children sat talking together, and then
Mademoiselle Jeannette curled herself up on the seat, with her head in
her mother's lap, and went to sleep.

Toby had resolved to keep awake and watch her, for he was struck with
admiration at her face; but sleep got the better of him in less than
five minutes after he had made the resolution, and he sat bolt-upright,
with his little round head nodding and bobbing until it seemed almost
certain that he would shake it off.

When Toby awoke the wagon was drawn up by the side of the road, the sun
was shining brightly, preparations were being made for the entree into
town, and the harsh voice of Mr. Job Lord was shouting his name in a
tone that boded no good for poor Toby when he should make his
appearance.

Toby would have hesitated before meeting his angry employer but that he
knew it would only make matters worse for him when he did show himself,
and he mentally braced himself for the trouble which he knew was
coming. The little girl whose acquaintance he had made the night
previous was still sleeping; and, wishing to say good-bye to her in some
way without awakening her, he stooped down and gently kissed the skirt
of her dress. Then he went out to meet his master.

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 t