But she did not come at all -- her mother sent out word that Toby
could not see her until after the performance was over, owing to
the fact that it was now nearly time for her to go into the ring,
and she was not dressed yet.
Toby was terribly disappointed. He knew that it would not be safe
for him to wait until the close of the performance if he were
intending to run away that night, and he felt that he could not go
until he had said a few last words to her.
He was in a great perplexity, until the thought came to him that
he could write a goodby to her, and by this means any unpleasant
discussion would be avoided.
After some little difficulty he procured a small piece of not very
clean paper and a very short bit of lead pencil, and, using the
top of one of the wagons, as he sat on the seat, for a desk, he
indited the following epistle:
deaR ella I Am goin to Run away two night, & i want two say good
by to yu & your mother. i am Small & unkle Danil says i dont mount
two much, but i am old enuf two know that you have bin good two me,
& when i Am a man i will buy you a whole cirkus, and we Will ride
together. dont forgit me & i wont yu in haste
Toby Tyler.
Toby had no envelope in which to seal this precious letter, but
he felt that it would not be seen by prying eyes and would safely
reach its destination if he intrusted it to Old Ben.
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