The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-05-19
Grandmother Cray's
Story Corner
How a Little Boys Show Became a

Big Circus.
Circ,N day had been one long
dreamy day of bliss for Jimmie &.
From the first rumble Of heavy
wheels when the tent poles had
gone rafting past, Jimmie had been
dancing around on one toe with ex-
element. He had had red balloon
and peanuts, stood for hours watch
ing for the parade, and then gone
to the afternoon performance. Now
it was evening, and he was dead
tired, but before going to sleep he
begged his little grandmother to
tell him a story.
well, Jimmie, what kind of a
story shall it be tonight" asked
Grandmother Gray.
"A circus story said Jimmie G.
promptly.
And so this is the story she told.
Once upon time there was a
little boy, and he lived in quiet
:. little town where great big trees
shaded the flag-stone sidewalks and
dusty streets. But this little boy
didn't want everything quiet .aT\
peaceful all summer long; he
dreamed of bands playing and flags
flying from circus tents, and spang-
ly ladies riding on horse back, and
ponies and elephant, and dogs. mon
keys and lions. And so do you
know what this little boy did?
EIe didn't pretend that he was
living in a story-book, and wait for
fairy with wand to jump out Of
tfee and grant him three wishes,
SO that he suddenly could become
manager Of great big circus. He
was little boy and SO he started
having little boys circus. The
other boys in his neighborhood
helped him, and they got all the
cats and dog together and paraded
them through the streets in little
wObbly wagons, and then they
would give their show for ten pins.
But this wasn't enough to satisfy
the little boy who loved circuses.
He had several pet dogs. and SO he
began training them to do all kinds
Of tricks Then when he was f.s-s~
teen years old his father gave him
pony.
For two years the boy had more
fun than anything with his dogs and
pony. In fact he had SO much fun
that everyone in the town knew
about the things he could do with
his pets. And then one day, when
he was sixteen years old, a man
named Mr.. Moore came to Bloom
ington where the boy lived, and he
brought a troop OF trained dogs to
give an exhibition.
While he was there he asked If
anyone knew where he could buy
some dogs that he could train into
his little show, and of course the
people told him right away about
the boy with his dogs and pony. So
Mr.. Moore went to see the boy, but
the boy couldn't bear to sell his
pets for any price. Then the man
hardly knew what to do. He want
ed those dogs so much, and he
realized that they were so well
trained that finally he just happen
ed to think, why not take the boy
along. too"
At first the boys mother couldn't
think Of him going away from home
but his father realized that this was
his chance. and so finally it was-all
decided. Leaving his pet pony be-
hind, but taking his dogs with him,
the boy who had given SO many
little pin shows in the quiet little
town, started off on big putting
train towards bigger cities in this
great big world.
Grandmother, is that a real
story, or make-believe story" in.
terrupted Jimmie G.
IT'S real story" Grandmother
Gray assured him. "You have seen
the man yourself, and maybe you
can guess his name in a minute"
For five years Mr.. Moore and his
young assistant travelled together,
but at the end of that time, when
the little boy who had given little
shows in Bloomington had grown
TO be young man twenty-0ne, he
started out for himself with his
wonderful trained dogs, and gave