Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1913-09-17
was always hoping to run across clue


when I was bis enough. wore a
tiny black skirt, and red coat with
shiny buttons, and l beat the drum
in the carnival band. You ought to
have seen me--so little. -. Alb
bolt, you can't imagine how little
was! We had about dozen small
shows in our company, fortune-tellers,
Ministries, magic wonders, and all that
and the band had to march from one
tent to the next, and stand out in front
and play. to get the crowd in bunch.
so the free exhibition could work on
their nerves And I'd beat away, in
my red coat and there were
always the strange faces, staring, star
ing-but ] was SO littlei Sometimes
they would smile at me, but mother
had taught me never to speak to any
this"
How frightfullw cold!" Abbott
shivered. Then he laughed, and 60 did
Fran. They had entered Littlehurg.
He added wicRedly: And how dread
fully near we are getting to your
home"
Fran gurgled, Wouldn't Grace Noir
just die if she could see us!"
That sobered Abbott; considering
his official position. it seemed high
time for reflection.
Fran resumed abruptly. but / new
er really liked 1t because what | want
ed was a home--to belong to some
body. Then l got to hating the bold
stare of peoples eyes, and their foot-
ish gaping mouths, hated being al
ways on exhibition with every gesture
watched, as If I'd been one of the
trained dogs. l hated the public.
wanted to get away from the world
clear away from everybody
like am now with you. Isn't
it great"
Mammoth" Abbott declared, wa
tering her words with liberal imagina-
ton.
Il must talk fast. or the Gregory
house will be looming UP at us.
Mother taught me all she knew, though
she hated books; she made herself
think she was only in the show life
ways just little more-she really
loved it, you see. But | loved the
ks-study--anything that wasn't
the show 1t was kind Of friendly
when l began feeding Samson"
Poor little Nonpareil!" murmured
Abbott Nistfully.
"And often when the show was be-
~
our, sleeper, with school book pressed
close to the cinder-specked window,
catching the first light. When the
mauls were pounding away at the tent
pins, maybe Id hunt seat on some
cage, if it had been drawn up under
tree, or maybe it'd be the, ticket wag-
on, or even the stake pile--there you'd
see me studying-away for dear life.
dressed IN a plain little dress. trying
to look like ordinary folks. Such a
queer little chap, l was land always
trying to pretend that | wasn't,
You'd have laughed TO sec me-"
Laughed at you!" cried Abbott i'll
dignantly. Indeed | shouldn't"
MOI" exclaimed Fran. patting his
arm impulsively.
Dear little wonder!" ne returned
conclusiyely.
Il must tell you aboM one time" she
continued gaily. 1--WE were in New
Orleans at the Mardi Gras, and | was
expected to come into the ring riding
Samson-not the vicious old lion, but
cub-that was long after my days of
was a lion-tamer, now. nearly thir-
teen years old, if you'll believe me.
Well! And what was I saying--you
keep looking SO friendly, you make me
forget myself. Goodness. Abbott. it's
so much fun talking to you
I've never mentioned all this to one
soul In this town Well-oh,
yes; I was to have come into tho ring,
riding Samson. Everybody was wait
ing for me. The band nearly blew it.
self black in the face. And what do
you think was the matters?
Did Samson balk?"
NO, 1t wasn't that / was lying on
the cage floor, with my head on Sam
son-Samson the Second made such a
gorgeous and animated pillow! and |
was learning geology. I'd just found
out that the world wasn't made in sew
en- United States days. and IT was
such surprising news that I'd forgot
ten all about cages and lions and tents
if you could have seen me lying
there-if you just could"
But / cam" Abbott declared
your long black hair is mingled with
his tawpy name, and your cheeks are
blooming"
and my feet are crossed" cried
Fran
And your feet are crossed; and
thOse httls bands hold up the book, :"