The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-05-23
Number Nine.

OAs V1ACA Con4O q AuudUdlOO
Number Nine.
"Giveit to me this minute it's mine 7"
said Lulu.
"'Tisn't either yours. I found it my
very own self p said May.
'sYou didn't"
ct did p
I just wish you would go away off,
May Stone, so't I'd never see you any
more, never, so I do!'
"And I wish you was in the skies,
and could never, never, never come down
again, you hateful thing! !"
| Twin sisters they were. in the parlors
of q 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"
"Ah" continued he with bright
smile, IT see you don't understand me.
Well, I was Number Nine once. and
considered it a most grievous misfort-
une, too. Yes, I was Number Nine;'
that is, there were eight stout, ruddy,
rollicking boys in the family circle when
I, with my little bald pate and toothless
gums, made my appearance to swell the
number to nine, and, although I had
bona-fde, genuine name--the charming
one of Aminadab-I was most frequently
styled Number Nine Now. I didn't
fancy being the last of long line of
boys; and I'll tell you why. In the first
place. [ 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
draw backs OF here and there letter or
word missing. Secondly, in addition to
the worn-out books of my eight brothers,
I fell heir to their cast-off clothing as
we'll. Again, I was obliged to yield the
easy-chairs and many other coveted
pleasures to the older lads; and to
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 new Declaration of indie
pendence. Again, father, being very
systematic, very orderly, invariably
served us at table according to our ages,
commencing at the eldest, never on any
account skipping one in favor of a
younger, hung1er stomach, and it
would appear to me, sometimes, that
my turn would never, never come. No,
I didn't enjoy being Number Nine
"One summer comet cf unusual
brilliancy and length of tail flashed
into the heavens, exciting great
interest and curiosity in many minds,
and in none more than in mine, for, in
my small way, I was exceedingly fond of
astronomy; and so, when an announce
ment appeared in our village paper that
on a certain evening there would be an
opportunity of viewing the wondrous
comet through telescope, I was all
eagerness and excitement. But we
could not all go !; and, as usual, I was
the one to stay behind. And 7 felt very
bitterly over it, I can tell you. Next af-
ternoon was lying on the shady side
Of a freshly stacked hay-mow, idly
listening to the merry chirping of the
crickets in the grass, and the lazy hum
of bees, but brooding over my trials
anu tribulations, as styled them.
i Suddenly man stood before me
with the startling inquiry, Would you
like to visit the comet?'
"Follow me, then,' continued the
stranger, without waiting for the eager
, assent which was about to give and
i he led me out into the road where was
, standing most singular-looking We
i hicle, formed somewhat like car, but
with pipe emitting volumes of smoke
in front, and with great black
wings, similar to those of bird.
ON either side. Into this queer
machine my conductor lifted me. He
sprung to the seat at my side; the steam
went puff! puff the wings tapped leis-
urely; and, gently, slowly, almost i'm
perceptibly, we rose into the air to the
height of the hay-stack near which. I
had but just now been lying. Further
into airy space we assembled until our
old farmhouse appeared but as the tint
est of cottages, and the village church
la very Insignificant edifce indeed.
Higher higher! The horses at
work in the fields, the cattle
browsing on the hills, the wagons
standing before the barn, seemed like
| TOYS with which children rlay. the Deo-