FAY OF THE RING

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18946, 16 May 1933, Page 8

FAY OF THE RING

By A. 'A. THOMSON.

(Author of ” The LHao Maid,” “ Dorinda, Darling!" Eto., Eto., Eto.)

(An Enthralling Story of Cirous Life.)

SYNOPBIS. Ben Laylock ran as tUougH Satan himself were at his heels. He must gret away from the cruel face of Mr Chegger, who had, come that morning to take Ben away to the Orphan Home. And then something swung out snakily towards him and colled Itself round his body. He was lifted high into the air, to the accompaniment or a voice saying: “Daisy, Daisy, is this the way to treat a member of the public? Put the young gentleman down at once.” s .. When Ben dared to open his Tjtyes, the first. thing he saw was the Imposing figure of Duke Marjoram, resplendent in a gorgeous ensemble that completely took the small boy’s breath away. Duke was the owner of Marjoram’s Unparalleled Travelling Circus, with its many marvellous attractions. The second thing Ben saw was an angel. He knew it was an angel, because she had an angel’s face, and a glowing halo of red-gold hair, and was dressed wholly in white. “What’s your name? enquired the angel. “Mine’s Felicity Adelaide Marjoram. You can call me Fay if you like.” CHAPTER IV. — (Continued.) While the hand thundered out that crashing opening march, Marjoram’s Unparalleled, in all its glory made its grand -parade round the arena. All Marjoram’s star artists were on view: Daisy, surmounted-toy her green and gold howdah, Duke Marjoram upon ■his black 'Charger, the wild-hea-st vans with their shutters down, Madame ■Caterina enthroned as Britannia upon a high car bedecked with flags, a lion at her feet —a real lion for all the world to gaze on, tawny-maned and massive of paw but sleepy and good tempered as the British lion is known to be. And then, to an accompaniment of cheers and bucolic laughter, came the bath-chair drawn by Albert, the Almost Human Pig. From this crazy carriage tumbled a stumpy, whitefaced man in a frock-coat and incredibly battered silk hat, who, though he fell with a tremendous somersault half-way across the ring, came up instantly on his feet, firmly grasping a venerable umbrella. The little -man’s air of mild surprise as he gazed round the ring was excruciatingly funny. The audience shouted its applause. Tumpo, -the Funniest Clown on Earth, was in our midst. Turning another somersault whioh brought his head with a resounding thwack against the edge of the ring fence, he picked up a handful of sawdust, blew it out in a little cloud and squeaked: “Look what I’ve chipped off me napperl” I laughed till the tears ran down my cheeks. It was not so much that I had never seen a -clown before. I -had lived in a world where honest fun—laughter, holding both sides—was unknown. Slowly the splendid procession made its circle and filed -out again through the curtain, leaving Duke Marjoram and Tumpo in possession of the ring. The -showman was speaking sternly. My eyes opened wider. There was going to be trouble. A heated dispute was in progress. Mr Marjoram was telling Tumpo to get out of the ring and apologising to the audience for the clown’s outrageous conduct. lie spoke in scandalised tones. “Ladies and gentlemen, ’’ he began. “Ladies and jellyspoons,” mimicked Tumpo.

“Hold your tongue, sir. Ladies and gentlemen, I must tender my sincere apologies for this unwarrantable interruption of a serious performance. I assure you, ladies and gentlemen, it •lias never happened before. Tumpot Do you hear, sir? Get out of this ring at -once!”

Tumpo gazed at the ring-master with a look of placid unconcern. 11c stuck his umbrella into the ground. Incontinently it turned into a llowcrpot. He took off his frock-coat, folded it with meticulous care, laid it down upon the sawdust and wiped his boots on it. lie took off his waistcoat.

“Stop! Stop!" cried Mr Marjoram. “Ladies and gentlemen, I am distressed beyond all measure by tin's unseemly exhibition. What are you •thinking of, Tumpo? The idea of undressing in public.’’ Tumpo, with a serene and childlike smile, took off another waistcoat. And then another. Fourteen waistcoats lie discarded in

rapid succession, while the audience rocked with rapturous happiness. Then lie proceeded to take, off his collar. It seemed that, lie-wore innumerable collars. As fast as lie. thing one away, another, to Tumpo's intense surprise, appeared magically in its place, so that, for appreciable- time lie seemed to he standing under a whirling snowstorm of Gladstone collars. The reprehensible hut glorious exhibition was finally interrupted by the arrival from behind of Albert, the, Almost, Human Pig, who, waddling across the ring, seized Tumpo by the seat of his capacious trousers and dragged him nut. vehemently protesting, while the hand, eon motto exprossione, played “Let Me Like A Soldier Fall."

I was in the seventh heaven. My small soul was transported. "There Is a land of pure delight," my Aunt Hannah had often sung. Here veritably was a- land of pure delight, where umbrellas turned Into plantpots, where clowns wore fourteen waistcoats, where pigs drew ponycarriages and where Blanchette, the Talking Horse, careered proudly round the ring. Yes, here was the beautiful Blanchette. In her light harness, with its red plumes, Blanchette was like the flying horse of a fairy-tale. Round she went with mincing steps, neck arched and plumes nodding. Mr Marjoram stood in the centre of the ring flicking his whip-lash as lightly as though he were casting a fly"Ladies and Gentlemen, Blanchette will endeavour to entertain you by executing a few of the latest dance steps.” ' The band struck up “You should see me dance the polka,” and Blanchette, keeping time to the -music, went circling round in a series of jerky side-steps which seemed to please the audience mightily. Blanchette waltzed. Blanchette did a creditable imitation of the barn dance

“And now Blanchette will demonstrate that her claim to be oalled the Talking Horse is no vain boast. Unlike -many of the ladies, she means what she says, and says exactly what she means. Blanchette, my dear, do you like sugar?” Instantly Blanchette inclined her glossy neck in an emphatic affirmative.

“Oh, so you’re fond of sugar, are you? Will y-ou wait for a lump until the conclusion of the performance?” Blanchette shook her head. “You’d rather have it now, would you, my dear?”

Blanchette’s “Yes” was obvious to us all. It gave us infinite pleasure to see her receive her reward.

“Now listen to my questions, Blanchette, and answer very carefully. Have you ever met any of the lhdies and gentlemen before?” Blanchette shook her head vigorously. She had not met any of the Indies and gentlemen before. There was to be no prejudice and no deception. “I wonder if you’d be so kind as to tell us something we should all like to* know. Now,- Blanchette, we know you have excellent taste. Just tell us who, in your opinion, is the prettiest lady among our distinguished patrons.”

Blanohette trotted gently round the outer edge of the ring and stopped dead, amid much laughter, in front of a plump, blushing country girl in the second row.

“Thank you, Blanohette. I assure you, madam, the compliment is sincerely tendered. You may aooept her word without the slightest hesitation. Blanchette would scorn to utter a falsehood. She will always give you the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And now, my dear, do you think you could find the handsomest gentleman?” Obediently, Blanchette set off once more, halting this time before a big rod-faced, good-natured-looldng yokel.

“Tell me, Blanchette, am I right in supposing that this gentleman has something on his mind?”

“Yes," nodded Blanchette. “I wonder”—very archly—“if the gentleman is in love?” A prompt affirmative from Blanohette, scarlet blushes from her victim and delighted applause from the victim’s friends.

“Is he very much In love. “Yes." (A quick succession of nods). “Do you think he will overcome his shyness in time?” Blanchette nodded coyly.

“He will, I take it, he eventually married to the object of his affections and live happily ever after?” Blanchette was convinced that he would.

“Now I want you to whisper to me iu confidence, Blanchette, If you think there is any likelihood of this gentleman becoming the, fattier of a large and bouncing family?" Unhesitatingly Blanchette, raised her fore-leg and began' solemnly to tap her hoof on the low wooden edge of the ring fence. One . . . two . . . three . . . four. . . .

“Stop! Stop!” .cried Mr Marjoram in a sliocke d voice, while peals of merciless laughter covered the prospective bridegroom with confusion. Blanchette went on counting with complete equanimity. Nine. Ten. Ele.ven. Twelve. “Blanchette ! You must not

| Another roar from the auditorium heralded the return of Tumpo, who, . crossing the, ring in a series of liand- ) springs, and now come solemnly to j pest on the other side of the Talking I Horse. (To be continued.)