The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-03-18
NUMBER. %.

much Of your life have you spent in the
state? us Hoosiersr
But I'm going TO be a good one," she
answered gayly. 'and if I'm good
enough when l grow up maybe I'll be
Il great one"
The blackboard had been brought
around, and the four young people
climbed ill.,. Harkless driving. Before
they started the Judge, standing on the
horse block in front of the gate, leaned
over and patted Miss Sherwood's hand
again Harkless gathered up the reins.
You'll make a great Hoosier. all
right" said the old man, beaming upon
the girl. You needn't worry about
| that, / guess, my dear"
When he said my dear" Harkless
spoke TO the horses.
Wait" said the judge, still holding
the little hand. You'll make a great
Hoosier some day; don't fret. You're
already a very beautiful one Then
he bent his white head and kissed her
calamity
Good afternoon, judge" said John
The whip cracked. and the blackboard
dashed OF in cloud of dust.
Every once in awhile, Harkless," the
old fellow called after them. you must
remember TO look at the team
The enormous white tent was filed
| with hazy. yellow light, the warm,
dusty, mellow light that thrills the re-
joicing heart because it is round mo-
where else in the world except in the
tents of circus. the canvas filtered
sunshine and sawdust atmosphere of
show day.
| Here swayed myriad of palm leaf
| fans; here paraded blushing youth and
rosy maiden more relentlessly arm in
arm than ever; here crept the octoge-
marian, Mr. Bodeffer, shaking on cane
and the shoulder; of posterity; here
waddled Mr.. Snoddy, who had hurried
through the animal tent for fear of
meeting the elephant; here marched
sturdy yeomen and stout wives; here
tcame William Todd and his true love.
the good William hushed with the en-
barrassmefts of love, but looking out
warily with the white of his eye for
Mr. Martin and determined not to sit
within a hundred yards of him; here
rolled In the orbit of habit the town
bacchandl. Mr.. Wilkerson. who politely
answered in kind all the uncouth roar
ings and cultural CALCULATIONS of jun
gle and fen that came from the animal
tent-in brief. here came with lightest
heart the population of Carlow and
part Of Amo-
Helen had found true word; IT was
a big family. Jim Bardlock. broadly
smiling and rejuvenated, shorn of de-
preston, paused in front of the re
serve" seats. with Mrs. Bardlock on
his arm, and called loudly to gentle
man on a tier about the level of Jim's
head: How are ye? / reckon we were
La leetle too smart fer 'em this morning.
hnh:'' Five orssix hundred people. ev-
cry one within hearing, turned to look
at Jim. but the gentleman addressed
twas engaged lin conversation with
lady and did not notice.
Hi. Hi. there, Say, Mr.. Harklessi"
beloved Jim informally. The people
turned TO look at Hsrkless. His atten-
ton was arrested, and his cheek grew
red
What is it:' he asked, little con-
fused and good deal annoyed.
81 don't hear what We say" shouted
Jim. putting his hand to his ear.
-What is it," repeated the young
man. "I'll kill that fellow tonight" he
added to Lige willetts. Some one
ought to have done it long ago."
"WhatY
az said, What is itf''
81 jest wanted to say me and you
|. certainly did fool these here Hoosiers
this morning. Hustled them two fel-
. lers through the courthouse. and mo-
body thought to slip round to the other
door and head us of. Ha. ha. We
were jest leetle too many fer 'em.
huh?
. From an upper tier of seats the rusty
, length of Mr.. Martin erected itself
} joint by Joint, like an extension ladder.
and he peered down over the gaping
faces at The town marshal. Excuse
J me- he said sadly to those behind him.
but his dry.Gvoice penetrated every
where. 81 got up to hear Jim say we
r tagain'' :
Mr.. Bardlock Joined in the laugh
against himself and proceeded with
his wife to some seats forty or fifty
) feet distant. When he had settled him.
e self comfortably he shouted over cheer
fully to the unhappy editor. Them
shell men got it in fer you. Mr.. Hark-
lessr'
, "Hain't that fool shet up yit?" snarl-
ed the aged Mr.. Bodeffer Indignantly.
4 He was sitting near the young couple,
! and the expression of his sympathy
| was distinctly audible to them and
many others. s'Got no more regards
5 than a brazing calf-disturbin' feiier
!. with his sweetheart
: The both of 'em says they're going
to do fer ye," bleated Mr.. Bardlock:
. "swears they'll ketch their evens with
ye"- -
{ Mr.. Martin rose again. Don't git
b. scared and leave town. Mr.. Harklessr'
+ he called out Jim II protect you"
Vastly to the young mans relief the
band began to play and the equestrians
e and equestriennes capered out from
the dressing tent for the grand en-
trance" and the performance COM
Q menced. Through the long summer
j afternoon it went on-wonders of
' horsemanship and of horsewomanship,
' hair raising exploits on wires tight
J and slack. giddy tricks on the high
{ trapeze. feats of leaping and tum'
e bling in the rings. while the tireless
musicians blatted inspiringly through
: it all, only pausing long enough te
u allow that riotous jester, the clown
TO ask the ringmaster what he would
do il young lady came up and kissed
i him on the street. and to explode hii
u wittieisms during short intervals OF
% rest for the athletes.
CTo'be continuedl