The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-08-15
HOW OLD JACK CURED HIM
HE WANTED TO BE A CIRCUS RIDER.
Practising Bareback Riding in the Barn
Among the Little Folks-Some
Knotty Problems for So
lution-Etc.

1T was Saturday afternoon, and all the
bows had congregated, as was their Gus
i tom, in Mr.. Lindell's barn. They were
stretched in every attitude on the hay,
and Tommy Dunn was lying in very
dangerous and therefore very delightful
position on one OF the big beams.
"What are you going TO do when you
get to be man." inquired Tommy, as he
gazed at the family of swallows that had
made their nest in the ridge OF the old
barn.
81 suppose I'll help father run the
place." replied Jimmy, soberly.
'T'm goingto keep store, announced Ed
Parsons, who was in the habit of making
the most advantageous "swaps" OF any boy
in school.
Many of the boys had no clear idea OF
what they were going to do; but all were
surprised when Tommy announced, bold
ly, "I'm going TO be a circus rider"
Several had longings to become lawyers
or physicians, but none had hoped to be-
come one of those gorgeous gentlemen in
pink tights and spangled trunks who had
appeared in the circus that was In town
the week before.
"But father says that circus actor has
to begin to practice when he is a boy" OBJ
jected Jimmy.
"Of course" agreed Tom. 81 practice
every day."
son what ?" asked Jimmy, with a sly
smile for he knew well that Mr.. Dunn
would never allow Tom to drive his team,
much less practice circus on their backs.
"Well, haven't tried horse, so far, J"
Tom admitted; "but," he added, regain
ing his composure, 81 swing on trapeze
and jump over box almost every day."
Guess you'd find difference If you
tried a real horse" remarked Eb Parsons.
"Say, Jimmy, couldn't you get one of
your fathers colts to let me have try
on ?" asked Tom.
81 don't know; I'll ask him." said
Jimmy.
He went to look for his father and found
him directing some men who were build
ing a wall
"Father, can we have the colts to ride a
little while?"
'The coltsl" answered his father; "why,
my boy, they are not half broken yet.
Take old Jack"
but old Jack looks SO bad" objected
Jimmy.
Handsome is that handsome does,
Jimmy; and old Jack will do better by
you than the colts would"
Jimmy went back to the barn, not at all
satisfied.
Father says we can have old Jack"
"Old Jackp exclaimed Tommy; ga
pretty circus horse he would make! !"
Gle looks more like horse than your
dry goods box that you have been prac-
ticing on"
"Well, l suppose if we can't have what
we want, we've got to take what we can
get" muttered Tom.
Accordingly the horse was led out
He'd make good subject for a horse
DOCTOR" commented Joe Fisher. You
ought to put him on package of horse
| liniment and label him Before using"
Meanwhile the boys were busily engaged
| in clearing the barn floor and putting up a
rope to make the ring. AT last it was fin
| ished, Tom dropped from his perch on
the beam on to the horses back, and
losing his hold slid down on the floor.
Hes got slippery back anyhow, " Tom
remarked, as he climbed on manger in
/ order to mount again.
Jack stood perfectly still, surprised, no
| doubt, by these strange proceedings, but
| evidently having a clear idea that his first
! business was not to hurt the boys.
"Stand on his back" urged one.
"Stand on your head, the way the circus
man did"
The latter seemed to be the most diff
cult, and consequently the most attractive
| to Toms disposition. He scrambled up,
and after several unsuccessful efforts,
| finally succeeded in balancing himself on
his hands. The boys were in fever OF
excitement.
start the horse" urged two or three,
and before Tom could let himself down.
Jack had taken a step forward in obedi-
ence to some ones order TO "G'lang"
1t was only one step, but that was
enough to make Tom lose his balance,
and fall heavily to the floor. Jack stood
perfectly still, and had allowed the boys
| to drag Tom, who was stunned by the fall
| from between his feet.
Fortunately Tom was not seriously in.
/ jured, but it cured him of all desire to be
! a circus rider. When he told his father
about the accident, be finished the story
with;
"And if old Jack hadn't had more sense
than all of us boys put together, I'd have
! been killed. Handsome is as handsome
does Mr.. Lindell says, and old Jack must
be beauty for he certainly acted hand
somely by me-"