n instant's halt followed,
but the jam was to be immediately resumed.

Fortunately, however, that instant had been sufficient for tall Jim
Barlow to stoop and lift the child on high.

"Hang on to me, Molly! I'll kick and jam a way through. 'Twill be over
in a minute, soon's we get to the inside and have--you--got--your
ticket?"

"Ye-e-es! But--but--I'll never come to a
circus--again--never--never----"

"You haven't got to this one yet," returned Jim, breathlessly. Then he
discovered Mr. Winters standing inside the tent, and extending his
arms to receive the uplifted little one which Jim at once tossed
forward like a ball.

At last they were all inside. The Master had been more fortunate in
piloting his especial charges, Luna and Sapphira, through that
struggling mob; but it was in a tone of deep disgust that he now
exclaimed:

"Oh! the selfishness of human nature! A moment's delay, a touch of
courtesy, and such scenes would be avoided. The struggle for 'first
place,' to better one's self at the expense of one's neighbor, is an
ugly thing to witness."

"But, Teacher, when you get in such a place you have to just do like
the rest and act piggish, too," said Alfaretta. "I guess I know now
how 't one them panics that you read about, sometimes, could happen.
If one them jammers went crazy, or scared, all the rest would too,
likely."

"Exactly, Alfaretta. But, let's think of pleasanter things. Let's
follow James."

After all, though Mr. Winters had doubted there would be, the lad had
secured reserved seats and on "the front row near the entrance," just
as that gentleman had desired; so presently, they had arranged
themselves upon the low-down bench where, at least, their feet could
touch bottom; and where with a comical air the farrier immediately
began to sniff the familiar odor of fresh turned sod covered with
sawdust, and turning to his next neighbor remarked:

"I think I'm nine years old, to-day, nine 'goin' on' ten."

But his facetiousness was wasted upon sedate Jane Potter; who did not
even smile but reflected:

"If that old man's going to talk silly I'll change places with
Alfaretta. And if the performance isn't to begin right away I'll just
walk around and look at the animals' cages."

She did this, laying her handkerchief and jacket on her vacated seat,
though her host called after her:

"You may not be able to get your place again, in such a crowd."

However, if she heard she did not turn back