The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1935-08-02
Bertie Goes to the
Circus
BY CHEF GRANT
O. Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.

boro, and came to q momentary halt.
George Blake nodded down to his right
and barked savagely, There's your
doggone circusl" Little Bertie, aged
six, repressed 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 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 8
parting shots still rang In his ears.
Don't you dare let anything happen
to little Berthe! Don't you dare over
load his stomach Don't you let go Of
his handp Cripesi 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
I'll leave you here for the circus folks.
They'll feed you to the tigers"
Who can resist circus? Even
George, after an hour In the Bdg Top.
had to admit that he was enjoying him
self. But 1t was at the pink lemonade
stand that the world took on Its roslest
hue. The lemonade was served by a
girl in crisp glngham dress. She had
lots OF blond hair and saucer blue eyes.
George drank three glasses as 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 a ball of Ice In Georgie's stom-
ach. He gazed frantically around and
suddenly saw Bertie's suit squeezing
through the crowds. With a yelp Of
rage George set off In pursuit. Com
Ing up behind his unsuspectlng victim
he scooped him into his arms.
For two cents I'd belt you one"
George raped out. What's the idea
of running away when :"
You belt me, brother" a deep bass
voice rumbled In the sQuirming burden
George held. "and I'll sock you one
myselfl' George dropped the midget
as If he were hot coal, and was re-
lieved when that diminutiye gentleman
stalked of.
Wiping the perspiration from his
brow Georgie went into the throng
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 himi 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 tell glass Of the
rosy liquid. Here, cool of"
Well, she waa stunning 70 George,
SO he grinned amiably at BERTHE who
was stacking empty bottles behind the
counter. All was right with the world
Georgie ordered another glass Of the
cooling beverage. II 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, frowning.
"It's swell" George enthused. Like
you," he dared to say.
That's no compliment" she smiled.
We'll, anyhow" Georgie grinned "a
couple Of glasses won't hurt me,
| ukl scuse me-"
"A couple! You've had ten" The
girl led BERTHE outside the stand
You'd better get your big cousin start.
ed for home." she advised.
hA5s Dlahc Wus Mlp1nS Tie 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 soap box, Aunt
Frances. I wanted to call you up"
Darling, how cutel''
"Yes'm."
You're all right, BertieT 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"
"Bertiei What's the matter with
Georgie?" Mrs. Blake trambled.
"Oh, Georgie's all right, Aunt Fran.
ces, only his stummick ain't."
HyUhatsc tho Y,oa{%ar xrI+b 4,sc 49,