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insisted that she shake the trunk of Emperor before he left the lawn。 And
now that she had seen the afternoon show； taking a motherly pride in the
performance of her boys； as she proudly called them； the kindhearted
woman sat down to a meal in the cook tent； which proved one of the most
interesting experiences of her life。
As the hour for the evening performance approached there was an
unusual bustle in the dressing tent。 By this time the whole show had
taken a keen interest in the affairs of the Circus Boys； who had been
known to the performersat least； to most of themfor the past two years。
Teddy had paid sundry mysterious visits to the horse tent； and held
numerous confidential conversations with the equestrian director； all of
which was supposed to have been unknown to Mr。 Sparling； the owner of
the show。
But； while Teddy was nursing his secret； Mr。 Sparling also was
keeping one of his own； one which was to be a great surprise to the two
Circus Boys。
The first surprise was given when the clowns came out for their first
entry。 Lining up in front of the reserved seats； where the high school
boys and girls sat； they sang a song in which they brought in the names of
every member of Phil's class。 This elicited roars of laughter from the
spectators； while the school boys and girls waved their crimson and white
class flags wildly。
The whole class was there as the guests of the management of the
show。 This was one of Mr。 Sparling's surprises； but not the only one he
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The Circus Boys In Dixie Land （Or Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South）
was to give them that night。
Next came the leaping act； somersaulting from a springboard and in
the end jumping over the herd of elephants。 Teddy was so effectively
disguised by his clown makeup that； for some time； the class did not
recognize him。 When finally they did； through some familiar gesture of
his own； the boys and girls set up a perfect howl of delight in which the
audience joined with enthusiastic applause； for Teddy； with all his clumsy
ways； was one of the best tumblers in the show。 He had developed
marvelously since the close of the show the fall before。
Never had Teddy tumbled as he did that night。 He took so many
chances that Mr。 Sparling； who was on the side lines； shouted a word of
caution to him。
〃You'll break your neck； if you're not careful。〃
In answer to the warning； Teddy took a long running start and did a
double turn in the air； over the backs of the elephants； landing plump into
the waiting arms of a bevy of painted clowns； the spectators evincing their
appreciation by shouting out Teddy's name。
Teddy's chest swelled with pride as he waved his hand and shook his
head as if to say： 〃Oh； that's nothing！ You ought to see me when I'm
really working。〃
The band played on and the show moved along with a merry medley
of daring deeds and furious fun from the clowns。
At last； in response to the command of the ringmaster's whistle； the
band ceased playing and silence fell over the tent as the ringmaster raised
his hand for silence。
〃Ladies and gentlemen；〃 he said。 〃The next act will be a bareback
riding feat unexcelled in any show in the world。 In ring No。 1 the famous
equestrienne； Little Dimples； will entertain you with her Desperate； Daring
Dips of Death that defy imitation。 In ring No。 2 you will recognize a
fellow townsmana townsboy； I should say。 It will not be necessary for
me to mention his name。 Suffice it to say that； although he has been
riding for less than a year； he has already risen to the enviable position of
being one of the foremost bareback riders of the sawdust arena。 I think
that's all I have to say。 Your friends will do the rest。〃
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The Circus Boys In Dixie Land （Or Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South）
The ringmaster waved his hand to the band； which instantly blared
forth and to its music Phil Forrest tripped lightly down the concourse；
being obliged to go three…fourths of its length to get to the ring where he
was to perform。
His journey led him right past the grandstand seats where his admiring
school fellows were sitting； or rather standing。 As a matter of fact； every
one of them had risen to his feet by this time and was shouting out Phil's
name。
As he drew nearer they began to chant； keeping time with his footsteps
and the music of the band：
〃Phil； PhilPhillip F！ Rah； rah！ Siss…boom…ah！〃
The Circus Boy grinned happily and waved his whip at them as he
passed。
〃I hope I won't make a fool of myself；〃 he thought。
He had no intention of doing so。 He had a few tricks that he was
going to show his friends； and incidentally surprise Mr。 Sparling himself；
for Phil； who now owned his own ring horse； had been practicing in secret
all winter on the act that he was going to attempt for the first time in
public that evening。
Discarding his slippers and chalking the bottoms of his riding pumps；
Phil began his act by riding standing on the rump of his mount； to get his
equilibrium and his confidence at the same time。
Then the lad began throwing himself into his work； which increased in
speed as the moments passed； until his supple； slender body was flashing
here and there on the back of the handsome gray； causing the eyes of the
spectators fairly to ache in their efforts to keep track of him。
The people voiced their excitement by yells of approval and howls of
delight。
〃My； but that boy can ride！〃 muttered Mr。 Sparling； who had been
watching the act critically。 〃In fact； I should like to know what he cannot
do。 If he had to do so； he could run this show fully as well as can Iand
perhaps better at that；〃 added the showman； with a grin。
Now the band struck up the music for the concluding number of the
act。
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The Circus Boys In Dixie Land （Or Winning the Plaudits of the Sunny South）
〃I wonder wha