The Circus Boys in Dixie Land | Page 9

some of the gold with my
knife and found it was nothing but wood," grunted Teddy in a disgusted
tone.
"What is that band wagon trying to do?" demanded Phil suddenly.
"Guess they are going to turn around," said Teddy.
The six white horses attached to the band wagon slowly drew out of the
line just before reaching the Cahill home, and pointed toward the
roadside fence. The boys could not understand what the move meant.
An instant later the leaders straightened out and began moving along
the side of the road close to the fence.
They slowly drew up to the door yard, coming to a stop at the far end

of it.
"Wha--wha--" stammered Teddy.
"They are going to serenade us," cried Phil. "That's Mr. Sparling all
over. What do you think of that, Mrs. Cahill? You never were
serenaded by a circus band before, were you?"
"N-n-no," answered the widow, a little tremulously.
The band wagon drew up a few feet further, coming to a stop again just
to the left of the dooryard gate, so as not to interfere with the party's
view of the parade.
"There's Mr. Sparling," shouted Phil, as the owner in his handsome
carriage drawn by four black horses, came abreast of the yard.
Both boys sprang up and cheered him in their enthusiasm, to which the
showman responded by taking off his hat, while the band struck up
"Yankee Doodle."
It was a glorious moment for the Circus Boys, and they were even more
surprised and gratified by what followed a few moments later.
CHAPTER III
THE CIRCUS MAKES A CALL
While the band played, the clown wagon came to a halt and the whole
body of funny men sang a song in front of Mrs. Cahill's house, while
the widow and her two young guests applauded enthusiastically.
As the clown's wagon drew on, a horse ridden by a young woman was
seen dashing straight at the dooryard fence, which it took in a graceful
leap, causing the Widow Cahill to gasp her amazement. The rider was
none other than Little Dimples, the star bareback rider of the Sparling
Shows, who had chosen this way to pay homage to her young
associates and to Mrs. Cahill as well.

It was an unusual procedure in a circus parade, but though it had been
arranged by Mr. Sparling out of the kindness of his heart, he shrewdly
reasoned that it would make good business for the show as well. That
the people lined up along the street agreed with his reasoning was
evidenced by their shouts of applause.
"Mrs. Cahill, this is our very good friend, Mrs. Robinson, otherwise
known as Little Dimples," announced Phil proudly.
Mrs. Cahill bowed and smiled, not the least bit embarrassed.
"You haven't introduced my pony, Phil. The pony is part of little me,
you know."
"I beg pardon, Mrs. Cahill; let me introduce to you Mrs. Robinson's
pony, Cinders, who, though he cannot talk, comes pretty close to it,"
said Phil, with great dignity.
Cinders bowed and bowed, the bits rattling against his teeth until it
sounded to the little gathering as if he were trying to chatter his
pleasure at the introduction.
"Now, shake hands with Mrs. Cahill, Cinders," directed Little Dimples.
Cinders extended a hoof, which Mrs. Cahill touched gingerly. She was
not used to shaking hands with horses. Teddy and Phil, however, each
grasped the pony's extended foot, giving it a good shake, after which
Phil thrust a lump of sugar into the waiting lips of Cinders.
"Naughty boy!" chided Little Dimples, tapping the neck of her mount
with the little riding crop she carried. "You would spoil him in no time.
I must be going, now. I hope we shall see you at the show this
afternoon, Mrs. Cahill," smiled Dimples, her face breaking out into
dimples and smiles.
The widow nodded.
"This afternoon and tonight. She is going to dine with us under the

cook tent this afternoon," Phil informed the rider.
"That will be fine."
Dimples nodded, tossed her whip in the air and clucking to Cinders,
went bounding over the fence. A moment more and she had taken her
place in the line and was moving along with the procession, bowing
and smiling.
"That's what I call right fine," glowed Mrs. Cahill. "Did you say that
little thing was Mrs. Robinson?"
"Yes."
"Why, she looks like a young girl."
"That's what I thought when I first saw her. But she has a son as old as
I am."
"Land sakes!" wondered Mrs. Cahill. "You never can tell about these
circus folks, anyhow."
Phil laughed heartily, but Teddy was too much interested in what was
going on outside the fence to indulge in laughter. The band was still
playing as if its very existence