The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-14
THE EVENING STORY
His Broken Promise.
(By Colin s. Collins.

Coin to tn circus?' Tobv GLANCED
iongingly at the gaudy bills as he shook
his head
Mo says can't even go to the side
show" he said.
"Cummon. I'll take YOU volunteered
Freddy Plastrick. .'I was goin' T. take
Nettie Fless. but her aunt from can
nelsville's goin' t take her, SO ri take
you, Cummon.''
The tempter never had assumed such
an enticing form before. but Toby held
back.
Tain't that" he explained, unclos-
Ing four moist and griny fingers to
show shining quarter in his hand 81
got the money, but ma cried when /
asked could 1 co.
Freddy regarded him with pity. That
boy should have a quarter and vet
not be permitted to go to the circus
seemed to sound the depths of human
woe, but he could not pause to comfort
Already the shrin scream of the CALI
ope announced the approach of the pa
rade, and he raced down the street.
Eight-year-old Toby kicked his heels
disconsolately against temptation but
in the end the boy nature asserted it
self He could cut across lots and reach
Tomkin's pasture before the parade got
back.
Ten minutes later Mrs. Atkins, com
ing to the door with a huge slice of
bread and jam to stay his hunger and
make him strong against temptation,
saw what had happened, and went back
into the tiny house to throw herself
upon the bed and cry.
But Toby for once had forgotten his
mother. He was racing across the back
lots to beat the parade to the grounds.
He brought up painting just as the band
wagon came into sight, and he climbed
a fence post to get a full view. The
free show, that brought the people to
the lot, held him fascinated and almost
tempted him to follow the crowd into
the .sideshow tent, but something in his
mothers face had sunk deep into his
heart. He would play truant, but he
would not go to the circus.
He wandered about the lot. 1t was
only a two-ring show, but the horse tent
fascinated him and he fingered, watch
ing the men take the gaudy trappings
from their horses and give them feed
and water.
Almost unconsciously he strolled
through the dressing tent and into the
big top where the performance would
be given later. He seemed oddly at
home somehow, and he sat down on
the bank of one of the rings where
group of men were tumbling on a pad.
One of them dropped out of the group.
and sat down beside him. He was a
tall, dark man with a kindly face and
smile that would win the confidence of
any child. Toby smiled upon him and
so attracted attention to himself.
you doing in here, youngster? thought
you were Metcalf's kid
81 just come in explained Toby, as
though such a proceeding were most
natural. II can do these things"
The big man laughed. Most small
boys could do those things" after
fashion and were anxious to show off
before the circus folk.
Lets see what you can do" he sug-
gested as the others paused for a rest
TSaI1x Gov 7o+ oh h
seemed to remember tricks long since
forgotten. Somehow also he seemed to
remember doing just these same things
in ring like this one and he gravely
went through his repertoire.
The men crowded about the mat
laughing and crying encoura cement, but
1t was the big man to whom Toby
turned for applause.
'y"Youre pre- kid all right he de-
clared. Il guess you've seen the rings
before. Want to come with us, kid?
We could use light boy
1--WE got to stay with mother" Toby
announced regretfully. I'm all she's
got, lou see, and shescan't spare me-"
What does your mother do?" de-
manded the big man. He had known
mothers who were open to argument,
and the boy gave promise of being an
addition to the troupe.
'She makes hats and sews," explained
Toby. I'VE live over there on Grove |
street."
over there" was indicated by a semi |
circular sweep of the arm, and the big |
man pulled out a watch from the coat |
he had resumed.
You want to come with US If your !
mother will let you?" he asked.
Toby's face fell.
''She won't" he said dolefully "She
hates circuses. She's going to whip me |
when get home. She made me promise
not to come; not even to look at the |
parade"
Hes a circus boy, all right, Ted"
laughed one of the other men. "She
knew that if he hit the tents it would
all come back to him, and it has. He
worked like a veteran. He'd make a
great top-mounter."
Hes going to make one" announced
Ted. I'm going to see his mother. 1
1on't know what crouch she's got
gainSt US show folks, but I'll talk her
put of it. Come, kid
He held out hand to Toby, and to-
gether they left the tent Ted stopped
10 speak to a man in the dressing tent,
and then they struck out across lots for
he tiny little home, where, for the last
'our years, Rena Atkins had sought to
support herself and her son by millinery
md dressmaking. She was on the steps
now peering up and down the street,
hoping against hope that Toby would
some. But at the sight of the man with
him she shrank into the house, though
lot before the stranger had caught
light of her and had gone bounding for
ward.
When Toby's shorter legs had com
passed the distance he found his mother
n the strangers arms striving to fight
lin off. Toby valiantly came to the
escue with feet and fists but the big
nan seemed scarcely to notice the at
ack.
1--WE found you at last" he was say
ng. Why did you run away, dear
You ask me that?" Her voice was
Iuiet now and tense with scorn. Let
ne go and will show you"
His arms dropped to his side and she
liped across the room to where her
lay. Silently she offered a
lip Of paper frayed with handling and
with age