The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-17
Our Daily Short Story

i Nellie Fless. but her aunt from Can- nelsville's goin' t take her, so I'll take you Cummon."
 The temptation never had assumed such an enticing form before, but Toby held back.
 Tain't that" he explained, unclos- Ing four moist and grimy fingers to show shining quarter in his hand. T got the money, but ma cried when l asked could I go
 Freddy regarded him with pity That boy should have a quarter and yet 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 shrill scream of the cal Hope announced the approach of the parade, and he raced down the street.
 Eight-year-old Toby kicked his heels disconsolately against the wood en stoop. He fought hard against temptation, but in the end the boy nature asserted itself. He could cut cross lots and reach Tomkins pasture before the parade got back
 Ten minutes later .irs. Atkins. com ing to the door with 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 gNacross the back lots to beat the parade to the grounds He brought up panting just as the band wagon came into sight, and he climbed fence post to get 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 sum- deep into his heart. He would play truant, but he would not go to the circus. -
 He wandered about the lot. It was only two-ring show, but the horse tent facinated him and he fingered. watching the men take the gaudy trap pings from the horses and give them feed and water.
 Almost unconsciousiy he strolled through the dressing tent and into the "bfg 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 a group of men were tumbling on pad.
 group, and sat down beside him. He was a tall. dark man with a kindly face and a smile that would win the confidence. of any child. Toby smiled upon him and so attracted attention to himself.
 Hello" cried the man. What are you doing in here youngster? l thought you were Metcalfs kid"
 T just come in." explained Toby. as though such a proceeding were most natural T can do those things"
 The big man laughed. Most small boys could " do those things" after a fashion and anxious to show off before the circus folk.
 Let's see what you can do." he sug- gested as the others paused for rest. Toby made for the mat. Somehow he seemed to remember tricks long since forgotten. Somehow also he seemed to remember doing just these same things in a ring like this one and he graveiy went through his repertoire.
 The men crowded around the mat laughing and crying encouragement, but 1t was the big man to whom Toby turned for applause.
 You're a pro kid all right" he de- clared. 'I guess you've seen the rings We could use a light boy"
 I've got to stay with mother" Toby announced regretfully. I'm all she's got, you see, and she can't spare me"
 What does your mother do?" dem anded 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," explain ed Toby. We live over there on Grove street"
 lover there" was indicated by a semi