The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-04-20
HIS FIRST
IMPRESSION
ny G. >. COLLINS.

Driscoll Paint Company, sitting on a
baggage truck and kicking his heels
disconsolately against the wheels,
glanced savagely at the gaudily paint
ed cars which filled the better part of
the yard of the small station and
from there across the fields to- where
the tents of the Triple-Plate Allied
Shows and Hippodrome reared their
white tops. 1t was early in the sea-
son, and the canvas was still white,
fresh and bfllowy
He was so comfortably occupied in
mentally explaining to himself how
little he liked circuses that he failed
to note smart pony rig drawing up
at the station platform. From this
descended an alert young man with
a clean shaven face that betrayed the
humorous upcurve of the lips, to
match the laugh wrinkles about the
clear eyes 1t was not until the
glance of those kindly eyes espied
him that Traxon was reused from his
reverie and turned to look into Jim
remnants face. Old friends were
these two
A penny for your thoughts" cried
Trennant, manager of the Triple
Plate Allied Shows and Hippodrome
"Producel" Traxon held out his
hand and Trennant dropped copper
coin therein
was thinking what an Internal
nuisance you and your show are" ex-
planned Traxton Want your money
back?n
Honesty is worth penny, even if
1t is unconplimentary,' said Tren-
nant. with laugh. What's the mat
ter with the Triple-Plate, Charlie?"
Just this" explained Charlie
Traxon. II land in this usually
peaceful burg to find that. your show
is here. 1 want to get over to Mid
vale, and can't get a rig, livery or
private, until after you pull up stakes
and permit the town to return to its
normal somnolency,,'
IF you can't get to Midvale, come
and see the show" invited Trennant,
Hospitality. It's bigger and better
than ever, and"
I've seen the small bills for fur
Their particulars Interrupted Traxon
laughingly Il don't think can take
the show in because it's on very par
ssiicular business that l want to get
over to Midvale. Anne is over there"
Trennant nodded understandingly.
How do you prosper" he asked.
He knew of Traxon's love for Mrs.
Blaine AS Anne Caswell she had
been engaged to Traxon until low
er's quarrel had separated the pair,
and then she had married Blaine only
to find out when it was too late that
wounded pride and not love had
urged her to accept the new sutton.
Things are not going WE'LL" said
Traxon, dolefully. When poor
Blaine died 1 thought there was a
chance to win Anne back, but she is
afraid of what the children will
think. They are Just of an age when
they are beginning to understand
things, and she is afraid of the effect
a stepfather will have on them.
II have nevefkseen them; there's a
boy and girl, but I'm to make a
visit on approval, and il the children
take to Newell, you may have an
opportunity to dream on bit Of bride
cake, Jim
The, trouble is that I'm deathly
afraid of the children and I'm certain
/ can't make hit, particularly as
I've got to walk over there while
this whole town is circus mad, and
there's not conveyance to be had.
Ill not make very good impression
after ten-mile walk. I"
Trennant cast a glance at the trim
uptown wagon used by the circus
people for errands about town. The
ponies could never make the ten
miles there and back. Then he
'~grinned as he glanced at his watch.
I can help you out, began Tren-
nant. IF you don't minde*Ae vehicle
being trihe-er-ga udy.
'I'll go over in lions den or as
one of the happy family" declared
Traxon. It's Hobson's choice.''
It's not as bad as that" assured
Trennant. I'VE are short Of live
stock Just now, and we use every bit
of horsefiesh in the Wild West act.
But there is an automobile band cha
riot we use in the parade. If you'll
come over to the lot, I'll have. you
taken out to Midvale as soon as the
auto is out Of the entree,
A warm grip was Traxon's only an
swer, but Trennant led the way to the
telegraph office, and, after sending a
couple of dispatches, he made for the
little pony cart.
He came upon the lot from the
rear, thus avoiding the crowds grad
ually reduced to the comparative few
who, lacking the price of admission.
were hanging about the grounds.
From within the tent came the blare
of brass and the hum of the cheering
crowds, as Trennant led the way into
the dressing tent.
Just as he entered the green cur
tains were drawn aside and the pro-
cession began to file out of the hippo
drome track. In the van was huge
band chariot Respondent. in vermil-
lion and gilt, with bits of looking
glass and polished brass to one side
to permit the musicians to scramble
out and hurry toward the band stand
and then, as it numbered on, Trennant
Jumped on to the running board, fol-
lowed by Traxon.
Once they had cleared the tent
Trennant explained TO the driver
what was wanted, and with anal
handshake he dropped lightly to the