The morning times., 1895-07-22
One Cent Hsap R5a
NO advertisement less than 100.
In the Tents
Of Wiekednes
By ELISABETH PULLEN.
(Cop yright, 1857

not OF, the festive crowd. He was in
fact, taking his conscience to the circus,
and 1T was q grievous task. He deeply
regretted that his days work lay in such
waste part of the vine yard; and he feared,
too, that his motives for going there might
be misunderstood. Already he had been
recognized and gleefuny pointed out by
certain of the unregeneTate But he
was sure that he was in the line of his duty
that straight and tenuous line on which, if
one may say so, lie walked as on tight
rope toward the better world He was
satisfied with himself; and perhaps he
had some reason 10 be, for he obeyed every
command OF his rigid sense of right. Also
his aYnscience, not having enough TO do at
home, had taken out rowing commission
to interfere with other peoples affairs.
One morning on the way down town he had
been shocked by a sight of the colored post
ers OF a circus, which, ranged along fence,
offered a panorama of wonders. Among
these was a picture of the rescue of Little
Rosalie the Prairie Flower. 1t repre-
sented a very small girl in very short pink
skirts held high in the arms of a woman who
stood upon the back of a galloping horse pUr
sued by mounted Sioux. This scene ex-
cited the perfect disapproyal OF Mr.. Beasley.
1t struck him as lndecorous, a tempting of
Providence and cruelty toward child,
who, though undoubtedly reprobate, had
yet poor perishable body that ought TO
be protected from broken bones. Then
and try to save this brand from the Turning
and try to save this brand from the burning.
Being aware that brands are apt to rub off
blackly, he did not propose to bring the
child in contact with his own offspring,
spotless as clean pocket handkerchiefs,
but TO place her in some institution where
she would be strictly looked after.
He went grimly on, past the fakirs, the
peanut sellers, the tubs OF lemonade where
his face was reflected acidulous and yellow
ish. Those who knew him did wrong -
jeer; they ought TO have seen by the droop
of his alpaca coat how his shoulders were
burdened by his strange duty. Others had
turned out in groups, half dozen grown
persons as escort TO child; but Mr.
Beasley walked alone with his conscience.
He paltered with his mission so far as TO
enter the sidesho W, hoping that this
mightin some way dispense him from going
into the main tent. In the sideshow were
to be seen wonders of nature; Mr.. BeaSley
had always distrusted nature as the anti
thesis Of grace. but now she seemed TO him
at least half way removed from absolute
evil. The big ring was, to his mind, a
truly Internal circle AnG he hated sin
~
OF the angry passions which Will rise in the
best of humans.
The ticket-taker eyed Mt, Beasley curl
ously: Looks like a Sunday school sup
erintendcnt-but, ( so, where's the kids?
He's come all by himself for a blowout "
The first freak that dawned upon Mr..
BeasIey was the tattooed woman She
sat upon platform, with a sullen and dis
couraged air, offering her photographs to
the crowd, who did not buy them Her
dress was modest enough, though, in Mr..
Beasley's opinion, II began too late and
ended too early, displaying the tattoeed
figures and lines upon her shoulders, arms,
and ankles. Then he reflected that she
was probably q native of some heather
land. and that her costume was no doubt
an advance upon that Of her female an
cestors. He approached the new woman
with the intent to speak to her.
Want Photographic" she asked him.
Mr.. Beasley waved it away. NO, no, "
ne said, certainly not. l should like to
talk TO YOU for . few moments.
'Talk Is cheap, said she
a" And yet it may have precious results
Are you from one OF the isles of the sea-
a converted idolator, in fact?"
II was born on Long Island, if that's
what you mean"
An, Long Island, near the city of New
York. Yes. Then | assume that you have
ceived your-your geometricaI designs in
the course of your labors''
Missionary nothingt | earn my salary
as freak. and no thanks to them who don't
buy my photographs, either
But, my Christian friend, you are
woman, and 1t Is sad to see you waste
your life In these ungodly surroundings 4"
Circus folks are as good as other folks
And they mind their own business"
You might be the virtuous wife of an
exemplary husband, educating your chill
dren'-
Her eyes flashed; she sprang to her
feet. Mr.. Beasley retreated few steps.
II am respectable woman And / am
not the wife of fooI-which is more
than your wife can say My man is the
best OF husbands, and it is not his fault
If he is laid up. And l am bringing up
Rosalie TO live honest and earn her bread
And you clear Quit"
Nr. Beasley was not an unllind man.
he was only narrow and bigeted He
answered her pacificalIy: II did not in
tend to say chat you We're not respect
able. Only / am sorry that you have
not chosen a better profession. II is
not seemly for woman to exhibit her.
self as you do. But l have spoken only
for your own good. 1 abhOr sin, but
well, I'm no freak in that line / do
about as we'll as l know how, if folks
don't make me too mad" she told him
She recognized that he was sincere, and
began to find hIm rather amusing
do you say that Rosalie is your
daughter?"
''She is"
"Then l offer you a blessed opportunity.
Let me take the glrl" "
'You-take my childl' Her look of
anger and fright was iRdescribabie What
do you mean? What right have you 20 take
away our RosaIie?"
The right of one who earnestly de-
sires to make q serious aud useful woman
of this unfortunate little mountebank.
know ne went on, not understanding
that she was silent from pure rage, that
it is hard to part from your offspring. But