Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-16

ner near to the window where he and
Mary We're seated with their parents, and
he slipped Off his chair and stretched
himself on this convenient couch. If
they had half an hour to wait, he might
steal a bit of sleep. and that would re-
fresh him for the day. But hardly had
he closed his eyes when a strange thing
occurred. He heard a commotion In the
room, and opening his eyes. beheld a
funny little man-evidently one OF the
head men of the circus-stan in the
doorway. bowling to his parents and to
Mr.. and Mrs. Jackson. The four people
in the room respectfully bowed to the
stranger, and Mr.. Jackson asked him to
come in. The dapper little man bounced
in like rubber ball, and sat on the
edge of chair. Now, my good people,"
an elephant for SALE And I surmise,
there is some one in this room who will
be glad to purchase him from me-" Then
the little man bowed again, all around
dirt cheap, too
Harry sat up. all sleep gone from his
eyes All" he said, bowling low to the
queer little man, what do you want for
your elephant? I should love to own
one, and-and-" And Harry looked at
his father hopefully-"and maybe papa
will buy this one for me-if he really is
dirt cheap
the dapper little man, IT will sell my
elephant.for $12.25."
"Oh, I have the % cents cried Harry.
Papa gave it to me this morning to
buy lemonade and peanuts this afternoon
at your circus. And I guess papa will
add the So. Won't you papa?'
Certainly, son." promised papa. taking
his purse from his pocket. Here are ST.
And he handed Harry the amount. Harry.
as supremeiy happy as any boy about
TO possess elephant could be. went
quarter his father had given him that
morning. Then he placed the whole
amount In the hands of the little circus
man. and the deal was made. He owned
an elephant.
Now, come right down stairs and get
your property. said the little man, beck
oning to Harry. Harry arose and fol-
lowed the circus man to the street, and
there. standing as high the first story
of the building, was an elephant with
n huge trunk swinging menacngly about
him.
take charge of him, for he now be-
longs to you," said the little man. toss
irg to Harry one end of thick rope. the
other end being attached to d chain about
the elephants leg. Harry grasped the
rope, but as he did SO. curious feeling
of uncertainty took possession of him.
Where should he lead this mighty beast?
And after leading him, where would he
find a house big enough to hold him?
And-what should he feed him? All, now
he understood the mistake he had made
He had burdened himself with an ele-
plant, and had no place to keep him.
AS he stood bordering, the elephant
threw out his trunk and caught Harry
about the body and lifted him high in
the air. Oh, how he squeezed him, al
most taking away his breath! Harry
gave a loud cry for help. but as he did
So the elephant let loose of him, and he
fell headlong to the pavement. But just
as he was about to land on his head.
he was suddenly shaken by human
hand, and the next moment his sisters
voice called into his ear: Wake UP,
hear the band! Listen"'
Then it was that Harry found himself
on the sofa in the corner of Mr.. Jack
sons office. He had been fast asleep
dreaming that he owned an elephant! And
as he rose to run to the window he felt
a load OF responsibility drop from his
shoulders, for he did not own the ele-
phant! 'And-he thrust his hand deep
into his pocket-he still had his quarter!
All, he and Mary would have peanuts
and lemonade in the afternoon and such
other lots of fun! And there was no use
worrying over a huge beast-since he no
longer owned him. All. how happy
he was!
And not till after the circus that even
ing did Harry have time to tell of his
dream. and how his mamma and papa
and little Mary did laugh when they