The Black Swans 



halcyon days when after weeks of 

 anticipation we trailed the band wagon 

 of the circus in its triumphal tour of 

 the village streets. I usually got inside 

 the tent, and on one memorable occa- 

 sion had a little change left to buy a 

 ticket for the "special concert to be 

 given immediately after the conclusion 

 of the performance in the ring." Yes; 

 and by some special Providence there 

 was ten cents still remaining after 

 lavishing a quarter on the concert 

 ticket, for which I presently found im- 

 portant use. The clown that day sang 

 a song entitled "Pulling Hard Against 

 the Stream" that for some reason or 

 other made quite a hit in the sleepy old 

 town. We boys as a matter of course 

 were arranging for the usual attempt 

 at holding a show of our own shortly 

 after the circus left, while the excite- 

 ment and enthusiasm were still in 

 possession of our souls. We nearly 

 broke our necks of course trying to 

 ride a horse bareback standing up 

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