“Here’s your hot peanuts, only a penny a sack,—right this way, ladies and gentlemen!” a shrill voice was calling.
“Ice-cold pink, yellow and purple lemonade!”
“Coney Island popcorn! Hot Crispetts! Ice-cream candy!”
“Walk up, ladies, and see the only living Wild Man of Borneo!”
“Tickets this way, ladies and gentlemen, to have your fortune told!”
Pandemonium appeared to reign in the big Gym. On buying an entrance ticket for one cent, one secured the privilege of beholding this remarkable scene. “Show Day in Podunk,” the committee called it. Most of the girls, costumed either as performers or patrons of the show, took part. A few faculty wives, with Miss Randolph and the other teachers, had received invitations and walked about leading some staring and delighted faculty children.
One end of the big gymnasium had been curtained off and made to look as much as possible like a circus tent. A few booths and stands, and several small tents for “side-shows”, constituted the rest of the scenery on which the long-suffering janitor and his assistants had been hammering and fixing all day. The committee had spent much time and thought on the plan and had pressed other girls into service to help with placards and posters.
Cathalina came hurrying in as if afraid she would be late. She wore a yellow sunbonnet, a bright red shoulder shawl and a deep pink calico dress which dipped decidedly in the back. By the hand she dragged a curly-headed boy in knickerbockers. “Naow Tommy,” she said loudly, “I can’t take you to ev’rything, so be a good boy an’ you kin see the animals an’ the big show!”
“O, Maw, there’s some ice-cream candy! I want a balloon, Maw! Gimme a nickel! Aw, Maw!” and Tommy tugged at his mother’s hand. Tommy was Isabel, of course, whose blue shirt-waist and purple tie matched the gaudiness of a plaid velvet cap. She hung back whining, as Cathalina tried to guide her obstreperous child toward the main tent.
Lilian, who had changed her plans, was a farmer in blue jeans, heavy boots, loose blouse, red bandanna handkerchief and a large straw hat. She brought in a large family of boys and girls, the boys in overalls or knickerbockers and the girls in every variety of dress.