The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1906-06-19

NOlcS "a AOC ClICuos A6lA D61OLc tuc
glazing temptation.
II expect that is just the way Jacob
booked in old times, when he went on
g Journey" he said, his eyes wandering
of and lighting on pictured train Of
camels.
"Much you care how Jacob lookedv'
shifted his wife, resentfully.
Pretty fine old gentleman, just the
same, with family enough to last him
when he wanted to take them any
where" observed Mr.. Patten, with
mournful humor
He had patronized every travelling
show which had come to town in the
past fifteen years, under the ready plea
that the children wanted to go.
children won't be children but
once" he had said only last year, not
realizing that the children we're chill
dken no longer. But this season the
last shadow Of an excuse was removed,
Gor Jennie was married and Johnny
was engaged, and Mrs. Patten put her
foot down" with alarming vigor and
ansisteuce.
L
spending money and time every year
10 go and see the same old perform
ance and hear the came stuff we've
heard for years! The children are
grown now, and can go by themselves
If they want to, but we are too old"
II never saw giraffe. and they say
this Is the last living specimen" said
Mr.. Patten. imploringly; but his wife
shook her head.
We'll live If the last specimen
doesn't" she said, conclusiyely.
II caught ma looking at one Of the
circus bills" observed Johnny, next
day at dinner.
Mrs. Patten colored guilty. She
had opened one just before consigning
Ct to the kitchen stove. and it had
proved so interesting that she had
fingered over the description of the.
grand display of Oriental splendor
which was to dazzle the eyes of town
and country, Then Johnny had come
In, and she had hastily stuffed the
whol9 array Of elephants, tigers, lions
and acrobats into the hottest of the
are.
II guess we'd better go, hadn't we,
MAJ" Mr.. Patten looked up hopefully.
~You haven't been anywhere this
summer"
Dreadful concerned -ou are about
me, jerry" said Mrs. Patten, grimly.
s'We'll go on that excursion week after
next, since I'm pining so to go some-
where."
Mr.. Patten groaned. The thought of
substituting the excursion which he
hated for the glittering, gllded circus
that he loved was too painful. 1t COM
pletely took away his appetite. and
pushing away his pie, lie rose and took
his way to the barn.
20 mother, don't keep pa from going
Ia the circusr' pleaded Johnny.
there's r sense in hts being such
q baby. I'D be ashamed. A man of his
ageF'
THAT is just it; hs is old. and he
mas been to shows all his life, and
that's why he's so attached to 'em,"
urged Johnny
Mr.. Patten said no more about the
matter. He went about with a re-
signed expression upon his usually
cheerful, rudy countenace. The morn
tng of the ventful day came. and Mrs.
Patten, by way of compensation. pos
sibly, prepared an unusually emitting
breakfast.
you're going down to see The par
nde, amt you, Ann Elizc? he ven
tured.
well, don't know. | need some
calico, and suppose may as well
get it to-day as any time" Johnny
nudged his father.
TITS amazing. so 1t is, how many
women need spool of thread or yard
OF calico on circus day" he said.
''They don't care straw about seeing
the parade, but somehow they don't
60 home till after It passes.'
Il won't get the calico to-day. then. ?
Mrs. Patten looked reproachfully at
the men, who tried not to laugh.
"Oh, yes. you Will" Mr.. Patteu said,
seeing her hurt look. Don't mind,
Johnny"
The parade passed. and Mrs. Patten
r'~eAt ~ANAAAV WIN LICK Cd4tEul uuL Win
no signs OF weakening, and Mr. Patten
wandered around the scene OF the de-
parted glory, disconsolate, wobegone
expression upon his face.
Hello, Uncle JerryI what is the
matters You look sort Of down. Going
70 the circus this afternoon"
Il guess rot, Reub. Mrs. patten
allows that it's foolish for n old folks
to be spending money that way"
Well, maybe it is. / always 30
anyhow. Why don't you 10 IN Il
John's and buy sometlllng?> He's Civ.
sng 4 ticket for the show with every
eix-dollar purchase to-day"
rs that SOP A rainbow OF hone
lighted up the gloom OF Mr.. Patterns
sace. TN 90 up anu see about it."
There it was In the window. tie
announcement, together with a tempt
ing display Of dress goods, ribbons, ane
laces, while In another window var
sesy Of linens were displayed.
Ann Ellz1 won't care Tor another
new dress" Mr.. Patten said to himself
rs ne studied the placard. "she hasn,
made up the one I borght her fol
Christmas yet"
He stepped inside. and leaning ovel
the counter beckoned to the brisl
young proprietor, John, what hav,