The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1912-07-19
Willie
Surfeit

Wnle's mother was amazed. but
Willies Aunt Victoria was suspicious.
His mother said she Just knew the
child was III 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. II was an unheard
Of state OF things!
oHe hasn't any fever announced
his mother anxiously. consulting the
thermometer. Does your head ache,
darlingg'
"Nope." Willie said cheerfully.
7 never heard Of q boy who wasn't
perfectly crazy to 60 to a clrcusie per
sisted his mother. why. usually
you worry the life out Of me from the
time the posters are put up You
acted that wey when this circus FIRST
was announced, and ] don't see-are
you sure you don't want to go?"
'Td ruther 60 play with Arthur
Jones'" Willie said, wrigglings He
edged out OF the door.
Il just know he's going to be sick"
repeated his mother.
Z 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 While 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 be had rejected his chance to
go. It certainly was not normal con-
duet on Wilhe's part.
His Aunt Victoria cornered Willie
that evening and offered him some
chocolates. Tell me why you don't
want to go to the circus" she said, be-
guiIingly.
"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" conhded Willie. Il wuz In
It,"
Aunt Victoria clutched the chair
arm. an it?" she repeated family.
Willie kicked one foot meditatiYely
against the step. We'll" he amend
ed, not eggzactly in it, y'know.
wuz on It,"
Aunt Victoria felt her back hair dis
tractediy and swallowed hard.
'Williel" she cried impressively.
Tell me this minute what you meant
II your mother dreamed"
Willie edged nearer Il rode a nele-
phunt, he oonfded, IN the parade"
do you mean 10 say" HIS question
er gasped, that you actually we're in
the procession? On an elephant that
has a million more germs than 8
ny has-and you know how frightened
your mother is If q ny gets near you7
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 elephunts an the man he asst II
wanted to be in the percession, an
said did. an he got a red coat an
wore # Say, did you know elephuntE
are so high up when you ride 'em!'
willie Is not coming down with
/ typhoid or the measles" his Aunt Vie
toria announced later to his parents
"In fact, I should say he Is more thar
ordinarily sane and healthy"
Wlllie's father hates germs as much
as does Willie's mother, and he wal
annoyed on hearing Of his sons deeds
you really ought to tell him not t
do such thingsw he said 70 his wife.
It was then that Wlllle's mothei
turned on Willie's father. "My good
nessln she said. who on earth woult
ever think on getting up IN the morn
ing Of telling a perfectly well brough
up child that he must not on any &C
count put on red coat and ride al
elephant Between you and your sol
you'll drive me crazy"
Anyhow sighed Willie eontented
y, Z seen the clrcusl"
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