The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-07-07
BLAsE CHARLIE AT THE CIRCUS.
Proof that Reality can't Hold a Can
die to Pleasures OF ImaginatIo
NEW York Herald I

Charlie is little lad of eight years,
with delicate, poetic face, and great,
dreamy, violet eyes with curling lashes
at least half an inch long. A casual OBJ
server would say, "That boy has imagi-
nation largely developed"
His schoolmates sometimes call IL py
another name.
When he comes home from school
somewhat early, with rosy, flushed face,
and as reason for not having his book
with him says, ''Two big boys pinioned
nv arms and marched me home on
double quickstep. 1 couldn't carry my
book and so it was lost" his fond and
judicious mamma suspends all criticism
until after investigation. She knows
there is grain of truth somewhere, and
expects to find it lodged at the bottom
of pretty big well.
A note to the teacher ELECTS the infor-
nation that Charles reader isin his desk,
and Charlie, with big, angelic eyes and
seraphic innocence says, "Sure enough,
l forgot to take it home; but you know
if had it must have been lost, because
each boy held an arm"
The other day considerable pains were
taken to send him to the circus. An
older brother kindly gave up Saturday
afternoon on his bicycle to act as his
chaperon. Seats were secured in the
best part of the house. Now Charlie had
never been to circus. He had, how
ever, seen considerable circus literature
as displayed on posters, and was familiar
with the beautiful fairy in ballet attire
who rides three horses at once while she
drives tandem with her left hand and
with her right fires off gun on which
are perched happy family of cats, mice
and birds. He knew just how gracefully
the elephants could dance the german
and horses play seesaw.
Great enthusiasm was felt by the
whole family regarding Charles intro
duction to that deightof every boys
heart, the circus. Papa on the eventful
morning was heard to wish that Office
cares and duties would permit him to
live over again his youthful days by wit
Messing the impressions that would be
made on the virgin mind of his little
boy.
Our blase young American, however,
afforded an instructive and beautiful il
lustration of the development of the
genus 'boy" in single generation. The
grand athletic tournament and the Won
derful equestrian baboon failed to elicit
single spark Of enthusiasm. The per-
formances Of the clowns were beneath
his contempt.
During some marvellous bareback rid
ing acts he asked when the horses would
come out.
"They are out; don't you see them?"
said his brother.
eyes, but when are they going to come
out of the ring? don't care for this
part"
The trapeze performances and the BIZ
cycle riding met with a limited amount
of approval, although he would "just as
lief see Hal ride his Wheel" and ''the fell
lows at the gymnasium were pretty good
on the trapeze." While Rome was fall
ing he wanted to go home and play hop
scotch.
When mamma questioned him as to
what kind of time he had, he said:
''Oh, the circus isn't as good as it used
to be-"
'FWhy, Charlie" said mamma, "you
never were at circus before"
SIS that so2" said Master Charlie; 81
thought had been every year from four
years up"