The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-07-03
SEEING THE CIRCUS.

Lit 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.
Il 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 getr'
.sneered another, whom the bows. 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 my way in, even."
"Ho! You're a healthy one! You
don't s. pose we'd pay more'n our own
fare, do you?" cried Johnny and Davie
together.
"You can pay y'own way" said little
Ted, who always sided with his big
brother Johnny.
well, said Rabbity, apologetically,
g thought you meant to get rich fore
morning an treat all yer friends. But
then" he added, with much sanctimony,
81 don't knows care to go. They're a
dow set to circus"
"Yaas," said Davie, scornfully, eve
heard yer father say that, SO you think
its 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 NO." Ted de-
clared, setting his chin in the palm of a
very dirty little hand.
We'll, that's just what said, scolded
Johnny. "You see, if they'd only give
father bigger pay, why, we'd CO."
faint that that keeps me-" said
Davis, n4ournfully. eff that was the
reason, twouldn't be so hard" and he
swallowed his hardships in big gulp.
Why don't they let you 60, then 2"
asked 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, I gummy!"
No, they won't. 'Taint refine or
suthln'. They think I'll get sot I'll
4lke it. I'll bet I'll ride some O. them
HOSES yet, if they don't look out
They'd better let me go while I'm little
an can pay for it, an then maybe when
Am man I'll be tired of it, an save nv
money"
whats the reason you don't go,
Rabbity?" asked Johnny.
We'll" said Rabbity, slowly, "my
father thinks they are half drunk, and
they cheat and lie, and, if 90, TIL
learn it. He thinks faint proper, and
guess he's bout right, so don't want
80 60"
Pooh! Guess you don't need to
aearn how 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
'@Ill risk gettin' bad. Just gimme a
Chance to go in, that's all I want"
Here's something I picked up COM
ing home" called Davies older brother,
as he approached the house with paper
III his hand. I" 1t tells all about the
circus. There's Barnum himself, and
here's all his horses and things" and he
threw the paper at them and went in.
-hE was like match thrown into a heap
oH gunpowder. And the ordinations
and elbow ]oggings that followed would
have driven any one but boy crazy.
As long as they could see, they pored
over it, now admiring the elephants, and
then squealing in ecstacy at the wonder
f,1l 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
snoring? It's free, an we can see the
chariot. An his horses cost no end of
money!"
After much entreaty, the boys were