The Circus Boys Across The Continent | Page 3

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This Etext was prepared for Project Gutenberg by Greg Berckes

The Circus Boys Across The Continent Or Winning New Laurels on the Tanbark
by Edgar B. P. Darlington

CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I
The Boys Hear Good News II On The Road Once More III Phil to Rescue IV Renewing Old Acquaintances V Doing a Man's Work VI The Showman's Reward VII Trying The Culprit VIII Phil Makes a New Friend IX The Mule Distinguishes Himself X His First Bareback Lesson XI Summoned Before The Manager XII The Human Football XIII Ducked by an Elephant XIV In Dire Peril XV Emperor to The Rescue XVI An Unexpected Promotion XVII The Circus Boys Win New Laurels XVIII Doing a Double Somersault XIX Marooned in a Freight Car XX The Barnyard Circus XXI When The Crash Came XXII What Happened to a Pacemaker XXIII Searching The Train XXIV Conclusion

The Circus Boys Across the Continent
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. 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