"You'd make the hit of your life if you did," laughed Miaco.
"Wonder the boss don't have you do it."
"Would if he knew about it," spoke up a performer. "The really
funny things don't get into the ring in a circus, unless by
accident."
In the meantime the ringmaster was making his loud-voiced
announcement out under the big top.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he roared, after a loud crack of his
long-lashed whip, to attract the attention of the people to him,
"we are now about to introduce the wonderful performing mule
Jumbo, the only broncho-bucking, bobtailed mule in the world.
You will notice that he performs without a rider, without human
interference. Please do not speak to Jumbo while he is going
through his act. Ladies and gentlemen, Jumbo, the great educated
mule, will now make his appearance unaided by human hand."
The audience applauded the announcement.
At that moment the band struck up the tune by which Jumbo always
made his entrance. At the first blare of the brass a fun-loving
clown jabbed Jumbo with a pin. The mule did the rest.
"Here! Here! Get off that mule!" shouted the animal's trainer.
"He's going on!"
"Let him go!" roared clowns and other performers.
Pages:
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196