You're a great rider, my boy, a
great rider, and you 'll stand at the head of the profession some
day, if you only stick to it."
"Thank you, sir," was all Toby had time to say before Old Ben had
him by the hand, and the skeleton was pouring out his congratulations
in little Miss Ella's ear.
"Toby, my boy, you did well, an' now you'll amount to something,
if you only remember what I told you last night," said Ben, as he
looked upon the boy whom he had come to think of as his protege,
with pride. "I never seen anybody of your age do any better; an'
now, instead of bein' only a candy peddler, you're one of the stars
of the show."
"Thank you, Ben," was all that Toby could say, for he knew that
his old friend meant every word that he said, and it pleased him
so much that he could say no more than "Thank you" in reply.
"I feel as if your triumph was mine," said Mr. Lord, looking benignly
at Toby from out his crooked eye, and assuming the most fatherly
tone at his command; "I have learned to look upon you almost as my
own son, and your success is very gratifying to me."
Toby was not at all flattered by this last praise. If he had never
seen Mr. Lord before, he might, and probably would, have been
deceived by his words; but he had seen him too often, and under
too many painful circumstances, to be at all swindled by his words.
Toby was very much pleased with his success and by the praise he
received from all, and when the proprietor of the circus came along,
patted him on the head, and told him that he rode very nicely, he
was quite happy, until he chanced to see the greedy twinkle in Mr.
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