e 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."

Here the skeleton broke in with such loud applause and so many cries of
"Hear! hear!" that Toby grew still more confused, and forgot entirely
what he was intending to say next.

"I want you to know how much obliged I am," he said, after much
hesitation, "an' when I wear 'em I'll ride just the best I know how,
even if I don't want to, an' you sha'n't be sorry that you gave them to
me."

As Toby concluded he made a funny little awkward bow, and then seemed
to be trying to hide himself behind a chair from the applause which was
given so generously.

"Bless your dear little heart!" said the fat lady, after the confusion
had somewhat subsided. "I know you will do your best, anyway, and
I'm glad to know that you're going to make your first appearance in
something that Samuel and I made for you."

Ella was quite as well pleased with her sash as Toby was with his
costume, and thanked Mr. and Mrs. Treat in a pretty little way that made
Toby wish he could say anything half so nicely.

The hour which the skeleton had devoted for the purpose of the
presentation and accompanying speeches having elapsed, it was necessary
that Ella and Toby should go and that the doors of the exhibition be
opened at once, in order to give any of the public an opportunity of