Mr. Lord was thoroughly enraged when Toby left the wagon, and saw
the boy just as he stepped to the ground. The angry man gave a
quick glance around, to make sure that none of Toby's friends were
in sight, and then caught him by the coat collar and commenced to
whip him severely with the small rubber cane that he usually carried.
Mr. Job Lord lifted the poor boy entirely clear of the ground, and
each blow that he struck could be heard almost the entire length
of the circus train.
"You've been makin' so many acquaintances here that you hain't
willin' to do any work," he said, savagely, as he redoubled the
force of his blows.
"Oh, please stop! please stop!" shrieked the poor boy in his agony.
"I'll do everything you tell me to, if you won't strike me again!"
This piteous appeal seemed to have no effect upon the cruel man,
and he continued to whip the boy, despite his cries and entreaties,
until his arm fairly ached from the exertion and Toby's body was
crossed and recrossed with the livid marks of the cane.
"Now let's see whether you'll 'tend to your work or not!" said the
man as he flung Toby from him with such force that the boy staggered,
reeled, and nearly fell into the little brook that flowed by the
roadside. "I'll make you understand that all the friends you've
whined around in this show can't save you from a lickin' when I get
ready to give you one! Now go an' do your work that ought to have
been done an hour ago!"
Mr.
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