George Barr McCutcheon

“ In spite of himself, David shrank from this cold-blooded rejoinder.
"See here, Jenison," went on Colonel Grand, noting the effect of his words, "I have a certain amount of respect for your feelings, because you are a Southerner, as I am. You have pride and you have courage. You are a gentleman. You are the only gentleman at present engaged in this profession, I'll say that for you. There is a probability that you may not be so unique in the course of a week or two. ”

“ All the rest of the afternoon David's heart ached with a dull pain. He could hardly wait for the time to come when he could return to the dressing-tent. At last, he raced from the ring, pursued by the inflated bladder in the hand of Joey Grinaldi, their joint mummery over for the afternoon.
Christine was sitting on the trunk that he had occupied so recently; Mrs. Braddock was nowhere in sight.
"David," she said slowly, as he drew up panting, "they did not go to the side-show." ”

“ Braddock gulped painfully. "See here, Dick, don't be a fool. We can clean up a—"
"You'd take the pennies off a dead nigger's eyes," interrupted the pickpocket scathingly.
"I'd do anything to keep the show from busting," said the other with the air of a martyr. "Anything to save my wife's little fortune, and anything to keep my performers from going broke."
"I suppose your wife thinks it's all right to get this kid's money away from him," said Dick sarcastically. ”

“ Joey Grinaldi is training me."
Thomas Braddock was watching them from beyond the camel pen.
"It may interest you to know that I am accustomed to civility in all people employed by this show," said Colonel Grand levelly.
"Do you always get what you expect?" asked David, stopping short.
The Colonel faced him.
"Young man," said he, after a deliberate pause, "let me add to my original remark, I always get what I expect."
"Then I suppose you expect me to sever my connection with this show," said David, looking straight into his eyes.
The Colonel smiled. "Your real name is Jenison, isn't it?" ”

“ He stared for a long time before becoming aware that the animal was looking at him just as intently from the other side of the bars. It was as if the creature with the broad white muzzle and limpid eyes was studying him with all the intentness of a human being. ”

“ It's part of 'is game. Some day afore long he'll kick Braddock out of the business altogether. That's the next step. She can't do anything, either. All she's got in the world is in this 'ere show. If—if she'd only go back home to her father! But, dang it, she swears she won't do that. She'll work in the streets first."
"She can have all I've got," announced David eagerly.
"She ain't the kind to give up this 'ere property without a fight, Jacky. They'll 'ave to make it absolutely impossible for her to stay afore she'll knuckle to 'em. She's got pluck, Mary Braddock 'as. ”

“ Besides, there's others as needs you. There's got to be some one in the party to look out for Mrs. Braddock and Christine. Brad won't, so you're the one. Stick to 'em, Jacky, and if needs be, the whole show will back you up. You just go to supper with 'em."
"You're right, Joey," said David, his face flushing. "They stood by me, I'll stand by them."
"The restaurant is down the main street near the 'otel," explained the old clown. "Ruby and me will walk down with you. And, by the way, I've been talking with Dick Cronk about you. ”

“ It is pretty generally known among the performers that I have a creditor's lien on the business. I wish you would oblige me by announcing to your friends that I have taken over a third interest in the show in lieu of certain notes and mortgages. ”

“ A reg'lar lady-killer."
"You're not the man, that's dead sure," said the Pinkerton operative, perplexity written all over his face. "We've had a job put up on us," he explained, turning to Braddock. "Some smart aleck sent word to our branch that the real Jenison boy was a clown in this show. We got a note from some one who said he belonged to the show. They sent me up here on a chance that it was true. We had this picture in the office. The note says David Jenison joined the show three weeks ago. How long have you been with it?"
Dick Cronk was very cunning. "That's funny. ”