The stage was now cleared so Patter could do the trick of driving Toby hitched to the pony cart. The dog sat up, his forepaws through the rope loops of the reins. And when Bunny on one side called, Patter guided Toby that way. Then when Sue on the other side called, Patter guided Toby that way, much to the surprise of the audience who thought the horse and dog were very smart indeed.
In order not to have too many animal tricks, Charlie and Harry did what they called “acrobatic stunts.” They turned somersaults holding to each other’s wrists and ankles, they turned cartwheels, and did other things that brought them applause.
Sue, too, was allowed to be on the stage alone with Patter, and she put the dog through some of his best tricks, all of which made a “hit,” as the paper said afterward.
The show was much enjoyed by all who saw it, and it had a funny, jolly ending. Sam Cooper tried to do a trick with what was supposed to be the trained rooster. Only the rooster got wild, or frightened, or something, and flew off the stage, out into the audience, and lighted on the bald head of Mr. Gordon, the grocer.
Perched on Mr. Gordon’s head, the rooster uttered a loud crow! And you should have heard the people laugh.
“But, anyhow, that was a good way to bring the show to an end,” said George, as he pulled the bag curtain over. “It made ’em all laugh.”
The show was a great success, and quite a large sum was taken in for the aid of the Home for Crippled Children. Bunny, Sue and their boy and girl chums who had helped, were much pleased.
PATTER WALKED ON HIS FRONT FEET.
Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue and Their Trick Dog. Page [242]