THE CIRCUS
"So you missed the hoop again. "
"Father, I couldn't help it. "
"For that you don't eat tonight. "
"And you're supposed to be funny!"
"Look at that house; empty!"
Around the Side Shows hungry and broke.
"Here you are, sir. "
"Count it. "
"Is it all there?"
"Say, gimme that money!"
"How d'you get out of here?"
"Rotten!"
"Get off!"
"Where's the funny man?"
"Bring on the funny man!"
The Funny Man.
Meal-time after the Show.
"Father won't let me. "
"Do you want a job?"
"Be here in the morning, and we'll try you out. "
Early the next morning.
Hungry.
"Run along home!"
"I live here. "
"Excuse me, my cane. "
The Tryout.
"Go ahead and be funny. "
"That's awful!"
"Put on the William Tell act. "
"Now then, watch this and see if you can do it. "
"Go ahead and try it. "
"Put on the barber-shop act. "
"Now I must hit you. "
"Now hit me!"
"I can't see. "
"Just a moment!"
"We haven't talked terms yet. "
"Get out and stay out!"
"Show's starting!"
"Aren't you coming in?"
"You're not leaving?"
"You see, we couldn't come to terms. "
"Thank you for the egg. "
The Show on.
Trouble with the Property Men.
"How about our back pay?"
"Get to work!"
"We quit!"
"They've quit. "
"Get anybody!"
"Do you want a job?"
"Don't touch that button!"
"He's a sensation, but he doesn't know it. "
"Keep him on as a property man. "
The Circus prospered, but not the property man.
And the girl led the same hard life.
"Keep him busy and don't let him know he's the hit of the show. "
A Sick Horse.
"Blow this pill down the horse's neck!"
"The horse blew first --"
"Open the door, quick!"
"I told you the lions were dangerous!"
"Where's that pill?"
"Come here!"
"I've got to see a doctor!"
"It's a shame the way they make you work --"
"And you the hit of the show. "
"Why of course!"
"All the crowds, all the applause is just for you. "
"I knew it!"
"If you strike that girl, I'll quit!"
"And what's more I want what I'm worth --"
"I'll give you fifty dollars a week. "
"Sixty!"
"I'll double it!"
"Nothing less than a hundred. "
The Next Show.
The success of the Tramp made life easier for the girl and himself.
"Oh, Merna, you must have your fortune told!"
"I see love and marriage with a dark, handsome man who is near you now. "
A New Added Attraction, Rex, a tight-rope walker.
"Pardon me. "
"Go right ahead. "
"I'll give you Five Dollars for it. "
"It's happened; I'm in love!"
"He's a tight-rope walker. "
"I've just met him. "
"Hurry up, you're on!"
The Act Over.
"What's the matter?"
"You hardly got a laugh!"
"This is my friend. "
"I don't like tight-rope walkers. "
Time brought many changes to the Circus;
New Hopes and New Ambitions.
His New Ambition.
"Never mind the rope. "
"You'd better try and be funny again or you'll go!"
The next performance- and not a smile.
"I've had enough of this;"
"You get one more chance. "
"Where's Rex?"
"Rex, the tight-rope walker, hasn't shown up. "
"Is Rex here?"
"You can do the act, can't you?"
"You'll do it or quit!"
"I'll do it; find his clothes!"
"There's the clothes!"
"You follow her!"
"He'll kill himself. "
"That's all right;"
"I've got him insured. "
"Take your time, there's another act to go on. "
"Why, what is the meaning of this?"
"I am taking his place on the rope. "
"You'll get killed. "
"Oh, no, I have a charmed life. "
"I'll give you five dollars if you'll do it. "
"Not a word to anybody. "
"Please don't do this. "
"You've forgotten your tights. "
"You're on!"
"You're through!!!"
That Night.
"I've run away from the circus. "
"I'll never go back. "
"Can't you take me with you?"
"I've got an idea. "
"You stay here. "
"Have you seen Merna?"
"She's run away --"
"I can do nothing for her -- --"
"Now, there's one way out. "
"She's there now?"
"Take me to her!"
The Next Morning.
The Circus ready to leave.
"So you've come back -- You --! "
"You're speaking to my wife!"
"Will you go on with the show?"
"-- -- if you take him. "
"The end wagon for you. "
"Come in with us. "