The Circus Boys Across The Continent(穿越大陆的马戏团男孩)
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2024-12-26
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The Circus Boys Across The Continent (Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark)
1
The Circus Boys Across
The Continent
(Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark)
Edgar B. P. Darlington
The Circus Boys Across The Continent (Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark)
2
CHAPTER I
THE BOYS HEAR GOOD NEWS
"You never can guess it--you never can guess the news, Teddy," cried
Phil Forrest, rushing into the gymnasium, his face flushed with
excitement.
Teddy Tucker, clad in a pair of linen working trunks and a ragged,
sleeveless shirt, both garments much the worse for their winter's wear, was
lazily swinging a pair of Indian clubs.
"What is it, some kind of riddle, Phil?" he questioned, bringing the
clubs down to his sides.
"Do be serious for a minute, won't you?"
"Me, serious? Why, I never cracked a smile. Isn't anything to smile
at. Besides, do you know, since I've been in the circus business, every
time I want to laugh I check myself so suddenly that it hurts?"
"How's that?"
"Because I think I've still got my makeup on and that I'll crack it if I
laugh."
"What, your face?"
"My face? No! My makeup. By the time I remember that I
haven't any makeup on I've usually forgotten what it was I wanted to laugh
about. Then I don't laugh."
Teddy shied an Indian club at a rat that was scurrying across the far
end of their gymnasium, missing him by half the width of the building.
"If you don't care, of course I shan't tell you. But it's good news,
Teddy. You would say so if you knew it."
"What news? Haven't heard anything that sounds like news," his
eyes fixed on the hole into which the rat had disappeared.
"You can't guess where we are going this summer?"
"Going? Don't have to guess. I know," answered the lad with an
emphasizing nod.
"Where do you think?"
"We're going out with the Great Sparling Combined Shows, of course.
The Circus Boys Across The Continent (Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark)
3
Didn't we sign out for the season before we closed with the show last
fall?"
"Yes, yes; but where?" urged Phil, showing him the letter he had just
brought from the post office. "You couldn't guess if you tried."
"No. Never was a good guesser. That letter from Mr. Sparling?" he
questioned, as his eyes caught the familiar red and gold heading used by
the owner of the show.
"Yes."
"What's he want?"
"You know I wrote to him asking that we be allowed to skip the
rehearsals before the show starts out, so that we could stay here and take
our school examinations?"
Teddy nodded.
"I'd rather join the show," he grumbled.
"Never did see anything about school to go crazy over."
"You'll thank me someday for keeping you at it," said Phil. "See how
well you have done this winter with your school work. I'm proud of you.
Why, Teddy, there are lots of the boys a long way behind you. They can't
say circus boys don't know anything just because they perform in a circus
ring."
"H-m-m-m!" mused Teddy. "You haven't told me yet where we are
going this summer. What's the route?"
"Mr. Sparling says that, as we are going to continue our last year's acts
this season, there will be no necessity for rehearsals."
The announcement did not appear to have filled Teddy Tucker with
joy.
"We do the flying rings again, then?"
"Yes. And we shall be able to give a performance that will surprise
Mr. Sparling. Our winter's practicing has done a lot for us, as has our
winter at school."
"Oh, I don't know."
"You probably will ride the educated mule again, while I expect to ride
the elephant Emperor in the grand entry, as I did before. I'll be glad to get
under the big top again, with the noise and the people, the music of the
The Circus Boys Across The Continent (Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark)
4
band and all that. Won't you, Teddy?" questioned Phil, his eyes glowing
at the picture he had drawn.
Teddy heaved a deep sigh.
"Quit it!"
"Why?"
" 'Cause you make me think I'm there now."
Phil laughed softly.
"I can see myself riding the educated mule this very minute, kicking
up the dust of the ring, making everybody get out of the way, and--"
"And falling off," laughed Phil. "You certainly are the most finished
artist in the show when it comes to getting into trouble."
"Yes; I seem to keep things going," grinned the lad.
"But I haven't told you all that Mr. Sparling says in the letter."
"What else does he say?"
"That the show is to start from its winter quarters, just outside of
Germantown, Pennsylvania, on April twenty-second--"
"Let's see; just two weeks from today," nodded Teddy.
"Yes."
"I wish it was today."
"He says we are to report on the twenty-first, as the show leaves early
in the evening."
"Where do we show first?"
"Atlantic City. Then we take in the Jersey Coast towns--"
"Do we go to New York?"
"New York? Oh, no! The show isn't big enough for New York quite
yet, even if it is a railroad show now. We've got to grow some before that.
Mighty few shows are large enough to warrant taking them into the big
city."
"How do you know?"
"All the show people say that."
"Pshaw! I'd sure make a hit in New York with the mule."
"Time enough for that later. You and I will yet perform in Madison
Square Garden. Just put that down on your route card, Teddy Tucker."
"Humph! If we don't break our necks before that! Where did you
The Circus Boys Across The Continent (Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark)
5
say we were--"
"After leaving New Jersey, we are to play through New York State,
taking in the big as well as the small towns, and from Buffalo heading
straight west. Mr. Sparling writes that we are going across the
continent."
"What?"
"Says he's going to make the Sparling Shows known from the Atlantic
to the Pacific--"
"Across the continent!" exclaimed Teddy unbelievingly. "No; you're
fooling."
"Yes; clear to the Pacific Coast. We're going to San Francisco, too.
What do you think of that, Teddy?"
"Great! Wow! Whoop!" howled the boy, hurling his remaining
Indian Club far up among the rafters of the gymnasium, whence it came
clattering down, both lads laughing gleefully.
"We're going to see the country this time, and we shan't have to sleep
out in an open canvas wagon, either."
"Where shall we sleep?"
"Probably in a car."
"It won't be half so much fun," objected Teddy.
"I imagine the life will be different. Perhaps we shall not have so
much fun, but we'll have the satisfaction of knowing that we are part of a
real show. It will mean a lot to us to be with an organization like that.
It will give us a better standing in the profession, and possibly by another
season we may be able to get with one of the really big ones. Next
spring, if we have good luck, we shall have finished with our school here.
If they'll have us, we'll try to join out with one of them. In the meantime
we must work hard, Teddy, so we shall be in fine shape when we join out
two weeks from today. Come on; I'll wrestle you a few falls."
"Done," exclaimed Teddy.
Phil promptly threw off his coat and vest. A few minutes later the
lads were struggling on the wrestling mat, their faces dripping with
perspiration, their supple young figures twisting and turning as each
struggled for the mastery of the other.
The Circus Boys Across The Continent (Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark)
6
The readers of the preceding volume in this series, entitled, THE
CIRCUS BOYS ON THE FLYING RINGS, will recognize Phil and Teddy
at once as the lads who had so unexpectedly joined the Sparling Combined
Shows the previous summer. It was Phil who, by his ready
resourcefulness, saved the life of the wife of the owner of the show as well
as that of an animal trainer later on. Then, too, it will be remembered
how the lad became the fast friend of the great elephant Emperor, which
he rescued from "jail," and with which he performed in the ring to the
delight of thousands. Ere the close of the season both boys had won their
way to the flying rings, thus becoming full-fledged circus performers.
Before leaving the show they had signed out for another season at a liberal
salary.
With their savings, which amounted to a few hundred dollars, the boys
had returned to their home at Edmeston, there to put in the winter at
school.
That they might lose nothing of their fine physical condition, the
Circus Boys had rented an old carpenter shop, which they rigged up as a
gymnasium, fitting it with flying rings, trapeze bars and such other
equipment as would serve to keep them in trim for the coming season's
work.
Here Phil and Teddy had worked long hours after school. During the
winter they had gained marked improvement in their work, besides
developing some entirely new acts on the flying rings. During this time
they had been living with Mrs. Cahill, who, it will be remembered, had
proved herself a real friend to the motherless boys.
Now, the long-looked-for day was almost at hand when they should
once more join the canvas city for a life in the open.
The next two weeks were busy ones for the lads, with their practice
and the hard study incident to approaching examinations. Both boys
passed with high standing. Books were put away, gymnasium apparatus
stored and one sunlit morning two slender, manly looking young fellows,
their faces reflecting perfect health and happiness, were at the railroad
station waiting for the train which should bear them to the winter quarters
of the show.
The Circus Boys Across The Continent (Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark)
7
Fully half the town had gathered to see them off, for Edmeston was
justly proud of its Circus Boys. As the train finally drew up and the lads
clambered aboard, their school companions set up a mighty shout, with
three cheers for the Circus Boys.
"Don't stick your head in the lion's mouth, Teddy!" was the parting
salute Phil and Teddy received from the boys as the train drew out.
"Well, Teddy, we're headed for the Golden Gate at last!" glowed Phil.
"You bet!" agreed Teddy with more force than elegance.
"I wonder if old Emperor will remember me, Teddy?"
"Sure thing! But, do you think that 'fool mule,' as Mr. Sparling calls
him, will remember me? Or will he want to kick me full of holes before
the season has really opened?"
"I shouldn't place too much dependence on a mule," laughed Phil.
"Come on; let's go inside and sit down."
The Circus Boys Across The Continent (Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark)
8
CHAPTER II
ON THE ROAD ONCE MORE
All was bustle and excitement.
Men were rushing here and there, shouting out hoarse commands.
Elephants were trumpeting shrilly, horses neighing; while, from many a
canvas-wrapped wagon savage beasts of the jungle were emitting roar
upon roar, all voicing their angry protest at being removed from the winter
quarters where they had been at rest for the past six months.
The Great Sparling Combined Shows were moving out for their long
summer's journey. The long trains were being rapidly loaded when Phil
Forrest and Teddy Tucker arrived on the scene late in the afternoon.
It was all new and strange to them, unused as they were to the ways of
a railroad show. Their baggage had been sent on ahead of them, so they
did not have that to bother with. Each carried a suitcase, however, and
the boys were now trying to find someone in authority to ask where they
should go and what they should do.
"Hello, Phil, old boy!" howled a familiar voice.
"Who's that?" demanded Teddy.
"Why, it's Rod Palmer, our working mate on the rings!" cried Phil,
dropping his bag and darting across the tracks, where he had espied a
shock of very red hair that he knew could belong only to Rodney Palmer.
Teddy strolled over with rather more dignity.
"Howdy?" he greeted just as Phil and the red-haired boy were
wringing each other's hands. "Anybody'd think you two were long lost
brothers."
"We are, aren't we, Rod?" glowed Phil.
"And we have been, ever since you boys showed me the brook where I
could wash my face back in that tank town where you two lived. That was
last summer. Seems like it was yesterday."
"Yes, and we work together again, I hear? I'm glad of that. I guess
you've been doing something this winter," decided Rodney, after a critical
survey of the lads. "You sure are both in fine condition. Quite a little
The Circus Boys Across The Continent (Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark)
9
lighter than you were last season, aren't you, Phil?"
"No; I weigh ten pounds more."
"Then you must be mighty hard."
"Hard as a keg of nails, but I hope not quite so stiff," laughed Phil.
"What you been working at?"
"Rings, mostly. We've done some practicing on the trapeze. What did
you do all winter?"
"Me? Oh, I joined a team that was playing vaudeville houses. I was
the second man in a ring act. Made good money and saved most of it.
Why didn't you join out for the vaudeville?"
"We spent our winter at school," answered Phil.
"That's a good stunt at that. In the tank town, I suppose?" grinned the
red-haired boy.
"You might call it that, but it's a pretty good town, just the same,"
replied Phil. "I saw many worse ones while we were out last season."
"And you'll see a lot more this season. Wait till we get to playing
some of those way-back western towns. I was out there with a show
once, and I know what I'm talking about. Where are you berthed?"
"I don't know," answered Phil. "Where are you?"
"Car number fourteen. Haven't seen the old man, then?"
"Mr. Sparling? No. And I want to see him at once. Where shall I
find him?"
"He was here half an hour ago. Maybe he's in his office."
"Where is that?"
"Private car number one. Yes; the old man has his own elegant car
this season. He's living high, I tell you. No more sleeping out in an old
wagon that has no springs. It will be great to get into a real bed every
night, won't it?"
Teddy shook his head doubtfully.
"I don't know 'bout that."
"I should think it would be pretty warm on a hot night," nodded Phil.
"And what about the rainy nights?" laughed Rodney. "Taking it
altogether, I guess I'll take the Pullman for mine--"
"There goes Mr. Sparling now," interjected Teddy.
The Circus Boys Across The Continent (Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark)
10
"Where?"
"Just climbing aboard a car. See him?"
"That's number one," advised Rodney. "Better skip, if you want to
catch him. He's hard to land today. There's a lot for him to look after."
"Yes; come on, Teddy. Get your grip," said Phil, hurrying over to
where he had dropped his suitcase.
"But it's going to be a great show," called Rodney.
"Especially the flying-ring act," laughed Phil.
A few minutes later both boys climbed aboard the private car, and,
leaving their bags on the platform, pushed open the door and entered.
Mr. Sparling was seated at a roll-top desk in an office-like
compartment, frowning over some document that he held in his hand.
The boys waited until he should look up. He did so suddenly, peering
at them from beneath his heavy eyebrows. Phil was not sure, from the
showman's expression, whether he had recognized them or not. Mr.
Sparling answered this question almost at once.
"How are you, Forrest? Well, Tucker, I suppose you've come back
primed to put my whole show to the bad, eh?"
"Maybe," answered Teddy carelessly.
"Oh, maybe, eh? So that's the way the flag's blowing, is it? Well, you
let me catch you doing it and--stand up here, you two, and let me look at
you."
He gazed long and searchingly at the Circus Boys, noting every line of
their slender, shapely figures.
"You'll do," he growled.
"Yes, sir," answered Phil, smiling.
"Shake hands."
Mr. Sparling thrust out both hands toward them with almost
disconcerting suddenness.
"Ouch!" howled Teddy, writhing under the grip the showman gave him,
but if Phil got a pressure of equal force he made no sign.
"Where's your baggage?"
"We sent our trunks on yesterday. I presume they are here
somewhere, sir."
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