West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-08-09
Preaching and Practice.

II was the day before the circus and four
little boys sat on the back steps dolefullv
discussing that longed for but unattanable
pleasure They had asked, teascd, insisted
and implored, but the powers that were had
vetoed the bill and the poor little fellows
were almost heart broken.
II wish we could do something To earn
the money to get in, said johnny.
''We might drop potatoes for old Smithy,"
suggested Davie. He and Johnny were of
the same age and always agreed.
''Pooh lots o. money you'd get :"
sn0ered another whom the boys for some
reason known only To themselves, called
'Rabbity." His father was choristcr i'm
the church where Dawes father was dea-
con. Here It's after school, hc continued,
land the circus comes off tomorrow after
noon. You wouldn't have time enough to
get the money to pay my way i'm even y
'Ho You're healthy one You don't
spose we'd pay moren our own fare, do
youi'' cried Johnny and Davie together.
You can pay y'own way" said little
Ted, who always sided with his big brother
Johnny
"Well, y said Rabbity, apologetically, 81
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 care To go They're a low set To
"A circus"
"laas," said Davie, scornfuly, 'ye
heard yer father say that, SO you think it's
smart. y
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.
"Oh, dear | wish we could go, sighed
Johnny, returning to the subject i'm hand
''lts too dirt meant we can't" Davic
was very near crying.
"1ou see. times is so hard, - said johnny
reficctively. 'Our folks can't afford il for
the two of us, an 'twouldn't do TO let one
go, cause t'other'd be mad"
''Iou amt goin' thout me- Ted de
clared, settling 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 go"
" Taint that that keeps me, said Davic,
mournfully. ''If that was the reason
twouldn't be so hard :" and he swallowed
his hardships in a big gulp.
why don't they let you go then - ask
ed Johnny, in amazement.
"'Cause they're so mean they won't {"
"Won't let you go when they got the
money :" Johnny stood right up on his feet.
''Well, gummy !"
''No, they won't. 'Taint refine or
suthin'. They think III get sot 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 Pm little an they can pay for it,
an then maybe when Pm a mani IN be tired
of 1t an save my money"
What's the reason you don't go. Rab-
bity ~ asked Johnny.
WELL" said Rabbity, slowly, "my
father saysthey are half drunk, and they cheat
and lie, and if go, learn it. He thinks
'tain't proper, and guess he's bout right,
80 | don't want TO go.
'PoOh Guess you don't need TO learn
how to lie" muttered Johnny under his
breath, at the same time punching Davic.
'S'pose you'd like TO go and get bad, &"
returned Rabbity, who heard the remark
'I'll risk gettin' bad. just gimme a
chance to go in, that's all ] want
''Here's something | picked up coming
home" called Davies older brother, as he
approac ned the house with paper i'm his
hand. '1t tells all about the circus. There's
Baruum himself, and here's all his horses
and things" and he threw the paper at
them, and went in II was like match
thrown into a heap Of gunpOwder And
the EXPLANATIONS and elbow ioggings that
followed woul6 have driven any one but a
hoy crazy. AS lang as they could see they
pOred over It, now admiring the elephants.
and then squealing in ecstasy at the won
derful performances of the equestrennes
And when II was too dark DREAD any more,
they discovered that there was TO bca 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 wc can see the
chariot. An his horses cost no end Of
money ~
After much entreaty, the boys were told
that if they would be good and obcdiet they
could go TO the street parade, and they
promised unlimited wisdom and discretion.
and withdrew TO the road where they sat
down in row, and talked Of the lions and
elephants till they hardly dared 90 home
The next morning Davic was up bright
and early AS soon as breakfast was over.
his father said "NOw, if am 10 give you
q pleasure you must do something for me
in return. You can take basket and pick
up tie chips in the woodward, and when
that is done we will start
Cant do IL when come back ln
''NO, you can do 1t now, or you needn't
CO."
Davie resigned himself philosophically,
aud went ont 90 work with the biggest bas.
ket he could GBd and shovel But the
chip business became a weariness 10 the
hesh and vexation Of spirit before it was
finished At last, however he ran i'm to
get ready, while the horse was beng har-
messed, We have already mentioned that