Teenage Years

Tom possessed remarkable looks and enjoyed widespread popularity in Russia. At the tender age of sixteen, his fame inflated his sense of self-importance, prompting him to yearn for independence from his overbearing father. When he fell deeply in love with the daughter of a Caucasus chief, he saw an opportunity to embark on a new adventure—together, they aspired to create their own show. However, his beloved, having grown up outside the circus world, failed to captivate him with her lack of talent for performing. Bereft of resources, Tom found himself without even a horse to train. Their funds depleted, their only possessions consisted of four juggling balls that proved difficult for his chilly hands to toss. This meager skill did not yield enough earnings in the open marketplaces to secure even a loaf of bread. As the bitter cold of winter intensified, the fields became inhospitable for sleeping.

Realizing that he was still too young to wander the vast expanses of Russia alone, Tom reluctantly accepted that his dreams would need to be deferred for a few more years. Thus, he humbly returned to his father and the enclosed world of the glittering circus. The allure of that familiar realm, with its distinctive scents and the sound of neighing horses, possessed an undeniable allure—it was home. Regrettably, his short-lived romance came to an end as he respectfully reunited his mistress with her father, offering his sincere apologies.