The Corner House Girls' Odd Find; Where They Made It and What the Strange Discovery Led to

Excerpt: ...of snoopin'? You'd have 'snooped', flashed back Agnes, with some heat. I was alone, and I was afraid of tramps- Well, we're tramps, said the boy, stooping and picking up the dropped stick. Not the kind I am afraid of, Agnes replied, trying to smile. The boy would not be pacified, but the man said, shakingly, from his seat on the log: We wouldn't hurt you, girl. Put down that 131 stick, Barney. This is my son, Barney, and I'm Asa Scruggs. I'm a joey when I'm in luck, and Barney-he's a trapeze artist. He's good. Oh, Pop! shrilled the youthful trapeze artist, might's well tell the truth this time. She's nothing but a girl herself. And that's what you are! cried Agnes, with excitement. Yes. I'm Barnabetta, not Barney, Scruggs. Nice name, isn't it? scoffed the strange girl. My mother was Pennsylvania Dutch; that's where I got my name, Barnabetta. But it's safer to travel as a boy, so I'm Barney on the road. Besides, skirts would be in the way, climbing in and out of 'rattlers.' Oh, what fun! gasped Agnes. Do you and your father always travel this way? You bet we don't! Not when we have an engagement. We've ridden in Pullman cars-haven't we, Pop? The man nodded. He did not say much but watched Agnes with eyes that, in a child, the girl would have thought expressed terror. Barnabetta was much the stronger character of the two, the Corner House girl was positive. But where are you traveling now? asked the interested Agnes. We're aimin' on gettin' South, miss. There's tent shows there all winter long, said the man, plaintively. I've been laid up with my ankle, and it's too late to get any bookings worth while 132 through the usual vaudeville agencies. We been workin' for Twomley & Sorber's Herculean Circus and Menagerie; but of course they're in winter quarters now at Tiverton. That's...