isa-normaladvance-1914-00202

Description:	202THE NORMAL ADVANCEhe disappeared a moment and then came back with a paint bucket and brush.Lets have a parade while were waitin, he proposed to the other two children.Oh, lets do, was the joyful reply, and Archibald and Martha stood waiting for further suggestions from Philip.Hold Bob while I paint him. Well have him for our wTild animal.Philip was obeyed, and Bob was quickly dob- bed with red paint.Now, Ill go in front and lead Bob, Im the lion tamer. Martha, you come behind me and be the girl what dances on the wires and rides on the horses. And Archibald can come last and be the clown.I dont want to be a clown, protested Archibald.His brother paid no attention to him, but proceeded to get the parade in order. The children marched solemnly down the steps, and the parade started triumphantly on its way around the house. All went well until the pro¬ cession reached the back yard. Then Bob caught sight of Miss Sophronies cat in the ad¬ joining yard. Now, Bob detested cats, and he had an extreme dislike for this particular cat. He decided that he had an excellent chance to settle matters with his enemy. With this pur¬ pose in view, Bob gave a sudden lunge and darted from Philips side. The cat, seeing her enemy rushing at her, darted quickly through Miss Sophronies open kitchen door. Bob fol¬ lowed in hot pursuit.Hearing an unusual noise in the back part of her house, Miss Sophronie started to investigate the cause. Two animals rushed past her so swiftly that, being near-sighted, Miss Soph¬ ronie was unable to recognize them. She saw splotches of red as Bob passed her. Being un¬ able to remember having seen any such animals before, and remembering that a circus was in town, she immediately concluded that her home was being invaded by escaped wild animals. Terrified, she sank in a heap upon the floor,unconscious. On rushed pursuer and pursued until they reached the parlor. Tabby found re¬ fuge at the top of the muslin curtain. Bob, in his headlong flight, ran into a small center table which sat in the middle of the floor. A crash followed, and Miss Sophronies highly prized vase lay shattered on the floor. When Miss Sophronie regained consciousness, Mrs. Cartwright was bending over her.Im so sorry that our dog—So that was what it was!Yes, the children wTere playing circus, and  »That will do, I dont care to hear any more, snapped Miss Sophronie as she at¬ tempted to rise. No, I dont want you to help me, I can get up by myself. I dont need none of your help, you might as well go on home. Mrs. Cartwright left.Late that afternoon, Miss Sophronie lay in her little bedroom, suffering from the shock she had received. The door opened softly and Archibald Cartwright entered. Miss Soph¬ ronie did not turn her head. Timidly the child approached her bed and paused within a few feet of it he stood still for several mo¬ ments.Suddenly Miss Sophronie turned her eyes upon him and demanded in tones which made her chubby, little listener quake, What are you doing here?If you please mam, I brung you some roses.Take em back as quick as you can get, and tell your ma that flowers wont make me forget broken vases and nervous attacks. Git, I tell you.Archibald staggered beneath her words, but, collecting himself, he resolved to make one final effort, My mother never sent these roses. Mr. Silas told me to give them and this letter to you, and hed give me a nickel.Silas! cried the delighted Miss Sophronie.She seized the flowers and the note and be¬ gan to read the latter her face lost its paleness
Source:	http://indstate.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/isuarchive/id/32666
Collection:	Indiana State University Archives

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