Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1890-05-09
JosIAH's LUCK
nY ABBIE c. M'kEEVER.

py ABBIE c. M'kEEVER.
Josiah, do be careful, son,
E so" never been to the wicked city,
+ reckon circuses are about the
:. places going anyhow. I do wish
F,a.inns YOU weren't so set on goin'
g. Selling the load Of potatoes
Is. seeing the sights ought to be
wouldn't drive no forty-odd miles
,he potatoes if it weren't for the
NC I know that" and 20-year-old
;ah Leach cracked his cowhide whip
hi the horses backs, and away he
4 rafting over the hill while his
mother stood by the bars and
kcbed him as long as he was in sight.
Ms such a reckless child and SO
Init he's no fool" and with which
Bpforting thought she let down the
s that the COWS could make their
/ to the pasture.
Eosiah reached the outskirts of the
at nightfall and stopped at a small
for the night. He was up before
Hight on his way to the city market.
potatoes disposed of at q good price,
horses stabbed, he set out to find the
Gus about which such monster bills
4 found their way even to Possum
reckon I'm in time for the parade.
k. here she comes! Goodness! wasn't
lucky
He was indeed lucky; the circus
|up and menagerie was approach
with all its brass band,
ndsome horses. and elephants,
open mouthed and eyed Josiah
|tched it until the last little pony had
Esed, then he at once set out with the
bwl Of small boys who were following
Once within sight Of the majestic
ITS Josiah felt it hard not to omit a
yish shout of Joy, the dream of his
E was about to be realized.
BE lolled around eating a lunch and
patiently awaited the time for the
Fformance to begin.
His first experience was that he paid
dollar for his ticket and the fellow
DO took it coolly told him it was but
y cents, just what it should be.
You know better than that" said
siah hotly; however, I'd pay fifty
hts any day to find a Teller out"
He forgot all about it later when the
cnders Of the ring began, and the one
ting that specially charmed him was
be lady rider who was very pretty in
eite Of the ugly paint and powder, and
(ho threw many bright glances at
oslah and at last a kiss.
Josiah blushed, the crowd laughed
nd the clown tried to make a joke.
'Lor, what a beauty" thought Josiah,
pow | wish I was q circus feller."
just then one of the candy boys
Popped in Josiah's hand a note.
Wonderingly Josiah opened it and
bad:
You have such a good, true face. and !
D. IN such trouble. Will you help me? l
now you are from the country, perhaps
me remote place where my cruel step
tAer could never find me. Meet me at
~, THE LADY RIDER"
That was all, but Josiah's heart
Jumped so he felt the persons near
IN must hear it. Wanted him to
ZIP her, poor little thing! So he
olld, as long as he had life. ..
he was at the place Of meeting as
Pe shades Of night began to gather, and
lefe under a small tree, was a cloaked
cure: He approached slowly fearing
night not be the one he sought.
lou have come. 1 am so glad. You
(ast be at the circus tonight and at
: Close, that is at the close Of my own
ulng' will dash through under the
enFaS instead of going to the dressing
poA' } have d place prepared and you
[usl beat once ready to 60 out and
e! eet me ear that wagon yonder.
~ have a bundle Of clothes ready but
must escape in the short dress. Dc
~ understands"
les said josiah bashfully, "you
III. to go home with me-"
any where, only safe out Of. this
ftadsul life"
lie was at the performance once
uIe' and mad been careful to present
~ 4 half dollar this time to pay his
F' The rest Of his money, about
se4'y dollars, he had carefully slowed
%aE IN the bottom of his hip pocket
"Ia new revolver loaded in every
'@s:!oer on top of it.
80 telling what may happen" he
:" !sasoned, land I'm going to gel
~, III e thing off if living man can.
-htf@thlng passed off as usual until
'opearance of the lovely lady rider
Josiah noticed that her acts were
y daring than in the afternoon ant
j.. 'ef eyes sought him out and smiled
pt.Sht recognition.
iast she disappeared suddenly ant
,, ra' \ 'nce made his way toward thu
'aiee; There the man in charge
med him rudelv.
,;,o nS's up now, Country?" he en-
I'm sick" said Josiah, telling q Ii,
|'>ilS 1t would have caused his OLE
3Tef a heartache. sick all owe:
Want to get to bed"
Love sick, l guess" laughed thu
hurried of with swift steps TOWARD
%!'oolnted place and there, envel
"a a long cloak was the one h