an
injured look. "Never mind, it is put and carried that we go and see
Frozzler's outfit, occupying reserved orchestra chairs, close to the
family circle and adjoining the second gallery west."

As soon as it was settled Tom and Sam laid their heads together to have
all the fun they could at the circus, "just to get square with that
agent," as Sam expressed it.

None of the older folks wanted to go, for which the boys were thankful.

"Say, I'd like to see dat show, Tom," said Aleck Pop, when he got the
chance. "Ain't seen no circuses since I was a little boy."

"Then you must go by all means, Aleck. But don't you get too close to
the monkey cage."

"Why not, Tom?"

"They might take you for a long-lost brother."

"Yah! yah! Dat's one on me!" Aleck showed his ivories in a broad grin.
"Maybe da will take yo' for a long-lost brudder, too--yo' is so full ob
monkey shines," and then Tom had to laugh at the sally.

At the proper time the four boys drove over to the circus grounds,
taking Aleck Pop with them. Aleck was arrayed in his best, and from his
broad expanse of shirt bosom sparkled an imitation diamond which looked
like a small electric light.

Tickets were procured for all by Dick, and the boys and the servant
pressed their way into the first of the tents, in company with one of
the largest crowds ever gathered in that vicinity.

Now, as it happened, Frozzler's Grand Aggregation of Attractions was
largely so only in name. Frozzler was himself the man who had given out
the showbills, his regular agent having refused to work because his
salary had remained unpaid for three weeks. The circus was fast going
to pieces.

"Here is where I am going to make a bunch of money," said Frozzler to
himself, as he saw the crowd coming in. "This day will put me on my
feet again." But he never saw the "bunch" of money in question, for
before the show was over a sheriff came along and levied on the
receipts, in behalf of several tradespeople and some performers.

The exhibition was held in two tents, one for the wild animals and the
other for the ring performance. The wild animals were in exactly eight
wagon cages and consisted of a sickly-looking lion, a half-starved
tiger, several raccoons, two foxes, a small bear, and about a dozen
monkeys. There were also two elephants, one so old he was blind and
could hardly stand.

"Well, this is a sell, if ever there was one," murmured Tom, after
looking into the various cages.