New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1880-10-20
!le into q long line, in the order OF

die into long line, in the order OF
their sizes, the largest being at the head
of the column and the baby-tortoise
bringing up the rear. Around and
around the small soldiers march, NOV
ing faster or slower to keep time with
the music, and hating the very instant
it stops. Then, in obedience to half a
dozen words Of command spoken by the
master, the whole company put them
selves into position for getting upon a
table some ten inches high. And queer
enough they look, as each, with his
mouth, lays hold Of the hinder
fore him. When all are ready, the
leader puts out paw, the juggler lays
hold of it and helps him to get up or
the table, where the knowing tortoise
sturdily plants himself, until the entire
column has gained the top. Their
spirits seeming to rise in proportion to
dancing, tumbling, fighting mimic bat
ties with tiny wooden swords, and per-
forming variety of antics as wonder
full as ludicrous. They end the series
Of maneuvers by this very queer one:
Putting their outstretched heads close
together for a moment, as if in consul
tation, the entire band convert them
selves into a pyramid in the center of
the table, the largest tortoises uniting
to form the base, while the little one at
the top then dances a regular four
footed jig. AS soon as the tiny Terpsi-
chorean stops the tortoises at tho
bottom crawl away in opposite direc-
lions, then off 20 the next, and so on,
TIL OF this whole living structure only
the top one remains. The little fellow
chances around with a bewildered air,
and then runs to his master for protec-
ton.
Another trick was performed on the
occasion referred to. A tall, muscular
man threw himself ON his back, with
both feet pointing upward; and, at a
sing 10 bound, ten-year-old lad,
clothed in long, tight drawers of silver
sheen, conical cap and silvery wings,
leaped upon the upturned soles and
began to smoke cheroot. Then en-
tered coolie, upon whose shoulders,
head and arms one saw only wooden
buckets. These were of the lightest
construction, and all of different sizes;
and the coolie piled them up by the
side of the man and boy. The lad,
reaching over, seized the top one, which
was the largest of the pile, and nimbly
as a cat he placed himself upon it, the
top of the bucket being turned down
ward, and resting on the mans feet.
The second bucket was secured in the
same way and put upon the first; the
third had to be handed to him by one
of the attendants, as it was too far off
to be reached by the little fellow, but
he readily placed it in position upon the
second, stepping with all ease upon it;
and 50 he went on until he had used the
entire heap. There were a dozen in
all, should think; and the wee
knight. seated on this queer pile of
buckets, looked, at that dizzy height,
more like shining statue of
ebony and silver than real live boy.
Suddenly the man at the bottom gave
dreadful yell and leapcd out of the
arena at bound, while the buckets fell
pcll-mell in every direction; but out
of this chaos rose the graceful little
gymnast, not only unhurt. but evident
ly quite amused at the looks of con-
sternation on every face but his own.
Bowling gracefully he disappeared, fol.
lowed by shouts of applause.
More wonderful still, :: jucglcr will
appear to kill his son, cutting off the
legs and arms with q sword, and throw
ing piece of blanket over the re-
mains. At the same time he plants a
melon-seed in tlowcr-pot filled with
earth. Presently, on lifting the blank
at, the body has vanished, and large
melon occupies the place on the ground
where the Howcr-pot had been. After
the melon has been looked at and
handled by all who wish, the blanket
is again thrown over it. On being
lifted, a few minutes later, the melon
is gone, but the boy, who had seemed
to be killed, and whose body had been
so terribly cut to pieces, sits there alive
and well, without Il wound. Fan,ay To-
per Feudge, IN st. Nichoins.