The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1877-01-18
JOhnny's AcrObats.


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
very funny that Johnny laughed loud
and long.
"Look mamma" #
eyes, see; but it's bedtime"
FI made this without looking at the
paper at all"
"Don't make another one tonight,
Johnny"
Johnny took down the box with q
sigh, then proceeded to pull his jolly
acrobats to pieces, q process over which
they laughed silently. The bodies were
laid carefully in the box, the heads
placed beside them in row, and lastly
the vacant spaces filled up with the dis
membered arms and legs; and still the
faces smiled on.
/ "Wouldn't it be funny if we could
AXE off our arms and legs SOP" said
Johnny as he closed the box.
every funny"
"You might see me sometimes with
Jimmy Nelson's head on"
"Pd rather see your own, replied
lis mother with kiss. "Aren't you al
lost ready?"
Johnny could find no possible excuse
Or delaying, so he trotted slowly up
tairs with his mother. He had so much
, talk about that it seemed long time
efore he was fairly arrayea in his little
7hite "nightie, and after that it took
i'm so:1e time to say his prayers.
81 must put cousin Annie in" said
% earnestly; "because she gave me the
crobats."
Johnny thought he never should go
, sleep that night, and just as he was
bout entering the Land of Nod he
card the strangest little noise, like the
catering of tiny feet around him. He
at UP very straight and rubbed his eyes
lcredulously, for, wonders of wonders
here were his four jolly acrobats turn
ng summersaults, dancing jigs, and cut
ing up all sorts Of capers upon the bed
luilt.
/" He's awake" said one of them at
ength. Then they all stopped dancing,
nd the one which Johnny had always
allied the clown Strengthened himself
tp and prepared to make a speech.
"Master Johnny Wheeler" said he in
squeaky little tone, "we've always
lone our best to amuse you, haven't
ve?"
eyes," replied wondering Johnny.
"And it's only fair that we should
nave some amusement in our turn?"
$50 it is" replied Johnny.
"Well, then, what can you do for us 2"
Johnny's mind ran hastily up and
lown the scale of his accomplishments.
ct can speak a piece for YOU"
"Let's hear it. !"
He stood up on the bed (no 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"
CT don't think we want any more of
that" said the clown with a wave of
his arm. "Give me something more
sensible"
Johnny thought for a moment and
then began again.
eli the baby is getting up stairs,
One step, two steps, three steps slow,
Down she comes with thump, thump, thump.'
"Good enough for her, shouted the
clown.
"Capital ! ha hal" exclaims the
others in concert.
"Mamma kisses"
ooh we don't want to hear any
thing about kisses. Just leave that
where it is."
81 don't like you Bit" thought
Johnny. 81 only know one more piece
and I ain glad of it.
''Creep away, my bairnie,
Creep before you gang,
"I should think so, put in the clown
frowningly.
"Creep!" cried the other in scornful
chorus. "That won't do at ALL"
"That's all I know" said Johnny
GROSSLY curling himself up in the bed
clothes again.
Couldn't you stand on one foot upon
that head board awhile 2" asked the
clown ,glancing at the bedstead.
"No, | couldn't.
"Or jump up to the top of that look
ing-glass2"
emo, I wouldn't"
cor sit astride the gas fixture for hall
an hour e.
"No."
Blothers," said the clown majestic
ally, she doesn't know anything. He
must be taught"
eyes," shouted the others. "Ht
really must be taught.
Here one of the joliest of the grout
seated himself upon Johnny's breast anc
waved flag over him moment.
Johnny began to feel the queerest sen
sations in his back and limbs. His fin
gers and toes were gone, and instead O
them were three or four funny littl
grooves. He knew we'll enough VIA
these grooves were for. He liked then
very much, indeed-upon the acrobats
put to find them upon himself was YER
different matter.