The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-07-01
Willie
Surfeit

Willies Aunt Victoria was suspicious
His mother said she just knew tn,
child was Ill and she held the medica
thermometer under his tongue |,
main force. but his Aunt Victorii
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 tc
the circus. He Lad not even seemed
family interested. 1t 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.
II never heard of a boy who WASH I
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 l don't see-are
you sure you don't want to go?'
I'D ruther 60 play with Arthur
Jones'" Willie said. wriggling. lie
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-
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. 1t certainly was not normal con
duct on Willie's part.
His Aunt Victoria cornered Willie
that evening and offered him some
chocolates. Tell me why you don t
want to 20 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 It yesterday
Huh" conflded Willie. II wuz In
It,"
Aunt Victoria clutched the chair
arm. In ~" she repeated family.
Willie kicked one foot meditatively
against the STEP WELL" he amend.
cd. mot eggzactly in It, y'know. l
wux 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 nele-
phunt." he conflded. I'm the parade"
DO you mean to say" his question.
er gasped. that you actually were In
the procession? On an elephant that
has million more germs than .
fly has-and you know how frightened
your mother is II fly gets near you?
How did you dare"
"A man said could" Willie pro.
tested. Il was hanging around with
the other kids. seen 1t all because
crawled under the tent. helped feed
the elephants an the man he asst II I
wanted to be In the percession. an
said l did. an he got red coat an
wore It! Say. did you know elephants
are 90 high up when you ride 'em!"
Willie is not coming down with
typhoid or the measles" his Aunt VIC.
toria announced later to his parents.
I'm fact. should say ne Is more than
ordinarily sane and healthy"
Willie's father hates germs as much
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 things" he said to his wife.
II 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.
Ing OF telling perfectly we'll brought
up child that he must not on any &C
count put on a red coat and ride an
elephant. Between YOU and Your son
you'll drive me crazy"
Anyhow" sighed Willie coutented-
ly. Il seen the circus"
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