Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-12-31


white crayat and stock We're 50 high. Indeed,
he almost rolled his eyes, but not quite; that
was really too much, they had been fixed on
one spot so long. The mirror, on the other
hand, did nothing whatever-not even reject
or murmur, as she usually did, "iook at mai
She never woke up In the dark, being mere
line lady, who amounted to nothing unless
she had company to admire her and be fat
tered by her.
But | have told you enough to show how
things began and we viii now return TO Wat
Johnng Did in the Dark. The first thing he
did, as have said, was to wake up and hear
the noise downstairs. Brother VIII had come
TO bed and was sleeping quietly. SO the next
thing Was to climb carefully over Will with
out disturbing him and get down on the floor,
when he proceeded, In his night-gown and
stocking feet, downstairs. He was altogeth-
er too wise TO be afraid. He had often enter
tanned suspicious concerning the proceedings,
when no one was present, of various things
usually considered to have no life; but he was
only curious about IT, not afraid. He used to
say: What if a table could get up and walk
around and talks II couldn't scare me-. I'd
like TO be there; that's all" So down stairs
he went, holding his breath, and not making
so mucu as ereak on the third stair from
the top. which always would creak If peo-
pie didn't ulke pains.
AS he approached the parlor door II oc-
opportunity TO carry out the plan he had half
formed In going TO bed. He could 60 In the
dark to the Christmas presents and take out
those which he had brought OF course he
had right TO do it. A person needn't give
presents, particularly to people that don't love
him and are down on him, and act real near
unless be has mind TO, nesd her Yet the
plan did not seem quite so attractive now,
after all. There were two reasons: In the
first place, he had had time for reflection
or for sleep, which is just as good I;
in the second place, he was shiv-
ering a little with the cold; and
this fact is more important than anybody sus-
poets, Temper and temperature have great
deal TO do with each other Angry passions
and at a couple OF degrees below zero Il man
hasn't an enemy in the world. Moral, keep
eeol.
However, Johnny went into the parlor, re-
solved TO carry out his plan, u heshould choose.
That's way We have with our sins, all of us.
We know a thing Is wrong, and We haven't
quite made up our minds to do it, but, never
theless, we arrange everything so that by and
by If we decide TO sin all the convenienees
may be at hand. Johnny entered the parlor,
in which, Notwithstanding the pitch. black
darkness, be felt quite at home, knowing the
locality Of every piece OF furniture, and took
a straight course for the sofa where he
Christmas stockings were hung. But at the
second step crack against his shin came the
rocker of the big rocking-char, and when he
stumbled over that 1t was only 10 repeat the
experience with the other shin on the other
rocker. Is there anything more aggravating
than that In the dark? Johnnys pain made
him cry out little; and that would have be-
trayed him but for the fact that the rocking
chair made SO much more fuss on the subject,
grooming and squeaking and rocking back
rd and I'd p rs auanv that Jahp-
ny's small exclamation was quite over
whelmed. And from all quarters there arose
a chorus OF loud whispers: swell, what IL
somebody has kicked your ankle? Do be
quiet or you viii rouse the family, and we
shall never beginp'
When Johnny heard these words curiosity
drove away both resentment and pain, and he
resolved to lie perfectly still, just where he
bad fallen on the floor, carefully pulled round
him, 10 keep him warm, rug which came In
contact with his hand. Pity II was SO dark,
and nobody was there, even bad il been light
to see what funny picture he presented
rolled up In the rug like a grub in the chrys-
alis, but listening intently to the strange con-
yersation that was going on around him.
Comparative order having been restored,
the piano said 1t was glad TO End harmony at
last, and suggested that as 1t was at least
year since such an opportunity for mutual ac-
quaintance had occurred, and particularly as
some ladies and gentlemen had very recently
arrived, it would be well 10 commence with a
general introduction. This idea was ap-
plauded by long-legged fellow, the tongs,
who was leaning against the side Of the tre-
place, and who said, to explain his enthusi-
asm, that 1t was tiresome being introduced to
the same person over and over again, and
that person a coal-hod or a CRATE. And his
brothers, the shovel and the poker, quite
agreed with him. suh
Then there was for while universal
dued buzz all over the room, consisting of
Mr. So-and-So, Miss So-and- TO-" Miss So
and-So, Mr.. so-and- So;" Charmed TO meet
you, ma'am, at last. Have lived opposite TO
you for an age, and longed for an opportunity
to know YOU" "Ah, sir, you fatter meW and
SO on. A Handsomely -embreidered camp
chair, introduced as Colonel" and evidently
looked upon as highly distinguished milf
tary character, opened Irritation with the
piano-stsol and danced attendance around her
TO that extent that Johnny found II hard work
to keep out Of the way OF his legs. But the
most interesting interviews were those which
took place on the floor close by where Johnny
lay Down there 1t was like q masquer ade.
Everybody was dressed in brown paper, and,
being quite unknown TO everybody else, the
work OF introduction was somewhat difficult.
This Is the way II sounded: Mr.. HIM Inn,
Miss Hm-hm;h just as 1t does In polite So
ciety, when person introduces person and
has forgotten the persons name, but doesn't
wish the person to find II out. Johnny was
immensely tickled with the first one he over
heard, and listened closely to hear the further
conversation between the two brown paper
parcels,
"If mistake not, mademoiselle," said the
gentleman, gallauuy, I'VE are neighbors.
We belong TO the same pile on the sofa
JohnDie's pile, you know" At this Johnnie
gave great start and held his breath till he
was red In the face-or would have been I'M
der ordinary circumstances. But there are
no colors in the dark.
eyes, said the lady. "How nice Mr..
-, j didn't quite catch your nameT
" Skates" replied the gen leman. Ex-
cuse me for not handing you my card; but
the fact ID am SO strapped up that | can't
well get at 1t. ] believe it's pinned TO my
back
After pause aud slight giggle, the lady,
saying, How queer" read the Inscription
on the card: Johnny, from his afectionate
father. Merry Ghristmasr IL was hard for
Johnny TO keep still when he heard that; but
he choked down his feelings and listened
more intensely than ever. The lady went on;
4" Ny name Is Slippers. Heighoi i suppose
we shall not see much OF each other. here's
q paper folded up In one u my toes that
says: For Johnny 70 put on when he takes
OF his skates. From his afectionats sloter
susan
!" remember It." said the gentleman, sad
ly. ~ saw Miss Sussn write II and put II In.