Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-10-30
SEEING TIE CIRCUS.

It Vas 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 blu
and the poor little fellows were almost
heart-broken.
"I wish we could do something to
earn the money to get in said Johnny.
ave might drop potatoes for old
sSmithy," suggested Davie. He and
Johnny were the same ags and always
agreed.
"Poohi lots o. money you'd getI"
meered another, whom the boys. for
some reason known only to themselves,
called "Rsbbity." His father was chor-
lister in the church where Davies father
was deacon. Here It's after school,"
he continued, ~and the circus comes of
tomorrow afternoon. Yon wouldn't
have time enough to get the money TO
pay my way in, even."
"Hol You're a healthy onol 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,
ST thought you meant to get rich fore
morning an treat all yer friends. But
then." he added, with much sanctimony,
II don't knows care to go. They're a
low set to circus"
"Yaas," said Davie, scornfully, eye
heard yer father say that, so you think
it's smart"
"Bet you'd 60 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 dearl I wish we could CO.
sighed Johnny, returning to the subject
in hand.
''Its too dirt meant we can't" Davie
vas very near crying.
"You see, times is 40 hard" said
Johnny, refectively. ~Our folks can't
afford it for the two OF Ms, an 'twouldnt
do TO let one go, cause t'other'd be
mad"
"You amt goin' 'thout me, Ted de-
elared, setting his chin in the palm of
very dirty little hand.
We'll, that's Just what I said, j" scolded
Johnny. @You see, il they'd only give
father bigger pay, why. we'd go"
"Taint that that keeps me-" said
Davie, n4ournfully. IF that was the
reason. 'twouldnt be. so hard" and ho
swallowed his hardships in big gulp.
why don't they let you go, then?7
ssked Johnny. in amazement.
Cause they're so mean they won'tr
Wont let you go when they got the
money! Johnny stood right up on his
feet. well, I gummyr
No, they won't. 'Taint refine or
suthin'. They think I'll get so't Ill
Ike il. Ill bet I'll ride some o. them
h0ases yet, If they don't look out
They'd better let me go while I'm little
IN can pay for it, an then maybe xhen
I'm man Ill be tired OF it, an save my
money"
What's the reason you don't go,
Rabbity2" asked Johnny.
Well said Rabbity, slowly, my
fssher thinks they are half drunk, and
they cheat and lie, and, il / go, I'll
Lasrn it. He thinks 'tsin't proper, and
1 guess he's bout right, so 1 don't want
20 go.'
@Poohl Guess you don't need 10
EaaEn bow 10 lie" muttered Johnny. un-
DER his breath, at the same time punch
ing Davie.
~Spose you'd like TO go and get bad"
Fsaurned Rabbity, who heard the re.
azaFk-
I'm riak geisin' bad. Just gimme n
sAance 10 60 in, that's all want
Here's something picked up com
NJ homo" called Davies older brother.
- ne heapproached the house with paper
- his hand. at tells all about the
ssFeaA There's BRnum himself. and
aszss sll his horses and things" and he
throw the paper at them and went in.
Il was like msteh thrown into heap
sf gunp0wdeF. And the exclamations
nd elbow ioggings that followed would
aave driven any one but q boy crazy.
Is long rs they could sec, they pored
ever H. nov admiriBg the elephants, and
Ehon squcaiiDg in ecstacy NJ the wonder
nj performances Of the eques.riennes.
ana when IL Was too dark 10 read nny
azvns they slisc0ycred that there was 10
- - street parade Then they went In
>-sANsh % Davies father.
Eay. father cried Davie, "won't Won
AzAs as 70 the street parade to morrow