Leo the Circus Boy: or, Life under the great white canvas
TextCHAPTER XXXVIII. – GOOD-BY TO THE CIRCUS BOY
The confession was taken down in writing, and then Griswold signed it in the presence of several outside witnesses.
By this time it was late in the evening, but Leo was too excited to sleep.
“Can’t we take the first train east?” he asked of Barton Reeve. “I am anxious to let Squire Dobb know what I think of him.”
“I will see Lambert and see if we can get off,” replied the menagerie manager.
They sought out the general manager, and, after putting the whole case to him, got permission to leave the “Greatest Show on Earth” for three days.
There was a midnight train eastward, and this they boarded.
Barton Reeve had secured sleeping accommodations, but Leo was too excited to rest.
The following noon found them in Hopsville.
From the railroad station they walked to Nathan Dobb’s house.
“Hullo! there is Daniel Hawkins’ wagon standing in front,” cried Leo. “He must be calling on the squire.”
The servant girl ushered them in. As they sat in the hall waiting for Nathan Dobb they heard a loud dispute in the office of the justice.
Hawkins and Nathan Dobb were having a quarrel about some money the latter was to pay the former for releasing Leo.
In the midst of the discussion Leo walked in, followed by Barton Reeve.
Both Squire Dobb and old Hawkins were much astonished at the unexpected appearance.
“By gum, Leo!” cried Daniel Hawkins. “You good-fer-nothin’, where did you come from?”
Nathan Dobb turned slightly pale.
“Why – er – I didn’t look to see you so soon, Leo,” he stammered.
“I know it; in fact, you didn’t look to see me over again,” retorted the young gymnast bitterly.
“What – er – that is, I don’t understand you, Leo.”
“You soon will understand me, Squire Dobb. I have come back to show you up as a villain.”
“By gum!” It was all Daniel Hawkins could say. It took away his breath to hear a boy talk like that to the principal man in Hopsville.
“You young rascal!” began Nathan Dobb, growing red in the face.
“Hold on there!” put in Barton Reeve.
“Who are you?”
“You know well enough. I am here to help Leo obtain his rights.”
“What rights?”
“To all the money you are trying to rob him of.”
“Me?”
“Exactly.”
“I haven’t a cent belonging to him.”
“We know better.”
“Hank Griswold has been caught and has made a confession,” put in Leo. “So your game is up, Nathan Dobb. I always thought there was something wrong about your doings concerning my parents’ estate, and now I know it.”
Nathan Dobb had risen to his feet. The shot from Leo told, and he sank back in his chair.
“Griswold under arrest!” he gasped.
“Yes, and you will be soon, too,” added Barton Reeve.
“By gum!” came faintly from Daniel Hawkins.
“I – I – it is all a mistake,” stammered Nathan Dobb. “I – er – never intended to defraud Leo out of a cent.”
“I will never believe that,” replied our hero warmly.
“Get an officer,” said Barton Reeve quietly.
“No! no! don’t arrest me! For the sake of my family, have mercy!” groaned Nathan Dobb, breaking down utterly.
“Will you promise to restore every cent due Leo?”
“Yes! yes! He shall have it all!”
“I only want what is due me,” said Leo.
“You shall have every cent – I swear it.”
After this Nathan Dobb was easy to handle. He told the whole story of the estate and how the money was invested.
All the necessary papers were turned over to Barton Reeve to be put into the hands of the court.
“A good day’s work,” said Reeve when he and Leo left the squire’s house. “You are now free and rich.”
“I hardly know myself,” replied Leo, and he told the plain truth.
It was not long after this that Leo came into possession of property which, later on, when times became better, proved to be worth nearly fifteen thousand dollars.
Barton Reeve was appointed his guardian until he should become of age. The great friendship between the man and the boy, so strangely begun, was never broken.
A few weeks after the exposure, and after Daniel Hawkins had carried the news far and wide, Nathan Dobb sold out his household effects and went West. Whatever became of him is not known.
Several years have passed.
On his stony farm Daniel Hawkins worries out a miserable existence. His wife is more of a tartar than ever, and together they make one of the most wretched couples living in the Hopsville district.
Mart Keene is still with the “Greatest Show on Earth” and is earning a good salary. He has called once or twice upon the Hawkinses, but he has nothing in common with the mean farmer and his wife.
Carl Ross is likewise still on the road and is getting a large salary. He has married pretty Natalie Sparks and both are well and happy.
Leo has given up the circus profession and is now at college. He is a diligent scholar and expects to become a doctor. He has a score of friends who wish him well and who predict for him a brilliant future. But no matter how successful he may be in years to come it is not likely that he will forget the stirring times when he was simply Leo the Circus Boy.