ILLINOIS DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION. 1 69 



the increased responsibility resting on you in consequence of 

 your superior advantages. In addition to this I acknowledge 

 some embarrassment in attempting to discuss a subject on which 

 there are so many eminent authorities present. I know of no 

 way that I can explain my situation so well as by relating a. 

 story of the old maid's experience at a circus. When United 

 States Senator John M. Thurston told this at the Opera House 

 in Lincoln, Nebraska, he said it occurred in southern Illinois, 

 but I expect it happened in Missouri. In any event, this old 

 maid had spent her entire life in a small town and had seldom 

 been away from home, consequently was deprived the privilege 

 of seeing very many things that are to be seen in a larger place. 

 She also knew very little of the world as compared with those 

 who mingled constantly in society and whose acquaintanceship 

 extended over territory, and who were brightened up by travel 

 and contact with people in various parts of the world. 



Among the many desirable pleasures that had been denied 

 her, a very prominent one was attending the circus. So, finally, 

 when she was permitted to read the large posters advertising a 

 circus coming to her home village, her heart was filled with 

 joy, and she determined to satisfy her curiosity by attending the 

 show. Notwithstanding frequent impressions that possibly it 

 was not exactly the thing for one of her age and steady habits 

 and high sense of propriety to attend a circus, she decided to go. 

 When the day came, she attired herself in her best clothes and 

 wore her nicest corkscrew curls, and marched straight up to 



I the ticket wagon, bought a fifty cent seat, and was one of the 

 first to enter the tent. When inside, after looking around awhile, 

 she decided that the best place to see everything w^ould be on 

 :he top seat, so, in accordance with this impression, and deter- 

 nination to get the worth of her money, she made her w^ay right 

 ip under the canvass on the very top seat and in the most con- 

 spicuous place there was. She settled herself comfortably and 

 jvas anxiously awaiting the grand entry of horses and riders, 

 :hariots, clowns, etc. This interested her very much aiid she 

 vas glad she had come. Finally, not long after the commence- 



