Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-04-15
Our Small Boys first Circus.

1t was an event in the early life Of our
boy Charley, and, as lie says, he derived
n lesson from it that has been of use TO him
slnce-a lesson TO the effect of making
sure of landing place before leaping,-
he shall tell the story himself:
was twelve years old when the big cir
Gus came TO our village, of Conway, N.
H., and exhibited on land belonging TO
Sam Thorn. For many days before its
advent the great flaming posters had glared
upon the sides OF barns, upon fences, and
on the walls OF our stories, and | was eager
to see the sight. But must earn the mo-
ney, for my mother had it not to spare 1t
was during the planting season, and found
odd jobs enough at dropping corn and po-
tatoes, and such like, to enable me to earn
he coveted quarter. The day came, clear
and bright, and those who have passed the
enhancing ordeal, and can remember the
feelings Of boyhood, Will know how the
grand entry of the circus, with the band
playing, the performers and their horses
bedecked in glittering array, and the two
elephants grandly hoping along-how it
all affected me. 1t did not seem as though
| could wait for the opening hour; but
waited, nevertheless. When dinner had
been eaten, and we were ready to set forth,
my mother, believing that the nen-folks
would not bother themselves in looking out
for me, gave me particular directions for
my conduct.
''Now, Charles" she said, ''you will
look out for your money; you will see
where the people are going in; and do you
look sharp and 60 in with them. Give
your money to the man that you see others
paying, and be sure you don't make any
mistake"
But didn't get half of her directions.
If | had been patient to listen, | might
have been spared the grief to which was
Destined for she afterwards declared that
she had warned me against that very thing
But l was only boy, and | suppose had
boys lesson to learn.
got of at length, and ran all the way
to the village. | stood in a crowd for an
hour, listening to music which | could not
see; and at length l saw men pushing
towards the entrance to tent, and l join
ed in and pushed with them. saw folks
give money to red-faced man who stood
in a passage-way of canvas, and I.heard
music beyond. | gave him my quarter,
and he gave me back twelve cents.
thought | was getting in for half price, and
looked around.
Mercy How my heart sank don't
know how many spectators were there;
but for q show saw what the man who
exhibited called the Five-legged Horse
Then there were two White Negroes, on
platform; and a man grinding a hand
organ. And that was all | had Just
seen so much, when somebody cried out
that the circus was open! and upon that
there was a rush for the entrance l went
out, and looked up al the tent | had been
into, and then discovered that it was but
small affair-ons Of the catch-penny side
shows always accompanying the big circus.
looked around for our men-folks-men
who lived with us-but could not find them.
Most likely they had gone in. | asked the
man at the entrance if he would let me in
for twelve cents. He said | must go and
buy ticket. | found the man who sold
tickets, and when | asked him like ques-
tion he laughed at me.
And then | went home, crying all the
way; and when | had told my mother of
my grief she soothed me by declaring that
was the biggest fool she had ever seen,
and she would take me over her knee if |
did not stop crying.
Well got over it IN time and it
taught me a valuable lesson From that
day | have never paid money 10 enter a
show, or for any other purpose, without
being first assured that was headed in the |
right direction.