Part IV Chapter 6 Doctor Dolittle's Circus by Hugh Lofting
BEPPO THE GREAT
The money, over the spending of which poor Dab-Dab had so worried, was soon replaced in the Dolittle savings box. The addition of six snakes to the Doctor's household was not an expensive one in upkeep--even though the good housekeeper continued to plead and argue with John Dolittle for the ousting of what she called the messy, squirmy creatures. But during the days at Bridgeton the throngs that crowded into the enclosure left so many sixpences at the booth of the "Two-headed animal from the jungles of Africa" that soon Too-Too prophesied the record takings of the Ashby week would be easily beaten.
"I estimate, Doctor," said he, putting his mathematical head on one side and closing his left eye, "that in six days we should easily make sixteen pounds--and that's not allowing for any extra business on the market day or Saturday."
"And most of that you can put down to the Doctor's act with Beppo," said Jip. "If it wasn't for that turn, and the talk it has made, the crowds wouldn't be half so big."
Finding what a success John Dolittle's performance was making, Blossom came to him after the first showing and begged him to keep it up for the whole of the week that the circus stayed at Bridgeton.
"Well, but look here," said John Dolittle, "I've promised Beppo that he would be pensioned off for obliging you in your emergency. I don't know how soon Nino will be able to work again; but I did not say anything to Beppo about acting all week. I supposed you would put something else in our place as soon as you had time to look around."
"Good Lord, Doctor!" said Blossom. "I couldn't find anything to take the place of your act if I looked around for a year. There's never been anything like it since the circus was invented. The news of it has gone all over the town--and a good ways outside of it, too. They say folks are coming all the way from Whittlethorpe to see your turn. Listen, can't you ask Beppo to oblige us? It ain't heavy work for 'im. Tell 'im we'll give 'im anything 'e likes--asparagus for breakfast and a feather bed to sleep in--if 'e only says the word. My outfit, with the sideshows and all, is taking in pretty near fifty pounds a day now. Never saw such business! If this keeps up we shan't 'ave to stay in the game long before we're all on easy street."
There was something of contempt in the Doctor's face as he looked at Blossom and paused a moment before answering.
"Oh, yes," he said rather sadly, "you're willing enough to treat your poor old servant well now, aren't you?--now he is bringing you in money. For years and years he has worked for you and never even got his coat brushed in return--just enough hay and oats to keep him going. Now you'll give anything in the world. Money! Bah! It's a curse."
"Well," said Blossom, "I'm helping to make up for it now, ain't I? It ain't 'eavy work, answering questions and doin' tricks. You go and talk to 'im, Doctor. Lord bless me! Don't it sound queer ?-- me asking you to go and talk to 'im--and twenty-four hours ago I didn't know there ever was such a thing as talking to 'orses!"
"Except with a whip," said John Dolittle. "I wish I could put you in his place and make you work thirty-five years for Beppo in return for hay and water and a lot of beating and neglect. All right, I'll put your request before him and see what he says. But remember, his decision is to be final. If he refuses to give one single performance more I shall hold you to your promise--a comfortable home for him and a good pasture to graze in for the rest of his life. And I almost hope he'll say no."
The Doctor turned on his heel and leaving the ringmaster's wagon set off toward the stables.
"Poor old Beppo!" he murmured. "His ancestor carried Julius Cæsar in military reviews--heard the legions cheer the conqueror of the world who sat astride his back! Poor old Beppo!"
When he entered the stables he found the wagon horse gazing out of the window of his stall at the pleasant fields that lay beyond the circus enclosure.
"Is that you, John Dolittle?" said he, as the Doctor opened the door. "Have you come to take me away?"
"Beppo," said John Dolittle, putting his hand on the veteran's gaunt and bony back, "it seems you are now a great man--I mean a great horse."
"How's that, Doctor? I don't understand."
"You've become famous, Beppo. This is a funny world. And we humans, I often think, are the funniest animals in it. Mr. Blossom has just found out after you have been in his service for thirty-five years, how valuable and intelligent you are."
"In what way valuable?"
"Because you talk, Beppo."
"But I've always talked."
"Yes, I know. But Mr. Blossom and the world didn't know until I proved it to them in the circus ring. You have made a great sensation, Beppo, just on the eve of your retirement. Now, they don't want you to retire. They want you to continue being wonderful-- just talking, the way you've always done."
"It sounds crazy, doesn't it, Doctor?"
"Perfectly. But you have suddenly become so valuable to Blossom that he will give you asparagus for breakfast, a valet to brush your coat and another to curl your mane if you'll only stay and act for him for the rest of the week."
"Humph! That's what it means to be famous, does it? I'd sooner be turned out into a nice big field."
"Well, Beppo, you are to suit yourself--at last, after thirty-five years of suiting other people. I've told Blossom I'm going to hold him to his bargain. If you don't want to do it, say so. You shall retire to-day if you wish."
"What would you advise me to do, Doctor?"
"There is this about it," said John Dolittle, "if you give Blossom what he wants now, we may be able to get you what you want-- that is, more exactly what you want--later. You see, he has no farm of his own to put you on; he would have to get a farmer to graze you and take care of you for him. And besides, he will probably be better disposed toward me and some plans I have for the other animals."
"All right, Doctor," said Beppo. "Then that settles it. I'll do it."
There was no happier man in the world than Alexander Blossom when John Dolittle came and told him that Beppo had consented to act all the week. He at once got handbills printed and had them sent to the neighboring towns and given away in the streets. These told the public that the World-Famous Talking Horse was to be seen at Bridgeton for only four remaining days, and that those who did not miss the chance of a lifetime had better hurry up and come to "Blossom's Mammoth Circus."
The Doctor was caused considerable embarrassment during the special parades through the streets which were arranged for Beppo by having himself pointed out as the Archduke Pufftupski, the famous horse's owner and trainer. For this absurd title, which Matthew had bestowed on the Doctor, the manager insisted on his sticking to.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of that week were each record-breakers for Blossom's box office. For the first time in his life the ringmaster had to turn people away from the gates of his circus. The crowding of the enclosure reached a point where he was afraid to let any more in. The police of Bridgeton had to lend him nearly their whole force to keep the throngs in order and to see that no accidents happened in the crush.
Nothing succeeds like success. It was only necessary to have the news go through the town that people were being turned away, to make twice the number clamor for admission. "Bridgeton Week" came to be spoken of among the show folk for a long time afterward as the outstanding period in the circus's whole career.