find a chance to use them in the circus,
or to entertain your friends privately. I want you to feel free to do
so. There will not be any professional jealousy on my part."

Joe was glad to hear this. The professor was unlike most professional
persons who entertain the public.

"Well, good-bye," said Joe, as the professor went with him to the
railroad station, the burns having progressed rapidly in their healing.
"You'll always be able to write me in care of the circus."

"Yes, I can keep track of your show through the theatrical papers, Joe.
Let me hear from you occasionally. Write to the New York address where
I buy most of my stuff. They'll always have the name of my forwarding
post-office on file. And now, my boy, I wish you all success. You
have been a great help to me--not to mention such a little thing as
saving my life," and he laughed, to make the occasion less serious.

"Thank you," said Joe. "The same to you. And I hope you will soon
feel much better."

"A rest will do me good," responded the professor. Then the train
rolled in, and Joe got aboard with his valise. He waved farewell to
his very good friend and then settled back in his seat for a long ride.

Joe Strong was on his way at last to join the circus.

As he sat in his comfortable seat, he could not help contrasting his
situation now with what it had been some months before, when he was
running away from the home of his foster-father in the night and riding
in a freight car to join the professor.

Then Joe had very few dollars, and the future looked anything but
pleasant. He had to sleep on the hard boards, with some loose hay as a
mattress.

Now, while he was far from having a fortune, he had nearly two hundred
dollars to his credit, and he was going to an assured position that
would pay well. It was quite a contrast.

"I wonder if I'll make good," thought Joe. Involuntarily he felt of
his muscles.

"I'm strong enough," he thought with a little smile--"Strong by name
and strong by nature," and as he thought this there was no false pride
about it. Joe knew his capabilities. His nerves and muscles were his
principal assets.

"I guess I'll have to learn some new stunts," Joe thought. "But Jim
Tracy will probably coach me, and tell me what they want. I wonder if
I'll have to act with the Lascalla bunch? They may not be very
friendly toward me for taking the place of one of their number. Well,
I can't help it. It isn't m