West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-05-06
By ptARGARET nLAYO Z
CO .Vc GGT. I9os pY DoDD. nEAp AND conPAN,

wei. it's bout de circus" Hasty
answered. seating himself again ON the
box. "Dey's showiu I'm Wakefield to-
night. an next month days comm
here"
Dat same circus what Miss Polly
used To lie wild" Mandy's eyes grew
large with curiosity.
"De very same" and Hasty nodded
mysteriousiy.
How yo' know daty' Mandy was
uncertain whether 10 believe him.
Cause da's big red wagon down.
town wild dc name oh de show painted
on II. It's de advertlsin' one what
goes ahead wild all de pictures wha,
dey pastes up"
An yo' been hangm roun' dat
wagonT'
81 done thought Miss Polly might
want to know"
Sec here, lazy Niger. don yo' 40
putin no circus notions into Miss Pol
ly's head She doa care no more
bout dem tings since her Uncle Toby
done die. She done been satisfied right
whar she am. Jes yo' let her be-"
II amt done noihin.". Hasty pro.
tested
"Nebbcr do do nothin'.'' growled Man.
dy. go long now an get a-work.
Mos 4 O'Clock an dat Sunday school
room amt ready yet"
Hasty picked up the empty box and
the stcpladder and went ont through
the gate. lie had barely disappeared
when a peal of laughter was heard
from the hillside, and before Mandy
could get out OF the way the young.
sters came tumbling down the path
again.
"Lawsy, lawsy!" she gasped as Polly
circled around her. lodging the chill.
dren. "fouse cheeks is red as pinies.
honey"
Tag; you're itr Polly cried ms she
touched the widows auburn haired or.
spring on the sleeve There was much
wailing when While passed the tag 10
little Jennie. the smallcst girl In the
crowd
81 won't play 10 more" she sobbed.
cause rs always It,"
To comfort her Polly began 20 sing
nm old circus song that the children
had learned TO love. aud the little ones
huddled about her In circle to hear
of the wonderful "Nan Ambcrg" who
used TO walk right into the lions cage
and put his head In the lions mouth -
The children were IN n state OF nerves
that did credit 10 Polly as an enter.
tainer when Hasty broke IN upon the
song
when yo' get minute I want ter
tell yo' somethin'"
II have one right now" And. turn
Ing 10 the eager mites mt her side. Pol.
ly told them to run along into the
grove and that she'd come pretty soon
TO teach them n new game
The youngsters went screaming and
laughing on their way. and she breath
ed sigh Of relief as she threw herself
down on the rustic seat that encircled
the elm tree.
What IS It. IIasty?' she asked, sus-
pecting that he was In trouble with
Mandy.
ITS bout de circus" Hasty inform
ed her bluntly.
'"The circusT She rose and crossed
TO him quickly.
ITS in WakeGeld-an' mex month
It's a-comin' here"
"Heref" Polly gasped.
81 thought yo'd want ter know"
said Hasty. n little surprised at her
lack OF enthusiasm.
Yes. Of course" She turned away
and pretended 20 look at the flowers.
Don youse tell Mandy been talkIn'
bout dat circus" said Hasty uneaslly.
He was beginning 10 fear that he had
made mistake, but before Polly could
answer Mandy came out Of the house.
carrying baskets OF food. which Has
" was 20 take TO the Sunday school
room. She looked at the girls trou-
bled face and dropping shoulders I'm
surprise
what make yo' look so serious.
honeyT
Just thinking" said Polly absently.
MY! Don yo' look fine I'm your new
dress! She was anxious 10 draw the
girl out OF her reycrle.
do you like. itl" Polly asked ca.
gerly, forgetting her depression Of n
moment before "DO you think Mr..
John VIII Ike IT,
"Massa John? Mercy me! lie neb.
Der takes no notice oh dem things. I
done got q bran. spankin' new ala.
paca ono time an do you think he
ebber seed it? Lawsy. noi We might
jes' well be gOin' roun' like Mudder
Eve for all dat man know" Polly
looked disappointed But udder folks
sees" Mandy continued comfortlnely.
"an' yo certainly look mighty fine.
Why, youse Just as good now as yo'
was afore yo' got hurtedr
Yes. I'm well now and able to work
again" There was no enthusiasm I'm
her tone. for Hasty's news had made
her realize how unwelcomc the old IRE
would be to her.
Work Yo' does work MI dc time.
Ny stars. dc help so IS to Massa
John"
DO you think so7 DO I help him?
DO ~"
"Of course so docs. Yo' tells him
tlngs to DO in Sunday school what the
chilluu like. an go learns him 4,
laugh an Joy himself an lot OF
t'ines what nobody else could a-loarned
I'm"
You mustn't say learned HIM =
Polly corrected. you must say taught
him You can't learn anybody any
thing. You can only teach them"
"Lordy sokcsl didn't know dat
She rolled her large eyes at her young
instructrcss and saw that Polly looked
very serious. "She's gwlnc ter have
anudGer ono a dem 'ticlor spells, "
thought Mandy, and she made ready to
protest
"sec here, ain't you nebber"-
She was interrupted by n quick
Have sou never" from Polly.
1T done make no difference what 20
say Mandy snapped so long a.