The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-05-24
Number Nine.

"Giveit to me this minute it's mine -
said Lulu.
"'Tisn't either yours I found it my
very own self p said May.
"You didn't y
CT did I"
L Just wish you would go away off,
May Stone, so't I'd never see you any
more, never, 40 do J"
"And L wish yOu was in the skies,
and could never, never, neUer come down
again, you hateful thing p
Twin sisters they were, in the parlors
of hotel at Long Branch, disputing
over the possession of a curious sea
shell.
A gray. haired old gentleman, who had
been an attentive observer of this little
scene now called the little girls to his
side, and inquired, "My dears, were you
ever Number Nine 2"
"Ahr" continued he with bright
smile, 81 see you don't understand me.
Well, I was Number Nine once, and
considered it a most grievous misfort-
une, too. Yes, was Number Nine;
that is, there were eight stout, ruddy,
rollicking boys in the family circle when
/, with my little bald pate and toothless
gums, made my appearance to swell the
number to nine, and, although 1 had a
bona -fde, genuine name--the charming
one of Aminadab-I was most frequently
styled Number Nine. Now, l didn't
fancy being the last of long line OF
boys; and I'll tell you why. In the first
place. l was forced to master arithmetic
through mammoth grease-spots, re-
minders of my eight brothers cold
lunches; geography from under great
blots of ink; and spelling with serious
drawbacks OF here and there letter OF
word missing. Secondly, in addition tc
the worn out books of my eight brothers,
I fell heir to their cast. off clothing as
well. Again, was obliged to yield the
easy-chairs and many other coveted
pleasures to the older lads; and t {
run upon errands for them un
til my feet would ache, my BLOOD
would boil, and my tongue be al
most-never quite-up to the point OF
asserting a new Declaration of indie
pendence. Again, father, being very
systematic, very orderly, invariabl,
served us at table according to our ages
commencing at the eldest, never on an.
account skipping one in favor of 1
younger, hungrler stomach, and i
would appear to me, sometimes, tina
my turn would never, never come. No
1 didn't enjoy being Number Nine
Zone summer a comet Of unusua
brilliancy and length OF tail flashed
into the heavens, exciting grea
interest and curiosity in many minds
and in none more than in mine, for, il
my small way, was exceedingly fond o
astronomy; and so, when an announce
ment appeared in our village paper tina
on certain evening there would be al
opportunity of viewing the wondrou
comet through a telescope, / was al
eagerness and excitement. But W
could not all go; and, as usual, / wa
the one to stay behind. And felt yer
bitterly over it, 1 can tell you. Next al
ternoon was lying on the shady sid
; of freshly stacked hay-mow, idl
listening to the merry chirping of tn
crickets in the grass, and the lazy hui
of bees, but brooding over my trial
: and fluctuations, as l styled them.
Suddenly man stood before N
, with the startling inquiry, Would 20
like to visit the comet?
"'Follow me, then,' continued th
stranger, without waiting for the cage
assent which L was about to give an
J he led me out into the road where wa
! standing most sipgular-looking W
hicle. formed somewhat like car, bu
l with a pipe emitting volumes of smok
: in front, and with great blac
3 wings, similar to those of a birt
7 on either side. Into this quee
machine my conductor lifted me. II
, sprung to the seat at my side; the steai
: went puff puff the wings tapped lei'
|, urely; and, gently, slowly, almost in
r perceptibly, we rose into the air to tn
$ height of the hay-stack near which
s had but just now been lying. Furtht
Q into airy space we asceDded until OF
9 old farmhouse appeared but as the tin
est of cottages, and the village churc
a very insignificant edifce indeed
: Higher | higher The horses
: work in the fields, the Gait
{ browsing on the hills, the wager
n standing before the barn, seemed lii
| Al a. Il. n.