Library / Literature & Fiction
The Circus Boys Across the Continent; Or, Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark
- Pages
- about 175
- Category
- Literature & Fiction
- Language
- English
- Reading time
- 3.2 h at 250 wpm
From the opening
"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.
"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?"
"Because I think I've still got my makeup on and that I'll crack
it if I laugh."
"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.
"Going? Don't have to guess. I know," answered the lad with an
emphasizing nod.
"We're going out with the Great Sparling Combined Shows,
of course. 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.
A short sample. Read the whole book
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