Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-07-28
low HE GOT HIS CIRCUS TICKET


of he circus was the event of the sea
son. One year when the circus came
along my father was not in good
humor and I concluded that would
have TO work 10 get a ticket to the
show. Long before the first train
pulled in | was sitting on the depot
platform waiting for the red wagon.
but | had not decided On any plan Of
attion. when one Of the men with the
elephants approached me. Say, son,
said he do YOU want to do lirtl7
V orl?' I was only too anxious and
told him so.
Where is the nearest stream of
watera'
-" Over here piece I said. indicat-
ing
"*Well. YOU take these buckets and
Get me some water for the elephants
:'Will you give me a ticket for
the SHOVE
@.sure: now run along and get
busy
y got busy all right enough. and
when l was through with the job the
elephant man asked me to bring him
bucket of water for himself When
| came back I were a look that said
unmistakab ably. I am ready for the
ticket.
"But instead of giving ne an honor
able discharge Mr.. Elephant Man
Ead me help unbale and scatter about
twenty tons of hay. We fixed it most
temptinelv around the feet of the
rachyderms About this time I asked
how much more there Was Tor me to
90. The elephant man saia he was
through and I would otf ticket if
came with him to the baggage car.
I followed without word. He tossed
around few trunks and other ar
ticles of baggage. and finally found
the trunk.
He took out a bundle OF tickets
giving me one. Give that TO the man
in the ticket wagon he said. '2nd
he will let you in to see the show.
AS happy as a bug in rug | ran
home to breakfast. holding the
coveted ticket in my hand all the
way. was so excited that ate but
little. and as soon as | thought it
safe took my hat and went back to
the circus grounds.
The crowd passed the wagon SO
1apidlv that l thought the tent would
be filled before I got in. l pushed
as hard as a small boy can 1nsh. and
finally thrust my ticket into the TAX
er's hand. 1t was a different size
from those given him by other poo
ple, and he noticed it, and, reaching
down. grabbed me by the collar
was hauled out of line and the man
with a scowl demanded:
".Where did you get this ticket"
'.From the elephant man. whim-
pered. I carried thirty-three buck
cts of water for him ana lie gave me
that
We'll. that is no good here, he
said. The show that issued this
ticket was here three years ago
81 mustered mp courage enough to
blurt out:
"f l don't care about that. | car
ried water for your elephants and
want to see this show, and I'm going
to see it.
"'Not if 1 know it. Now get out
of the way
despite the fact that the ticket
man was big enousn to toss me
around like a rubber ball. got fight
ing mad.
"'Do get in to see the show? |
demanded.
"sNot on your life Run away
"By this time the circus men We're
chatting each other about .he shrewd
trick the elephant mar had played en-
me This added to INV anger. and |
decided to settle the affair for once
and all. Undalnted 3y the rebHffs
offered me before. l 1en. up to the
ticket taker.
.Say you,' I called out, If you
don't let me in now and be quick
about it I will get eve" with vou.'
"sNothing doing. son: trot along.
"sWell I'll trot. but I'll come back
with a box of matches and burn every
old car in your train
4 started off on run. but aid not
get far. One of the canvass men
caught me up in his arms. and. with
out a word. he dashed by the ticket
taker and gave me one of the best
seats in the tent.
Stay here, son. and see the show.
and listen to the concert And in