"Speak for yourself, Charlie," said Robert, smiling. "I don't make any such claims." "Oh, well, don't be discouraged. You'll ride as well as I do some time." "You flatter me," said Robert. "I say, do you think there's any chance for me to learn the business?" asked the country boy, lowering his voice, in an anxious tone. "What line do you want to take up?" asked Robert. "Is there any line?" asked the boy, not understanding. "I mean, do you want to be a rider, a clown, an acrobat, or what?" "I'd like to ride like you two." "I am afraid you are rather large to begin," said Robert, surveying the boy's large hands and feet, and his height, at least three inches greater than his own. "Am I too big?" asked the boy, disappointed. "No, you're not," said Charlie. "Why, I could teach you myself." "I wish you would. I'd like goin' round with a circus better than working for dad on the farm. Do you fellow's get paid big wages?" "Of course we do," answered Charlie. "I get fifty dollars a week, board and travelling expenses." "Fifty dollars a week!" gasped the country boy, expanding his eyes in astonishment. "Yes, you see we're first-class performers." "I couldn't get but a dollar and a half a week and board workin' on a farm," answered the country boy. "What's your name?" asked Charlie, abruptly. "Jotham Sprague." "That wouldn't do for the stage; you'd have to take a better name." "I'd take any name; fact is, I don't like Jotham myself." "It isn't romantic enough," said Charlie. "The manager wouldn't have anybody of that name. It sounds too countrified." "What sort of a name would do?" asked the boy. "Lorenzo Leon would do pretty well." "That's splendid!" said Jotham, admiringly. "You see, it would look well on the bills. The famous bareback rider. Lorenzo Leon, who has just been imported from his native Italy at large expense, will perform some of his wonderful feats in the ring." "I'd like that first rate," said Jotham, "only I ain't from Italy." "No matter; no one will know that. Now, if you want to come in and take a lesson I'll give you one." "How much will you charge?" asked Jotham, eager but cautious. "Oh, I won't charge you anything. I'll do it out of friendship. Come in, Rob." "No, Charlie, not just now." Robert suspected that Charlie meditated a practical joke, and did not care to take part in it. They entered the tent—it was in the middle of the forenoon—and Charlie went to his friend the clown, and whispered a few words. "So the young gentleman wants to take a lesson in riding, does he?" he asked. "Yes," answered Jotham, eagerly, "if you have no objection." "We'll do it for you as a favor," said the clown. "What's your name, young man?" Jotham was about to answer correctly, when Charlie broke in—"His name is Lorenzo Leon, from Italy." The clown grinned. "A very fine name!" he answered. "Bring out the Andalusian steed." An attendant led out the trick mule, which, meekly enough, walked round the ring.