Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-06-30
DAILY NOVELETTE,
PHOEBE VISITS THE
CIRCUS
DHoEBE PERKINS had finished fl
BY Miriam P. Lawrence

by NlTldfn Z. baWTeHCe
DHOEBE PERKINS had finished fill
L ing the great tub that stood under
the spout of the old farmhouse well in
the yard, and sitting down on the curb,
the glory of the June day poured into
her starved and thirsty soul, while a
strange restlessness came into her face,
the expression of one who had watched
empty roads for n long time.
Now and then her eyes wandered
over to the fields where the men were
hoeing, and an instinct to get out into
the world she knew lay beyond came
over her. The children had gone down
the road hoping to catch a sound Of
the steam calliope in the circus parade
in a nearby town.
Acting upop sudden impulse,
Phoebe ran into the house, her heart
singing within her and presently the
song found its way to her lips.
1t was this which caused two weary
children, trudging along the road, hand
in hand, to look out from under their
sunbonnets with eyes large with won
der, to hear their tired mother singing,
while Phoebe filed basket with a
substantial lunch of cold corned beef,
bread with peanut butter between the
slices, cup cakes and tumber of
grape jelly, not forgetting bottle of
lemonade and tumbler Hiram,
Phoebe's husband, had gone to the viii
lage soon after breakfast to attend to
some important business, but Phoebe
suspected that the most important place
he intended to visit was the circus, but
he carefully refrained from mentioning
that. 1t was the day the circus was
to be in town.
Phoebe, fortunately, had some egg
money that she had carefully laid aside,
and this she placed in her pocket
book. Soon the eager eyed children
were made ready for the start.
Phoebe looked ten years younger in a
new gingham dress and a white sailor
hat. 1t was long dusty road, but
they did not mind that, for it was filed
with throng of pilgrims ioyously jour
neying to the same great mecca.
Bright eyed boys and girls turned
toward one another in the happy free
dom OF childhood, while the mothers
unbent and let the care of years slip from
their shoulders, and every step nearer to
the circus grounds was step nearer TO
fuller enjoyment and forgetfulness Of
the burden of life.
When they came to the great white
city. and heard the blood -ouickepipp
strain of the bands. Phoebe felt that she
once more stood on the borderland of
childhood, and going up to the ticket
offices she asked for three Of the best
seats. saying to herself, "I'm glad I
got it; if the children never have a
good time again they are going to be
happy today
She looked about at venders of candy.
popcorn and peanuts and made up her
mind that her children should have a
little of everything.
They walked along the uneven, trod :
den grass, stopping before the cages.
experiencing a delicious thrill of terror
as they watched the fierce Gagged crea
lures.
Mamma" said little Miranda. "I'm
real sorry for these poor things; YOU
see they cant get out and I'm sorry
to be standing outside looking at them. ~
Phoebe knew the feeling and her
heart was filled with pity, too.
Taking the hands of the children, she
followed an usher until they were
perched high up where they could look
down on sea of faces.
There were three great rings, but they
only could hope to see the one in front
of them. There was a great blare OF
music from the band, and into the arena
came the most magnificent cavalcade
that they had ever seen.
The two little ones dropped their pea
nuts and clutched their mother close
as they looked on in breathless wonder
"Oh, said Flossie, will heaven bt
like that, mammal
1t was one succession of gorgeous
sights. They laughed themselves hoars,
over the clown and his jokes.
At last it was over. What. colder
afternoon, thought Phoebe as she bad,
care begone. After last look the,
went out of the canvas opening, anc
took up their long walk back to tn,
farm. Into their tanned cheeks ther,
was a glow and in their hearts ,
strange joy. Soon the farmhouse roo
appeared. The sound of COW bells tinkle,
in the distance.
The great unblinkling sun was drop
ping slowly and everything was hushed
A gentle star looked down on tn
mother and two tired children, as the,
slackened their pace.
Hiram was standing in the doorway
smoking his pipe, with a curious smil
on his face.
The next complete novelette-A Bi
Of Carelessness.
About Time, Wasn't Il?