SUTRO.
There was some suspicion among the other dwellers at Santa Felisa that Kentucky Bob had once been employed about a real circus, else how had he acquired that intimate knowledge of the “rules and regulations of the ring” which he so constantly quoted for their benefit or reproval?
Into this “ring” of theirs, the boxes, hurdles, and other such things which the riders had been accustomed to use were soon gathered, and the labor of arranging these gave a wholly pleasant diversion to their feelings. A card of invitation, beautifully engrossed by a vaquero who had passed from the halls of Harvard to the great solitudes of the Sierras, was issued to Lord Plunkett, and a seat of honor erected for him on the southern side of the campus, while a spreading canvas wall on the north was to serve as a screen for the preparatory operations of the various actors.
Needless to say, maybe, that having once been won over to the project of an “extra show,” an enthusiastic determination was roused among the Santa Felisans to make this farewell entertainment of their beloved “mascot” eclipse everything which had ever gone before.
Nor did the interest end at this ranch; for mounted messengers were dispatched to invite the people of the neighboring estates to be present at the exhibition, and the invitations were as generally as promptly accepted.
But, of course, all this preparation took time to accomplish, so the hour had been appointed for one o’clock of the following day; and during the interval Steenie’s thoughts were so full of the matter, her tongue so busy discussing it, that she neither felt the time long nor permitted others to do so.
Indeed, so affected was everybody by the pleasant excitement of “getting ready,” that evening came before Lord Plunkett and his manager were finally seated with their books before them and a secretary at hand, to examine into the business which had brought them together. Even then his lordship would gladly have waived the matter, had he been allowed. “For ten years. No, twelve. Ship-shape. Paid well. Prompt. What more, eh? I’m satisfied. Why not you?”
“But, my lord, I cannot be. Any new manager will have enough to learn, even without all that I can do for him. It is a great responsibility; and, my lord, I would respectfully suggest that in the future you visit this part of your property oftener than once in a dozen years.”
“Hm-m! maybe; don’t know. Planned to stay a year now. Girl going away. Give it up. Consider. She comes back; so ’ll I. Like her. Credit to you; so’s the ranch.” Then the nobleman looked up as Sutro entered, bringing the “new manager’s” card. “Hello, Mexican! Well, where? Indigestion? Missed you. Say you’ve character? Born here? Eh? What?”
Sutro bowed profoundly, but a malicious grin overspread his wrinkled face. “En verdad! Thy Excellency honors his humble servant. Ten thousand thanks. But the señor stranger is arrived.”