The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-02-09
OUR GIRLS
SWEET SISTER
600

never beheld anything 80 beautiful
as the pictured lady career.ng
through the air Ike a cannon ball of
lace and tlnsel. As 70 the man
strapped on the backs OF two mad
horses. who we're apparently trying
to tear him limb from limb, Peter
felt thrills OF admiration trickle
down his spine at the sight.
He sighed blissfully.
Hello, Bubby." said man who
had been watching him with a spec
ulative eye, going to the circus to-
morrow"
Peter shook his head and straight
ened the milk pitcher he held, so
that the stream that had been !ssu-
ng from 1t no longer meandered
down the leg OF his abbreviated
pants.
Would you like to?" continued
! the man insinuatingly.
You beti" said Peter emphatl-
cally.
We'll. l want a boy Jour size to
ride one OF the elephants in the pa
rade. II you'd like the Job I'll give
! you a ticket to the afternoon per-
formance and rs cents to boot"
What yer givin us?" he scoffed.
Sure thing" declared the man.
DO you want to do It? If not l
can easily find q boy who does"
Peter promptly laid his pitcher
on the sidewalk, and standing on his
| head knocked his heels ecstatically
! together in space.
II guess you want to all right.
/ Come around to the side door OF the
| tent tomorrow morning at $40.
You will be as safe on the elephant
as in your mammy's rocking chair;
so don't get scared and back out.
Back out! Peters eyes sparkled
with indignation. He dashed home
in q whirlwind OF excitement, thor
/ oughly convinced he would never
wait for morning to come.
Where have you been all this
! time, Peter Andrews?" demanded
h-s mother sharply. Sweet Sister
has been yelling for her milk at
least an hour"
But Peter waS breathing hard,
deaf to his mothers complaints. and
| the snticing COOS OF Sweet Sister,
who held out short, tat arms. to be
taken up for her usual evening
romp. Peter scorned the blandish-
ments OF Sweet Sister What was
romp with a baby to = fellow who
was going to ride en- elephant?
Peter" said his mother the next
morning as he was hurriedly gulp-
irg down his breakfast, Il have got
to 60 up town this morning. and you
must take care OF Sweet Sister.
Tont for the life OF you take your
eyes of her; she's as full OF mischief
as a monkey"
Peter sat in stricken silence,
lessnsss of protest. 1t was after
his mother had hustled of with
parting warning that he broke into
open mutiny.
II say" he burst forth violently.
darn Sweet Sister,"
Peter eyed her disSustedly SIS he
backed stealthily to the door. SeiZ-
ing An opportune moment when
Sv eet Sisters attention was engaged
in a cannibalistic attack on her doll
he sneaked quietly from the room
and flew on wings Of expedition to
the circus grounds.
It was Ave o'clock in the afternoon
before Peter savt Sweet Sister an
other thought. The Intoxicating
experience of his ride on the ele-
plants back and the enchantment
OF the afternoon performance COM
pletely wiped her from his mind.
Even when he turned his face
homeward Peter was so far exalted
above the ordinary grooves OF his
life that the memory Of his base de-
sertion gave him no twlnges OF re-
gret. He would, without fail, get
thrashlng for Il; but he had learn
ed even at that early age to philo-
sophically take ths bitter with the
sweet
Poor Peter came 10 earth aga
with a sudden crash when, reaching
what had been his home, he found
In its place nothing but a smoking
heap of ashes!
He leaned, white and faint from
the shock against a telegraph pole.
and sazsd around him with terrified
eyes
The street was strswn with ia
miliAr articles OF household furnish
ings. and Peter, fearful of what ne
might sec. turned his head from the
sight.
Whore was Sweet Sister! on,
what had become of Sweet Sister,"
he questioned himself in an agony OF
remorse and fright. He dare not
ask AT his feet lay n singsd and
blackened rubber doll. Peter re-
coiled from II in horror. He re-
membered Sweet Sisters laughing
little face as she hourished 1t at him
that very morning. Beads OF icy
dampnsas sprang around his tremb-