Putnam patriot., 1909-08-06
Big Clown and Little Clown.
 Bv TEMPLE BAUrY
By TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyrtghed. iaes. by Associated
 Literary Press.

boys gisgle and the little girls stare. half frightened
 That was when he was In the ring.
 But when he was clothed in the or.i- nary garb of citizen he was simply fresh faced boy who could stroll along the village streets without attracting unusual attention He liked the little villages where the circus stayed for a day or two and then moved on ianguidly down dusty roads to the next stopping place. "Some time" he said 10 the little clown. I'd lust 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 fer the ring she wore infantile clothes. with blue sash. and carried a biz stick of red striped candy. and all the little girls and boys would almost go into convul. sions of laughter when she shook her rattle at them.
 'l know." said the little clown, .'how 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 firepiace"-
 Her voice trailed on dreamily. The big clown locked down at her. i've 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 tAn 10 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 twired his pointed hat In his hand and then put Il on. "I am going To get away from It." he said. "l want home and neighbors. I'd like fo he 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 of to the ring. and the little clown turned her attention io the eontortionist who was in shining iri- descent green like a snake
 "I wish you wouldn't pay so much attention to the big clown,s the contor- tionist told her. 'sl can't ever get
 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 10 a sapphire sky. Did you ever see anything so pret- tyr" she asked. and pointed to It. Hut the contoI tionist had no eyes for apple trees. T have never seen anything so pretty as you are" he said. and if you will stop this clown business and marry me l 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 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. Il have always wanted to do something like that" she said. I've wanted to have an net that would make people do something be- sides giggIe. and ought to get pret- ty good pay"
 "well. should say" the contortion- ist bragged. '1 get bigger pay now than any one in the show. and you'd just about double it after had taught you what to do. It would be swell business"
 "Yes." said the little clown. it 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 6 country town. with fireplace and a cat and husband that people looked up to. or would you rather be head liner fin the circus businessf Now. the bearded lady. in spite of her masculine appearance. WAS wise
 woman and q sympathetic one. I'd rather be the wifesef the man loved"
 she told the little clown. whether he
 was iu country village or the circus.
 II isp't The place that makes us happy, it's the man.
 The little eiown nodded her head.
 But i'm not sure" she began. and
 then the bearded lady said. Well. be
 sure before you decide
 How am 1 going to knowT ques- tioned 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
 was over she sent for the big clown. "So you love the little ciownT she said.
 How did you knowY' he demanded Everybody knows the bearded lady fold him. You can't hide it.
 .weIl. do love her" the big clown
 confessed. land 1 want to take her away from all this and live in a little house in a little town and have chick ems and cow"- .-The little clown wants a fireplace and a cat" smiled the bearded lady, but it all amounts to the same thing" Did she tell your the big clown
 asked eagerly.
 Yes said tue bearded lady "but
 she is not sure that she loves you. and
 it's up to yon 10 make her sure"
 "Buf how r demanded the blg clown. "Ieave the show" was the sage ad
 vice. .at the next viJiaev and see hots
 nhe takes it
 Sc she next nIshf whep the lights
 were ogi fn she lsig teHt and the tired
 ro.f..-..nr.. .e.r.. r.ek ing fll..ir hs.llal.r.