THE CIRCUS
I went over to Mrs. Good's to spend the day. I did not know there was to be a circus that day. After dinner Mrs. Good said it was time to go to the circus.
Mrs. Good had ten children. They were all going to the circus but the eldest.
The circus ring was under the big oak. On one side were chairs and benches to sit on; on the other side were animals in cages.
Walter Good was the showman. He took us around to see the animals. He was a good showman.
"Here," said lie, "is the beautiful ostrich of Arabia. Its wings are too small to fly with, but they help it in running. Look at its long legs. The ostrich can run faster than any horse except our Selim. Its feathers are used to trim hats. They cost a great deal. My sister cannot afford to buy one for her hat."
We all admired the ostrich. It was in a cracker-box, with strips of shingles nailed over it.
"And now," said he, "I will show you the greatest wonder of all. A royal Bengal tiger with cubs! Every circus has a tiger, but not the cubs. The tiger, as you all know, belongs to the cat family. It has cat claws and cat teeth. It prowls about in the night for food, like a cat."
He did look very much like a cat.
Then Walter showed us the lion. He was tied to a chair-leg. When the lion roared, it sounded like a dog barking.
When we had all sat down, a pair of ponies came prancing into the ring, Bruno and Bose. Ernest drove them with long lines and a whip.
Then there was a fine trapeze performance by Benton in the swing.
After this we had a beautiful concert, with songs and readings by Alice, Jeanie, and Willie.
It was the best circus I ever went to. It was well worth two pins.