The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1909-06-03
HIS FIRST
IMPRESSION
by c. 8. coLLINs.

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, It was early in the sea-
son, and the canvas was still white,
fresh and billowy.
He was so comfortably occupied In
mentally explaining to himself how
little he liked circuses that he failed
10 note smart pony rig drawing up
at the station platform. From this
descended an alert young man with
a clean shaver 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.
Product" Traxon held out his
hand and Trennant dropped a copper
coin therein.
Il was thinking what an Internal
nuisance you and your show are" ex-
planned Traxton. want your money
back?"
Honesty is worth penny, even IL
it is uncomplimentary," said Tren-
nant, with a laugh. whats the mat
ter with the Triple-Plate, Charlie?"
"Just this" explained Charlie
Traxon. Il land in this usually
peaceful burg to find that your show
is here. want to get over to Mid
vale, and ! cant 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. ITS bigger and better
than ever, and"
I've seen the small bills for fur |
ther particulars" interrupted Traxon |
laughingly, II don't think can take |
the show in because it's on very par
ticular business that ! want to get |
over to Midvale. Anne is over there"
Trennant nodded Understandings. |
How do you prosper" he asked. !
He knew Of Traxon's loye for Mrs. /
Blaine. AS Anne Caswell she had
been engaged to Traxon until a 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 l 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.
Il have never seen them; there's a
boy and a girl, but I'm to make a
visit on approval and If the children
take to Newell, you may have an
opportunity to dream on a bit CT bride
cake, Jim.
1.-THE trouble is that I'm deathly
afraid Of the children and I'm certain
j cant make a hit, particularly as
I've got to walk over there while
this whole town is circus mad, and
there's not a conveyance to be had.
Ill not make very good impression
after ten-mile walk"
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.
Il can help you out" began Tren-
nant. IF you don't mind the vehicle
being a gaudy."
I'm go over in a lions den or as
one of the happy family" declared
Traxon. cts Hobsons choice"
ITS not as bad as that" assured
Trennant. I'VE are short OF i've
stock Just now, and we use every bit
of horsefesh in the Wild West act
But there IS an automobile band cha
riot we use in the parade II you'll !
come over to the lot, III have you
taken out to Midvale as soon as the
auto is ont Of The putrpp