Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1934-12-27
Bertie Goes to the
Circus
By CHEF GRANT
q. Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.

steep hill, the one that overlooks Fox
boro, and came to q momentary halt.
George Blake nodded down to his right
and barked savagely, There's your
doggone circusi" Little BERTHE, aged
six, repressed a shrek Of delight and
merely grinned. BERTHE was psychic.
He realized that his cousin George
was In no mood for overtures OF any
kind.
Life was indeed q burned doughnut
to George. guiding the Iron Horse
down to the circus grounds. Another
perfect holiday spoiled; another posi-
tive proof that his parents were In
league against his happiness; forcing
him to take little BERTHE to the circus
when his whole being yearned to be
with one Mabel Porter. His mothers
parting shots still rang In his ears.
Don't you dare let anything happen
to little Bertiel Don't you dare over.
load his stomach! Don't you let 30 OF
his handw Cripes! You'd think the
troublesome little hellion was made OF
solid gold!
"C'mon." George growled. climbing
out of the parked Iron Horse. "And no
monkey business. feller." he warned
"You stick close to me. II lose you
ri leave you here for the circus folks
They'll feed you to the tigers"
Who can resist q circus? Even
George after an hour in the Big Top.
had to admit that he was enjoying him.
self. But it was at the pink lemonade
stand that the world took on Its rosiest
hue. The lemonade was served by q
girl in q crisp Bingham dress. She had
lots Of blond hair and saucer blue eyes.
George drank three glasses rs slowly
as possible. but the girl never so much
as smiled at him. And right at that
moment BERTHE disappeared into thin
air!
The three glasses OF pink lemonade
became ball of ice in Georges stom-
ach. He gazed frautically around and
suddenly saw Berties suit squeezing
through the crowds. With yelp Of
rage George set off in pursuit. Com,
ing up behind his unsuspecting victim
he scooped him into his arms.
"For two cents I'd belt you one."
George raped out whats the idea
Of running away when
you belt me, brother" deep bass
voice rumbled In the sQuirming burden
George held. land I'll sock you one
myself" George dropped the midget
as if he we're a hot coal, and was re-
lieved when that dim2nutive gentleman
stalked off.
Wiping the perspiration from his
brow George went into the tbrong
again. He passed through and skirted
the crowds before the side shows. He
looked behind booths and under gaming
tables. He stood still and yelled.
"Bertie!" until people stared.
Just when he was ready to look for
a policeman by some coincidence, he
found himself at the pink lemonade
stand again.
Wonder of wonders. the blond girl
smiled at him I'm glad you came
back" she greeted him. Your little
cousin has been helping me. He
crawled under the table, you know"
She handed George tall glass of the
rosy liquid Here. cool off,"
Well. she was stunning to George
so he grinned amiably at BERTHE who
was stacking empty bottles behind the
counter All was right with the world
George ordered another glass Of the
cooling beverage. 1t was like nectar
coming from her hands. He wanted to
tell her something of the sort, but lost
his nerve. Instead he asked for anoth
er glass; and another
"YOu must like that stuff" she OBJ
served. browning.
Its SWELL" George enthused. Like
you" he dared to say.
That's no compliment" she smiled
well. anyhow" George grinned. "a
couple of glasses won't hurt me-
uk! s'cuse me-"
"A coupled You've had ten" The
girl led Berthe outside the stand
You'd better get your big cousin start
ed for home" she advised.
|
Mrs. Blake was wiping the supper
dishes when the telephone rang Its
summons startled her and she picked
up the instrument with misgiving.
Hello. Hello. Aunt Frances. This
is BERTHE"
"Bertie Why. my dear child.
what ;"
I'm standin' on a soap box, Aunt
Frances. ! wanted to call you up"
Darling. how cute"
"Yes'm."
You're all right, Bertie?" Mrs. Blake
asked suddenly.
"Oh. yes'm. I'm all right. But. Aunt
Frances
YES. dear"
Aunt Frances. think you n Uncle
Charlie'd better come down here to
FOxboro and bring us home"
Bring you homer"
"Yes'm. You see Aunt Frances,
George, he's awful sick"
.'Bertie! What's the matter with
IeOrgie?" Mrs. Blake trembled.
"Oh, Georges all right. Aunt Fran
ces only his stummick amt"
whats the matter with his stom
ach?'
swell, I guess. Aunt Frances. George
had too much lemonade n :"
There was a resounding crash as
BERTHE fell Off the sOap box. Mrs