________________________________________________
_ "'School is done,
Now we'll have fun,"
Sung Bab and Betty, slamming down their
books as if they never meant to take them up
again, when they came home on the last day
of June.
Tired teacher had dismissed them for eight whole
weeks, and gone away to rest; the little school-house
was shut up, lessons were over, spirits rising fast,
and vacation had begun. The quiet town seemed
suddenly inundated with children, all in such a
rampant state that busy mothers wondered how they
ever should be able to keep their frisky darlings out
of mischief; thrifty fathers planned how they could
bribe the idle hands to pick berries or rake hay; and
the old folks, while wishing the young folks well,
secretly blessed the man who invented schools.
The girls immediately began to talk about picnics,
and have them, too; for little hats sprung up in the
fields like a new sort of mushroom, -- every hillside
bloomed with gay gowns, looking as if the flowers
had gone out for a walk; and the woods were full of
featherless birds chirping away as blithely as the
thrushes, robins, and wrens.
The boys took to base-ball like ducks to water,
and the common was the scene of tremendous battles,
waged with much tumult, but little bloodshed. To
the uninitiated, it appeared as if these young men
had lost their wits; for, no matter how warm it was,
there they were, tearing about in the maddest mannet,
jackets off, sleeves rolled up, queer caps flung on
any way, all batting shabby leather balls, and catching
the same, as if their lives depended on it. Every
one talking in his gruffest tone, bawling at the top of
his voice, squabbling over every point of the game,
and seeming to enjoy himself immensely, in spite
of the heat, dust, uproar, and imminent danger of
getting eyes or teeth knocked out.
Thorny was an excellent player, but, not being
strong enough to show his prowess, he made Ben
his proxy; and, sitting on the fence, acted as umpire
to his heart's content. Ben was a promising pupil,
and made rapid progress; for eye, foot, and hand
had been so well trained, that they did him good
service now; and Brown was considered a first-rate
"catcher".
Sancho distinguished himself by his skill in hunting
up stray balls, and guarding jackets when not
needed, with the air of one of the Old Guard on duty
at the tomb of Napoleon. Bab also longed to join
in the fun, which suited her better than "stupid picnics"
or "fussing over dolls;" but her heroes would not
have her at any price; and she was obliged to content
herself with sitting by Thorny, and watching
with breathless interest the varying fortunes of "our
side."
A grand match was planned for the Fourth of
July; but when the club met, things were found to
be unpropitious. Thorny had gone out of town with
his sister to pass the day, two of the best players did
not appear, and the others were somewhat exhausted
by the festivities, which began at sunrise for them.
So they lay about on the grass in the shade of the
big elm, languidly discussing their various wrongs
and disappointments.
"It's the meanest Fourth I ever saw. Can't have
no crackers, because somebody's horse got scared
last year," growled Sam Kitteridge, bitterly resenting
the stern edict which forbade feee-born citizens to
burn as much gunpowder as they liked on that glorious
day.
"Last year Jimmy got his arm blown off when
they fired the old cannon. Didn't we have a lively
time going for the doctors and getting him home?"
asked another boy, looking as if he felt defrauded of
the most interesting part of the anniversary, because
no accident had occurred.
"Ain't going to be fireworks either, unless somebody's
barn burns up. Don't I just wish there would,:
gloomily responded another youth who had so rashly
indulged in pyrotechnics on a former occasion that a
neighbor's cow had been roasted whole.
"I wouldn't give two cents for such a slow old
place as this. Why, last Fourth at this time, I was
rumbling thiough Boston streets on top of our big
car, all in my best toggery. Ht as pepper, but
good fun looking in at the upper windows and hearing
the women scream when the old thing waggled
round and I made believe I was going to tumble off,
said Ben, leaning on his bat with the air of a man
who had seen the world and felt some natural regret
at descending from so lofty a sphere.
"Catch me cuttin, away if I had such a chance
as that!" answered Sam, trying to balance his bat on
his chin and getting a smart rap across the nose as he
failed to perform the feat.
"Much you know about it, old chap. It's hard
work, I can tell you, and that wouldn't suit such a
lazy-bones. Then you are too big to begin, though you
might do for a fat boy if Smithers wanted one," said
Ben, surveying the stout youth, with calm contempt.
"Let's go in swimming, not loaf round here, if we
can't play," proposed a red and shiny boy, panting
for a game of leap-frog in Sandy pond.
"May as well; don't see much else to do," sighed
Sam, rising like a young elephant.
The others were about to follow, when a shrill " Hi,
hi, boys, hold on!" made them turn about to behold
Billy Barton tearing down the street like a runaway
colt, waving a long strip of paper as he ran.
"Now, then, what's the matter? " demanded Ben,
as the other came up grinning and puffing, but full
of great news.
"Look here, read it! I'm going; come along,
the whole of you," panted Billy, putting the paper
into Sam's hand, and surveying the crowd with a face
as beaming as a full moon.
"Look out for the big show," read Sam. "Van
Amburgh & Co.'s New Great Golden Menagerie, Circus
and Colosseum, will exhibit at Berryville, July
4th, at 1 and 7 precisely. Admission 50 cents, chil-
dren half-price. Don't forget day and date. H.
Frost, Manager."
While Sam read, the other boys had been gloating
over the enticing pictures which covered the bill.
There was the golden car, filled with noble beings in
helmits, all playing on immense trumpets; the twenty-
four prancing steeds with manes, tails, and feathered
heads tossing in the breeze; the clowns, the tumblers,
the strong men, and the riders flying about in the air
as if the laws of gravitation no longer existed. But,
best of all, was the grand conglomeration of animals
where the giraffe appears to stand on the elephant's
back, the zebra to be jumping over the seal, the hippopotamus
to be lunching off a couple of crocodiles,
and lions and tigers to be raining down in all directions
with their mouths, wide open and their tails as stiff as
that of the famous Northumberland House lion.
"Cricky! wouldn't I like to see that," said little
Cyrus Fay, devoutly hoping that the cage, in which
this pleasing spectacle took place, was a very strong
one.
"You never would, it's only a picture! That,
now, is something like," and Ben, who had pricked
up his ears at the word "circus," laid his finger on a
smaller cut of a man hanging by the back of his neck
with a child in each hand, two men suspended from
his feet, and the third swinging forward to alight on
his head.
"I 'm going," said Sam, with calm decision, for this
superb array of unknown pleasures fired his soul and
made him forget his weight.
"How will you fix it?" asked Ben, fingering the
bill with a nervous thrill all through his wiry limbs,
just as he used to feel it when his father caught him
up to dash into the ring.
"Foot it with Billy. It's only four miles, and
we've got lots of time, so we can take it easy. Mother
won't care, if I send word by Cy," answered Sam, producing
half a dollar, as if such magnificent sums were
no strangers to his pocket.
"Come on, Brown; you'll be a first-rate fellow to
show us round, as you know all the dodges," said
Billy, anxious to get his money's worth.
"Well, I don't know," began Ben, longing to go,
but afraid Mrs. Moss would say "No!" if he asked
leave.
"He's afraid," sneered the red-faced boy, who felt
bitterly toward all mankind at that instant, because
he knew there was no hope of his going.
"Say that again, and I'll knock your head off,"
and Ben faced round with a gesture which caused the
other to skip out of reach precipitately.
"Hasn't got any money, more likely," observed a
shabby youth, whose pockets never had any thing in
them but a pair of dirty hands.
Ben calmly produced a dollar bill and waved it
defiantly before this doubter, observing with dignity:
"I've got money enough to treat the whole crowd,
if I choose to, which I don't."
"Then come along and have a jolly time with Sam
and me. We can buy some dinner and get a ride
home, as like as not," said the amiable Billy, with
a slap on the shoulder, and a cordial grin which made
it impossible for Ben to resist.
"What are you stopping for?" demanded Sam,
ready to be off, that they might "take it rasy."
"Don't know what to do with Sancho. He'll get
lost or stolen if I take him, and it's too far to carry
him home if you are in a hurry," began Ben, persuading
himself that this was the true reason of his delay.
"Let Cy take him back. He'll do it for a cent;
won't you, Cy?" proposed Billy, smoothing away all
objections, for he liked Ben, and saw that he wanted
to go.
"No, I won't; I don't like him. He winks at me,
and growls when I touch him," muttered naughty Cy,
remembering how much reason poor Sanch had to
distrust his tormentor.
"There 's Bab; she'll do it. Come here, sissy;
Ben wants you," called Sam, beckoning to a small
figure just perching on the fence.
Down it jumped and Came fluttering up, much
elated at being summoned by the captain of the
sacred nine.
"I want you to take Sanch home, and tell your
mother I'm going to walk, and may be won't be back
till sundown. Miss Celia said I Might do what I
pleased, all day. You remember, now."
Ben spoke without looking up, and affected to be
very busy buckling a strap into Sanch's collar, for the
two were so seldom parted that the dog always rebelled.
It was a mistake on Ben's part, for while his eyes
were on his work Bab's were devouring the bill which
Sam still held, and her suspicions were aroused by
the boys' faces.
"Where are you going? Ma will want to know,"
she said, as curious as a magpie all at once.
"Never you mind; girls can't know every thing.
You just catch hold of this and run along home.
Lock Sanch up for an hour, and tell your mother I'm
all right," answered Ben, bound to assert his manly
supremacy before his mates.
"He's going to the circus," whispered Fay, hoping
to make mischief.
"Circus! Oh, Ben, do take me!" cried Bab,
falling into a state of great excitement at the mere
thought of such delight.
"You couldn't walk four miles," began Ben.
"Yes, I could, as easy as not."
"You haven't got any money."
"You have; I saw you showing your dollar, and
you could pay for me, and Ma would pay it back."
"Can't wait for you to get ready."
"I'll go as I am. I don't care if it is my old hat,"
and Bab jerked it on to her head.
"Your mother wouldn't like it."
"She won't like your going, either."
"She isn't my missis now. Miss Celia wouldn't
care, and I'm going, any way."
"Do, do take me, Ben! I'll be just as good as
ever was, and I'll take care of Sanch all the way,"
pleaded Bab, clasping her hands and looking round
for some sign of relenting in the faces of the boys.
"Don't you bother; we don't want any girls tagging
after us," said Sam, walking off to escape the
annoyance.
"I'll bring you a roll of chickerberry lozengers, if
you won't tease," whispered kind-hearted Billy, with a
consoling pat on the crown of the shabby straw hat.
"When the circus comes here you shall go, certain
sure, and Betty too," said Ben, feeling mean while he
proposed what he knew was a hollow mockery.
"They never do come to such little towns; you
said so, and I think you are very cross, and I won't
take care of Sanch, so, now!" cried Bab, getting into
a passion, yet ready to cry, she was so disappointed.
"I Suppose it wouldn't do -- " hinted Billy, with a
look from Ben to the little girl, who stood winking
hard to keep the tears back.
"Of Course it wouldn't. I'd like to see her walking
eight miles. I don't mind paying for her; it's
getting her there and back. Girls are such a bother
when you want to knock round. No, Bab, you can't
go. Travel right home and don't make a fuss. Come
along, boys; it 's most eleven, and we don't want
to walk fast."
Ben spoke very decidedly; and, taking Billy's arm,
away they went, leaving poor Bab and Sanch to watch
them out of sight, one sobbing, the other whining
dismally.
Somehow those two figures seemed to go before
Ben all along the pleasant road, and half spoilt his
fun; for though he laughed and talked, cut canes, and
seemed as merry as a grig, he could not help feeling
that he ought to have asked leave to go, and been
kinder to Bab.
"Perhaps Mrs. Moss would have planned somehow
so we could all go, if I'd told her, I'd like to show
her round, and she's been real good to me. No use
now. I'll take the girls a lot of candy and make
it all right."
He tried to settle it in that way and trudged gayly
off, hoping Sancho wouldn't feel hurt at being left,
wondering if any of "Smithers's lot" would be round,
and planning to do the honors handsomely to the
boys.
It was very warm; and just outside of the town they
paused by a wayside watering-trough to wash their
dusty faces, and cool off before plunging into the excitements
of the afternoon. As they stood refreshing
themselves, a baker's cart came jingling by; and Sam
proposed a hasty lunch while they rested. A supply
of gingerbread was soon bought; and, climbing the
green bank above, they lay on the grass under a wild
cherry-tree, munching luxuriously, while they feasted
their eyes at the same time on the splendors awaiting
them; for the great tent, with all its flags flying, was
visible from the hill.
"We'll cut across those fields, -- it 's shorter than
going by the road, -- and then we can look round
outside till it's time to go in. I want to have a good
go at every thing, especially the lions," said Sam, beginning
on his last cookie.
"I heard 'em roar just now;" and Billy stood up
to gaze with big eyes at the flapping canvas which hid
the king of beasts from his longing sight.
"That was a cow mooing. Don't you be a donkey,
Bill. When you hear a real roar, you'll shake in your
boots," said Ben, holding up his handkerchief to dry,
after it had done double duty as towel and napkin.
"I wish you'd hurry up, Sam. Folks are going in
now. I see 'em!" and Billy pranced with impatience;
for this was his first circus, and he firmly
believed that he was going to behold all that the
pictures promised.
"Hold on a minute, while I get one more drink.
Buns are dry fodder," said Sam, rolling over to the
edge of the bank and preparing to descend with as
little trouble as possible.
He nearly went down head first, however; for, as
he looked before he leaped, he beheld a sight which
caused him to stare with all his might for an instant,
then turn and beckon, saying in an eager whisper,
Look here, boys, -- quick!"
Ben and Billy peered over, and both suppressed an
astonished "Hullo!" for there stood Bab, waiting for
Sancho to lap his fill out of the overflowing trough.
Such a shabby, tired-looking couple as they were!
Bab with a face as red as a lobster and streaked with
tears, shoes white with dust, Playfrock torn at the
gathers, something bundled up in her apron, and one
shoe down at the heel as if it hurt her. Sancho lapped
eagerly, with his eyes shut; all his ruffles were gray
with dust, and his tail hung wearily down, the tassel
at half mast, as if in mourning for the master whom
be had come to find. Bab still held the strap, intent
on keeping her charge safe, though she lost herself;
but her courage seemed to be giving out, as she
looked anxiously up and down the road,seeing no sign
of the three familiar figures she had been following as
steadily as a little Indian on the war-trail.
"Oh, Sanch, what shall I do if they don't come
along? We must have gone by them somewhere, for
I don't see any one that way, and there isn't any
other road to the circus, seems to me."
Bab spoke as if the dog could understand and
answer; and Sancho looked as if he did both, for he
stopped drinking, pricked up his cars, and, fixing his
sharp eyes on the grass above him, gave a suspicious
bark.
"It's only squirrels; don't mind, but come along
and be good; for I 'm so tired, I don't know what to
do!" sighed Bab, trying to pull him after her as she
trudged on, bound to see the outside of that wonderful
tent, even if she never got in.
But Sancho had heard a soft chirrup; and, with a
sudden bound, twitched the strap away, sprang up the
bank, and landed directly on Ben's back as he lay
peeping over. A peal of laughter greeted him; and,
having got the better of his master in more ways than
one, he made the most of the advantage by playfully
worrying him as he kept him down, licking his face
in spite of his struggles, burrowing in his neck with a
ticklish nose, snapping at his buttons, and yelping
joyfully, as if it was the best joke in the world to play
hide-and-seek for four long miles.
Before Ben could quiet him, Bab came climbing up
the bank, with such a funny mixture of fear, fatigue,
determination, and relief in her dirty little face, that
the boys could not look awful if they tried.
"How dared you come after us, miss?" demanded
Sam, as she looked calmly about her, and took a seat
before she was asked.
"Sanch would come after Ben; I couldn't make
him go home, so I had to hold on till he was safe here,
else he'd be lost, and then Ben would feel bad."
The cleverness of that excuse tickled the boys immensely;
and Sam tried again, while Ben was getting
the dog down and sitting on him.
"Now you expect to go to the circus, I suppose."
"Course I do. Ben said he didn't mind paying, if
I could get there without bothering him, and I have;
and I'll go home alone. I ain't afraid. Sanch will take
care of me, if you won't," answered Bab, stoutly.
"What do you suppose your mother will say to
you?" asked Ben, feeling much reproached by her
last words.
"I guess she'll say you led me into mischief;
and the sharp child nodded, as if she defied him to
deny the truth of that.
"You'll catch it when you get home, Ben; so you'd
better have a good time while you can," advised Sam.
thinking Bab great fun, since none of the blame of
her pranks would fall on him.
"What would you have done if you hadn't found us?" a
sked Billy, forgetting his impatience in his admiration
for this plucky young lady.
"I'd have gone on and seen the circus, and then I'd
have gone home again and told Betty all about it,"
was the prompt answer.
"But you haven't any money."
"Oh, I'd ask somebody to pay for me. I 'm so
little, it wouldn't be much."
"Nobody would do it; so you'd have to stay outside,
you see."
"No, I wouldn't. I thought of that, and planned
how I'd fix it if I didn't find Ben. I'd make Sanch
do his tricks, and get a quarter that way; so, now!
answered Bab, undaunted by any obstacle.
"I do believe she would! You are a smart child,
Bab; and if I had enough I'd take you in myself,"
said Billy, heartily; for, having sisters of his own,
he kept a soft place in his heart for girls, especially
enterprising ones.
"I'll take care of her. It was very naughty to
come, Bab; but, so long as you did, you needn't
worry about any thing. I'll see to you; and you
shall have a real good time," said Ben, accepting his
responsibilities without a murmur, and bound to do
the handsome thing by his persistent friend.
"I thought you would;" and Bab folded her arms,
as if she had nothing further to do but enjoy herself.
"Are you hungry?" asked Billy, fishing out several
fragments of gingerbread.
"Starving!" and Bab ate them with such a relish
that Sam added a small contribution; and Ben
caught some water for her in his hand, where the
little spring bubbled up beside a stone.
"Now, you wash your face and spat down your
hair, and put your hat on straight, and then we'll
go," commanded Ben, giving Sanch a roll on the
grass to clean him.
Bab scrubbed her face till it shone; and, pulling
down her apron to wipe it, scattered a load of
treasures collected in her walk. Some of the dead
flowers, bits of moss, and green twigs fell near Ben,
and one attracted his attention, -- a spray of broad,
smooth leaves, with a bunch of whitish berries on it.
"Where did you get that?" he asked, poking it
with his foot.
"In a swampy place, coming along. Sanch saw
something down there; and I went with him, 'cause
I thought may be it was a musk-rat, and you'd like
one if we could get him."
"Was it?" asked the boys all at once, and with
intense interest.
"No; only a snake, and I don't care for snakes.
I picked some of that, it was so green and pretty.
Thorny likes queer leaves and berries, you know,"
answered Bab, "spatting," down her rough locks.
"Well, he won't like that, nor you either; it's
poisonous, and I shouldn't wonder if you'd got
poisoned, Bab. Don't touch it! Swamp-sumach is
horrid stuff, -- Miss Celia said so;" and Ben looked
anxiously at Bab, who felt her chubby face all over,
and examined her dingy hands with a solemn air,
asking, eagerly, --
"Will it break out on me 'fore I get to the circus?"
"Not for a day or so, I guess; but it's bad when
it does come."
"I don't care, if I see the animals first. Come
quick, and never mind the old weeds and things,"
said Bab, much relieved; for present bliss was all
she had room for now in her happy little heart. _
Read next: CHAPTER XIV. SOMEBODY GETS LOST
Read previous: CHAPTER XII. GOOD TIMES
Table of content of Under the Lilacs
GO TO TOP OF SCREEN
Post your review
Your review will be placed after the table of content of this book
