Indianapolis Times, Volume 48, Number 31, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 April 1936 — Page 29

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Short Story " PRELUDE TO SUMMER By Francis J. Evans

TUBBY WICKS bowed his round face and batt -ed derby against the drenching , ■•■ ring nor'easter that drove out of the night. Cold water squished in his shoes at every step, and dripped from the frayed overcoat pinned tightly about his rotund figure. Tubby was restless. It was all right to prowl the pavements of Manhattan in winter, but when spring brought the strange nostalgia that gripped him now, he yearned for open country—the lonely call of a train whistle; the roll of an empty box car; the aroma of a mulligan stewing in some hobo JungleTubby shuffled to a halt before a. bright contraption parked under a dripping street light near the stage door of a fourth-rate movie and

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vaudeville theatre. It was an old truck transformed into a motor caravan by paint and the addition of a window or two. Gilt letters across its sides announced that it was the property of “The Great Fnrico & Karlo.” nun ct'UBBY forgot the rain as he eyed the gayly decrepit entourage with wistful approval. That was the way to travel! A hobo paradise. The caravan seemed deserted. He tried to peek in the windows for a glimpse of the heaven inside, but the curtains were drawn. Timidly, he lifted the latch on the door in back—just to look. It was dark. Drawn on by curiosity, Tubby climbed the back step. Another step and he was inside. How nice and dry it was— The door clicked shut behind him. Tubby turned in sudden panic and fumbled for the latch. He had no ambition to be caught there —and spend the Summer behind bars on the Island. A low growl made him turn from the door, and his back hair stood straight out. A pair of cold, green eyes gleamed in the dark. He felt warm breath on his face, and then something wet and hot rasped against his whiskers. Tubby’s knees slowly sagged beneath him. ile wanted to howl as he remembered, too late, the “& KARLO” part of the gilt lettering outside. He'd walked into an animal act!” nuti r I ''HE Great Enrico packed the last of his belongings in his trunk with a jauntiness he far from felt. In his street clothes, minus the red tailcoat, top hat, and high-heeled boots he wore for his audience, he was just a gray little man hiding behind a fierce, upturned mustache. “Enrico, it breaks my heart—” King Bradley, owner of Bradley’s Mammoth One-Ring Motorized Circus, sat in the dingy little dressing room’s only chair and waved a chewed cigar in his pudgy hand, " —but, like I said before, I just ain’t got a spot for you and Karlo this season.” “Sure, King. Sure. I was just giving you first chance at the act, that’s all. The Baker Brothers’ Big Show has been after me all winter.” He lied bravely. “I’ve been holding them off ’til I saw you.” King Bradley nodded his appreciation of such loyalty. “Then you’re all set—nothin’ to worry about ” nun course, we and rather go with KJ you, like always. It’s a good act. King.” “Uh-huh. Karlo’s a smart animal, but we’re makin’ the same circuit again and I gotta have fresh attractions.” Enrico looked offended and started to protest. “I caught the act tonight.” King Bradley shook his head. “It’s stale —Bruno walks his barrels like he was doin’ it in his sleep—” “Wait’ll you see our new routine,” boasted Enrico quickly. “It'll panic ’em. All it needs is a bit of polishing.” “Yeah, I’d like to see it,” said King Bradley without enthusiasm, “only I’m goin’ South next week. We open in Waycross, G. A., a week from Monday.” The Great Enrico sighed. “Waycross, G. A ,” where the days were soft and bright with sun, and the cool nights fragrant with the pungent odor of pine smoke. Bradley started for the door, “Well, I gotta see that Pascali team when they come off. That’s what I come over for—l mean—” “Oh. That wire act—” Enrico's expression went dull. So Bradley hadn't come to see him and Karlo after all. “Umm—well, good luck to you.” King Bradley edged through the door and escaped nun THE great Enrico slowly closed and locked his trunk. On the way out he paused for a moment before the makeup mirror and gazed at the little man who stared out at him. He looked whipped. He’d banked every hope on joining up with King Bradley this spring, now that he’d finished the last of tly fe* poor bookings he'd been r '*ble to get. He was broke. The coming summer didn’t look so good. The Great Enrico turned up his coat collar against the driving rain as he slouched from the stage door and crossed the walk to his caravan. As he clicked the latch on the door, a cautious cry reached his ears—“Halp!” Swiftly he flung the door open and reached Inside to switch on the light—and— , There was Karlo, in alert and very self-satisfied police dog, sitting upright on the back of a fat and frightened hoM, sprawled face down on the floor. The Great Enrico grinned in spite of his blues. “Halpi” Tubby Wick's cry was,

a wail. “Get it off’n me. Get me outta here!” “Snooping, eh?’ accused Enrico. “Serves you right.” “I only come in outta the rain,” whined Tubby, “and this thing’s been parked on the back of my lap ever since. Call a cop—do anything—but do somethin’!” nun TUBBY turned his head cautiously to see what sort of beast was using him for a carpet. “Nuts!” he snorted. “If I’d of knowed it was only a dog ” He rolled over on his back. Karlo moved with him, so that when Tubby was through rolling, the dog was perched on top of his stomach. • It was anew version of the old barrel-walking routine. Only it was a lot more fun and Karlo seemed to enjoy it. He growled playfully and showed his teeth in a doggy grin. “Aw, cut it out.” Tubby poked at the dog. Karlo put a paw in nis face and pushed him back. “Good boy, Karlo,” applauded The Great Enrico. The dog balanced erect upon Tubby’s abdomen and barked gleefully at the praise. Tubby saw an opportunity. He heaved, and dived for the dooronly to be yanked by the coat tails and spilled into the rushing gutter under the street light. The next minute, a familiar weight was sitting on his stomach. Karlo liked it there. Time and again Tubby, tried to roll out from under, but at every attempt, Karlo walked him barrelfashion, barking excitedly. nun A CROWD began to gather. New York crowds don’t mind a little rain when there's a free show. The harder Tubby tried to get rid of his passenger, the more the dog and the crowd enjoyed it. Enrico had to laugh. A policeman pushed his way through the ring of spectators. “He.v, what’s goin’ on here?” he wanted to know. The answer came from an unexpected quarter. King Bradley, waving his chewed cugar, pushed through the crowd. “It’s a preview of the best darned dog act in the world, officer,” he announced—and turning to the Great Enrico he grasped the little man by both shoulders. “Enrico, old friend.” Bradley shook him enthusiastically, “don't Ml me you were gonna take this ; :w act to that lousy Baker outfit, a.id not give me a chance at it? It's swell! Lookit these suckers eatin’ it up. No, sir—you’re cornin’ with King Bradley’s Mammoth One-Ring Motorized Circus. Say, that new stooge y’ got for Karlo is a Wow!” “Huh?" The Great Enrico gulped. “But ” No ’buts’ about it. I can top any offer the Bakers make. You be in my office Monday morning, an’ your contract’ll be ready.” nan KING BRADLEY waddled away before there could be any argument, leaving The Great Enrico dazed and weak. Unmindful of the onlookers he sank to the curb and sat down in the wet beside the weary and prostrate Tubby, who still was doing duty as a cushion for Karlo. s “Have a heart.” begged Tubby. Call off your mutt an’ lemme go " “Go?” The Great Enrico looked startled. “But you can’t walk out on us now% mister. You’re part of the act.” “Art, my eye." Tubby glared up at the big dogs astride his abdomen. "Think I’ll let this mutt maul me regular?" Karlo leaned down and licked him on the nose. “See—he was only playing. He likes you.” “Yeah?” “Os course—and so it’s Rll settled. The three of us start for Waycross, G. A.. Monday right after w? sign the contract with Kir.g Bradley ” “In that?” interrupted Tubby as he cocked a wistful eye up at the dry’ interior of the caravan. “Me too?” n n n “OURE,” nodded The Great En*3 rico. “We’ll live and travel in it all summer. All you have to do is play in the ring with Karlo twice a day—and be ps>id for it. Listen, you’ve just got to join the act What do you say?" Tubby looked up at Karlo grinning down at him. The dog wasn't such a bad guy at that. “If you’ll drag this pooch off'n my stomach,” answered Tubby with a great sigh. “I’ll say this is gonna be a. pretty swell summer, after all.” "You're telling me!” breathed the Great* Enrico fervently. THE END.

OUR BOARDING HOUSE

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FRECKLES AND HIS FRIENDS—

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WASHINGTON TUBBS II

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THE TARZAN TWINS

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When the boys saw themselves encircled by those hairy arms, they were too frightened to call out. But, had they cried out, no one would have heard, for the Waziri were busy exterminating the cannibals, and Ukundo and Bulala had joined joyfully in that task.

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THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Dick turned his eyes quickly upward and, to his horror, found himself gazing at the frightening visage of a great ape! From his lips issued a low moan, which was his woeful commentary on his fate. He had been saved from cannibals, only to be captured by an ape!

With Major Hoople

OUT OUR WAY

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Doc. too, quickly took in the situation, but before either of the boys could even begin to struggle, their ape captors lifted them up and ran across the clearing. At the edge of the jungle both leaped into the trees and swung dizzily through swaying branches.

—By Edgar Rice Burroughs

Doc’s imagination raced wildly. He was intrigued by the thought that perhaps he and Dick could live for a time among the apes and become real Tarzans. Then he bethought himself of the dum-dum, that weird, unspeakable ceremony in which the apes kill their captives!

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-By Williams

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—By Martin