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shaking with laughter； but Teddy did not happen to observe him； nor had
he noticed that the head clown had had no part in the conversation。
〃The human football？〃 questioned Teddy dubiously。
〃Yes。〃
〃What's that？〃
〃Oh； you dress up in funny makeup so you look like a huge ball。〃
〃But what do I do after I have bee a football？〃
〃Oh； you roll around in the arena； falling all over yourself and
everybody who happens to get in your way； you bounce up and down and
make all sorts of funny〃
〃Oh； I know；〃 cried Teddy enthusiastically。 〃I saw a fellow do that in
a show once。 He would fall on the ground on his back； then bounce up
into the air several feet。〃
〃You've hit it；〃 replied a clown dryly。
〃I remember how all the people laughed and shouted。 I'll bet I'd
make a hit doing that。〃
〃You would！〃 shouted the performers in chorus。
The show was playing in Batavia； New York； on a rainy night； with
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rather a small house expected； so no better time could have been chosen
for Teddy's first appearance as a clown。
〃Had I better speak to Mr。 Sparling about it？〃
〃Well； what do you think； fellows？〃
〃Oh； no； no！ The old man won't care。 If you make them laugh； he'll
be tickled half to death。〃
〃What do you say？ Is it a go； Tucker？〃
〃Well； I'll think about it。〃
Teddy strolled out in the paddock； where he walked up and down a
few times in the rain。 But the more he thought about the proposition； the
more enthusiastic he grew。 He could see himself the center of attraction；
and he could almost hear the howls of delight of the multitude。
〃They'll be surprised。 But I don't believe I had better go on without
first speaking to Mr。 Sparling。 He might discharge me。 He's had his eye
on me ever since the mule tore up the dressing tent。 But I won't tell Phil。
I'll just give him a surprise。 How he'll laugh when he sees me and finds
out who I am。〃
Thus deciding； the lad ran through the tents out to the front door；
where he asked for Mr。 Sparling； knowing that by this time the owner's
tent had been taken down and packed for shipment； even if it were not
already under way on the flying squadron。
He learned that Mr。 Sparling was somewhere in the menagerie tent。
Hurrying back there； Teddy soon came upon the object of his search。 At
that moment he was standing in front of the cage of Wallace； the biggest
lion in captivity； gazing at that shaggy beast thoughtfully。
〃Mr。 Sparling；〃 called Teddy。
The showman turned； shooting a sharp glance at the flushed face of the
Circus Boy。
〃Well； what's wrong？〃
〃Nothing is wrong； sir。〃
〃e to kick about feed in the cook tent？〃
〃Oh； no； no； sir！ Nothing like that。 I've e to ask a favor of
you。〃
〃Humph！ I thought as much。 Well； what is it？〃
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〃II think I'd like to be a clown； sir。〃
〃A clown？〃 asked the showman； with elevated eyebrows。
〃Yes； sir。〃
Mr。 Sparling laughed heartily。
〃Why； you're that already。 You are a clown； though you may not
know it。 You've been a clown ever since you wore long dresses； I'll
wager。〃
〃But I want to be a real one；〃 urged Teddy。
〃What kind of clown？〃
〃I thought I'd like to be a human football。〃 This time Mr。 Sparling
glanced at the boy in genuine surprise。
〃A human football？〃
〃Yes； sir。〃
〃What put that idea into your head？〃
〃Some of the fellows suggested it。〃
〃Ah！ I thought so；〃 twinkled Mr。 Sparling。 〃Who； may I ask？〃
〃Well； I guess most all of them did。〃
〃I know； but who suggested it first？〃
〃I think the Iron…Jawed Man was the first to say that I ought to be a
clown。 He thought I would make a great hit。〃
〃No doubt； no doubt；〃 snapped the showman in a tone that led Teddy
to believe he was angry about something。
〃May I？〃
Mr。 Sparling reflected a moment； raised his eyes and gazed at the
dripping roof of the menagerie tent。
〃When is this first appearance to be made； if I may ask？〃
〃Oh； tonight。 The fellows said it would be a good time； as there
would not be a very big house。〃
〃Oh； they did； eh？ Well； go ahead。 But remember you do it at your
own risk。〃
〃Thank you。〃
Teddy was off for the dressing room on a run。
〃I'm It；〃 he cried； bursting in upon them。
〃Get the suit；〃 manded a voice。 〃He's It。〃
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Somebody hurried to the property room； returning with a full rubber
suit； helmet and all。 As yet it was merely a bundle。 They bade Teddy get
into it； all hands crowding about him； offering suggestions and lending
their assistance。
〃My； I didn't know I was so popular here；〃 thought the lad； pleased
with these unusual attentions。 〃They must think I'm the real thing。 I'll
show them I am； too。〃
〃Get the pump；〃 directed the Iron…Jawed Man。
A bicycle pump was qu