Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-05-22
Big Clown and
Little Clown.
n TrAnr = passrv
BY TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.

A"he"SAiS NiNSS W uiuhc All TIE lllLle
boys glggle and the little girls stare
half frightened.
That was when he was In the ring
But when he was clothed In the ordi.
nary garb of citizen he was simply Il
fresh faced boy who could stroll along
the village streets without attracting
unusual attention.
He liked the little villages where the
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
clown, 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 infantile clothes, with blue
sash, and carried n big stick of red
striped candy. and all the little girls
and boys would almost go into convul-
slons of laughter when she shook her
rattle at them.
Il know" said the little clown, chow
you feel. Sometimes think It would
be nice to have little house and make
bread and put the weeks wash out on
the green grass and have cat and a
fireplace
Her voice trailed off dreamily.
The big clown looked down at her.
1--we been funny all my life" he said.
when l wasn't anything but baby
my father used to take me In the ring
with him. He was clown. too, and
I've just grown up to It,"
The little clown nodded sympathetic
ally. Most Of us grow up to It," she
said. "and then somehow we can't get
away"
The big clown stood up. 1t was time
for him to go into the ring. He twirled
his pointed hat In his hand and then
put It on. ~ am going to get away
from It," he said. 81 want home and
neighbors. I'd like TO be n sheriff In
some town or mayor or on the school
board He smiled till the thick white
paint on his face was folded into deep
creases.
Then he was Off to the ring, and the
little clown turned her attention to the
contortionist. who was In shining iri-
descent green like snake.
II wish you wouldn't pay so much
attention to the big clown" the contor-
zionist told her. II can't ever get a
minute With you"
The little clown looked at him with
eyes that went beyond him through
the door of the tent TO where the ap-
pie trees were fiinging up pink branch
es TO sapphire sky.
did you ever see anything so pref
tyr she asked. and pointed to 1t.
But the contortionist had no eyes
for apple trees. II have never seen
anything so pretty as you are" he
said, ''and II you will stop this clown
business and marry me will put you
In an act that will give you chance
TO show people how good looking you
are. You could wear white and your
hair in yellow ringlets down your back
and a gold crown. And I'd put on red
with horns, and we'd give an angel
and devil act"
The little clown leaned forward
eagerly. II have always wanted to
do something like that" she said.
i've wanted to have an act that
would make people do something be-
sides giggle. and ought to get pref
ty good pay"
"Well. l should say" the contortlon-
ist Dragged. II get bigger pay now
than any one In the show. and you'd
just about double 1t after had taught
you what to do. 1t would be swell
business"
YES" said the little clown. 1T
would"
And when the contortionist had gone
the little clown sought the bearded
lady.
(Which would you rather do" she
demanded, have little house In
country town, with n fireplace and a
cat and husband that people looked
up to, or would you rather be head
liner In the circus businessT
Now. the bearded lady, In spite Of
her masculine appearance, was a wise
woman and a sympathetic one. I'D
rather be the wife OF the man loved"
she told the little clown, whether he
was In a country village or the circus.
1t isn't the place that makes us happy;
It's the man."
The little clown nodded her head
But I'm not sure" she began. and
then the bearded lady said, "Well. be
sure before you decide"
How am / going to known ques-
toned the little clown.
you'll know when the time comes"
said the bearded lady sensibly. And
after the little clown had gone away
the bearded lady sat and thought and
thought, and when the performance
vas over she sent for the big clown.
80 you love the little clown" she
said.
How did you know" he demanded.
Everybody knows" the bearded
lady told him. "You can't hide II"
"Well. do love her." the big clown
confessed, land ! want TO take her
away from all this and live In little