The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-08-08

looked in old times, when he went on
q Journey" he said, his eyes wandering
off and lighting on pictured train OF
camels.
Much you care how Jacob looked"
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 were chill
dren no longer. But this season the
last shadow of an excuse was removed,
for Jennie was married and Johnny
was engaged, and Mrs. Patten "put her
foot down" with alarming vigor and
insistence.
ut is perfect nonsense, Jerry Patten,
spending money and time every year
to so and see the same old perform
ance and hear the cGme 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"
81 never saw giraffe, and they say
this is the last living specimen" said
= MIR. Patten, imploringly; but his wife
shook her head.
well live If the last specimen
doesn't" she said, conclusively.
Il caught ma looking at one Of the
circus bills" observed Johnny, next
day at dinner.
Mrs. Patten colored guiltily. She
had opened one just before consigning
1t 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
dn. and she had hastily stuffed the
whole array of elephants, tigers, lions
and acrobats into the hottest of the
fire.
II guess we'd better go, hadn't we,
MAJ" Mr.. Patten looked up hopefully.
"You haren't been anywhere this
summer"
, Dreadful concerned you are about
me, jerry" said Mrs. Patten, grimly.
"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, gilded circus
that he loved was too painful. 1t COM
pletely took away his appetite. and
pushing away his pie. he rose and took
his way to the barn.
20 mother, don't keep pa from going
Ito the circusr' pleaded Johnny.
There's n sense in lis being such
a baby. I'd be ashamed. A man of his
agew
That is just it; h. is old. and he
has been to shows all his life, and
that's why he's so attached to EN-"
urged Johnny.
Mr.. Patten said no more about the
matter. He went about with a re-
signed expression urCn his usually
cheerful, ruddy countenace. The morn
ing of the ventful day came and Mrs.
Patten, by way of compensation. pos
sibly, prepared al unusually .cmnting
breakfast.
You're going down to see the par
adc. amt you, Ann ElizG?" he ven
tured.
well, l don't know. I need some
calico, and l suppose 1 may as we'll
get it to-day as any time" Johnny
nudged his father.
Its amazing, so it is, how many
women need spool Of thread or a yard
of calico on circus day" he said.
+'They don't care q straw about seeing
the parade. but somehow they don't
so 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" MI. Patten said.
seeing her hurt look. "Dou't mind.
Johnny"
L
went home with her calico. but with
no signs of weakening, and Mr.. Patten
wandered around the scene of the de-
parted glory, disconsolate, wobegone
expression upon his face.
Hello, Uncle Jerry! What is the
matter? You look sort of down. Going
to the circus this afternoon?"
Il guess not, Rcub. Mrs. Pasten
allows that it's foolish for u old folks
to be spending money that way"
"Well, maybe it is. I always 60,
anyhow. Why don't you go up to
Johns and buy something? He's Civ
1ng ticket for the show with every
six-dollar purchase to-day"
rs that so:' A rainbow of hope
lighted mp the gloom of Mr.. Patterns
face. "1'll 20 up anu see about it."
There it was in the wirdow, tie
announcement, togcth-r with a tempt
ing display Of dress goods, ribbons and
]aceS, while in another window a var
iety OF linens were displayed.
Ann EliZ., wont care TOR another
new dress" Mr.. Patten said to himself,
as he studied the placard. "She hasn't
made up the one 1 borght her for
Christmas yet"
He stepped inside, and leaning over
the counter. beckoned to the brisk
young prcnrietor. John, what have