The central record., 1912-10-11
Willie
Surfeit

Willie's mother was amazed, but
willie's Aunt Victoria was suspicious
His mother said she just knew the
child was Ill and she held the medical
thermometer under his tongue by
main force, but his Aunt Victoria
raised her eyebrows and narrowed her
eyes while studying him.
The trouble was that Willie had
not shrieked with Joy when his mother
had said that she would take him to
the circus. He had not even seemed
family interested. It was an unheard
of state Of things!
HE hasn't any fever" announced
his mother anxiously, consulting the
thermometer. Does your head ache,
darling?"
Nope" Willie said cheerfully.
81 never heard of a boy who wasn't
perfectly crazy to go 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 I 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
.-o.zd &C xra. vy{1Iia,. r,othar Pc
garding Willie from a calm, unemo-
tional 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 glories of the small cir
Gus that was coming, and Willie, with
the other small boys, had followed the
bill poster about, Historically whoop-
ing with glee. He had talked circus
and dreamed circus for days and had
nearly broke his neck practicing on
the tight rope In the back yard, to the
serious injury OF the family clothes
line. And now. the second day Of the
show, he had rejected his chance to
60 It certainly was not normal con-
duct on Willie's part.
His Aunt Victoria eornered Willie
that evening and offered him some
chocolates. Tell me why you don't
want to 60 to the circus" she said, be-
guilingly.
HUH" said Willie. Il seen It,"
Il knew perfectly well you weren't
going to be sick" she said. triumph
antly. Have another chocolate. Did
you go to II yesterday
Huh" confded Willie. Il wuz in
IT.
Aunt Victoria ciutched the chair
arm In it?" she repeated family.
Willie kicked one foot meditatively
against the step. WELL" he amend
ed, mot eggzactly IN 1t, y'know. i
wuf 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 rode a nele-
phunt." he conhded, 'fn the parade"
do you mean to say" his question
er gasped. that you actually were in
the procession? On an elephant that
has a million more germs than
Hy has-and you know how frightened
your mother is II fly gets near you?
How did you dare"
"A man said I could" Willie pro-
tested. Il was hanging around with
the other kids. seen 1t all because
crawled under the tent. / helped feed
the elephunts an the man he asst If
wanted to be In the percession, an l
said / did, an he got a red coat an I
wore IT! Say. did you know elephants
are SO high up when you ride 'em?"
Willie is not coming down with
typhoid or the measles" his Aunt Vic. |
toria announced later to bis parents. |
In fact. should say he is more than
ordinarily sane and healthy"
Wflie's father hates germs as mach |
as does Willie's mother, and he was
annoyed on hearing Of his sons deeds. |
You really ought to tell him not to
do such thingst" he said to his wife.
1t was then that Willie's mother |
turned on Willie's father. my good |
ness!" she said. WHO on earth would |
ever think on getting up In the morn
ang OF telling q perfectly well brought |
mp child that he must not on sny ac-
count put on q red coat and ride an
elephant Between you and your son
you'll drive me crazy"
Anyhow sighed Willie contented-
ty.rT seen the eireusl"