Professor Rosello, who made him an assistant.

Joe Strong was then started on his career to become a magician, and he
"made good," as they say in theatrical circles. He invented some
startling tricks and was a great help to the professor. At one time
Joe's foster-father made a serious charge against him, and our hero was
on the verge of arrest.

The second volume of the series is called: "Joe Strong On the Trapeze;
Or, The Daring Feats of a Young Circus Performer." In that book Joe is
first met helping Professor Rosello do a "fire trick" on the stage.
Something went wrong with the electrical current and the magician was
in danger of being burned to death. Joe's quick work saved Professor
Rosello, but the shock was so great that the magician had to give up
his stage work. The professor offered to lease the show to Joe, but the
young performer had received a very good offer from the Sampson
Brothers' Circus to become a trapeze performer, and he accepted.

Joe had formed the acquaintance of a few of the circus folk some time
before in a casual way, and he had shown what he could do on the flying
rings and the trapeze, which resulted in his engagement.

Jim Tracy, the ring-master, took quite a fancy to Joe, and Benny
Turton, who did the "human fish" act, was very fond of our hero. As for
Joe, he was more than interested in Helen Morton. So much so, that when
it came to a question of whether or not to stay with the circus Joe
decided to remain, just because he thought he might be of service to
the girl rider.

He had been of great assistance to her in helping recover money left to
her by her grandfather, and which a rascally law clerk nearly secured
for himself. Bill Watson, the veteran clown, was also much interested
in Helen and her inheritance, and he mentioned, casually, that perhaps
Joe might come into money. For Mrs. Strong, who, before her marriage,
was Janet Willoughby, came of a wealthy English family that had cast
her off when she married Professor Morretti. But though Joe had written
to England he had, as yet, received no encouraging word as to any
inheritance that might come to him through his mother.

Joe is now beginning his second season with the Sampson Brothers'
Circus, and the opening performance was marked by the accident which
happened to Benny Turton.

"Quick now, boys!" urged the ring-master, as he walked along with the
clowns who were carrying the half-unconscious form of the water
performer. "