The Young Acrobat of the Great North American Circus. Alger Horatio Jr.

will have much to say about it," he said.

      "Are you going to hook jack?" asked his new acquaintance.

      "I didn't mean to tell you, but I will. I have made up my mind not to work for Mr. Bickford at all."

      "Then why did you come here?"

      "Because my uncle saw fit to arrange with him."

      "What are you going to do, then?"

      "I am offered work with the circus."

      "You are!" exclaimed the country boy, opening wide his eyes in astonishment. "What are you going to do?"

      "I'm going to be an acrobat."

      "What's that?"

      Kit explained as well as he could.

      "What are they going to pay you?"

      "Ten dollars a week and my expenses," answered Kit, proudly.

      "Jehu!" ejaculated the other boy. "Why, that's good wages for a man. Do you think they'd hire me, too?"

      "If you think you can do what they require, you can ask them."

      "Why can't I do it as well as you?"