Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-04-01
Hc observed Pcorl and Major Porter at
their after dinner 1dme.

Of the reception. There were to be only
ladies at the reception. There was no
reason why Major Porter should re-
main at home for it, and his enthusi-
asm for the circus had shown no change,
no abatement.
In the presence Of his mistaken deyo-
ton Pearl could not endure to confess
even to her mother that her heart was
torn at the thought of her new fringed
sash, the gift of her aunt, and how now
she could not wear it at the reception
or walk around with the ladies. She
had the dignified delicacy of many hon
orable little girls, and she felt that it
would be disloyalty to her grandfather
to acknowledge that she was no longer
interested in the circus.
Her aunt said she had cried because
the heat made her nervous.
"She doesn't look to me able to go
| toting off to 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, darling?"
| Pearls eyes filled again at this.
ooh, Shocks IL be all right for the
circus" said Major Porter, with hasty,
blind consolation, as Pearls mother
started into the house with her to battle
her eyes. 1t was his fixed belief that
the circus was the most ecstatic pleas
ure of every child and any alternative
an outrageous disappointment.
'Neyer mind if you are not all right,
pet" said Mrs. Burden, with inspired
dullness. Here's Butter. He isn't go
ing and doesn't want to go. He wants
to see Mrs. Hendricks. And, Butter,
Mrs. Hendricks has some little boys of
her own-r,ich- nice, polite little hnys.
1 wish you could know them"
Butter looked submissive as Mrs.
Burdens benevolent, unperceiving eyes
were impressively fixed upon him.
"Why isn't Butter going to the cir
GUS" inquired Major Porter. Butter
made no reply.
4 "Father too busy, guess" pursued
the major. "That it?''
Butter is going to see Mrs. Ken
bricks this afternoon" replied Mrs
Burden. 'He is going to open the dool
for the ladies'"
Major Porter whistled. He looked
suspiciously at Buffers red eyelids.
"Well, how would it be to have But
ter come along with the circus part.
this afternoon and let Mrs. Hendricks
open the door for the ladies herself?'
He gave Butter nudge under tn
table at this last abominably weak jest
Butter could not refrain from smil
of hope.
"Well all get ready right away,
continued the major. you can &c
your hat. can black my shoes. Sar
can hitch up the horses. Pearl Gu
3 have B. and S. or something, an
r then We'll CO."
"Father," murmured Mrs. Burden !
important haste, Mrs. Atkinson got
new suit for him especially for thi
: Don't think
!, well, Butter, guess I'll have to 6
$ over and get your mother to let 20
+ open the door at the evening reception
/. That's the way We'll fix it up wit
her."
J. Meanwhile Mrs. Porter had by ii
spiration OWNED the cause of he
i daughters distress. She came back {
g the major was starting off.
p 81 think Pearl would better sta
! with us, father" she said. II real
;. believe she wishes to assist IT. recei
ing. l am going to let her pass arour
;. the crackers"
p 1t would seem that Providence h,
4 arranged for variety Of tastes in ii
n world, for on that afternoon Pea
i foated airily and elegantly amor
: groups Of gloved ladies, and under tt
d bullying, billowing tent, amid the odo
d Of sawdust and the cries Of lemonat
- men, sat Butter, between Major Port
q and Sam, throwing peanut shells b
d tween the open board benches, his ha
q py eyes absorbed in the passing
10 RATES. and ponies.
Major Porter was not looking at Il
f. ponies and giraffes but he was We
Il happy. He was watching Butter.