The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-08-26
Preaching and Practice.

FIodCIllllH otlu fFdCllC0.
1t was the day before the circus and four
little boys sat Oh the back steps dolcfully
discussing that longcd-for but unattainable
pleasure. They had asked, teascd, insisted
and implorcd, but the powers that were had
vetoed the bill and the poor little fellows
were almost heart broken.
81 wish we could do something to earn
the money to get in, said Johnny.
"We might drop potatoes for old Smithy,
suggested Davie. He ana johnny were of
the same age and always agreed.
"Pooh! lots O. money you'd get -
snoered another, whom the boys, for some
reason known only to themselves, called
"Rabbity" His father was choristcr in
the church where Dawes father was dea-
con. 'IIcre It's after school, "hc continued,
''and the circus comes off tomorrow after
noon. You wouldn't have time enough to
get the money to pay 7ny way in evcn."
'Iol You're healthy one You don't
s'pose we'd pay more'n our own fare, do
you2" cried Johnny and Davic together
"You can pay y'own way,' said little
Ted, who always sided with his big brother
''Wcll," said Rabbity, apologctically, "I
thought you meant to get rich fore morn
ing and treat all yer friends. But then"
he added, with much sanctimony, 81 don't
knows caro- to go. They're low set to
a circus" rs
"Yaas," said Davic, scornfully, eye
heard yer father say that, 30 you think it's
smart"
Bet you'd go quick's we would, only
give you the chancc;" and Johnny know
mgly nodded his closely -sheared head
''Bet you'd 60 quick 'nough," echoed
''Oh dear wish we could CO." sighed
Johnny, returning to the subject in hand.
''It's too dirt meant we can't" Davie
was very near crying. .
''4Ou SEQ, times is so hard, " said Johnny,
reflcctively. 'Our folks can't afford it for
the two of us, an 'twouldnt do to let one
go, cause t'othcr'd be mad"
''You ain't goin' 'thout me-" Ted de-
clarcd, settling his chin in the palm of a
very dirty little Land.
''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 Davic,
mournfnlly. eff 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 2" ask
ed Johnny, in amazement.
"'Cause they're 50 mean they won't !"
"Wont let you go when they got the
money!" Johnny stood right up on his feet.
"Well, glmmyl"
"No, they won't. 'Taint refine Or
suthin'. They think I'll get so't I'll like it.
I'll bet I'll ride some O them hosses yet, if
they don't look out. They'd better let me
go while I'm little an they can pay for it,
an then maybe whenI'm a man I'll he tired
of it an save my money"
''What's the reason you don't go. Rab-
bity 2" asked Johnny.
''Well," said Rabbity, slowly, ''lny
fathcrsaysth they are half drunk, and they cheat
and lie, and if 60, learn it. He thinks
'tain't proper, and I guess he's bout right,
30 don't want to CO."
"Poohl Guess you don't need to learn
how to lie, muttered Johnny under his
breath, at the same time punching Davie.
"S'pose you'd like to 60 and get bad, y
returned Rabbity, who heard the remark.
'T'll risk gettin' bad. Just gimme a
chance to SO in, that's all want"
s'Here's something picked up coming
home," called Davies older brother, as he
approac 1ed the house with paper in his
hand. at tells all about the circus. There's
Barnum himself, and here's all his horses
and things" and he threw tho paper at
them, and went in. 1t was like a match
thrown into a heap Of gunpowder. And
tho EXPLANATIONS and elbow joggings that
followed would have driven any ono but q
boy crazy. AS lang as they could see they
pored over 1t, now admiring the elephants,
and then sqiealing In ecstasy at the won
,dcrful performances of the equcstriennes.
And when 1t was too dark toread any more,
they discovered that there was to be astreet
parade. Then they went in search OF
Davies father.
''Say, father,' cried Davic. t'Won't
you take us to the street parade tomorrow
morning9 It's free, an we can see the
chariot An his horses cost no end OF
money!"
After much ontreaty, the boys were told
that If they would be good and obcdiet they
could 20 to tho street parade, and they
promised unlimited wisdom and discretion,
and Withdrew to the road where they sal
down In q row, and talked Of the lions and
elephants till they hardly dared 60 homo.
The next morning Davie was up bright
and carly. AS soon as breakfast was over,
his father said: "Now, if I am to give you
q pleasure you must do something for mt
In return. You can take q basket and pick
up the chips in the woodward, and wher
that's done wetwill start"
s'Can't / do 1t when / como back 2"
mo, you can do It now, or you necdn'
go.' g ..;Ys,t YgsstS sly
Davie resigned hinNlM philosophically
(. and went out to work with the biggest bas
ket he could find and a shovel. But Til
chip business became q weariress to Til
flesh and .yexatlop Of spirit before wa
finished. Az last, however, lie ran in t
get ready, while tho horse was beng har
messed, We have already mentioned tia