-eater had overheard the plots and saw his
chance to do Joe a favor. Carfax, it was surmised, hoped to get Ham
Logan under his influence through drink, so that he might use him in
order to injure Joe, after having failed with Harry Loper.

It developed, afterward, that the paper mills had, innocently enough,
furnished the swindlers with the paper for the counterfeit tickets. The
material was secured through a trick, and Inky Jed knew an unscrupulous
printer who did the work for him.

It was Bill Carfax who had sent the man who so nearly exposed Joe's box
trick. But fortune was with the young circus man.

The music played, the horses trotted about, clowns made laughter, and
Helen performed graceful feats on Rosebud. Joe did some magical tricks,
walked the wire, slid down on his head, and then prepared for the
blazing banquet.

In order to show what he could do, Ted Brown had introduced some
novelties. After Joe and the guests had devoured the blazing food there
was a pause, and then, suddenly, from the center of the table spouts of
red fire burst out, so that the banquet ended in a blaze of glory.
Joe's new helper had used some fireworks effectively.

In due time Bill and his crony were tried, convicted, and sent away to
prison for long terms. Harry Loper changed his rather loose and weak
ways and became one of Joe's best friends. Ted Brown was continued as an
"assistant assistant," for in a few weeks Ham Logan was able to rejoin
the show, and he again became Joe's chief helper.

"Well, what are you going to spring next on the unsuspecting public as a
sensation?" asked Helen, when the show had reached a city where two days
were to be spent. "Have you other acts as good a the fire-eating?"

"Well, perhaps I can think up some," was the answer.

And so, with Joe Strong thinking what the future might hold for him and
the circus, we will take our leave for a time.

THE END

End of Project Gutenberg's Joe Strong The Boy Fire-Eater, by Vance Barnum

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