The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-08-22
Where's Johnny Z!

"Seven years old, and as big as any
bodyl" That's Johnny Summers.
When Mrs. Summers put his first suit
of knickerbockers on, Johnny felt himself
man at once. Marching boldly from
room to room, he announced his liberation
from the thraldom of petticoats. A young
lady visitor, Miss Lulu, opened her door
to the impatient little gentleman. Her
eyes sparkled and her dimples deepened at
sight of the boy.
"Why, if it isn't Johnny she cried in
a merry voice, " and upon my word in
knickerbockers !"
"rm man now," said Johnny, and how
he did strut The big turkeys in Uncle
Jacks barn-yard were nowhere beside
him. He put both hands in his pockets,
threw out his red stockinged legs, and
marched.
I swell, must say, you look fine enough
tor circus;" said Miss Lulu, with an adj
miring smile.
"pd like to be circus, whole circus |"
exclaimed Johnny, after few minutes of
thought. "Wouldn't it be splendid ?
And I'd like to go all over the world.
Don't you think Pm old enough Miss
Lulu, how big is the world ?"
Miss Lulu had forgotten, she said, but
millions of miles, she supposed, more
than Johnny could do in good many
years.
Then think" said Johnny, looking
out OF the window at drove of COWS Just
going BY, 1 might 60 to Uncle Jacks.
His boy don't wear knickerbockers. Lenny
thinks he is big, but he isn't very smart"
added Johnny, with vivid recollection
OF his little cousin running screaming to
the house, and one of the big gobblers
that had taken fancy to his red stock
y. after him.
ut II rather late to 60 into the
E4.f p ?" asked niiiss Lulu, putting the
st hair pin in her glossy braids.
Johnny reflected, 81 don't know as it
~ he said, g. guess most any time is
pod. The turkeys are there just the
fame, and the pigs; 80 is Lenny, SO is
- Uncle Jack, and Aunt Laura. Aunt
Lsura's prettier than you"
"You awful boy" laughed Miss Lulu
"to say such things to my face Do you
suppose you will always be equal to tell
ing the truth in that out.and-out fashion,
She isl" persisted Johnny, stoutly
"She's got redder cheeks, and there ain't
any freckles on her forehead, and her nose
amt scrubby,"
"Johnny, you're tolerably good boy
as boys co." said Miss Lulu, in solemn
voice, "but if you tell me I'm frecklet
and that my nose is scrubby, suppose
you mean snubby, feel like taking of
those new things, and degrading you tx
petticoats again. After all the money Pv'
spent for sweeties, too, declare, it doe
seem dreadfully ungrateful."
-" Not but what you are pretty, too
Miss LULU said Johnny, having in re
membrance the many feasts of goot
things he had enjoyed through her liber
atty. " didn't say you wasn't, but Aun
Laura is prettier."
my dear Johnny, I'm poke besid
your Aunt Laura three women out o
four would be, but your candor alarm
me for your future. Hark is that tn
breakfast bell ?"
yes, and l guess it's buckwheats
Don't you like 'em do, with lots o
honey Miss Lulu confessed that the
were not unpalatable, and she and john
went down stairs, hand in hand.
How well Johnny behaved at the table
and how careful he was of his new suit.
IT won't last long," said Johnny
mother, laughing.
"Yes it will,' responded the youn
hopeful. " won't get spot on it I'll
next Christmas. Isn't that a year
Mamma, mayn't 60 to Uncle Jacks 2''
Not just to-day" said his mother.
VI want Lenny to see my new knicl
erbockers-he wears the funniest troy
sers %
"You must wait till warm weather
said his mother, "when / can 60 viii
you. l think if you went off alone yo
would get homesick, and cry for me-"
Never l never, never would be sue
baby !" said Johnny. "Why could {
all by myself, it's real easy to find;" ar
there the matter ended, and the boy we
on to commune with himself.
The more he thought about it the mo
he wanted to 60 to Uncle Jacks. I'll
recollection of last years baked peal
and the great oven, blazing with graz
wood fire-the pies and puddings, Il
crock OF doughnuts that he and LEM
could 60 to at all times, made his lima
nation like feast of fat things.
II think III 60 down to the depot, al
way" said Johnny TO himself, and wit
out apprising any one of his intention
put on his tweed overcoat and fur ca
and thursting his chubby fists in his nj
red mittens, off he strobe.
That night nobody knew where John
was. They searched the house and ba
they waited tea, and sent out the 8
wants to look. The household was tn
oughly alarmed. Miss Lulu went I
rounds of Johnnys playmates and I
places where he was wont to 60, but l
body had seen Johnny in his new cloth
The boy had gone to the depot, ella
bered up into the cars, and sitting dov
while playing going on a journey
Uncle Jacks, had fallen fast aisle
When he awoke he was over ten mi
from home, and so much astonished