New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-31

After the performance over all the children
rs they passed fed Billy peanuts, candy, popcorn
and apples as he stood by the elephant
Billy had behaved Ike lamb for days and gone
Through al his performances without hitch-in
fact he had become the pet Of the circus and
allowed to roam about at will. and never tied
not even at night So this night, after all had
settled down and gone TO bed. Billy, feeling wakefui
thought he would move around q little and take
peep 1nto the other tents First he stuck his nose
snto G little tent where they sold popcorn, peanuts
lemonade etc. during the performances.
Nov is my chance" thought Billy, Ito eat all
the popcorn I want, for never have got enough
20 satisfy me at any time. but how can get 1t
cut oS that glass case? It looks easy 10 get at
and gmeTls good must have some. even If
\ have 10 break the glass to get at it"
He stood licking the glass for little while; then
his greed getting the better OF him. he backed off
and gave the glass quick hard knock with his
horns. II broke and flew IN all directions. and let
the popcorn roll out in a perfect stream Billy
stopped TO listen minute to II the noise Of the
breaking glass had brought any to what
was the matter. and when no one came he COM
nenced to eat the sailed and buttered and he
ate until for once In his life he could say he had
had enough But. Oh myi what thirst it had
given him and he did not know where to get
drink unless he went and stole IT out OF the ele-
plants tub Of water. but he cid not Ike TO go
there the elephants keeper slept near his charge
and he might catch him and tie him UP.
Billy was 5ust leaving the tent when he ran into
r. large tin water cooler. II took but minute TO
push the top of with his nose and then he began
so drink. But what was the matter with the water?
Il ad turned sour and had round pieces OF yellow.
sour STUFF floating in It. It his first taste Of
Lemonade consequently he did not know what he
was drinking
In his disgust At finding water, he revenged
himself by upsettiug the water cooler and spling
I'll the lemonade. Then he walked out. and going
into the first tent he 10. he found himself in
the room OF the leading lady who was fast asleep
on cot. At the end Of the tent he saw a small
table with q iooking-glass hanging above, but when
Billy saw his reflection in II he did not make the
mistake OF thinking II another goat like he had
once before. He walked UP TO the table. and seeing
stick red stuff that looked like candy he ate it,
but & turned out TO be stick paint that the
leading lady used 10 paint her lips After tasting
her powder and upsetting her bottle Of perfumery,
End chewing her blond wig, thinking II kind
ot yellow grass. he walked out without awakening
her
Next he went into a tent that had pictures Of
snakes OF all kinds painted This was
occupied by the snake charmers but Billy knew
nothing about large snakes. only little inofensve
garter snakes. so he went IN and commenced nosing
around IN the baskets he sitting there with
blankets in them to what under the
blankets
In the first felt something cold and slippery
and not 20 his taste SO he let it alone thinking It
piece OF garden hose; but when he stuck his
81 the next basket something long and slim and
pliable stuck its head out and wound itself around
his body drawing itself tighter and tighter. until
Billy found himself staggering for want Of breath.
When he was nearly squeezed TO death he made
oeathlike groan. which awoke the Indian snake
sharzne-, who was asleep IN corner OF the tent
OF q pie OF rugs The took in the situation at
glance and came to Billy's rescue. making the
snake uncon itself by playing kind OF bagpipe
& queer. weird, monotonous piece Of music This
charmed the snake and Il uncoiled itself from Billy
and. swaying its body, crawled toward the snake
charrner.
The second that Billy felt its coils slip from his
body he took a long breath and ran from the tent
not even stopping 10 wggle his head in thanks for
his preservation. Once outside he made his way
back TO his tent where he lay down on his pile
Of straw &c snatch little sleep before daylight as
unconcerned as If nothing had happened.
The next day after Biy's midnight prowl which
was Saturday. there was great connection among
the circus people, for the leading lady accused her
rival. the brunette OF coming into her dressing
room while she slept destroying blond
wig: while the popcorn said thieves had been
his stand and broken his glass and eaten
his popcorn; besides they had spilled al his lemon
EIDE that be had intended using the next day; the
night Waterman going to be discharged for not
attending 10 his business; then the Indian snake
charmer came along and told them the thief had