The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-09

during the months you Northerners call winter" laughed Aunt Mary. But there was no time spent in idle talking. Aunt Mary was hostess for the day, and took her guests to a restau-
 rant, where they had a fine dinner of
 fried chicken and sweet potatoes. Tommy
 ate so much that he declared he'd not
 want another bite that day. Wait till after the circus" warned
 Uncle Joe, warningy.
 After dinner they repaired at once to
 the circus grounds, where was assembled
 the greatest crowd Tommy had ever
 seen. Two o'clock found the three
 through with all the side shows and
 ready for the big tent. As they passed through the menagerie tent towards the
 circus tent Tommy was deeply impressed
 with the strange animals that were
 crowded about In cages "Oh, let's stop
 an see theml' he cried, all enthusiasm.
 Well do that after the circus" ex-
 plained Aunt Mary "As we come out
 we'll go round the menagerie tent"
 It was Tommy's first circus. and he
 had never enjoyed anything so much in
 all his life.
 But even while the exciting circus per
 formance was going on Tommys eyes became heavy and he felt that unless he
 should do something to drive away sleep
 he would certainly succumb. He had gotten up unusually early that morning.
 and the ride and the abundant dinner had combined to make him drowsy. He
 put his head against Aunt Mary's shoulder and closed his eyes, deciding to steal bit of a nap.
 But he hadn't mapped long when of a
 sudden the clown left the circus ring and came up to the row of seats where
 Tommy sat. Come with me, kid,' he whispered in Tommy's ear. "I'm going to give you a real party in the big Kitchen 1 tent. Hully-gee. but we'll have gay
 timel Say nothing of this to anyone,
 but creep softly down and follow me. We'll return before time for the circus 1 to close"
 But I want to see the menagerie," said Tommy in whisper to the clown.
 Tt will be there to the last monk" !" declared the clown. You just come with
 me and see. Why, the party I'll give you
 will make you turn double summer-sets, you'll laugh so hard"
 Tommy slipped from the side of Aunt Mary, and as that good lady was so busy watching the Japanese jugglers she had no eyes for anything else Down beneath the high seats Tommy jumped
 and made his way under them to cur tained exit through which he had seen the clown disappear. And there on the other side the curtain stood the funny fellow, waiting for Tommy
 Now, to the gayest party that ever you saw" And the clown, dancing and frisk- | ing ahead, lead Tommy to a great outside | tent which they entered hand in hand I And 1t was surely a great party. There | were assembled all the curious animals
 that Tommy had seen in the menagerie | tent But now they were uncased, and | stood about laughing and chatting just l like human beings. Why, who ever heard | of animals talkingl" said Tommy. much | amazed.
 And you shall be introduced to each l Individuality" promised the clown. Then, l hooking his arm into that of Tommy, he l walked round the tent, lowing and in- | troducing his young guest .Ah, Mir. | Giraffe allow me to present to you my newly made friend, Master America. :" | And the clown drew Tommy close to the