Rock Island Argus., 1913-06-28

ShOp dtlu StSppcu uiLubiy W the SiOuHu
Celia, his pale, pretty daughter, sat in
the buggy gazing at the flaming circus
posters pasted on the sun hleached
boards of the old shop.
Jim Brayton came out of the shop.
wiping his hands on his leather apron
A quick glance flashed from his brown
eyes to Celias appealing blue ones.
the other.
Hello. Jim. Susie's cast a shoe
You better shoe her all around.
reckoned on waiting another month be-
fore doing it"
"It isn't any too soon," remarked
Jim dryly as he deftly unbuckled
straps and released the white mare
from the shafts. "All her shoes are
loose. When she comes down the
street sounds like them Spanish cas-
tanets I heard at a show in New
York"
Hum" said the deacon rehectively.
He was not in the least offended ut
the remarks of the young blacksmith.
Deacon Punderson was rich enough
not to mind gibes at his stinginess.
The possession of his untouched mon
ey seemed to requite him for the con-
tempt of his fellow men.
Hum" he repeated, casting a cold
gray eye up at the gay posters. Il
been wondering, Jim, what yore pa
would have said to see them ungodly
posters hanging up there on the shop"
Every likely he would have said he
was glad the circus was coming" grin
ned Jim as he led Susie into the shed
and hitched her
"Tut, tut. Yore pa was deacon, Jim,
He didn't set no store by circuses. It's
blight on the community having all
them painted and bedizened men and
/ wimmen cavorting around"
''Then you're not going, deacon?"
mo. l amt, and, what's more, none
Of my family's going"
"Oh, pa" cried Celia with agitation
Deacon Punderson glanced severely
at his daughter and then pointed his
stump of whip up at the posters.
Daughter" he said solemnly, do
you want to go and gaze on human be-
ings decked out with paint and feath-
ers riding around a ring on four horses
Do you want to see clowns turning
tumblesaults? Do you want to go and
gaze on-gaze on the animiles shut up
! in cages when God made 'em to roam
| the world and eat and drink where they
would? It's a pitiful sight-it isv'
The deacon sighed feelingly.
| Celia looked pale and red by turns,
and her eyes wavered between her ia.
| Tiers fat face and the strong counte-
nance of Jim Brayton at the anvil
Jim smiled at her through a shower OF
sparks as he hammered and shaped
| Susie's shoes.
| deacon. pleased at the silence with
| which his remarks were received, I'D
open all the cage doors and free all
! them poor prisoned animiles. Co. I'd
say to 'em. go, you poor creeters that
the Lord made, and enjoy yore free
dom" Then 1 would go home and
sleep quiet and peaceful, knowing
had did my duty" he ended piously.
while you was sleeping peaceful
those poor dumb animals would most
likely be prowling around your hen
house and pigsties. l don't suppose
you'd mind contributing few fat hogs
and one or two cows SOS the circus
animals could go free" remarked jim
blandly as he finished Susies left fore
foot.
"Hum," said the deacon absently
Hum" and he walked across the road
| to talk with passing friend.
'You heard what he said, JIM" she
called softly. There's no use in my
trying to go.'
Fiddle, DEAR" returned Jim. an
fix it so that the deacon will let yoU
go with me. And. what's more, l be
lieve he will let US get married"
"Jimw
"Yes. ma'am," grinned Jim, clapping
a shoe on Susie's foot. IF my ideas
don't miscarry the deacon II make up
his mind to let you get married"
"Oh, Jim" quavered timid Celia,
You know. father says If he didn't
have me to keep house for him that
Mrs. Howell would marry him right
off, and she is $3.50 bossy, you know u
II know it's just what your father
needs, Celia" Jim backed Susie into
the shafts, buckled the straps and
came back to pat Celia's hand,
Trust me. Celia. dear. Don't forget
that l said we would go to the circus
all right"
Hum" said the deacon. wheeling
suddenly and crossing the road toward
them. "Going to the circus. hey
Well. the only circus Celia II get to
gee this year will be home"
The next morning the circus crept
quietly into town and camped on the
baseball grounds near the railroad sta.
ton. In spite of his bitter opposition
to amusenenta of this character the
deacon went forth and personally ex.
amined the contents OF the various
tents and cages. only TO return to a
MONDAY dinner and regale Celia with
an account Of the sufferings endured
by the Imprisoned animals.
"Pa. you amt going TO the circusT'
cried Celia as her father appeared in
he sitting room after supper dressed
his best clothes.
"No, I amt" retorted the deacon
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