The rider suddenly landed on his back in the sawdust.
"The gentleman loses," announced the ringmaster. "Is there any
other gentleman in the audience who thinks he can earn one
hundred dollars a minute--six thousand dollars an hour?"
No one appeared to be anxious to make the attempt.
Manuel, in the meantime, had drawn closer, paying strict
attention to the words of the ringmaster.
"You give money for riding the burro?" questioned the
little Spaniard.
"Burro? This is no Mexican burro, this is a donkey!" sniffed
Teddy contemptuously.
The ringmaster instantly scented an opportunity to have some fun,
and at the same time make the audience laugh. He glanced about
to see if Mr. Sparling were under the big top, and not seeing
him, instantly decided to take a long chance.
"Do you think you can ride January, sir?"
"I ride burro."
"Very well, it is your privilege to do so if you can. Ladies and
gentlemen, this clown has never before attempted this feat.
He thinks he can ride the donkey. If he succeeds he will receive
the reward offered by the management of the show, just the same
as you would have done had you performed the feat.
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