The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1885-09-17

uncsrtain lsgs. vss the laughing ssoci
Of the whole nsiehborhood. And still
grew. Ieould almost feel nyseli growing
in the night / used TO make chalk mark
on the floor before going 10 sleep, and
watch how far grew in three days q
slept on the floor. for no bed could hold
me.) Thus lived until l was thirteen
years old. That summer circus visited
our village. and oil the young people were
Wild with curiosity aud sagernsss 10 enter
the mystic tent No one thought OF me
Was considered . drone in the hive. .
vsgabond who could not earn his scanty
allowance Of bread; but secret aud over
wbelming desire to see the circus filled
my childish heart, and after they we're all
in the tent crept up stairs to my garrei
and reviewed my poor stock Of clothes
With trembling haste. Selecting the best
1 dressed myself in pair Of pantaloons
OF coarse blue jean four or five inches too
short for my long legs, an old shirt with
wristbands tapping q tbs elbows, and a
linsp duslsr % much too small that ~ !
cautiously squeesed myself into IL the
worn fabric yielded. and the back seam
ripped with vicious sound that brought
the tears 10 my eyes. Shoes, stockings ]
had none. my hat was rimless, and my
duster arag, but give up the circus did
not; so ! started across the green, going
over twice the distance in my zigzag
course. and hoping to back in unob-
served, so a. to prevent rear view Of my
tattered costume. / had . store OF pen
MES, the accumulation Of my whole life,
and as ! reached the tent ! pressed them
into the hands Of the door-keeper and
sidled along 10. hoping to pass without
notice. But IN vain. Here. You giraffe,'
he called out. catching the skirt Of the
duster-'here. only children's price, -
cents Ipretended not 70 hear and press
cd forward, but as the duster gave way
entirely, leaving the two fronts futtering
in my hands, the man caught my wrist
and stepped me with an oath. The tears
stood in my eyes as ! surveyed myself.
"'You'ves spoiled my coat, l wbimpered.
Coat. indeedl / call it a rag. said the
man, roughly. will you stand still or
not?' be added, as my uncertain legs car.
ried me against the side OF the entrance
and nearly uprooted the canvas.
" Trying to hook in at half price, and
then ripping up the tent, eh?' Please,
sir, I'm only thirteen. / sobbed, clutching
my duster with trembling hands. Thir-
teenl-a likely storyr exclaimed the man,
looking up into my tear stained face. Per.
haps he saw there the unmistakable con
firm alton OF my words. for, dropping his
voice, he asked, eagerly, DO you mean to
say you are really only thirteen years old,
young man?' Only thirteenr l replied;
please let me see the circus. But the
door keeper, still holding me fast, wbistled
TO vi assistant who was iounging outside,
and whispered to bin, Go and bring the
boss. At these words shivered with
fright; evidently nothing less than horse
whip was to be my punishment. Making
desperate effort, wrencbed myself away
from my captor and endeavored 10 escape,
but my legs doubled up under me, aud ]
fell ont Of breath. just as the door keeper
reached me accompanied by red faced
man dressed in uniform. Here's the
chap. exclaimed the door keeper, pounc-
ing upon me. and actually sitting down
upon my back to keep me down.
"'What do you think Of that for . giant,
sir? BY this time WAS bubbling with
fright like any baby, but when the red
faced man commanded me to listen, and
unfolded before me vision Of future
bliss. was speechless with delight. I
WAS taken behind the scenes introduced to
the COMPANY. consisting Of bewildering
nymphs, superb sshelets. wonderful
clowns. monkeys. camels. and lovely lit
tie fairy called Psschblossom. Stunned
by good fortune. l gszed through hole
in the curtain, and recognized one after
smother OF my various companions and
enemies, the farmer and bis wife lin short
the whole village Of Rising Sun crowded
together in the benches had no reason
to regret leaving them; not a shadow mix
ed itself with my delight when, after the
evening performance was over and the
fiaring lights extiDgnished. climbed into
q wagon with Peacbblossom. the Soaring
Amazon, and the Infsnt Wonder, and
watched the familiar landmarks disappear
10 the misty moonlight forever How
proudly I held myself 10 my gay span
yled dress as poised the hoop for Peach
blossom in the ensuing performances OF
The summer How eagerly studied my
task, and how carefully ! recited my wit
Iicisms! Ny commonplace name was ex-
,hanged for the high sounding title Of Og.
King Of Bashsn, and as ! look back
IAN see that / must have been valuable
member ofthe company although ! was too
gnorant 10 demand any compensation be-
vond frequent changes Of my glittering
lppsrel I remained with the circus five
rears. In the summer vs. travelled
through the Western States, exhibiting in
he villages and country towns. in the
Winter we visited the vsrions cities as the
Treat Japanese Museum, our program
OF fests Of strength and slcight
II hand, gymnAstica. aod the tricks of our
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