The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-02-23
GOING TO THE
ANIMAL SHOW
BY WALTER W. STORMS.

| through animal land, and all who could
| possibly arrange to go determined to do
so. 1t was early in the fall. Some who
were already preparing to spend the win
| ter in the South put off everything until
after the show. 1t was going to be the
| event of the season. Animals living at a
distance would start long ahead of time,
| travel by day and night and camp for rest
at night. Nocturnals. like the bats and
owls, travelled by night and slept by day.
The turtle started ten days before the
time. The snail was on the way nearly
month, and never reached there until
the day after the show.
Small folks took lunch with them, as
much as they could carry. The lion. the
wolf, the tiger and the fox, said, There
will be plenty that we can pick up by the
way" So they carried no food with them,
and yet none of them went hungry.
There was many a curious outfit to be
seen along the road. Some folks from the
back districts hardly knew what was the
correct thing. One of these dull crea-
lures was the hippotamus. He really had
never been away from home in all his
lie, and was much distressed over what
he should wear. He wanted something
both pretty and substantial. His one fear
was that he might get wet and catch cold.
He knew how it sometimes rained along
tie river where he lived. and how easy
it was t. duck down under the water
til the rain was over. What protection
would he have if caught in a rain miles
from home? He couldn't get the notion
through his skin that any gown would be
both suitable and safe except a mackin-
tosh reaching clear to his feet.
The muskrats. father. mother and
youngsters, all carried small umbrellas;
so did the beaver. The crow carried n
parasol to keep off the tan; the leopard
CO rried one because he dreaded freckles.
Tine grizzly had an ulster to guard against
possible cold snap, and one animal so
disregarded all rules of polite society as
!, to come in his bear skin. The horses
didn't do much better-they just wore
collars. nothing more.
When the glorious day finally dawned
there was big hustle along all the roads
leading to the show tents. Curiosity ran
/
| The hippopotamus' heart was in his throat
for fear he might appear awkward The
wildcat met the loon, and said, "Goin'?"
"Oh dear. yes" said the loon. I'm
! just crazy to see the show
I've been perfectly wild" responded
the cat, ever since heard it was COM
! ing"
In fact, nobody seemed altogether calm
except the grasshopper. He had done
| nothing but enjoy himself all summer,
/ eating and singing to his hearts content.
/ But he hadn't saved a penny. He knew
/ he couldn't 20 to the show and had made
| up his mind that he would just sit on the
fence. Coming out of his old stubble field.
! he hoped up to the top rail and sat there
! for a pleasant word with all who cared
! to speak as they passed. and, indeed, it
| was amusing to hear how many plans the
! various animal folks had for getting in.
! The turtle VS. one of the earliest on the
road. Her plan was simply to become in
visible just before she reached the ticket
office and than reappear after she got
| inside. The pig wouldn't tell her plan,
| but declared she could get in slick as
| grease. The lizard hoped to get in with
his long green, while redbreast whispered.
| Il ought to have plenty; I've been robin
! all summer
Hello" said the grasshopper, here
comes old dog Tray. Good morning. Tray.
| Which way are you headed"
| For the show" answered Tray. I'm
| to be one of the barkers."
Next came the old gray goose, looking
| as silly as her reputation would allow.
! She answered the grasshopper's greeting,
but. without stopping to chat, just said
she thought they would admit her because
she didn't know any better.
The crow hoped by, hoping to get in
becaws.
Then came some frogs. rippety flip. six
feet al jump, like so many rubber balls.
Hey there" shouted grasshopper.
! "Goin'?"
Yes" they answered in chorus.
How'll you all get in
| "Greenbacks,"
Good" yelled the grasshopper at the
frogs. looking now like small specks
bouncing along down the road He was
| laughing yet at such cleverness when the
lion and his wife came walking majesti-
cally by. Hopper looked serious in an
| instant and gave the military salute.
/ Force Of habit, however led him to ask
! the lion how he expected to get in. Walk
| in said the lion, with something very
| much like growl.
| III m" unused the grasshopper. strok-
| ing his whisker and looking like Uncle
| Sam looks when he thinks he sees the
| point.
| The duck next wabblcd laboriously by.
| See this bill Hopper" said she. wink
ing both eyes.
Sure" said the grasshopper. You
are all right. If it is too large get the
leopard to make change for you. All.
here comes Bunny with four rabbit feet!
Good luck. bunny! You are sure to get
| there"
Seen anything of turtle this morning."
asked bunny timidIy. ~She is ahead Of
! me as usual
The rhinoceros came next. numbering
along, the perspiration dripping from his
laar ALL v,I I'M, /