Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-05-28
Big Clown and
Little Clown.

Copyrighted. 1905. By As,oci.,.s
Literary Press.

nary garb of citizen he was simplv n
fresh faced boy who could stroll along
the village streets without attracting
unusual attention.
He liked the little villages where tho
circus stayed for day or two and
then moved ON languIdly down dusty
roads To the next stopping place.
Some time" he said to the little
crown. I'D Just like to stay behind In
/ one OF these little towns and. turn
FARMER and stop being funny for
awhile"
The little clown was woman
When she was dressed for the ring she
wore iufantile clothes, with n hlne
SASH. ana carried big stick OF red
striped candy. and all the little girls
ana Boys would almost go into conyul-
sions or laughter when she shook her
rattle ut them.
u KNOW" said the little clown Show
you feel Sometimes I think n won,d
oe nice to have little house and make
oresu ana put the weeks wash out on
the green grass aud have a cat and n
fireplace
ner voice trailed of dreamily.
Inc dig clown looked down Mt her
I've been funny all my Iife." he said
/ When wasn't anything but n babv
my rather used to take me in the rine
with him. He was n clown. too. and
I've just grown up to It."
Inc ilttie clown nodded sympathetIc-
ally. Most Of US grow up to IT." she
saiu' and then somehow we can't got
away" &C.
Inc big clown stood up. II was time
Tor him to go into the ring. He twirled
his pointed hat ia his hand ma ,hen
pu' IL on. i am going to get away
nvu IT, ne said u want a home and
neighoors Id like to be a sheriff In
some town or mayor or on the school
BOARD He smiled TIL the thick white
paint on his face was folded into deem |
creases
1hen he was of to the ring. and tho
little clown turned her attention ~. the
contortionist who was In shining iri-
descent green like a snake.
wish you wouldn't pay SO much
a'tention to the big clown" the contor.
ZIONIST told her. II can't ever GOT /.
minute with you"
The little clown looked at him with
eyes that went beyond him tbropgh
the door Of the tent to where tho az
PIE trees Were hinging up pink branch
es TO sapphire sky.
Dio you ever see anything so pret-
w she asked. and pointed to it.
BUT the contortionist had no evas
TOT apple trees. II have never seen
anything so pretty as you are" be
said. and II you will stop this clown
business and marry me will put Won
In an act that will give you n chance
10 snow people how coed looking Won
are You could wear white and your
nair In yellow ringlets down your back
ana gold crown. And I'd put on red
with horns. and we'd give an angel
and devil act
The little clown leaned forw.ra
eagerly. Il have always wanted to
20 something Ike that" she said.
I've wanted TO have an act that
would make people do something be-
sides giggle and ought 10. get pret-
~ good pay"
wen. l should say" the contortion-
Isl Dragged. II get bigger paw now
lhan any one In the show.and rou'd
'ust about double It after had taught
you what to do. 1t would be swell
business"
Yes" said the little clown. lit :
would"
And when the contortionIst had coma ;
he little clown sought the bearded ..
ady.
which would you rather do" she :
ienanded. have a little house I'm a :
ountry town. with a fireplace and a :
NJ ana husband that people looked
lp TO. or would you rather be a head.
Iner In the circus busiuessY"
NOW the bearded lady. In spite of :,
Ger masculine appearance. was a wise Z,
Voman and a sympathetic one. I'D 3
ather be the wife OF the man loved +" n
ne told the little clown, whether he d
'as In u country village or the circus
isn I the place that makes US happy; =
IS the man" b
me little clown nodded her head. y
But I'm not sure" she began. and b
len the bearded lady said. "Weil. be- a,
ire before you decide" O,
How am 1 going to know" ouas. Il
oned the little clown. Il
fou'ii know when the time comes" OF
10 the bearded lady sensibly. And Is
Ter the little clown had gone away =.
le bearded lady sat and thought and =
ought. and when the performance 50
as over she sent for the big clown or
Id. al
How did you known he demanded. 10
Everybody knows" the bearded W
ny told him. you can't hide t." a.
wen. do love her." the big clown Sy
messed. "and ! want to take her va
'ay from al this and live In a LITTLE If
use In little town and have chick.
s and cow
Inc little clown wants fireplace
car smiled the bearded lady.
VI 1t all amounts to the same thing"
Did she tell your the big clown +
ked esgsrly.
Yes" said the bearded Is6ys ..but
~ not sure that she loves You, and
up to yon to make her sure"
But howy' demanded the big clown
Leave the show" was the sage ad.
Q, Eat the next village and see how A
, takes II gre
% the nett night when the lights Bal
re out In tae big tent and the tired a dnSl
formers were packing their belong. pro
3 into trunks and bags the big -
wn came to the little clown and n
d. "GoOdby." ~
But-but." the little clown STAN. u,
red. Il don't want you to gor
am going to settle down." the big a .
wn told her. 'and have a little
Use with fireplace and a cat" ME
he little clown caught her breath
ckiy. And who's going to keep
se for your she asked wistfulIv