294 EACECOURSE AND COVEET SIDE. 



circus over in France, and had got to about 

 forty miles from Paris, when I heard there was 

 to be a/efe at a place they called St. Cloud. I 

 thought this was a good chance for me, so after 

 the performance and supper I started off with 

 my secretary, driving a pair of horses, and 

 reached St. Cloud about five o'clock in the 

 inorning. A real nice place it was for a circus, 

 too ; but I couldn't put up my tents without 

 permission, and so I looked round to see who 

 was about. Well, there was a stout, littlish 

 gentleman coming along the road where I'd 

 pulled up. 



*' 'Ask him if he knows where we ought to 

 apply,' I said to my friend. He could speak 

 French and I couldn't. 



'' ' I can speak English,' the gentleman said. 

 ' What can I do for you ? ' 



"'Well, sir,' I answered, 'I've got a circus 

 and want to give a show here, if I can get 

 permission.' 



" ' I think that will be possible,' the gentle- 

 man said. ' Surely that's an American-built 

 carriage ? ' he went on. ' Are the horses 

 American, too ? ' 



" Yes, sir,' I told him, ' and rare good trotters. 

 They've come nearly forty miles, but they're not 

 done yet as you shall see if you care about it.' 



