My Visit To The Show

Southland Times, Issue 22499, 8 December 1934, Page 23

My Visit To The Show

—Commended.— I cannot remember going to the shows of the past, so I will try making a story from my imagination. High up in the heavens a round golden ball, the sun, shone his brightest. A cool breeze fanned our face as we walked steadily towards the showgrounds. At the gate a man collected our fare and opened the gate, and we passed through into what seemed a forest, not of trees, but of people. We edged our way as near to the ring as possible, and a tolling bell told us the parading was going to start. First came the big draught horses, trying in a clumsy way to march along properly. » “What big, rough animals,” my friend whispered in my ear. Next came twenty or so high-stepping gig horses, which their leaders could hardly hold on to. After those came the sheep, and lastly, the cattle. I shall never forget, when the bulls started parading, that a bull went to take to its leader, and with a scream my friend clutched me by the arm and dragged me away from neighing horses, baaing sheep, and roaring bulls. As we walked along I heard a man yelling “Come and see, Come and see.” In we went and on a little velvet cushion stood a tiny dog turning somersaults. When he had finished the man announced that the show was over, so we filed out. <

“Fancy paying sixpence to see a dog,” said my friend, sorely offended. “It's sheer robbery.” We next saw a girl, an acrobat. She was much different from our contortionists of to-day. When it was over I tugged my companion’s arm and I heard her saying something about being able to do that herself. We never went into any other sideshows that day, although a man begged us to come into his show and watch him cut a lady’s head off and put it on again. My friend wanted to go in, but I stood my ground. We then went into the tea-rooms and had our tea, and then we prepared for home. The next show I go to, if the men call, “Come and see, Come and see,” I shall take no notice. ■—2 marks to Cousin Lilian Todd (14), Toa P. 0., Rimu. —Commended.— Mother told me if I had a holiday from school for the Summer Show, she would take me to see it When our teacher said we were to have a holiday, I ran home, very excited, and told mother. The show was to be in two weeks’ time. What a long way off that seemed! Each morning I would say, “Another day nearer the show day.” I was wondering which frock I would wear. At last the eve of the show arrived, and I said to myself, “I won’t go to sleep to-night, in case I sleep in.” I must have gone to sleep, for mum woke me up in the morning. I jumped up and was so excited I could not eat any breakfast. We left at eight o’clock. Cars were coming frcm all directions to the show. We arrived in town at half-past ten. I bought some sweets and balloons and there were a great many more nice things I would have liked to buy. We had lunch, but I did not enjoy that, as the dining room was too crowded. We went along to the showgrounds. As we were getting near I could hear the noise of whistles, and side-show men yelling at the top of their voices. I had a ride on the merry-go-round and felt quite giddy. I liked to see the animals in the grand parade, but I liked the ponies and the horse jumping best of all, and would have liked to have been riding one. Just as the riding finished it was time to go home. We got some fruit to eat going home. We were, all very tired and sleepy, but happy at seeing all. the pretty sights at the show. We arrived home at half-past eight. —2 marks to Cousin Heather Findlay (8), Woodvale, Clifden.