The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-01-19
Johnny's Acrobats.

"Come, Johnny, it's bedtime, said
mamma.
But Johnny was making 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
very funny that Johnny laughed loud
<and long.
"Look mamma"
eyes, I see; but it's bedtime"
81 made this without looking at the
paper 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, 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 vacant spaces filled up with the dis
membered arms and legs; aud still the
faces smiled on.
Wouldn't it be funny if we could
take off our arms and legs so2" said
Johnny as he closed the box.
every funny"
"You might see me sometimes with
Jimmy Nelson's head on"
"Id rather see 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 long time
before he was fairly arrayeG in his little
white "nightie," and after that it took
him so.-e time to say his prayers.
CT must put cousin Annie in" said
he earnestly; "because she gave me the
acrobats."
Johnny thought he never should go
to sleep that night, and just as he was
about entering the Land of Nod he
heard the strangest little noise, like the
pattering of tiny feet around him. He
sat mp very straight and rubbed his eyes
incredulously, for, wonders of wonders
there were his four jolly acrobats turn
ing summersaults, dancing jigs, and cut
ting up all sorts of capers upon the bed
quilt.
"He's awake" said one of them at
length. Then they all stopped dancing,
and the one which Johnny had always
called the clown Strengthened himself
up and prepared to make speech.
"Master Johnny Wheeler" said he in
squeaky little tone, "we've always
done our best to amuse you, haven't
WEI"
EYES," replied wondering Johnny.
"And it's only fair that we should
,,,D t,,ry,
$50 it is" replied Johnny.
"Well, then, what can you do for us r.
Johpny's mind ran hastily up and
down the scale of his accomplishments.
81 can speak 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 ruff of gold down,
Fit for ducks to wear
Merry"
CT don't think we want any more OF
his arm. Give me something more
sensible.
Johnny thought for moment and
then began again.
"Hi 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.
s'Namma Kisses
ooh we don't want to hear any
thing about kisses. just leave tha
twhere it is.
"I don't like You Bit" thought
Johnny. 81 only know one more piece
and 1 am glad of it."
'Creep away, my bairnie,
Creep before you gang
CT should think SO" put in the clowr
frowningly.
"Creep /" cried the other in scorn ful
chorus. "That won't do at all"
That's all L know" said Johnny
Grossly curling himself up in the bed
clothes again.
"Couldn' you stand on one foot upor
that head board awhile +" asked the
clown ,glancing at the bedstead.
"No, couldn't"
"Or jump up to the top of that look
jng-glassa"
"No, wouldn't"
"Or sit astride the gas fixture for hal
an hour 2"
"No."
"Bl Others" said the clown majestic
ally, "he doesn't know anything. H,
must be taught.
Eyes" shouted the others. II
really must be taught"
Here one of the jolliest of the grouI
seated himself upon Johnny's breast anC
waved flag over him moment.
Johnny began to feel the queerest sen
stations 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 well enough wLa
these grooves were for. He liked ther
very much, indeed-upon the acrobats
but 10 find them upon himself was YER
different matter.
"Suppose / should grow into one {
Them" he said thoughtfully.
"Come |" said the clown, you're q
ready. Get up"