Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-10-10
SEEING THE CIRCUS.

four small boys sat On the back steps
dolefully discussing that longed-for but
unattainable pleasure. They had asked,
teased, insisted and implored, but the
powers that we're had vetoed the bill
and the poor little fellows were almost
heart-broken.
"I 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 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 It's after school,"
he continued, "and the circus comes of
tomorrow afternoon. You wouldn't
have time enough to get the money to
pay my way in, even."
"Ho! You're healthy onel 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 alwavs sided ~';th '-:- 10
brother Johnny.
"Wel," said Rabbity, apologetically,
II thought you meant to get rich fore
morning an treat all yer friends. But
then," he added, with much sanctimony,
81 don't knows I care to go. They're
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.
"Oh dearl I 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 q
very dirty little hand.
"Well, that's just what I said, scolded
Johnny. "You see, if they'd only give
father bigger pay, why, we'd CO."
"Taint that that keeps me-" said
Davie, n4ournfully. eff that was the
reason, l'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
wont let you go when they got the
money!" Johnny stood right up on hi'
feet. "Well, I gummyp
"No, they won't. 'Taint refine o.
suthin'. They think I'll get so't IL
like it. I'll bet I'll ride some O. then
hosses yet, if they don't look out
They'd better let me 60 while I'm LITTLE
an can pay for it, an then maybe wher
I'm man I'll be tired of it, an save m,
money"
"What's the reason you don't go
Rabbity?" asked Johnny.
"WeI," said Rabbity, slowly, "m!
father thinks they are half drunk, an(
they cheat and lie, and, if I go, III
learn it. He thinks faint proper, ant
I guess he's bout right, so I don't wan
to CO."
"Poohl Guess you don't need t,
learn how to lie," muttered Johnny, un
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.
"I'll risk gettin' bad. just gimme
chance to go in, that's all want"
"Here's something picked up CON
ing home," called Davies older brothe.
as he approached the house with pape
in his hand. "It tells all about th
circus. There's Barnum himself, an
here's al his horses and things" and b
threw the paper at them and went il
It was like match thrown into hea
of gunpowder. And the exclamation
and elbow joggings that followed woul
have driven any one but boy Graz
AS long as they could see, they pore
over it, now admiring the elephants, an
then squealing in ecstacy at the wonde
full performances of the equestrienne
And when it was too dark to read an
more they discovered that there was [
be street parade. Then they went
search of Davies father.
"Say, father" cried Davie, won't yo
take as to the street parade to.morro