The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-05-25
WHY JOHNNY DIDN'T GO TO THE
PICNIC.


He couldn't 90, because there were
no buttons on his shoes. He tried hard
to keep up with the rest, but the little
feet shutfled and shambled so that the
other'hurrying boys got away ahead of
him. He wished they would not hurry.
but they went rapidly forward, with
light springing steps, just as the boys
do when they go to picnics. Very
likely Johnny could have kept up with
them coming home.
As it was, he fell back and back in
the ranks, until even the last boys were
passing him; and his feet were uncom-
Portable, and he thought picnics were
not much fun, after all. Just then he
spied some fine blackberries by the way
side and stopped to pick them. He
reached handful, then a handful
more, and when he turned to follow the
boys again they were out of sight.
He didn't care much, but he did wish
the buttons were on his shoes. Mamma
sat up late last night mending his
pantaloons and sewing those same but
tons on. She said so this morning.
And she would be sure to be displeased
with him for ripping them off, Just for
run, even II Mr.. Earnest told her all
about it,
Johnny sat down in a shady place to
think, but thinking always put him to
sleep, and he soon slept soundly, and
walked only to find himself very hungry
and the buttons still off his shoes. He
started slowly for home, wishing he
had let the maggynetn alone.
But when he finally reached home he
found his mother less surprised than he
had expected. For Mr. Earnest had
been explaining away his misdemean-
ors. Johnny's mamma asked him how
it all happened, and he told her after a
fashion; but boys don't half tell things,
and this is just how it came about:
Johnny had never seen magnet till
that morning, and when he found out
what it would do his delight knew no
bounds. His father had given it to
him after breakfast, and, after showing
its powers little, had buttoned his
coat and gone to business, leaving
Johnny delighted with his new play
thing and eager to test its qualities on
every piece of metal he saw. Soon
after, he had started off with Jimmy
Stales to find their fishing-rods down
by the creek.
Johnny went along with his hand
ueep IN the pocket or his coat. The
magnet ana two slate pencils and knife
made such rafting that Jimmy soon
inquired what ne had there. Johnny
thought little and then pulled out his
treasure.
mat Ism much, SAID Jimmy.
us TOO! IL maggynet. 1t
draws thlngS after IT, cried johnny.
linen draw me.
On not things ike you, but steel
ana IRON and things.
Where does 1t draw them tor?
"Oh' wherever you Ike My papa
drew httie IRON ring all around the
table, and lifted 1t up most OF the time.
And It'll draw knives and things
metals, you know.
Try your knife, said Jimmy
It's too big, SAID Johnny.
Jimmy laughed. 81 told you 'twarn't
much" he said: " What difference
does 1t make If 1t is Big?
Why, my papas knife was little
one on his watch cham. You can eX-
pect little pony to draw big wagon.
Jimmy looked as If he was not to be
humbugged, and Johnny was more
than ever anxious to prove what he had
said OF his new possession. he searched
his pocket for some small piece Of
metal, but found only pieces of string
and crumbs OF gingerbread and very
small fish he had caught the day before.
He looked himself over from head to
foot, but there were no bits OF metal on
his clothes until he reached his shoes.
"These buttons have iron eyes. FL
try one" he cried.
One whatP" asked Jimmy. They
had just reached the middle of the
bridge, and Jimmy was "pegging"
stones at tree on the other side.
"Wait a minute" said Johnny.
The knife blade quickly ripped off a
button, and the magnet caught the but
ton and lifted it instantly.
There" said Johnny.
Jimmy's attention was soon fixed
now. And the two boys led the button
a lively dance, until itsuddenly dropped
in crack of the bridge.
Try another" said Jimmy.