BY JAMES OTIS,
Author of "Toby Tyler," "Tim and Tip," etc.
Chapter XIX.
THE BREAKING UP OF THE SHOW.
Now that the boys had found cages ready-made, and needing only some bars or slats across the front, they did not think it necessary to hurry. They staid for some time to talk of Abner, and to test some doughnuts Aunt Olive was frying. It is very likely that they would have remained even longer if the doughnut-frying had not been completed, and the tempting dainties placed upon a high shelf beyond their reach, as a gentle intimation that they had had about as many as they would get that afternoon.
After leaving the house they walked leisurely toward the barn, little dreaming what a state of confusion their property was in, until Reddy rushed out of the tent, his jacket torn, his face bleeding, and his general appearance that of a boy who had been having rather a hard time of it.
"Why, what's the matter? Why don't you stay an' watch the animals?" asked Bob, in a tone intended to convey reproach and surprise that one of the projectors of the enterprise should desert his post.
"Watch the animals?" screamed Reddy, in a rage. "You go an' watch 'em awhile instead of eatin' doughnuts, an' see how you like it. Mr. Stubbs's brother picked a hole in the bag so my cat got out, an' she jumped on the calf, an' he tore 'round awful till he let the hen an' Mrs. Simpson's cat loose, an' I got knocked down an' scratched, an' the whole show's broke up."
Reddy sat down on the ground, and wiped the blood from his face after he had imparted the painful news; and all the party started for the tent as rapidly as possible.