The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-05-15
RESCUED.

1t was in the fall of the year that the
circus tents were pitched in the beau
tiful flat meadows just outside the vii
lage, and after that time, as the teacher
said, in despair, there was no getting
decent lesson studied.
John johnson lived in an out-of-the
way spot on the side of the mountain,
where he took care of charcoalpit.
John johnson had no family of his
own. but he and his wife had adopted
their two little orphan nephews, Sid
ney and Didcote Warren, commonly
urchins of nine and eleven years old.
The house was small, but it was very
COSY and comfortable when once you
got to it. And Sid and Did had their
piay-room in the garret, full of curl
osities which they had collected on
mountain-sides and in ravines.
They were too far away to go to
school very regularly, SO Aunt Elsie
heard their lessons; and as she had
once been school-teacher herself, they
got along very nicely indeed.
But one afternoon, down in the viii
lage, they heard of the circus.
'sWild ani-miles!' said breathless Joe
Potter
.'And zebra, all striped" said Will
lie Henderson, land buffalo, and a
tiger"
..And a clown that tells the funniest
stories you ever heard, and tumbles
head over heels right under the horses
feet" suffered Billy jenkins, anxious
to get in his word.
''Oh, land the performing ponies, "
squeaked Fanny Bliss. Il do love that
little speckled darling with the two
white feet? And-''
"Hor' said Beckford Bliss, that s
nothing. Ponies are ponies all the
world over. You should see the Edu-
Gated Leopard and Little Leonardo.
''Is Leonardo wild beast, too?"
asked Didcote, while Sidney stood by
with wide-opcn mouth and eyes.
Hes little boy, no bigger than
you or me, in black velvet and sSpangles,
and stunning pink boots,' said Beck
leopard's mouth, and rides on his back
with only q pink ribbon for bride.
Fan won't look at him. She shuts her
eyes when Little Leonardo comes on.
| She says it makes her blood feel like
| ice" -....
Sid and Did looked at each other.
'HoW | should like to see him, ;" said
| Sid.
"Let's ask Uncle Jack to let us co.
said Did.
Everybody is going said Beck
ford lottily. 81 tell you it's fun
And that was how it happened that
Uncle Jack and the two boys came
| down to visit the circus that windy
autumn evening.
All the show was very fine, and re-
ceived plenty of applause, particularly
Little Leonardo, who looked like g
| picture in his black velvet suit, long
yellow curls, pink silk stockings, and
kid boots, with a gilt crown perched OIL
his curly head.
The leopard bounded, snarling. on tc
the stage, but Little Leonardo sprang
lightly on his back, and evinced NJ
fear when the savage beast croucheC
in one corner of the stage.
"Open," said the child, lifting uE
one finger, and stamping the pink kiC
foot on the floor. "Openr'
The keeper cracked his whip-tht
leopard sullenly opened his mouth, dis
playing Il red throat and double row:
of sharp white teeth.
Leonardo thrust his hand in up tt
the wrist, and. turned smiling to til,
audience.
'.Lookr' he said "Lookr'
And, followed by q burst of applause
he skipped off the stage.
The audience, however, was not sat
islied.
Loud cheers, clappings, and whistles
sounded shrilly on the air.
"Leonardo, Leonardor' echoed from
one end of the place to the other.
And then Mr.. johnson, sitting Close
to the dividing curtain, overheard ,
very remarkable dialogue.
'sOh, l can't! 1 can't!' walled ;
shrill little voice. '.Oh, master, dom
ask me! Oh, please don't!'
Hold your noise" spoke low saw
age tone. ''Get up this minute. Dom
YOU hear 'em! What are you lyin2
there for? Do you want another tast
of the red hot iron?"
"But he snapped at me the las
time He'll kill mel" shrieked the lit
tie accents. "Oh, master, am afrait
of him."
"Hush-sh-sh!" Kissed the stern voice
''Never let me hear that word again
Afraid! If ever they thought yol
were afraid of the creature, the busi
ness would be all up. Here! jun
quick, say! I'll pull out another on
of your teeth, if you make any NOR
fuss"
At the same moment he steppe
smilingly before the footlights.
Good ladies and gentlemen" h
said smoothly, "the Little Leonard
= will be here instantly. He but stays t
lace his boot. Pedro, bring the leoE
ardw
But the leopard did not wait to b
> brought. Either his savage instinc
, broke fully forth at that moment, c
!: something in the audience terrified an
/ displeased him.
:. At all events, he gave sudden leaI
swapping the chain, and sprang at th
showman's throat!
= For an instant there was deadl
n grapple. Shrieks filled the air. VIZ
men tainted. Children screamed.
The keeper, who had momentaril
seemed to lose his senses, recoVere
them again, and, drawing his revolVe
shot the brute through the head, bl