raise encountered by midgets. I recall
that a white-haired, gray-whiskered employee of the hotel in
Philadelphia, where we were quartered, persistently called Admiral
Blair, our leading midget, 'Sonny Boy.' When comparisons were made,
the Admiral was ten years the older. I am not very adept in guessing
the ages of either grown persons or midgets, but I suspect, Brother
Curtis, that I was in the fourth grade in school about the time you
were born; and that when you arrived at the fourth grade, I was doing
a man's job on the Keith vaudeville circuit. Such things occur to
midgets.

"But let's get the Side-Show out of the way before we start the
performance in the Big Top--let's clear up the hoss trade first. In
that transaction I was simply the innocent bystander. The principals
in that event are with us tonight. Acting as Master of Ceremonies of
this Floor Show, let me introduce them." Turning to his guests of the
evening, the speaker cautioned: "Stand up, folks, and take your bow as
your name is called.

"First, I want to present the party who contributed the Hoss, who made
all the plans, and who through the untiring labors of this young
minister is largely, if not wholly responsible for this splendid
gathering, Miss Adine Lough."

The applause was generous and lasting. Blushing, smiling, and
embarrassed, Adine took her bow and resumed her seat.

"And the next principal in the transaction--the man who discovered the
hoss and led me to it--my friend, mentor, guide, and boon companion,
Mister Landy Spencer." The applause was generous but more boisterous.
It was evident that Mister Spencer had many boon companions in the
audience. Landy's bow was a mixture of bends at the waist, neck, and
knees.

"And the next two, while not direct parties to the hoss trade, are
responsible for my upkeep, who shelter and feed me--and the hoss,
Mister and Mistress James Gillis." Again the applause was generous and
hearty.

"And last, but not least, is the man who came to me in my greatest
hour of distress--of disgust with the mob and a fixed determination to
get away from it all; the man who came to me when the circus was about
to fold up, and I was yearning for quiet and peace but didn't know
where to find it, and he found it for me. Right where I wanted to be,
the place I had dreamed of, but never could find, the man who as my
podner does the easy manual labor, while I do the hard thinking, the
man who owned it all and staked me o