New-York tribune., 1902-01-12
BOBBY AND THE CIRCUS
how BE RAN AWAY FROM HOME, BUT
REPENTED AND RETURNED.


brown children Cooped UP all the week in
school as they were, it was only natural that
they should want little fun, so Saturday was
enosen Tor the widest kinds of pranks and
eaperS Fortunately, they lived in the country,
ana had plenty of room to race and tear. to
play fox and geese, and paper chase, and all
sorts Of games
This particular Saturday morning Bobby
Brown, the Oldest of the four seemed out of
sorts-nothing pleased him. His mother said
he must have jumped out Of the wrong side of
bed, and consequently everything seemed wrong.
he didn't want to play with the rest, and was
50 cross and rude at luncheon that his mother
sent him from the table.
Bobby wandered into the yard, climbed over
the fence, and then Iazily sauntered down the
road. The first person he met Teddy
White. the blacksmiths son.
NHullo, Bob" Teddy called out cheerily to the
little crosspatch
Lo.' responded Bobby sullenly, kicking
clouds Of dust into the air.
I'm going 10 the circus over to Newton-want
to come"
At the word circus Bobby's ears pricked up
Ike those Of old war horse at the smell of
powder.
How much is it?"
Quarter 70 get in and ten for peanuts"
swered Teddy Immediately. Come along. won't
you?"
Guess I will" answered Bobby. Wait here
III 90 in and see If l have 35 cents in my
bank"
He entered quietly, and soon reappeared with
the money.
The boys walked briskIy along toward New
ton and sa the white circus tents Tapping in
the wind and heard the animals roar Bobby
md UyaC
Interested in the performance. The girl in pink
tights fascinated him, and as for the clown,
well, he was simply sidesplitting. Bobby laughed
III the tears ran down his cheeks and Teddy
could hardly induce him to go and see the den
OF lions. Finally ii grew late. and both realized
hey must tear themselves away Reluctantly
hey left the tent, and were starting slowly
9owh the road when the conversation of two OF
ue circus men attracted their attention.
It's shame" one of them was saying, Just
When the kid the right size, too"
That's So" his companion answered He
vas always away on some pretext or other SO
when tonight he said he couldn't come. just
Bounced him right out, and now were left in
the Iurch"
Sust think of those grand velvet pants" said
ue first speaker, with almost groan: they
cost y 9S. and wen never get anybody they'll
Et"
Bobby listened to the conversation eagerly,
NO 1t finally dawned upon him that these two
men wanted a small boy to take some part in
uae Performance. An evil spirit must have been
nyng round just then and put bad idea into
ID mead Why couldn't he apply for the place?
heo show the people at home that he was worth
Something.
% Bobby suddenly stepped up TO one of the
en and said. What is It you want a boy
TO dor"
n4lT a careful scrutiny the man answered,
,N'Ching much; just TO pull the curtain aside
VI une marble statoos."
40 you think could do that?" asked Bobby. |
"uF said the man. What would your ma
hight"
said Bobby airiIy. I'm quite old enough |
w as please, so if you think I'll do I'd like
A.. men looked at each other thoughtfully, |
@though they knew they would probably |