David Lannarck, Midget: An Adventure StoryHarney, George S.
General
David Lannarck, Midget: An Adventure Story
Harney, George S.
Adventure stories; Circus -- Fiction; Western stories
"But we will let the next speaker tell of the hoss trade, although he
is scheduled to talk about midgets and tell us something about life
with a circus-show. Both of these topics interest me deeply, as I know
nothing about either, and am anxious to learn about them.
"Folks, neighbors, and friends of Adot and community, allow me to
introduce my new-found young friend and our near-neighbor, Mister
David Lannarck, lately a feature with the Great International Circus,
and now a resident of the Silver Falls neighborhood. Mister Lannarck."
Davy slid down from an uncomfortable chair and climbed up on the
little platform that had been placed at the side of the pulpit proper.
"Howdy, folks, and thank you, Brother Curtis, for the kindly
introduction. Calling me your young friend is a compliment I hardly
deserve. Yet it's a form of praise 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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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