Take them, my boy; and when you array yourself in them
tomorrow you will remember that the only living skeleton, and the
wonder of the nineteenth century in the shape of the mammoth lady,
are present in their works if not in their persons."
As he finished speaking Mr. Treat handed the bundle to Toby, and
then joined in the applause which was being given by Mrs. Treat
and Ella.
Toby unrolled the package, and found that it contained a circus
rider's costume of pink tights and blue velvet trunks, collar and
cuffs, embroidered in white and plentifully spangled with silver.
In addition was a wide blue sash for Ella, embroidered to correspond
with Toby's costume.
The little fellow was both delighted with the gift and at a loss
to know what to say in response. He looked at the costume over and
over again, and the tears of gratitude that these friends should
have been so good to him came into his eyes. He saw, however, that
they were expecting him to say something in reply, and, laying the
gift on the platform, he said to the skeleton and his wife:
"You've been so good to me ever since I've been with the circus
that I wish I was big enough to say somethin' more than that I'm
much obliged, but I can't. One of these days, when I'm a man, I'll
show you how much I like you, an' then you won't be sorry that you
was good to such a poor little runaway boy as I am.
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