Rockingham post-dispatch., 1921-03-03
" just jim,
By FLORA M. DUNN

a whippet," but with an attractive
look on his clean, freckled face that
challenged second glance, stood be-
fore the entrance to the Greatest
Show on Earth" His intent gaze wos
glued to the vast cloud of canvas that
shut him out of the enchanted ground,
| the glory Of glories. Like Peri before
the gate of Heaven, his whole sours
desire spoke from his earnest brown
eyes.
"Want to so in, son?'
The question, which needed no re-
ply, came from a big. kindly, jolly
faced man whose hand was grippingly
held by a little fiye-year-old chap who
was making his first visit to circus
"All right" he nodded to the lad,
whose speaking eyes made other re-
| ply unnecessary. "Come along with
U.S." The magic words were the ses-
anne that opened the path to untold
| wonders, beside which the Arabian
Nights are tame as Mother Goose
| rhymes.
Then began the journey through
Zooland, the little kid, and the mid
ding sized kid hugging close to the
big kid who hal with the flip of a
greenback, become giant fairy to two
adoring, happy boys.
| Such fierce looking animals with
| long, queer names, that no little boy
| could'be expected to know printed on
their gorgeous cages. Such funny,
homely, wise looking monkeys that
| peered through the bars of their liber-
| ty lost Gagged homes with bored or
saucy manner. Such huge, hungry
| elephants that never seemed to get
enough peanuts, although an army of
| little boys and girls kept them con-
stantly supplied. Then such cOrking
ice cream cones, candy and drinks out
| Of long necked bottles, straw imbibed,
i ambrosial sweets to enchanted kids in
an enchanted heaven of pleasure.
SNOW" said the big fairy, when the
two kinds had eaten all they could
possibly hold, "we'll get our seats and
be ready for the circus folks" Three
chairs in the second row-so little FIVE
year-old could see all the fun-were
bought from ''de guy what stood in a
teeny pulpit all to himself" said tie
stray lad, and The big kid, with the
two little kids sat down to wait for
the band.
"Who's boy are youT asked the
giant fairy, whose real name was DR..
Curtis.
"Nobody's, sir
"What is your name?' The doctors
voice was very kind.
"Just jim"
Then the band began to play and
there was no chance for further ques-
tioning.
The big kid found its nearness rath-
er overpowering, but he looked at the
happy little kids and he didn't care If
the noise did make him temporarily
deaf. Its immensity seemed none too
great for his guests of honor.
}, Finally, the music ended in loud
1
: scattered to give place to the wonder
[ full ring shows.
: But first came the grand parade 6f
! all the circus folk in gorgeous array,
that kept the two little kids dancing
, on their toes in sheer delight.
: This was followed by the most
, amazing performances that ever spell
bound the eyes of a kid. Such breath
less, heart thrilling acts that made
life, for the little kid and the middling.
sized kid, so full of joy it was akin
to pain.
When, the program was about halt
over. DIR. Curtis was notified by an
attendant that he was wanted on the
phone.
"Jim, while I'm gone, / want you
to take care of little Carl. I'm sure
l can trust big boy like you"
"Yes, sir, you kim" very earnestly
But when the thrilling pony race
:. with their monkey drivers took the
sawdust tracks, little Carl became 8
!. serious responsibility. Both boy:
were keyed to the highest pitch O.
excitement, and the five-yearold, il
a wave of hypnotic ecstasy, bolted int
the track before the Mortified jim
could hinder. Instantly he sprant
: after the flying little body, while at
tendants rushed forward from far
away distances, men shouted. womel
s. screamed, and the ponies raced on. Blu
y Nobody's Jim grasped his small
charge and hurled him away from tn,
Y pounding feet that struck the rescue
e instead.
ia When Or. Curtis returned, he foun'
] his little son crying in the arms of
= motherly woman, and the unconsciou
= Jim gently supported by an attendant
HE saved the kids life all right,
o. declared the circus man.
5f "And his life, too, shall be saved.
lie The Doctors jolly looking face wa
Is sternly determined,
When Jim woke up with a band
ID aged head, in the hospital, his daze
brain was vet full of circus glory an
e. present surroundings were slowly COS
a. nizable.