When the tumult died down and he began to speak, the noise would begin anew, and finally he shook his head and stood waiting. The men in the audience finally grew tired of teasing him, however, and he had his say.
It was to the effect that all the talent about to be seen and heard had been found and trained at Happy Hills inside of the past month. All allowance should be made for the handicaps met with in a country camp, but the patrons would find there was plenty of genuine talent in the different performers about to make their first appearance in public as entertainers.
CHAPTER XIII
THE SAWDUST RING
The audience felt the usual circus thrill as they took their places on the narrow board seats; the tent that always gives a twilight dimness to the inside of a circus arena was not in evidence, there being no canvas large enough to borrow for that purpose, but the ground was thickly sprinkled with sawdust for the performers’ circle.
“Ladies and Gentlemen,” began Uncle Ben, as he walked to the center of the ring. “The first number on our programme will be the Great Circus Parade in which all members of the Side Shows and the regular circus will take part. The music is furnished by the Little Citizens’ Brass Band. Kindly refrain from making remarks during the exhibition.”
The moment Uncle Ben concluded his short speech, Mr. Richards sprang up and said: “I surmise that we may make as many remarks as we like before the exhibition, so I wish to know who elected you Master of Ceremonies?”
The audience laughed and some clapped their hands at the question asked Uncle Ben. But he was equal to it.
“Not ‘Master of Ceremonies,’ my dear sir, but simply the ‘Ring Master,’” replied Uncle Ben, with a low bow.
“Then I take objection to being made to sit here and see a Ring Master without the customary long waxed mustachios and high silk hat—to say nothing of the lack of a swallow-tail coat and silver-handled whip!”
Of course everyone knew it was all in fun, so they laughed because Uncle Ben had no retort ready. After a moment’s hesitation, however, he said: