he added , making a queer noise , which caused the poodle to growl and bang the floor irefully with his tail , as he lay close to his master 's feet , getting acquainted with the new shoes they wore . `` How came you there ? '' asked Mrs. Moss , rather disturbed at the news . `` Why , my father was the ` Wild Hunter of the Plains . ' Did n't you ever see or hear of him ? '' said Ben , as if surprised at her ignorance . `` Bless your heart , child , I have n't been to a circus this ten years , and I 'm sure I do n't remember what or who I saw then , '' answered Mrs. Moss , amused , yet touched by the son 's evident admiration for his father . `` Did n't you see him ? '' demanded Ben , turning to the little girls . `` We saw Indians and tumbling men , and the Bounding Brothers of Borneo , and a clown and monkeys , and a little mite of a pony with blue eyes . Was he any of them ? '' answered Betty , innocently . `` Pooh ! he did n't belong to that lot . He always rode two , four , six , eight horses to oncet , and I used to ride with him till I got too big . My father was A No. 1 , and did n't do any thing but break horses and ride 'em , '' said Ben , with as much pride as if his parent had been a President . `` Is he dead ? '' asked Mrs. Moss . `` I do n't know . Wish I did , '' -- and poor Ben gave a gulp as if something rose in his throat and choked him .
`` Tell us all about it , dear , and may be we can find out where he is , '' XXXXX Mrs. Moss , leaning forward to pat the shiny dark head that was suddenly bent over the dog .
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