The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1909-06-10
Big Clown and
Little Clown.
By TEMPLE BAILEY.
By TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyrighted, 1909. by Associated
Literary Press.

boys glggle and the little girls stare
half frightened.
That was when lie was in the ring
But when he was clothed in the ordi-
nary garb of citizen he was simply a
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. ana carried a big 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
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 a cat and
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 a 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. II am going to get away
from it," he said. 81 want home and
neighbors I'd like to be 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
who was in shining iri-
descent green like a snake
Il wish you wouldn't pay so much
TO the big Clown the contor-
ZIONIST told her. Il 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 finging up pink branch
rs to sapphire sky.
Did you ever see anything so pref
Typ she asked. and pointed to it.
But the contortionist had nc eyes
Tor apple trees. II have never seen
anything so pretty as you are" he
said, land if you will stop this clown
business and marry me / will put you
n an act that will give you a chance
o show people how good looking you ,
ire. You could wear white and your
lair in yellow ringlets down your back ,
md gold crown. And I'd put on red 3
With horns, and we'd give an angel :
md devil act" !
The little clown leaned forward }
agerly. II have always wanted to ,
10 something like that" she said
I've wanted to have an act that :
would make people do something be- :
ides giggle, and ought to get pref
y good pay"
"Well, should say" the contortion- :
st Dragged. Il get bigger pay now
han any one in the show, and you'd :.
lst about double it after ! had taught =
GU what to do 1t would be swell :
usiness." :
"Yes," said the little clown, at :,
,ould"
And when the contortionist had gone =
lie little clown sought the bearded
Idy. =
(Which would you rather do" she .
have little house in a =,
,untry town. with fireplace and a :,
1t and a husband that people looked =,
p to, or would you rather be a head
ner in the circus business?r
Now, the bearded lady, In spite of =.
sr masculine appearance, was wise ~
oman and sympathetic one. I'D
ther be the wife of the man loved"
e told the little clown, whether he ~
as in country village or the circus ..
isn't the place that makes us happy; 70
S the man"
The little clown nodded her head
tut I'm not sure" she began, and e.
en- the bearded lady said, "Well, be
re before you decide ~,
How am | going to known ques- ~
med the little clown. ~
You'll know when the time comes,' -
Id the bearded lady sensibly. And ~
ter the little clown had gone away ~
2 bearded lady sat and thought and ?"
ought. and when the performance 4 ne
IS over she sent for the big clown. u
so you love the little clown?" she =,
d. 40
How did you know" he demanded s''
Everybody knows" the bearded 'u'
y told him. you can't hide it, Se'
Well, do love her." the big clown 70
lfessed, "and | want to take her
ay from all this and live in a little 'ul
Use in little town and have chick WI
and a cow Ing
The little clown wants a fireplace ing
cat" smiled the bearded lady, llgl