The Amazing Samson by Zass Alexander

Author:Zass, Alexander [Zass, Alexander]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-01-27T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER II

T HE day after our arrival in Orenburg, the circus opened, into it streaming large crowds of people, all very glad to see us return. Good business we continued to do here for about three weeks. Then, as the attendances were beginning to dwindle away, the circus-master decided to move on, travelling in a different direction from before.

The six months that I should have worked at the locomotive depot had now passed by, and I knew that something desperate would I have to do, and quickly. My failure to report at the depot I knew would not easily reach the ears of my father. It would simply be thought in Orenburg that something had happened to cause my absence which was no concern of anyone there. But when no news of my transfer from the depot to the post of an assistant engine-driver reached my father, that would be another matter. He would be certain to make inquiries. And then what hitherto I had concealed would certainly be discovered.

What to do for the best I knew not. Very perplexed in mind indeed I was. So, after much thought, to Kuratkin I told my troubles, asking him for advice as to what to do. After hearing all I had to tell him, severely he reproved me. But as to what should be my action now, that he did not care to say. Besides, I felt sure that he did not want to lose me, so useful to him in his show had I now become, and so friendly were we together.

“To Anderdjievsky himself you had best tell your story,” said he, “for his counsel will be wiser than mine, perhaps.” So to the circusmaster we both went, and the facts of my escapade related. Like Kuratkin, he too, took a serious view of the matter. “The best thing you can do, Zass,” said he, “is to return home and make a full avowal, trusting to the mercy of your father.” Which did not make me feel very happy, I must tell you. Although so long away from home, my father – and the mercy he would be likely to show me – I had not in any way forgotten.

And quite sure in my own mind that, though it might be the right thing for me to do, it certainly would not, by any means, be the wisest, I pleaded with the circus-master to be allowed to stay and travel with him away from Orenburg. But this he refused to let me do, tempering his refusal, though, with much kindness. “Sorry indeed will we all be to have you leave us,” said he, “but it has to be. Therefore, be advised to pack your things and return to-morrow, for on that day we leave this town.” And, nothing else to be said, so it was left. To Seransk once more it seemed I was booked to return.

That night, I must tell you, I slept not at all. Thinking in my mind was I what I should say when I arrived home.

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