ROBERT RUDD LEAVES THE CIRCUS.
A week passed, and Robert Rudd was still the guest of Dr. Grey. The
circus had left town, and so the boy-rider was separated from his
professional companions. Though he was not as much attached to circus
life as some, it was his means of making a livelihood, and had been
for some years, and yielded him a considerably larger income than a
boy of his age was likely to earn in any other way. Now, it imparts a
pleasant feeling of independence to earn one's living, and the pleasure
is heightened when not only a living is earned, but there is a chance
to lay up money besides.
When Robert was apprised of the approaching departure of the circus he
went to Dr. Grey.
"Dr. Grey," he said, "don't you think it will be safe for me to go back
to the circus?"
"Yes; it will be safe to go back to it, but not to ride."
"How soon can I ride, do you think?"
"Your ankle will be weak for some time to come; not too weak for
ordinary exercise, but not strong enough for bareback riding."
"In that case," said Robert, with some feeling of disappointment,
"there would be no advantage in going back this season. I suppose I
could ride next season."
"Undoubtedly, if you desire it," said the doctor, pointedly.
"Do you intend to travel with the circus when you are a man?" asked
Sidney.
"Not if I can find some other employment at which I can make a fair
living," answered Robert. "I don t care much for it, but at present it
pays me better than anything else."
"That is not the most important consideration, my lad," said the doctor.
"No; but at present I cannot afford to leave it."
"Why can't you stay with me all winter?" asked Sidney, eagerly. "I
should like your company very much."
"Thank you, Sidney; you are a true friend."
"I second my boy's invitation," said the doctor, cordially.
"Thank you, also," said Robert, gratefully. "I feel your kindness the
more because I have no claims upon you."
"Then you will stay?" said Sidney, eagerly.
"What would Ronald Percy say if you adopted me as a companion?" asked
Robert, with a smile.
"I don't care what. I would ten times rather have you for a friend than
he."
"Thank you, Sidney. You are not prejudiced against me because I am a
circus boy."
"Why should I be? If you were rough and coarse, I shouldn't fancy you,
whether you were a circus boy or not, but I consider you much more of a
gentleman than Ronald Percy," said Sidney, warmly.
"I appreciate your good opinion, Sidney, but as to remaining here all
winter, though I should enjoy it on many accounts, I would not like to
be dependent even upon so good friends while I am able to earn my own
living. If there were anything your father had for me to do it would
make a difference."
"I must see if I can think of anything," said Dr. Grey. "I am afraid I
couldn't delegate any of my medical duties to you. I fear my patients
would not repose confidence in so young a doctor."
So the circus kept on its way, and Robert remained for a time at
the house of the physician. Those who know the characteristics of
society in a country village will not be surprised to learn that the
introduction of a circus boy into his family led many to wonder at and
criticise Dr. Grey. Prominent among the critics was Ronald Percy and
his family.
"Really," said Mrs. Percy, a shallow woman, who made large pretensions
to fashion and position, "I can't understand what Dr. Grey can be
thinking of, to admit a low circus boy into his house. We don't know
what associates the boy has had in the past, but he must be coarse and
ill-bred, and surely he is not a fit companion for Sidney Grey. I hope
my Ronald won't get intimate with him."
"You may be sure I won't, ma," said Ronald. "I wouldn't demean myself
by taking notice of him. When Sidney wanted to invite him to join in
our games I opposed it."
"You, Ronald, can always be relied upon to feel like a gentleman," said
his mother, complacently. "Thank heaven! he hasn't any liking for low
company."
"I am told the boy is very gentlemanly," said Mrs. Frost, a woman very
different from Mrs. Percy.
Mrs. Percy shrugged her shoulders.
"That is absurd, of course," she answered. "Gentlemanly behavior isn't
picked up in circuses. I told the doctor so, but he is very eccentric,
and he wouldn't listen to anything against his new favorite."
"That must be rather awkward for you, as Ronald and Sidney are so much
together."
"I have requested Ronald not to go to the doctor's so much while that
boy is staying there. I feel that it is due to our position not to
allow him to form such intimacies."
Nevertheless, when Sidney Grey got up a little party in honor of his
guest, and invited Ronald among others, the young aristocrat did not
decline, but presented himself promptly, notwithstanding his mother's
objection to the company of the young circus rider.
Among the twenty boys and girls who assembled in the drawing-room of
Dr. Grey there was not one more quiet in manner or gentlemanly in
bearing than Robert Rudd.
"I wonder where the boy has picked up his high-bred manner?" thought
the doctor. "It must be natural to him."
This was the case. Robert had not been placed in circumstances
favorable to the formation of a polished manner, but it was innate and
instinctive.
At a pause during the evening Sidney said, "Robert, can't you do
something to entertain the company?"
"Would you like to see a little juggling?" asked Robert.
"Oh, yes!" cried several. Even Ronald Percy looked interested. Still he
could not help sneering a little.
"Did you do that at the circus?" he asked.
"No," answered Robert, quietly. "I am not a professional magician, but
we had a professor of magic with us at one time, who took the trouble
to show me a few simple tricks, and these I am ready to perform at the
request of Sidney."
"You couldn't please me or the company better," said Sidney, eagerly.
"I shall have to ask you for a few articles," said Robert.
"Anything in the house is at your service, Rob."
So for half an hour Robert amused the company with a few tricks, which
he did exceedingly well, for it was a characteristic of our young
hero to be thorough in all he did. It is unnecessary to enumerate his
tricks, or to describe the interest which the young company manifested.
It is enough to say that when he had finished he had established
himself in the good graces of every one present except Ronald, who,
though as much interested as the rest, was unwilling to admit it.
"We are very much obliged to you, Robert," said Sidney, warmly. "You
are a capital magician."
"I would advise you to go into that business," said Ronald, with his
usual sneer. "I am told it pays very well, and it isn't as low as the
circus."
"I shall confine myself to performing for the gratification of my
friends," said Robert, coolly, ignoring the impertinence of Ronald.
"Can't you do anything more for us, Robert?" asked Sidney. "Do you
sing?"
"A little," was the unexpected reply; "that is, I can sing some of the
popular melodies."
"Pray do."
"If any one will play the accompaniment."
A young girl was found to do this, and Robert sang in a clear, musical
voice several popular favorites, which appeared to please no less than
his magical efforts.
"Really, Robert," said Mrs. Grey, "you are remarkably well fitted to
please a company of young people. We are very much obliged to you."
"I am glad to have it in my power to do something in return for your
kindness, Mrs. Grey."
"The boy may belong to the circus," thought Mrs. Grey, "but I should be
glad if my son were as accomplished, while I could not desire him to be
any more refined."
Ronald was secretly surprised, and not over well pleased at Robert's
popularity. He found himself in a minority of one in his sneering
attempts to decry him.
At the end of a week, when Robert was beginning to consider seriously
what employment he should follow in place of the one he had been
compelled to abandon, he received a letter through the mail which
equally surprised and pleased him.