The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-01-23

made Ned 60 through his many antics
of shaking hands, making q bow, and,
by dint of coaxing, he would rise on his
hind legs, and perform a stately jig, so
well did the boy and the brute under
stand each other. Certainly a donkey
does not look like a dancing animal, but
there is emily a letter different in donkey
and monkey, and We all know what
nimble-footed creatures some monkeys
are, SO we will suppose dancing possible
to be performed even by an old sweeps
donkey.
Hunger no more neither thirst any
more" the words ran through his head
like the sweet music of bells. If only
he and Ned could find the place where
this could be, how happy would be their
lives! And when darkness was upon all,
and the great city was slumbering, he
aud Ned stole out to 60 in search Of it;
yes, Ned must go, he could not leave
him behind. Poor little innocent Jackl
On, and on, and on they plodded, no
body needing them, and when daylight
dawned they were out in the country,
pure and white in its snowy mantle ;
but, oh, it was cold, intensely cold,
therel Jacks teeth chartered in his
head, and Neddie looked wistfully at
his little master, as if pleading for a lit
tie rest and a scrap of food.
"Poor Neddie! you must earn q
breakfast for US both, and perhaps we
shall 300 be there" said Jack, patting
him; and stepping up to the first cot.
tage they came to, he put a startling
question, Please do you want to see
my donkey shake hands~
eco away, you impudent little fell
lowi" said a shsrp-looking woman who
came to answer him, 30 the two. were
fain to jog farther.
Oh dear! the villagers generally die
not care for wonderful sights; so thought
Jack, the tears gathering in his eyes, al
he plodded on from house to house with
out success. Once more he made tn,
trial, his voice was SO plaintive anc
pleading. !
"Please, do you want to see a don
key shake hands2 And he can bow anC
dance too" he added, as he caught sigh
of a group of rosy children sitting a
breakfast-eyen Neddie peered in at tn
doorway, they looked SO clean, so warm
and so happy.
Yes, mother, do let us see the don
key act" pleaded the children, and thei
mother ~consenting, they all trooped GU
to watch him.
Good old Ned played his part vel
shook hands with them all, bowed +
them all, and danced as gracefully q
ever an old donkey danced before o
since. At the end of it all, Jack wa
invited to come inside and have som
breakfast, and Neddie was RECALLED wit
cabhage-leaves, parsnips, and a drink Q
water, in an old clubhouse. Then Mr.
Smith, the mother of the rosy children
heard Jacks simply story, and fell int
a muse. The children laughed slyly q
Jack, and whispered together; JAG
smiled at them in return, and glance
anxiously at their mother.
"Please, ma'am, are you thinkir
which way that fine country lies whic
| want to fndp he queried at last.
ono, my child; l hope 1 know Il
way there, for 1 have a little boy calle
Jack gone there: I am thinking, .woul
) you like to live here in his place, we.
his clothes, you know, and be our DO,
; and we will teach you the way to 60
him, because it is a far, far country"
| Gay, wouldn't II" cried Jack, who
a warm breakfast had made qui
, sprightly. And what about Nedf"
queried.
"Ned and you shall be eur Ned al
Jack" said Mrs. Smith.
"Hurrah!" shouted the children,
loudly that Ned heard them and bray,
out in chorus.