The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1922-12-28
~ y. ------------- :.
Popcorn and Pink
Lemonade
By H. LOUIS RAYBOLD


Well" said Uncle Jack at the
breakfast table, as he unfolded his
napkin with one flick. Il suppose next
week l have 10 make a sacrifice of
myself. neglect my business, and waste
The whole Qf rare June afternoon.
How about II, Biiiy?"
His young nephew, at the sound Of
his name, lifted uncomprehending
eyes from his matutinal egg-toast- Cocoa
combination. "Whut you say, Uncle
Jackt' he asked.
"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. At
least, nothing of Importance. l mere
ly remarked'-here this exasperating
young man paused, then added Inn
pressively-"that the circus, the really,
truly circus, stupendous, unpara-
lelled-"
Circus, Uncle Jack? Circus2 Oh
gosh, Uncle jack, going to tuke me2"
Now the reader must be Immediate
~ disabused regarding Uncle Jacks
apparent reluctance to go to the cir
Gus. Uncle Jack would rather 20 TO
the circus than do almost anything
else. unless II were to spend the equiv
alent hours In the company Of Miss
Caroline Prescott-un alternative,
however. which was out Of the Ques-
tion.
For only yesterday Jack with con-
siderable vehemence for him. had told
that tantalizing young woman that he
VAS beastly sick Of being fifth vice
pl resident In the firm of devoted Fetch
Il Carriers for her ladyship and was
ready to sell out ull shares ut once to
the latest conner Caroline had re-
turned Il retort discourteuus. and, an
other one of the vice presidents arrv-
Ing inopportunely, Jack had taken an
abrupt departure.
Now the question reasonably arises
as to just why Jack should have eX-
pected any special consideration. He
did so on the grounds of having
squirrel Caroline ever since he had
first held her miniature umbrella over
her head on the way to kindergarten
ana OF having asked her to marry him
scmi-annually ever since she was sew
enteen and he nineteen-sume five or
siX years ago But with each passing
year she had added new charms and
ers until 1t looked as If her old-time
companion would be crowded out Of
the running.
So much for the prelimnaries which
helped to bring about Billy's circus
trip. Snilor-suited and eXuberant he
trotted along by his uncle's side and
explored the dusty envrons of the
grounds, poked peanuts ut the trunk
waving elephants, gaZed rapturously
al South American anteuters and Aus
tralian marsupials suddenly and un-
scientifically become neighbors and
hnally in the uwed silence of expec-
fancy, entered the big tent and headed
for grandstand seats.
wait, uncle. There's Jean. Wait
Uncle .Juck!"
NOW Bill, If we expect to get our
seats before someone else does-neyer
sat III my own seat. at circus yet,
Bill. :"
For Billy was tugging backward at
his uncle's hand. wait for Jean.
Shes hurrying like everything. Her
Aunt Caroline"
Al the name, Jack halted abruptly.
ana somewhere in the back of his
mind an association of ideas began to
form. Jean-CnrOline's niece! Yes
there they were, sure enough, although
from Cnro!ine's unconcern he felt sure
she had not seen him. Fresh and cool
III green linen and wide hat Lord
now attractive she was and whut a
darn shame he couldn't follow his i'm
pulse to rush wildly over. Yet dignity
demanded that he stick by his guns.
Through the performance which fol
lowed Jack was quite as conscious
that Caroline was sitting directly i'm
back of him, three rows up. as if he
had had eyes in the back of his head.
or as If Billy hadn't told him. He
held himself Stifly and refused to re-
lax even at the utmost efforts of near
human monkeys or bouncing clowns.
Why had Caroline come to the circus
without bringing along ut least one of
her escorts?
The afternoon seemed as long TO
Jack as 1t was brief for Billy. but the
moment finally arrived when the last
chariot race had been won, the span
gled beauty had defied death and tbe
laws or gravity for the last time, and
the greatest show on earth. in blare
OF trumpets. was over until evening.
Jack rose. determined not to glance
around. yet somehow or other I'm the
slowly-moving crowd jamInlng the
aisles he managed to keep always I'm
sight bit of green linen. Halfway
to the entrance one Of those ineypIi
cable occurrences took place which
arise from very small beginnings. A
mui'led explosion from an automobile
outside, the roar of hungry lion In
Its cage-sOmething alarmed the mob
mt one OF the exits. Immediately the
spirit Of panic perineated the atInos-