The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-08-20

~ YNS%Zgp gracious you were
'A-- not so set on goin'
there. Selling the load OF potatoes
and seeing the sights ought to be
enough"
81 wouldn't drive no forty-odd
miles. for the potatoes if it weren't for
the circus, know that" and 90
year-old Josiah Leach cracked his
cowhide whip about the horses backs,
and away he went rafting oyer the
hill while his old mother stood by the
bars and watched him as long as he
was in sight.
"He's such a reckless child and so
set, but he's no FOOL and with which
comforting thought she let down the
bars that the COWS could make their
way to the pasture.
Josiah reached the outskirts of the
city at nighttall and stopped at a
small inn for the night. He
was up before daylight on his
way to the city market. His pota-
toes disposed OF at a good price,
his horses sta led, he set out to find
the circus about which such monster
bills had found their way even to
Possum Run.
81 reckon I'm in time for the pa
rade. Yes, here she comes! Goodness!
wasn't lucky"
He was indeed lucky. the circus
troup and menagerie was approach
ing with all it's bra IS band. handsome
horses, and elephants, and open
mouthed and eyed Josiah watched it
until the last little pony had passed,
then he at once set out with the crowd
of small boys who were following it.
Once within sight of the males tic
tents Josiah felt it hard not to omit
a boyish shout of Joy, the dream Of
his lie was about to be realized.
He lolled around eating a lunch
and impatiently awaited the time for
the performance to begin.
Lilo III 81 On pCllcuCS was UlldU lie
paid a dollar for his ticket and the
fellow who took it COOL y told him it
was but fifty cents, just what it
should be-
you know better than that"
Josiah hotly; "however, I'd pay fifty
cents any day to find a Teller out"
He forgot all about it later when
the wonders of the ring began, and
the one thing that especially charm
ed him was the lady who was very
pretty in spite of the ugly paint and
powder, and who threw many bright
glances at Josiah and at last a kiss.
Josiah blushed, the crowd laughed
and the clown tried to make a Joke.
"Lor, what a beauty" thought
Josiah, chow wish I was a circus
Teller"
Just then one of the candy boys
dropped in Josiah's hand a note.
Wonderingly Josiah opened it and
read:
'You have such good, true face, and |
am in such trouble. Will you help me? ]
know you are from the country, perhaps
some remote place where my cruel stepfathe,
'"THE LADY RIDER"
That was all, but Josiah's heart
thumped so he felt the persons near
him must hear it. Wanted him to
help her, poor little thing! So he
would as long as he had life. : ~
He was at the place of meeting as
the shades Of night began to gather,
and there under a small tree, was
a cloaked figure. He approached
slowly fearing it might not be the
one hesought.
"YOu have come. [ am so glad
You must be at the circus tonight
and at it's close, that is at the close
of my own riding, l will dash through
under the canvas instead of going tc
the dressing room. I have a place
prepared and you must be at once
ready to go out and meet me neal
that wagon yonder. I will have {
bundle of clothes ready but must es
cape in the short dress. Do you un
.derstand?"
eyes" said Josiah bashfully, "yo,
want to go home with me-"
ANY where, only safe out of this
dreadful life."
He was at the performance one,
more, and had been careful to presen
but a half dollar this time to paw hi
fare. The rest Of his money, abou
twenty dollars, he had CAREFUL,
'stowed away in the bottom of hi
hip pocket with revolver loaded il
every chamber on top it.