The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1902-07-25
JACK SPRAT.
sd &.s 88f@
By Edith Wyatt.


sawdust the opening procession was
= shining and glittering past unseen
, never 10 be seen by his longing eyes.
, He observed. in the open window
Pearl and Major Porter, at their daily
, after-dinner game Of "Old Maid"
} Major Porter was not a kindergart
ner, and he was almost invariably "Old
Maid'-each time with ringing shouts
] Of glee from his victorious grandchild
poised elegantly Oh the windOwsill
! But today her poise seemed less airy
, In It's light ease. Butter heard nc
shouts, and when she turned and
waved her hand 10 him he saw that
her eyes, too, were red
Major Porter was shifting his lead
with despair and cbagrln al being a
third time doomed 10 a single life, and
eliciting from his opponent only a very
faint smile.
Was Pearl, too, not going TO the cir
cusl
Far from il. For days her grand.
father had been bringing home hand.
bills and posters; for days he had dis.
cussed with Pearl what they both
should wear; what time they should
start, how many glasses Of lemonade
they should have; whether they should
look AT the animals before or after the
performance, and now all this was 20
be on the day OF the reception There
were 10 be only ladies al the reception.
There was no reason why Major Por.
ter should remain home for ii, and his
enthusiasm for the circus had shown
no change nor abatement.
In the presence Of his mistaken devo-
! tion Pearl could not endure 20 confess.
even 10 her mother. that her heart was
torn AZ the thought Of her new fringed
I sash The gift Of her aunt, and how
now she could not wear il at the re-
! ccptiOn. nor walk around with the Ia
! dies. She had the dignificd delicacy Of
! many honorable little girls, and she
! felt that Il would be dislOyalty 20 her
! grandfather 30 acknowledge that she
was no longer interested in the circus.
Her aunt said she cried because tho
! heat made her nervous
she doesn't look 10 me able 10 20
| footing off 10 that hot circus. father"
she said coming up to the window.
I'm afraid So" said Mr. Porter, fol-
! lowing her do you care so much
about it darlinC?"
Pearls eyes filled again at this.
"Oh SnoOkS II be all right for the
circus said Major Porter, with hasty,
blind consolation. as Pearls mother
started into the house with her 10
hathc her eyes. Ii was his fixed belief
that the circus was the most ecstatic
pleasure of every child. and any alter
native an outrageous disappointment.
Never mind if you aren't all right,
pet" said Mrs. Burden, with inspired
dullncss Here's Butter. He isn't
going ana doesn't want 10 90. He
wants to see Mrs. Hendricks. And,
Butter Mrs. Hendricks has some little
boys Of her own-such nice, polite Ill
tie boys - wish you could know
them"
Batter looked Submissivoly rs Mrs
Burdens benevolent, unperceivinC eyes
impycsstycly fixed upon him
"Why isn't Butter going to the cir
cus:" inquired Majo. Porter Butter
made no reply.
Father TOO busy, I guess pursued
the Major. That it,
Butter is going TO see Mrs. Ken
bricks this afternoon" replied Mrs
Burden. "IIe is going TO open the door
for the ladies'
Major Porter whistlcd He looked
suspiciously AT Buffers red cyclids
"Well, how would il be to have But
ter come along with the circus party
this afternoon and let Mrs. Ken
bricks open the door for the ladies' her.
SELF" He gave Butter a nudge under
the table az this last abomnAbly weak
jest
Butter could not refrain from n smile
of hope.
Wen get ready right away con.
tinued the Major You can get your
hat. can black my shoes Sam can
hitch up the horses Pearl can have
r. and $. or something, and then Wen
go"
Father" murmurcd Mrs. Burden in
important haste. Mrs Atkinson got
new suit for him. especially for this.
Don't think
"Well, Butter | guess III have TO go
over and get your mother 10 let you
open the door nj the evening reception.
That's the way Wen fix IL out with
her"
Meanwhile Mrs Porter had 10y in.
spiration OWNED the cause of her
daughters distress. She came back rs
the Major was starting of.
Il think Pearl would better stay
with us. father" she said IL really
believe she wished 10 assist In receiv.
ing | am going to let her pass around
the crackers
Ii would seem that providence had
arranged for variety OF tastes in the
world
For on that afternoon Pearl aoated
airily and elegantly among groups OF
gloved ladies under the bulging, bil.
lowing tent. amid the odors Of sawdust
and the cIiCs Of lemonade-men, sat
Butter. between Major Porter and
sam. throwing peanut shells between
the open board benches. his happy
eyes absorbed in the passing girafies
and ponies
Major Porter was not looking at the
ponies. and girafTes but he too. was
very happy; be was watching Butter
New York sun