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Adventures of Puss in Boots, Jr.

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<h2>[51] PUSS, JR., JOINS THE CIRCUS</h2> AS Puss, Jr., neared a pretty village his attention was attracted to a large tent in a field. Gaily colored wagons were standing close by, and every now and then a roar or a growl could be heard quite distinctly. "A circus!" cried Puss, and he hastened forward and entered a small opening in the fence. As he approached the great tent he heard a voice singing; it came from a little side-tent. It was a woman's voice, quite soft and low: <div class="block24"> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> "Oh, mother, I'm to be married To Mr. Punchinello; To Mr. Pun, to Mr. Chin, to Mr. Nel, to Mr. Lo, Mr. Pun, Mr. Chin, Mr. Nel, Mr. Lo, To Mr. Punchinello." </div> </div></div> As the last words died away a clown came from behind a circus-wagon. "Nello, Nello!" he called. "What is it, Punch?" inquired the owner of the pretty voice, appearing in the doorway of her tent. But before he could answer she[52] exclaimed: "Oh, look! See the cat with red-topped boots!" The clown turned and gazed at Puss, Jr., who came forward and put out his paw. "Won't you join our circus?" said the clown, with an engaging smile. Puss did not reply for a moment. He was thinking it over quite seriously. Whether or not it would interfere with his finding his father was the question. While he stood debating as to what was the thing to do, the circus-lady came out of her tent and cried: "Oh, do join our circus, Sir Puss! I am sure you would be a great attraction. Every child in town would want to see a cat who wore boots!" At this Puss, Jr.'s, face was all smiles. In fact, his whiskers curled up in a most laughable way, making his little face quite irresistible. "Thank you both very much," he replied, "but before I answer I must tell you that I am in search of my illustrious parent, the famous Puss in Boots. If I join your circus how am I to find my dear father?" "Easy as not," answered the clown, quickly. "We are always on the move. A new town 'most every day. We never linger long in any one spot." "No, indeed, we don't!" cried the circus-lady. "We give a performance this afternoon and to-night, and then we pack up and are off again." [53]"You can have one of the circus-horses to ride," suggested the clown, by way of encouragement; "you need not travel on foot if you join us." "That's a big inducement," admitted Puss, Jr. "It's a merry life," added the circus-lady, "and when all the little children clap their hands and cry 'Bravo!' it's very exciting." "I'll join," said Puss; "here's my paw!" "And here's my hand," said the clown. "And here's mine," cried the circus-lady. "Come with me," said the clown, "and I'll put your name on the program and you shall be a regular circus performer from now on." And that is how Puss, Jr., joined the circus. <hr /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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