The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-04-30
,JOHnny's -~fcrOb0tS.

But Johnny was making a wonderful
figure, wherein one acrobat, standing on
his head, was "taking hold of heels"
with two of his brethren above, while a
fourth appeared to be dancing on their
heads. The faces of the performers ex-
pressed such unqualified enjoyment of
the fun and the figure was really so funny
that Johnny laughed loud and long.
"Look mamma"
Eyes; | see but it's bedtime"
81 made this without looking at the
papers at all"
"DOn't make another one tonight,
Johnny.
Johnny took down the box with a sigh,
then proceeded to pull his jolly acrobats
to pieces, a process over which they
laughed silently. The bodies were laid
carefully in the box, the heads placed
beside them in a row, and lastly the va
cant spaces filled up with the dismem-
bered arms and legs and still the faces
smiled On.
wouldn't it be funny if We could
take off our arms and legs so!' said
Johnny, as he closed the box.
VERY funny"
"Yoa might see me sometimes with
Jimmie Nelson's head on"
I'D rather sec your own," replied
his mother, with kiss. aren't you al
most ready"
Johnny could find no possible excuse
for delaying, so he trotted slowly up
stairs with his mother. He had so
much to talk about that it seemed a long
time before he was fairly arrayed in his
little white "nightie," and after that it
took him some time to say his prayers.
"Imust put Cousin Annie in" said
he, earnestly; "because she gave ne
my acrobats."
Johnny thought he never shoEld go to
sleep that night and just as he was en-
tering the Land of Nod he heard the
strangest little noise, like the patterlng
of tiny feet around him. He sat up
very straight and rubbed his eyes incred-
~ulously, for, wonders of wonders. there
were his four Jolly acrobats turning SOM
ersaults, dancing jigs, and cutting up all
sorts of capers upon the bed-quilt.
Hes awake" said one of them, at
length. Then they all stopped dancing,
and the one which Johnny had always
called the clown Strengthened himself ND
and prepared to make a speech.
"Master Johnny Wheeler" said he,
in a squeaky little tone, "we've always
done our best to muse you haven't WEI"
eyes" replied the wondering Johnny.
"And it's only fair that we should
have some amusement in our turn 2"
$50 it is, replied Johnny.
"Wen, then, what can you do for us ~
Johnny's mind ran hastily up and down
the scale of his accomplishments.
81 can speak a piece for you"
"Let's hear it."
He stood up on the bed mo easy mat
ter, by the way, and commenced
Pretty Polly Pansy
Hadn't any hair:
Just a ruff of gold down,
Fit for ducks to wear.
Merry"
81 don't think We want any more OF
that" said the clown, with a wave OF
his arm. "Ctive me something more
sensible :"
Johnny thought for a moment, and
then began again
The baby is getting upstairs,
One step, two steps, three steps slow,
Down an" comes with a thump, thump, thump.
Good enough for her." shouted the
clown.
Capital! ha. Ia. ha :" exclaims the
others in concert.
Mamma kisses"
"Oh! We don't want to hear any
thing about kisses! just leave tha
where it Is"
Il don't like you a bit" though
Johnny. Il only know one more piece
and | am glad of it."
Creep away, my bairnie,
Creep before you gang.
Listen"
81 should think So" put in the clown
frowningly.
"Creep!" cried the others, in scorn
full chorus. "That won't do at all"