“Well, this won’t be much to look at.  But we may get some fun out of it,” added Tom, with a sly wink.

“Yes, there is sure to be fun when you are around,” added his younger brother, with a laugh.

When the circus was mentioned at home Dick said he would be glad to go and so did Fred.

“It is Frozzler’s Grand Aggregation of Attractions,” said Tom, looking over one of the showbills.  “The Most Stupendous Exhibition on Earth.  Daring bareback riding, trained elephants and a peanut-eating contest, likewise an egg-hunting raffle.  All for a quarter, twenty-five cents.”

“What is an egg-hunting raffle?” questioned Fred.

“He’s fooling you, Fred,” answered Sam.  “You mustn’t believe all Tom says.”

“Thus doth mine own flesh go back on me,” came from Tom, with an injured look.  “Never mind, it is put and carried that we go and see Frozzler’s outfit, occupying reserved orchestra chairs, close to the family circle and adjoining the second gallery west.”

As soon as it was settled Tom and Sam laid their heads together to have all the fun they could at the circus, “just to get square with that agent,” as Sam expressed it.

None of the older folks wanted to go, for which the boys were thankful.

“Say, I’d like to see dat show, Tom,” said Aleck Pop, when he got the chance.  “Ain’t seen no circuses since I was a little boy.”

“Then you must go by all means, Aleck.  But don’t you get too close to the monkey cage.”

“Why not, Tom?”

“They might take you for a long-lost brother.”

“Yah! yah!  Dat’s one on me!” Aleck showed his ivories in a broad grin.  “Maybe da will take yo’ for a long-lost brudder, too—­yo’ is so full ob monkey shines,” and then Tom had to laugh at the sally.

At the proper time the four boys drove over to the circus grounds, taking Aleck Pop with them.  Aleck was arrayed in his best, and from his broad expanse of shirt bosom sparkled an imitation diamond which looked like a small electric light.

Tickets were procured for all by Dick, and the boys and the servant pressed their way into the first of the tents, in company with one of the largest crowds ever gathered in that vicinity.

Now, as it happened, Frozzler’s Grand Aggregation of Attractions was largely so only in name.  Frozzler was himself the man who had given out the showbills, his regular agent having refused to work because his salary had remained unpaid for three weeks.  The circus was fast going to pieces.

“Here is where I am going to make a bunch of money,” said Frozzler to himself, as he saw the crowd coming in.  “This day will put me on my feet again.”  But he never saw the “bunch” of money in question, for before the show was over a sheriff came along and levied on the receipts, in behalf of several tradespeople and some performers.

The exhibition was held in two tents, one for the wild animals and the other for the ring performance.  The wild animals were in exactly eight wagon cages and consisted of a sickly-looking lion, a half-starved tiger, several raccoons, two foxes, a small bear, and about a dozen monkeys.  There were also two elephants, one so old he was blind and could hardly stand.