy, I'd scorn to think of doing such a thing as to kill him.” ‘Ha! a false beard!” cried Bruce. “Who is this fellow ?” The speaker was Murray. His face was white, and kis eyes were flashing with passion, «A fellow who tried to kill me,” declared the clown. ‘‘ He was with that Mr. Tag- gard who gave me those papers to-day.” “And did you let that lion out of his cage, fellow?” No, I didn’t.” ‘* Well, some one did, for the beast could not have got out otherwise. Five hundred dollars for the man who opened that cage, be he dead or alive!” “Sam! Sam! Sam!” Wildly rung out the cry, and the clown’s wife was seen running and seeking him, calling as she ran, and it could be seen that she was in great distress of mind, Had the Jion killed Baby Bess? . ‘This way! this way!” cried Sam, The wife heard him and she ran toward m, ‘*My God!" she came crying. ‘‘Sam!— Baby Bess!” The clown reeled and almost fell, and his prisoner escaped his grasp, j Murray, however, laid hands upon Mul- vern immediately and detained him, while the clown staggered toward his wife. | Bruce had only one thought in mind, the | on, “Ts she dead?” gasped Sam. ETT ‘ “No, no: she has been carried off! I do. not know where she is!’ , Mier: ‘* Did the lion—” ’ **No, no, not the lion: I believe have been Hunter, in disguise. He took her and the horse just as she came from the ring.” ‘*Great heavens! I could almost say, better far that it had been the lion, Mur- ray, this explains it; it was Hunter who let the lion out, and he did it for just this- purpose,” ‘* Which is proof enough to clear me,” spoke up Mulvern. ‘* Not by a heapin’ sdsser-fuli,” cried Jump- ing-Jack, ‘It bay tr peep loom up in yl eye, now, that you an’ him was in cahoots in this. deal, an’ you are as deep in the mud as he is. in the mire!” ‘* Boy, you have hit it!” exclaimed Sam Bruce. ‘‘Hold him, Mr. Murray, if you ever did mea favor in your life. I must make an effort to find my child, though God only knows where | shall look for her. Nerve yourself, Lucy, for this blow will kill you if you don’t,” CHAPTER XYI. FARMER COOPER’S SCHEME, “T’m with you,” cried Jumping Jack, fol- lowing the clown and his wife, ‘“‘We must find the Rose of the Ring, or bu’st!” “Hold on, boy! I want you!” shovted Murray. ‘‘I want you to go and bring your town constable here to take care of this fel-. low forme. Then 1 want to use you fur- ther, and that at once.” ** Kerreck!” cried Jack. ‘‘I’m your jig- ger, boss; you have only to say the word and I’m up an’ doin.” He was off like a shot, and evidently knew where to go. Before the excitement had begun to sub- side he was back again with the man he had gene to fetch. Instead of 2ubsiding, though, the oxcite- ment was on the increase, for the report that a lion had escaped from the menagerie had spread like wild-fire throughout the town, , During Jumping-Jack’s absence the fellow Mulvern had tried in every way to induce Murray to release him, He had argued first his innocence; them finally had offered to buy off. This only served to fasten the guilt upom him the more securely; and when the con- stable was brought Murray turned the pris- oner over to him, with strict caution against. allowing him to get away. ‘Don't you worry,” said Jack, ‘Our constable don’t let nothin’ go by that comes. his way, you bet!” ‘‘Now, Jack, come with me!” the show- man ordered. *‘ I can do nothing here till the scare is over’ but, meantime, we'll go and gather up that man Taggard. If there is. anything in what you have charged, he is in, it.” ‘In it!” cried Jack. ‘‘ He’s in it clear up to his ears. You want me to show you where he is stoppin’?” . ‘That is it, my boy.” “Well, you won't find him there, for VI . bet he wasn’t far away from here when the trouble commenced,” ‘*T don’t agree with you,” “Dont ye?_ Why not?” ‘Because, I think he would keep away on purpose to prove an alii in case anything . got found out.” _ ) ‘«Never thought of that. to buttons that you are right, after all. If you know where he is puttin’ up, I kin. show kno the place. aes Sp “T know it like a book,” assured Jack. Qome on, and we'll yank him in no time, — ott if he is there,” i he SA ay heads b, }-° \ 86 Ta it far?” \es No » a few minutes, or if Iam they will know AAS has here ek pein ie / Bet you beans | ye the way there in notime. Doye | | "So ‘much the better. T'll not be missed it must | for w? , ‘Yes, he told me,” and Murray named Md ‘ yy ‘t a ut eae mY ‘ i . id ay Ve | . Yi vy) PK hall £ ity i i i]
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{ ae tie |, : ‘4 14 T’m somewhere where I’m needed. They know they can trust Murray, I guess, by this time.” : They ran, and Murray found he had work to do to keep pace with Jack. When they reached the place their man was found there, and at sight of Murray his face showed that his heart quaked. ‘* What is wrong, sir?” he asked. ‘I hear something about the escape of a lion. | Is there any truth in it?” ‘It is true, sir,” said Murray. “There | has been another escape, too.” ** Another? What else?” ‘Sam Bruce, whom you saw this morn- ing, has escaped with his life.” The showman looked the other squarely in the eyes as he spoke, and he noted that the man quailed before him, ‘¢ What do vou mean?” the fellow gasped. ‘‘Just what Tsay. An attempt has been made upon his life, and that man who came here with you has been arrested for it. My business here is to arrest you, for this same offense.” “ Arrest me?” in greatest indignation. ‘* Just that, sir.” * But, by what right do you attempt to arrest me? What do I know about what some one else has done? Far be it from me to try to put any man out of the way, least of all Sam Bruce.” ** Well, you will have the chance to: prove all that. [am going to take you prisoner, on my own responsibility, and will turn you over to the proper persons as soon as it can be done. Come right along with me, or I'll be under the painful necessity of fetching you in a way you won’t like.” The man stormed and resisted, but all to ' no purpose; he had to go, He was taken to the lock-up direct, where the constable had just deposited the other. Murray entered charge against the man, and he, too, was given a place in the ‘‘cooler’”’ until the proper time came for him to prove and establish the innocence he claimed, No time was wasted there. Still led by Jumping-Jack, who cleared every fence at a jump without touching it, Murray hurried back to the show grounds by a short cut. The crowd had melted away, and the show people were beginning to collect them- selves and bring order out of chaos, and Murray was in demand, now, and was being | looked for. He took in the situation as a whole at a glance, and with a few directions here and - there, to foremen, order was restored and | the work of taking down and packing up was begun in an orderly manner, yet the men were cautious how they ventured into dark corners. The lion had not been found, as the pre- «ceding words give proof. Neither had Baby Bess. By this time every man in the town, al- most, who possessed a gun or pistol, was out with that weapon, and a general hunt for the lion was already getting under way. When Murray had got matters in order around the show, and was ready to give his attention to the finding of Baby Bess, Sam Bruce and his wife appeared, the woman leaning heavily upon her husband and weep- ing bitterly. She was overcome, and had neither strength nor courage left. ‘* Murray, what am I to do?” asked Bruce, huskily. He was still in his ring costume, and was a conspicuous figure.. He wasalmost as much , overcome as his wife. : ‘The first thing to do is to brace up, both of you,” declared Murray, not at all un kindly. ‘‘This is no time to give way to your grief, Your child fs alive and well, no doubt.” **Oh! do you think so, Mr. Murray?” “ Certainly J think so. And we'll have , chin o iA f > Jumping-Jack’s Jubilee. Teele SS _OoN ee her, too, before twelve hours pass by. We'll miss our next engagement but what we'll get the child.” ‘** And’ the lion?” ‘‘The people will take care of the lion.” Just then a voice was heard loudly inquir- ing for Mr. Murray, ‘‘ the boss of the show.” “Right this way, sir,’’ Murray called out. A man came running forward. It was Albert Cooper! «They tell me that the child has been stole,” he said hurriedly, ‘It is the sad truth,” answered Murray. ‘« These parents are almost wild with grief.” ‘‘ Yes, I know just how they must feel. But, cheer up, fer 1am here to help in what- ever way Tkin. Ihave got an idea fer ye, if you think kindly on’t.” “Spit it out, uncle, for the love o’ good- ness!” cried Jumping-Jack. ‘‘ What you want is Ned Taylor’s blood- hound, an’ put him on track o’ the skunk, an’ if he don’t run him down, it will be fun- n Pd ‘‘ The very thing!” cried Murray. “Yes, yes,” eagerly urged the clown. “‘ Where does he live? We must go for it without waste of time.” ‘** Don’t get excited,” urged the farmer. ‘‘T have sent for it, an’ it will be hereia a short time. What] want to do is to take this lady to stay with my wife till the child is found.” “Excellent!” assented Murray. ‘‘ Made- moiselle Lucie, you must go, and let us men attend to this business.” ‘““Yes, you must go,” decided Bruce. “You can do nothing here.” So, she was led off by the big-hearted far- mer, and barely had she gone when a man came up leading a bloodhound. It took but a moment to learn that he was the man the farmer had mentioned, But, would the plan work aright? Would it be of any avail? Let us see! } CHAPTER XVII. WHERE THE TRAIL LED THEM, Aout this same time the so-called detec- tive belonging to the circus put in his ap- pearance, ‘‘That you, Murray?” he hastily asked. ‘‘T believe I have a clue, now, to the course taken by the rascal who stole the child, and if it were only daylight—” ‘Never you mind daylight,” interrupted the man with the dog, promptly.. ‘‘ Bowger is as good at night as he is b daylight, an’ all he wants is a track to foller an’ he will get there every time.” ‘* A bloodhound?” ‘¢That’s what heis,” , | ‘‘Excellent! We'll soon be on track of that scoundrel, now. But, before we get down to business I want to report, Murray, that the other prisoner is missing and can’t irs found, and maybe he has had a hand in this.” ‘*You mean that drunken bummer?” ee Yes. ” P 7 ‘* How could he get away?” > ‘He certainly could not, without help, and he has had help.” ‘‘Then it must have been Hunter.” ‘* And if that is the case the man will at- tempt to guide him, and they will be found os Seneca somewhere. But, that is not all; ate Sp a broken chest in which some- oC y—” ‘And that somelody was me,” chipped in J as gee Male “*Never mind ’bout that now: I'll tell ye all about it when the ’cite- ment is over. 1 was tooken prisoner and boxed up by Hunter and his pal.” ; ‘¢ And who was the pal?” asked the detec- tive. . ‘That man Mulvern, what me an’ Mr, reli bagged. But, no time to stop and er it now. Let’s be doin’.” _ : ‘“‘That is the word,” agreed Murray. ‘* What is your clue, Jones?’ ‘‘Two men were seen climbing the back fence about the time the excitement broke out here, and—” ¢ ‘And you think Old Wit was one of ’em?” asked the maw with the dog. ‘* Yes, it is just possible that he was.” ‘* And you had him prisoner here?” baat: Ph ‘‘ Then take me to the place where he was, let Bowger git one smell of his track, an’ if he was one of the two we’ll soon be after ’em.” All recognized that they now had their plan straight, and there was no loss of time about putting it to the working. The dog was taken to the place where Old Wit had been tied and was given a chance to get a knowledge of the scent, and as soon as it was had the animal set off with nose to the . ground. The owner of the dog held the brute by a chain, and followed where it led. Out of the tent, around the side, then across to the fence, and to the post where the old bummer had been left tied. There was discovered the string that had bound him, now cut, and while this was not readily understood it gave weight to the evi- dence they had already that their theory was the right one. - Over the fence and up the street they went, the man with the dog ahead, and Jumpipg- Jack, Bruce, Murray and the others immedi- ately after him, with at least a hundred men and boys following upon their heels, It was the most exciting chase ever known there. Out of the street and into a lane, and thence direct for the woods, and the man with the dog uttered an exclamation. “Ther durn fool!” he cried. ‘‘I’ll bet I know where he’s goin’to. He never thought o’ me and Bowger, or he wouldn't ’a’ done it. He’s made straight fer Looker’s old cabin out on the wood road.” At that moment the hound gave forth a yelp that was startling, and tugged at the chain. ‘Boys, it’s growin’ hot!” explained Tay- lor. ‘We'll have ’em, now, if they are still there, an’ if they take to the woods we’ve got the means to track ’em. But, I be hanged if I don’t think there's bigger game, by the way Bowger is actin’, Hope we ain't goin’ to tackle the lion, b’mighty!” These words sent a thrill to every heart. On they pressed, silent but excited, and all who were armed with guns had their — weapons ready for instant use. “There is but one thing I dread,” said Bruce to Murray as they pressed forward shoulder to Shoulder, ‘‘and that is, that the rascal may kill my child rather than give her ‘‘ He will hardly dare to do that, Sam; he would know what the result would be. This mob would lynch him, sure.” “Tf he did not take his own life.” ‘Well, don’t look at the gloomy side of it, Bruce. I think it will come out all right; somehow I feel that it is going todo so. The dog is certainly on the track of somebody or somethiug.” ‘‘T dread the lion.” ‘«« Don’t think of it; time enough when we face it.” But, the showman was speaking more en- couragingly than he felt, a great deal, and the clown was not deceived. They were as silent as possible, but there was plenty of noise even so, there being so many of them, and when they were once in the woods they were ever on the alert lest _ the lion should leap out upon them un- seen. ‘Yes, that’s where he headed for,” said Taylor. him soon after.” ' “We ought to have lights,” suggested one fellow in the van, ' « He’s gone to Looker’s old cabin, and if we don’t find him there we'll overtake
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Jumping-Jack’s Jubilee. “Not till we need ’em,” said Taylor. “*TIt won’t do no harm to get some knots ready fer lightin’ as ye come along, though.” This was done, by some of the boys and men who had no gun to carry. So they pushed on and on, and at last those who knew the road gave notice that they were drawing near to the cabin. As, they came near, the crying of a child was heard, mingled with something that sounded very like groans, and Sam Bruce made a dash to run on in advance, . ‘*Keep back! keep back!” warned the owner of the dog. ‘‘I feel sure there’s big- ger game than human here, the way Bowger has been caperin’ up, and you might run into that lion’s jaws.” **But, my child, my child!” **She’s alive, as you kin hear. now. Boys, make lights!” They were almost to the cabin, and the crying and the moaning could be heard piainly. “Bess?” cried out Sam Bruce, Bess?” ‘*Papa! papa!” was the glad cry in re- sponse. ‘I knew you would come to Bes- sie, I knew you would!” Sam made another dash, but Taylor forced him back with an almost blow, at the same time ordering: “Keep back, I tell ye; keep back fer yer life! Don’t ye see the way Bowger is goin’ on? Yer child is safe, fer her voice comes from the loft, but V’ll bet that lion is in possession below,” ‘Then make haste! haste!” ‘“The man is right,” spoke up McHartley, the brave lion-tamer, who was one of the crowd, ‘It is all your life is worth to face that lion if it should happen to be there, We must wait a moment for lights, and then at sight of the lion, if it is here, .et every aman fire at once. “You can’t capture it, then?” asked “Murray, “Tt would never be safe, if we could, after this night’s work.” “*That’s so; you are right.” Meantime Bruce had called out to Baby Bess, telling her not to venture down from where she was till he got there. They had lights, presently, and moved forward, some of those who were armed with rifles going in the lead with Taylor. In a few seconds they were before the cabin. Several pine-knots were now ablaze, and the face of Baby Bess, white as death, could Keep cool, ** Baby For God’s sake make window of the cabin-loft. Riel _ There came another moan from the inside of the cabin, below, and immediately a deep- mouthed growl, «The lion!” was the awed whisper, : There was a thinning of the ranks instant- » Jy, and even some of those armed with rifles } dia not stand their ground. Charlie McHartley took one of tne torches, and holding it so that it blazed up brightly, hurled it into the cabin with force. The result was magical, ‘There was a roar calculated to make the gtoutest heart quake and out sprung the escaped lion, halting just a second before the door and glaring at the crowd; then . with another roar, it darted off into the woods, and not a single shot was fired at the _ CHAPTER XVII. CONFESSION AND CONCLUSION, “Wry the mischief didn’t you shoot?” cried Charlie McHartley. | The men looked foolish enough. Not a _ The sight of such big game had taken alt of the ‘‘shoot” out of them. ~ Never sbpusnt about it, : honestly declare < / one fellow be seen framed in the narrow, sashless | ‘man of them had thought about shooting. And that was the excuse, the only excuse they had to offer; they had*not thought about it. No sooner the lion out of the house, than the clown had snatched a torch from the hand of a boy near hint and sprung in to the rescue of his child, An exclamation was heard from him im- mediately, but he did not stop in the room below. He made his way to the loft at once, Taylor and nearly all who had rifles went on in pursuit of the lion, Charlie McHartley with them, The rest surged forward into the cabin without delay. A terrible sight met their gaze. On the floor lay the mangled body of Hunt- er, and in a corner sat Old Wit, the bummer, himself badly wounded. ‘*er goodness’ sake save me!” he cried, ‘Don’t let that beast git in here again, or I’m done up. But, has it gone? Is it safe now? I guess I’m done for, though, just the same.” “Yes, you rascal, I guess you are, and it serves you right,” cried Murray, with no showing of pity in his tone. Sam Bruce came down the ladder with his child hugged to his breast. ‘* Thank God, I have found her alive and | another last name, to unharmed!” he said fervently. Then for the first time he beheld the body of Hunter. He had seen only Old Wit inthe corner, before. ‘* Ha! I can feel no pity for him,” he said, ‘The hand of Providence was in it that my child should escape as she did. But, that fellow—he shall tell what he knows!” Murray had knelt to learn how badly the man was hurt, : ‘Yes, he must tell what he knows,” he de- clared. ‘‘There is no hope for you, my man, and if you expect any mercy in the Be- yond, you had better make a clean breast of everythirg before you go over. We know you hold a secret that concerns the lives of some worthy persons in this town.” **T’'ll tell what I know on one condition.” ‘* What’s that?” ‘ ‘*That you'll let me off, incase I git over this.” Murray looked at Bruce, i You can safely promise it,” he respond- ed, ‘* Yes, you can go free, if you get over the effect of your hurt,” the clown gave his promise, ‘‘ That is, so far as I am concern- ed. ‘* But that don’t speak of Al. Cooper.” ‘* No, it does not.” ‘Tl must have his promise, too, or I won’t speak,” ‘Then haste must be made,” said Murray. ‘« This is almost as good as his story, in the way of proof, but we must have the story, if possible.” “Tl tell it, if Al. Cooper will promise,” moaned tbe old wreck. They set to work in haste, and improvised two stretchers, on one of which the body of Hunter was laid out, and on the other Old Wit. This having been done, willing hands took them up and bore them back in the direction of the town, where they/arrived in due sea- son, und where the body of Hunter was turn- ed over to the proper authorities. During this time Jumping-Jack was not idle, and. Murray now turned to him and bade him lead the way to the house to which the farmer, Cooper, had taken the mother of Baby Bess. Saok was to the front penne ey and led the way, a considerable crowd of interested persons following, and ere long they reached the place. ; There Mlle. Lucie was anxiously gh | news of her child, and when Sam entere with Bess in his arms she gave a cry of de- | light and caught the little one to her breast. ——— — a Se a a a And, as soon as permitted, Mrs. Cooper did the same. : The old bummer was carried in, stretcher and all, and laid down in the wide hallway. Albert Cooper was told of the proposition he had made,and all atremble he readily agreed to it. He felt what was coming. In fact, the way had been paved so gradually and yet so well that the news could scarcely be a shock to them, and yet, proof was needed to confirm what they sus- pected, . ‘*Seems to me the promise ain’t no use now,” muttered the bummer, ‘“ fer. I reckon I’m sent fer.” ‘«'There’s a bare chance that you may get well, though,” urged Bruce. “Tf I thought it was all up with me, I swear I’d never open my lips about it, never in the world!” He was encouraged, however, and, de- luded with the hope that he might get well, ind so, for his own protection in case he did, he proceeded with his story. Needless to say he had an attentive audience. ‘1 own it now, Al. Cooper,” he declared. I’m the man what stole your kid, and there she is, now known as Mademoiselle Lucie. Ye see, her name was never changed—that is to say, her first name, but I did give her ide her ’dentity.” The mother and daughter had sprung into each other's arms. \ ‘‘No wonder Baby Bess looks like I used to!” cried Lucy. ‘“And no wonder my heart warmed to you,” responded the mother, ‘Yes, it’s so,” confirmed Old Wit. ‘‘I hated you, Al. Cooper, and I wanted to get even with Mary fer jiltin’ me; so I planned to steal your baby. I was with Cook an’ Tucker's show, when it came here, seven- teen years ago, an’ was known as Pop Tur- ner, If you remember, it wasa few days after the show was here that Lucy was miss- in’, Well, I kem back an’ stole her, an’ we spent the first night in that old cabin where we went to-night. Then I took her on, lit- tle by little, till we overtook the show, an’ there I told a reasonable story an’ she was tuken care of by Lucey Long, an’ when she died I swore she was your mammy, Made- moiselle Lucie.” ‘““Yes, yes, 1 know you’ did; I never be- lieved it fully.” ‘ ‘And that’s the long an’ short of it,” avowed the rascal. ‘* Lucy took to ridin’ an’ soon made a name; but finally I got the bounce out of the company an’ we drifted apart, an’ fer years I never heard nothin’ of the gal, au’ could hardly believe my eyes when I seen her here to-day. That’s the story, an’ it’s God’s truth, I swear!” It wasa story that scarcely needed the proving, and yet it was easily verified. The old bummer died before the morning. — It was a joyful reunion, needless to say. Mrs. Cooper and her daughter were drawn together in warm affection, but to the former Baby Bess was more like the child she bad lost, and to the Rose of the Ring her warm- est love went forth, ‘ As for the old farmer, he could scarcely speak, but sat and wiped the tears of jo from his eyes as fast as they blinded his vi- sion, and he was kept at work in that manner pretty constantly. After so many years, the void in his honest heart was filled at last, Murray had found it necessary to with- draw, to attend to his duties; and the family group was left in privacy, save for the pres ence of Jumping-Jack and the family of the house. ey A happy hour was spent, in which it was — almost forgotten that Sam Bruce was still — in his clown’s attire. v : Baby Bess was loft in the keeping of her grand-parents, until the show season should close, and the time was then near at hand, | 16 2
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1 areaeecnenare se Say paras Jumping-Jack’s Jubilee. "” Ide thy “Ns ' SCP ay «5 Sam Bruce and his wife felt bound to keep their engagements to the end, but. it was to be their Jast season on the road. They had now means ample, and had decided to buy and settle near Warrenton. As for Jumping Jack, he went with Mur- ray, and at last accounts was one of the very best tumblers and all-around players to be found in the sawdust arena. He could have had a home for all time with Bruce, but he still had circus on the brain, he declared, and could pot give up such a chance, As for the rascals, Taggard and Mulvern, they were punished as they deserved, and so would have been Bruce’s younger brother, had he not killed himself to escape This younger brother had hired these two men to come to America and find and kill Sam, in order that he, the younger, might come into the estate. And, it was a scheme that might have succeeded had it not been for Jumping-Jack. The lion was found by the men who had gone on in quest of it, on that memorable night, and was killed before it could do any further harm to any one. It was one of the biggest and fiercest of its race that had ever been taken captive, and its skin was madea present to the owner of the bloodhound. THE END. Next Haur-Dime Lrerary, No. 901! DIAMOND DAVE, THE GILT-EDGE SHOOTER; OR, Daddy Grimes’ Deadly Grip, BY WM. R. EYSTER, A straight-from-the-shoulder good thing! Diamond Dave is a diamond of bright fellows—not only a “‘ gilt-edge shooter ’ with a record—a sport with fair fame—but something far-more: The Hero of a Big Racket! that calls for the nerve and intelligence and iutegri- ty of the man to-tie-to. Pitted by a strange coin- cidence against the skilled and dangerous Captain Curse, the outlaw who never failed, the young sport . ¥ Does and Dares So Much! that the story of it allis mighty lively reading,’ So be sure that you are ‘‘init” yourself with the author who has never yet produced a romance that his audience didn't cry ** Encore!” -Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY J, ©. COWDRIOK, ; Broadway Billy Novela, 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo, 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Clearing a Strange Case, 5836 Broadway Billy’s ‘ Diiikilty.” 557 Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. a Y Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party, 05 Broadway Billys or, lhe Boy Detective’s Big Inning, 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Acts or, The League of Seven, 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco. 675 Broadway Billy’s Keats or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. 687 Broadway Billy in Clover. | 696 Broadway Billy tn Texas; or, The River Rustlers, 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. Til Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal, Business, Ss. 14 proegway Billy’« Bull Wands or, The Gamin Detective, — 8 Broadway Billy’s 8 Broadway RBilly’s Curlous Case. 58 Broadway Billy in Denver, et 4 Broadway ° Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective, 5 Broadway Billy's Shadow Chase, 38 Broadway Billy's Beagles; aie Trio’s Quest, 86 omd wiry mis Teamy or, The Combine’s Big Pal. 790 Broadway Billy's Brigade; or, The Dead Alive. | Reo Sroadway Rill’ Guess eantes, tus ay \ 00 Broadway Billy Hemet: : 7 805 Broadway RBilly’s Signal Scoop. 810 Broadway Rilly’s pe Out. $15 Broadway Billy’« Bank Racket... S821 Broadway Billy's Blu peb 826 Brondway Billy Amon Jersey Thugs, 8 Broadway RBilly’« aid. 889 Broadway Billy’s Big Boom. Bis Heeger BES : nap. 556 Way Billys Blinds on The Bestblack Stowaway. S62 way ly In London. ; SAS bind oe ane vite ioadon Slums. neh Game. way Buy ‘and the Bomb-Throwers, | 845 Deadwood Dick, Billy’s Bargains or, The Three Detectiv | 604 Tron Ferny the Man of Fire: or, Among the Vultures, | 682 Wild Vu leans the Lone-Ran 820 36 8 toke’ ble Dea | BES Bhorkes Hebi Ne eee ; 866 Spotter Pere net Racket. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels, 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, 20 Deadwood Dick’s Deflance; or, Double Daggers. $2 Bengeses Bick te Rirtaahe mo 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oll. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards ot Flood Bar, 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or. Calamity 4 ne, the Heroine 100 |e, batt er 6 eit or, Corduroy Charlie. adwo ck in Leadville, 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick a« Detective. 129 Dendwoed Dick’« Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. tab Besiused Bic spueceeind s Neomure, e our ck o «» in eadw ood, 491 Deadwood Dick, Sos, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s. Inheritance, oot ng bedotoar| ore’ be + ings. endwoo . 7a, Deliverance, 5615 Deadwood Dilek, Sr. Protegee. 622 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Three. 5629 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducka 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Death Hunt, ie enticed Bick: $s fe SEE yaw wk iy e 5649 Deadwooa Diek, Sr. on Hia Mettle. 5654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, Ba Bendscd Bice gr te at G58 Desdwond: Bick: rit awcecomee ead w ek. Jr. ont, 584 Dendwooa Dick, Ur.» in Denver, 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Decree, 595 Deadwood Dick Jr., In Beelzebub’s Basin, ats Baxtoeed pee: Seu beara woo ck, Jr.'s, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr.y in Wetroit. 618 Dendwood Dick, Jr., in Cineinnatl G80 Pendwood Dicks BF, In No Monts Lond end woo ek, Jr., In No Man’s Land, a8 Bendwood Bick: 360 ty Waatalot end wo ok. Jr.» In Buffalo. 648 Deadwood Dick, J rm, Chase Reress the Continent 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. 868 Deadwood Wek, Ser Back in the Min endwoo ck, drs, Back in the en. 672 Deadwood Dek, ie tu Purangots or, Gathered In.” 678 say bebe stake ¢ he iivcovarys or, Found a Fortune, endwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dazzle. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«. Dollars, 695 Deadwood Dick. Jr., at Danger Divide. $3 Besdveea Bik, FE aD Seth roe eadwo e r., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick’ Jr., In San Francisco. 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Still Hunt. £38 Besduced fice desk Boatace™ endwoo ek Pe 84 Deadwood Dick. Jr's, Double Deal. Fd ware bl ae Biel si | ns oa endwood Bick, Jr.’ Doublet. 7Tb2 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Deathblow. THR Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Desperate Strait, fed Beadweed Bit Hee bien 0 Deadwo ek, Jr.’ eat, 76 Deadwood Dick, Tr. Resurrection, sae lo api Jr.’ pert Days, eadwood q r.» Defied. 792 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4, Double Deytce. 79T Deadwood Dick, Jr’.#, Pesperate Venture.) 802 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Diamond Dice, 807 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Royal Flush, 812 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Head-of ~ 816 Deadwood Dick, dr.’«, Rival. 422 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’*, Boom. 828 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s. Scoop. 884 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’*, Proxy. 840 Dendwood Dick, oa Clutch, r,s, orac. 852 Deadwood Dick’ Jr., at Deville Gulch. 858 Deadwood Dick, J ria; Death iole Hustle. STO Deadwood Dick, Jr, In Mexleo.” endwoo e r., In Mexteo, 876 Deadwood Dick, Irs, Decoy Duck. 882 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Silver Pocket. xz BY WM. G. PATTEN, 44 Violet Vane’s V a ‘Nolet Vane, the Ventril ? : Vane, the Vanquished. or, The Life Strugg'e, 768% Violet Vuane’a d e Boy Tramp Detective: or, The Doubie Grip Witness Dlemat Daven pan Pard; or, The Clas to Chpte Claw ; Roy Franks the Youn Amateur Detective ange Rider, d Misery the Man from Missouri. Nobby ab the Tenderfoot Detective, » ss BY COLONEL DELLE SARA, | 08 The of the Seng or, The Vailed Lady. 6 Cool Womscers. on The Gambler's Big Gat. N 5 545 BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 889 New York Nat’s Deadly Deal, 888 New York Nat’s Crook-Chase. S77 New York Nat’s Trump Card. S7i New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls, 865 New York Nat’« Masked Mascot, 859 New York Nat, the Gumin Detective, 858 Dick Doom’s Kidnapper Knock-Out, $47 Dick Doom’s Ten Strike. 842 Dick Doom’s Flush Hand. 772 Dick Doom’s Death-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny. T7277 Dick Doom’« Deatiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror. 784 Dick Dooms;’ or, The Sharps and Sharks of New York, 788 Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks. 798 Dick Deom tn Chicago. 798 Dick Doom in the Wild Weat. 808 Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep; or, Five Links in a Clue, 808 Dick Doom’s Death Clue. S18 Dick Doom’s Dinmond Deal. 819 Dick Doom’s Girl Mascot. 829 Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. 885 Dick Doom’s Big Haul. 749 Dashing Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trali. 756 Dashing Charlle’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive. 760 Dashing Charlie’ Pawnee Pard, 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer, 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 787 Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s verre. 748 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande, 560 Pawnee Bil, the Prairie Shadower. 718 Pawnee Bill; or, Carl, the Mad Cowboy. 719 Pawnee Bills Pledge; or, The Cowboy's Doom. 725 Pawnee Bill; or, Daring Dick, 692 Redfern’s Curious Case; or, The Rival Sharps. 697 Redfern at Devil’s Reuse The Sharp from Texas, TO2 Redfern’s Wigh Mand; or, Blue Jacket. 707 Redfern’s Last Trails or, The Red Sombrero Rangers. 668 Red Ralph’s Ruse; or, The Buccaneer Miashipman, 674 Red Ralph’s Bold Game; or, The Wizard Satlor, 679 Red Ralph, the Shadower; or, The Freebooter’s Legacy. 644 Butterfly Billy’s Disguise. ‘ 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Express Rider. 656 Butterfly Billy’« Man Hunt. 662 Lutterfly Billy’s Bonanza. 5665 Kent Kingdon; or, Whe Owls of the Overland, 570 Kent Kingdon’s Shadower 3 or, the Card Queen, 575 Kent Kingdon’s Buel; er, The Surgeon Scout, 86 Kent Kingdon’s Doom or, The Buckskin Avenger. Lafitte Run Dow nj or, The Buc aneers of Barrataria, 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son. 555 Lafitte’a Confessions or, The Creole Corsair. 5620 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow, 525 The Buckskin Brothers in Texas, 580 The Buckskin Bowers} or. The Cowbuy Pirates. 585 The Buckskin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugitive. 640 The Buckskin Parda’ Quest; or, Captain Ku-Klux, 508 The Royal Middy 3 or, The Shark and tne Son Cat. 507 The Royal Middy’s Luck ; or, The Huntea Midshipman, 611 The Royal Middy’s Foe. 450 Wizard Will: or, The Boy Ferret ot New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. 474 Wizard WILI’s Pard} or, Flora, the Flower Girl. 488 Wizard WILI’s Laat Case; or, The Ferrets Afloat. 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 Duncan Dare’s Plot; or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck. 487 Duncan Dare’s Prizes or, The Sea Raider. 441 Duncan Dare’s Secret; or, The Ocean Firefly. 402 Iaodor, the Young Conspirator; of, Tho Fatal League, 407 Isodor’s Double Chase; or, The Boy Insurgent. 412 Isodor’s War-Cloud Crutse; or, The Wild Yachteman. - 216 Bison Bll, the Prince ot the Reina, 222 Bisouw Bills Clue; or, Grit, the Bravo Sport, 804 Dead Shot Dandy’s Dilemma, ; 808 Dead Shot Dandy’ Double; or, Keno Kit, 814 Dead Khot Dandy’s Detiances or, The Boy Bugler. 607 Dead Bhot Dandy’s Chicf; or, The River Detective, Merle Monte’s Leap for Life. 250 Merle Monte’s Mutiny: or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 Merle Monte’s Treasure Island. 260 Merle Monte the Condemned. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, “The Gold Ship ” Chase, 280 Merle Monte’« Fate; or, The Pirate’s Pride. « Merle Monte’s Pledge: or, The Sea Marauder. 07 The Kid Glove Sport; or. Little Grit, the Wild Rider, 204 The Kid Glove Sport’s Doom; or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider. ; 885 Dead-Shot Ralph's Ten-Strike. 867 Dead Shot Kalph’s Drop. . 878 Deck-Hawk Roy’s Big Scoop. S25 Marlo, the Cowboy Coaster, 781 Ruth Redmond, the Gir) Shadower, 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flags 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout, 602 The Vagabond ofthe Mines. 597 The Texan Detective; or, The Black Bravos. 591 Delmonte, the Young 5680 The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detective, 495 Arizona Joe or, The Boy Pard of Texas Jack, A487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 468 Neptune Ned, the Koy Coaster; or, Pirate in Spite. 462 The Railor Boy Wanderer? or, The Born Guide. 446 Hap ard Harry ¢ or, The Sea Scapegrace. 898 The Red Clasped Hands; or, The Boy Lieutenant. 887 Warpath Will. the Traitor Guide. 8 The Pilot 3 or, The Search for Pirate Island. B77 Bonodel, the Buy Rover} or, The Flagless Schooner. 2R7T Willy Blue-Eyes, of the Kio Grande. 287 Lone &tar, the Cowboy Me sep 229 Orimson Kate, the Girl Truiler; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 116 The Hussar Captain: or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. : 111 The Rea-Wevil ; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Smugyier , or, The Cruise of the Vixen. 75 The Boy Duellst; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants. i 24 Dinmond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, , Z Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer} or, The Fugitive Yacht, 7 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast, ; 891 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dend-Sure Game; or, Pistol Polly of Nuggetville, “By E. L. Wheeler. 892 Bowery Ben in Chinatown; or, sum Ling, the East — Side Sport. By Harold Payne, 4 898 Farrel Fox’s Sweep-Stakes; or. The Boss Counter-_ feiter’s Round-up. By Dan Dunning. : 894 Arizona Dick’s W ipe-Out; or, Dare Devil Dave’s Death By J. C. Cowdrick, Trap. 895 Fifth Avenue Fred, the Valet Detective; or, A Corner in Rogu.s. By Jo Pierce, £ , ie 896 New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp; or, The Wild AlleAround Sport. By Col. P. Ingraham. , 897 Davy Doon’s Big Rounce; or, Nickel Nell, the Boy Spotter’s Mascot. By T. C. Harbaugh. i 898 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Drive; or, The Rival. Mayors of Hardecrabble. By Edward L. Wheeler. ; 899 Basement Bert, the Boy Cobbler Detective. By Jo Pierce. 900 Jumping Jack’s Jubilee; or, The Circus Queen's. Shadower. By J.C. Cowdrick. — ; 901 Diamond ‘Daye; the Gilt-Edge Shooter; or, Daddy - Grimes’ Deadly Grip.", By Wm. R. Eyster. A New lasue Every Tuesday- The “Dime Lib: fa f all newsdealers, ») Bat 8 yo or ry hd mail on peBed dln whic in each, on ‘BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, ’ A ‘if hi 20 Ns 4 Sea-Rover; or, The Avenging Sailor., _ LATEST AND NEWISSUES. nae