The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-07-20
Willie's
Surfeit

Willies mother was amazed, bu
Willic's Aunt Victoria was suspicious
His mother said she just knew tn,
child was Ill and she held the medica
thermometer under his tongue By
main force, but his Aunt Victoris
raised her eyebrows and narrowed hel
eyes while studying him.
The trouble was that Willie hat
not shrieked with Joy when his mother
had said that she would take him te
the circus. He Lad not even seemed
family interested. It was an unheard
CT state OF things!
He hasn't any fever" announced
his mother anxiously. consulting thu
thermometer. Does your head ache
darling:"
Nope" Willie said cheerfully:
Il never heard of boy who wasn'l
perfectly crazy to 60 to a circus!" per
sisted his mother. "Why. usually
you worry the life out of me from the
time the posters are put up! You
acted that way when this circus first
was announced. and don't see-are
you sure you don't want to go?"
'I'd ruther 60 play with Arthur
JONES'" Willie said, wriggling. He
edged out Of the door.
Il just know he's going to be Sick =
repeated his mother.
Il wouldn't worry" said his Aunt
Victoria. HE looks perfectly healthy"
But secretly she was as much
amazed as was Willie's mother. Re.
garding Willie from a calm. unemo-
t!onal point Of view. she recognized
the fact that there might be other ex-
plantations than any which came into
the mind of his worried parent.
There had been gorgeous posters
for several weeks in the suburb show
Ing forth the glorics of the small cir.
Gus that was coming, and Willie. with
the other small boys, had followed the
bin poster about, Historically whoop.
ins with glco. lie had talked circus
and dreamed circus for days and had
hcarly broke his neck practicing on
tho tight rope III the back yard, to tho
serious injury OF The family clothes
line. And now, tho second day Of the
show, he had rejected his chance to
so. 1t certainly was not normal con-.
duct on Willie's part.
Ills Aunt Victoria coraered Willie
that evening and offered him somo
chocolates. Tell me why you don't
want to 60 to the circus she said, be.
guilingly.
"lIuh!" said Willie. Il seen It,"
Il knew perfectly we'll you weren't
going to be Sick" she said, triumph.
antly "IIave another chocolate. Did
you go to 1t yesterday
HUH" conflded Willie. Il wuz in
It,"
Aunt Victoria clutched the chair
arm. I'm it," she repeated family.
Willie kicked one foot meditatively
against the step. WELL" he amend.
cd. mot eggzactly In 1t, y'know. l
wuz on It,"
Aunt Victoria felt her back hair dis
tractedly and swallowed hard.
"Willie!" she cried impressively.
Tell me this minute what you mean!
Ii your mother dreamed"
Willie edged nearer. Il rodo a nele
phunt.' he confided, lin the parade"
DO you mean to say" his question.
r gaspcd, that you actually were in
he procession? On an elephant that
las million more germs than
iy has-and you know how frightened
your mother is II fly gets near you?
low did you dare"
"A man said could" Willie pro.
ested. Il was hanging around with
no other kids. seen it all because I
'rawled under tho tent. l helped feed |
he elephants an tho man no asst II I |
to be In the percession. an I |
aid did. an he got red coat an l |
Vore It! Say, did you know elephants
re SO high up when you ride emf"
Willie is not coming down with
yphold or tho measles" his Aunt Vic
orla announced later to his parents.
In fact, | should say no is more than
rdinarlly sane and healthy"
Wiillo's father hates germs as much
does Willie's mother, and he was
nnoyed on hearing of his sons deeds.
You really ought to tell him not ia
such things!" he said to his wife.
1t was then that Willie's mother
lrned on Willie's father. MY good.
ess.' she said who on earth would
yer think on getting up in the morn
q OF telling Il perfectly well brought
child that he must not on any ac. !
'unt put on q red coat and ride an I
ephant' Between you and your son 7
'ull drive mo crazy," I
Anyhow" sighed Willie contented
L seen the circug..' I