The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-05-27

Thomas along by a muddy little hand,
and presenting him with this not over
polite or hattering introduction.
"Wby, bout the funny fleas you saw
when you were little boy" replies Ben
ny quickly. "Won't you tell it all over,
Uncle Karl, please ?"
ooh, about the trained feas. Well,
yes, suppose l shall have to tell it to
convince Tommy Hughes that you only
repeated what you heard"
TOmmy's eyes grew size larger at
this confirmation proof" of Benny's
wonderful story, and both boys seated
themselves quickly to hear Uncle Karl
relate the dOings of some funny feas.
"Well, Master, Thomas" began Uncle
Karl, "when / was lad at school, in
Frankforton-the-Main-yo can look up
the place on the map-Our professor one
day said that our class could attend an
exhibition of performing feas to be held
in hall in that city. We boys were all
quite as hcredulOus as you as to the
truth of the wonderful accounts we heard
of these curiOusly trained little insects.
We, therefore, were delighted when per-
mission was given to see for ourselves the
performances of this illustriOus flea fam
lily.
"Upon entering the exhibition room,
the gentleman who owned and had charge
of the curiosities, produced from his
vest pocket an ordinary sized papier-
mache snuf-box, out of which he emptied
onto a white polished bagatelle board
about two dozen common feas. They
appeared natural and lively, as is their
disposition, and hoped and jumped
around the board in jovial sort of man.
ner.
Before beginning their performances,
their master barred his arm, onto which
they all Immediately jumped and took
a drink preparatory to undergoing their
drill. Then, at the tapping of little
drum, they all hoped down on to the
board and formed in line Just like soldiers,
and in two columns marched-nst hop
ped-to the music of a tiny organ which
the man played. After going through a
complete drill, they all halted and dis
persed. Then, at second tap of the
drum, they assembled together, and, like
parcel of schoolboys, played leap-frog
and variety of games. After this was
over, at word from their master. they
all clustered together into tight round
ball about the size of pea, and allowed
their master to toss them up in the air
and catch them without one falling off.
After several other little games, dances,
and drills, tiny carriage, made of oiled
silk, about the size of black walnut,
was brought out; two little Heas hoped
into it, took their seats, and eight large
ones then took their places as horses, and
the others forming ring, the carriage
raced around the ring as fast as eight
fleas could trot. All these performances
were done at the tapping of the drum,
the change of time in the music, or the
sound of the masters voice.
"The feas appeared not to comprehend
anything we boys said to them, but n
word of their masters they understood
directly. / suppose he understood the
tone of their language, and we didn't.
They were certainly the most accom-
plished feas ever saw. To be sure they
had travelled a great deal, and seen good
society for they had been presented at
Court. How were they taught? l can't
say, but patience and perseverance must
have been their teachers watch-word-
and that proves how much those two
virtues may accomplish. And now,
Master Tommy, do you believer
Master Tommy turns his cap round
in his hand, bushes. and answers, Yes,
sir" and as he and Benny 60 down stairs
to their play, Uncle Karl hears him ex-
claiming, "Good gracious, Ben, wasn't
they funny fleas ?"-Hearth and Home.
LITTLE "RAG- BAGS" REVENGE
I" How are you, little Rag-bagT said one
of a group of well-dressed boys, as a timid
child, with patched clothes, came toward
the school-house.
The child walked on without lifting
his eyes.
II say, how are you, Rag.bagY ex-
claimed Albert Hale again, as he went
toward the boy, and caught hold of his
shoulders. "Why don't you answer me,
hey? You arc looking quite spruce this
morning for yOu-not becoming to your
title; there" he continued, as he thrust
his finger into thin spot in the knee OF
the child's trowsers, and tore it to his
foot" you look better now!"
The air rang with the shouts of the
boys as the child turned, sobbing, toward
his home, with his bare leg exposed to
the weather.
"I guess have taught the washerwo-
man lesson this morning, to keep her
rag-bag out of Brookdale Academy" said
Albert, M he turned to his companions.
4" Didn't he cut comical figure, though,
as he went blubbering homer
"Three cheers for little Rag-bagp
shouted another bow.
An instant after and the air was filled
with their cheers. The sound ia the dis
lance went like dagger into the poor
child's heart.
al shan't go to school any more,
motherp sobbed Walter Brooks as he
entered his mothers humble kitchen.
See what Albert Hale did, Just because
the teacher said was getting ahead of
him In arithmetic, after you sat up half
the night to mend my clothes. 1t is too
bad But I'll pay him for IL when Pm
a man; you see If don't, motherp
"Walter, it is wrong to cultivate
spirit of revenge" sadly replied the
widow.
ooh! If / was only man now But,
mother, Pm going to start for Boston to-
morrow, and go to work. I've been
that ! am big enough to take
care of myself"
"a delicate, slender boy of twelve,
like yourself, Walter-work Nobody
would employ YOU"
Yes they will-for I'll keep going
until find somebody who wants boy.
Pm going first TO see Mr.. Brown, the
man who visited our school and praised
me SO I; and Pm going TO tell him just
how the scholars treat me, and perhaps
he will hire me to take care of his Office.
4 l.. L.