To the spectators it was just another clownish act, and they
laughed uproariously. The circus people, however, realized at
once that something not down on the bills was taking place, and
they cast wondering glances at the little clown, who was dancing
about in high glee.
"Get out of here!" growled the ringmaster angrily. "What do you
mean by breaking into the performance in this way. Out of here,
I say!"
"The old hen has laid an egg!" repeated the clown, holding aloft
the object that all might see.
Teddy Tucker, for it was he, cared nothing for the crowds
occupying the seats. In fact, it is doubtful that he gave
any thought to them at all.
"What do you mean?" demanded the ringmaster.
"The ostrich. Don't you see?"
"The ostrich?"
"Yes, she's laid an egg."
Quick to appreciate the value of the clown's interruption, the
ringmaster took the great egg that Teddy had brought in, and held
it aloft.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, as the band suddenly ceased
playing, "wonders never cease in the Great Sparling Shows.
You have been treated to startling feats of skill upon the lofty
flying swings; you have witnessed desperately dangerous displays
of unrivaled aerialism, and you are about to observe the
thundering, furious Roman chariot races three times about
the arena--"
"Say, what are you trying to get at?" growled Teddy Tucker.
Pages:
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69