The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-07-04
SEEING THE CIRCUS.

SEEING THE CIRCUS.
It was the day before the circus, and
four small boys sat On the back steps
dolefully discussing that longed-for but
unattainable pleasure. They had asked,
leased, insisted and implored, but the
powers that were had vetoed the bill
and the poor little fellows were almost
heart-broken.
CT wish we could do something to
earn the money to get in" said Johnny.
eve might drop potatoes for old
Smithy," suggested Davie. He and
Johnny were the same age and always
agreed.
"Pooh! lots O. money you'd get!"
sneered another, whom the boys, for
some reason known only to themselves,
called "Rabbity." His father was Choir
lister in the church where Davies father
was deacon. Here tbs after school,"
he continued, "and the circus comes off
tomorrow afternoon. You wouldn't
have time enough to get the money to
pay mig way in, even."
"Ho You're a healthy onel You
don't s'pose we'd pay more'n our own
fare, do you?" cried Johnny and Davie
"You can pay y'own way" said little
Ted, who always sided with his big
brother Johnny.
"Well,' said Rabbity, apologetically,
L thought you meant to get rich fore
morning am treat all yer friends. But
them" he added, with much sanctimony,
81 don't knows care to go. They're a
low set to circus"
"Yaas," said Davie, scornfully, "ye
heard yer father say that, so you think
it's smart"
"Bet you'd go quick's we would, only
give you the chance" and Johnny know
ingly nodded his closely-sheared head.
'Bet you'd go quick 'nough," echoed
Ted.
ooh dear! / wish we could CO."
sighed Johnny, returning to the subject
in hand.
cts too dirt meant we can't" Davie
was very near crying.
you see, times is so hard" said
Johnny, refectively. "Our folks can't
afford it for the two of us, an 'twouldn't
do to let one go, cause t'other'd be
mad"
"You amt goin' thout me-" Ted de-
clared, setting his chin in the palm of
very dirty little hand.
well, that's just what said, scolded
Johnny. "You see, if they'd only give
father bigger pay, why, we'd CO."
"Taint that that keeps me-" said
Davie, n.ournfully. "If that was the
reason, 'twouldn't be so hard;" and he
swallowed his hardships in big gulp
"Why don't they let you go, then ?"
asked Johnny, in amazement.
"Cause they're so mean they won'tr
won't let you go when they got the
money!" Johnny stood right up on his
feet. "Well, l gummyl"
mo, they won't. 'Taint refine or
ssuthin'. They think I'll get sot I'll
aike it. I'll bet I'll ride some O. them
ihosses yet, if they don't look out.
an can pay for it, an then maybe when
I'm man I'll be tired of it, an save my
money"
"What's the reason you don't go,
Rabbity?" asked Johnny.
well" said Rabbity, slowly, "my
,father thinks they are half drunk, and
they cheat and lie, and, if / go, I'll
Rearn it. He thinks faint proper, and
L guess he's bout right, so | don't want
to CO."
"Poohl Guess you don't need to
learn bow to lie" muttered Johnny, I'M
der his breath, at the same time punch
ing Davie.
"S'pose you'd like to go and get bad"
returned Rabbity, who heard the re-
mark.
"I1l risk gettin' bad. Just gimme a
chance to go in, that's all l want"
Heres something 1 picked up COM
ing home" called Davies older brother,
as he approached the house with paper
in his hand. cit tells all about the
circus. There's Barnum himself, and
here's all his horses and things" and he
ithrew the paper at them and went in.
Ut was like match thrown into heap
of gunpowder. And the exclamations
and elbow joggings that followed would
have driven any one but boy crazy.
AS long as they could see, they pored
over il, now admiring the elephants, and
s5hen squealing IN ecstacy at the wonder
ful performances of the equestriennes.
And when it was too dark to read any
more they discovered that there was to
be street parade. Then they went in
search of Davies father.
@Say, father" cried Davie, won't you
take us to the street parade tomorrow
morning? It's free, an we can see the
chariot. An his horses cost no end of
money!"
After much entreaty, the boys were