The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-10-05

iasm. Several begged to sign twice,
but Johnny would not allow that. Even
Ching Wan Lang and Hop Skip Hi, the
proprietors OF the Chinese laundry.
signed II, when they were made to un-
derstand that circus was like the big
gest kind OF 'devil-driving. The
list grew and grew. Every man, wo-
man and child who would promise to
support Mr.. Montgomery Kings grand
show was allowed to write his name on
the great paper Johnny had busy
day, and was scarcely through when
his father was ready for the homeward
drive.
Tomorrow / shall go to Jobs
Creek and Silverville, and the next day
Yuba Pond and Slim Bills," said
Johnny. Don't you think he will
come for all these names, fatherP"
! Mr.. Hunter would not commit him
self, but he did make it in the way of
business to drive over to the creek next
day, and Johnny and his petition went
along, too.
Johnny walked about the town on air
for the next few days. He haunted the
small post-office which was kept in one
side OF the only grocery store in the
settlement, and was always on hand
when the big ten-mule team brought in
the mailbag.
AT last the letter came-the first that
Johnny had ever received. 1t was a
big, business-like looking letter in a
light buff envelope, and it was directed
to "Master Johnny Hunter, Kentucky
Jim's, Sligo County, California On
one end there was some printing: "If
not called for in ten days. return to
Mr.. Montgomery King, Palace Hotel,
San Francisco, CAL" Letters being
such new experience. Johnny very
naturally read the outside through
carefully before he opened the envel-
ope.
| His hand trembled with excitement
as he unfolded the sheet and read:
| MASTER JOHNNY HuNTER-Dear Sir:-Yours
| OF the l1th inst. received, and contents noted.
| 1t gives me pleasure to inform you that have
q single date free in your vicinity next week,
| and will be glad to visit Kentucky Jim's with
the circus on Friday. l send my agent with
posters tomorrow.
Very truly.
MONTGOMERY KING.
| "San Francisco Cal, May II, 1sS-.'
"Hurray! The circus is comtngm
yelled Johnny, and he rushed down the
street giving the Sioux war whoop with
all the strength of a pair of very
healthy lungs as he went. Do you
know what the Sioux war-whoop is? II
not, | can tell you that it is about the
most horrible sound that ever issued
from the mouth of white man, or an
Indian either, and your mothers are to
be congratulated if you do not know
how to make it.
All the small boys OF the settlement
came rushing after Johnny, and helped
him shout, and such a jollification had
never been heard in Kentucky Jim's
since the discovery of the great Placer
Lode.
You can be sure every boy in town
was out to meet the agent next day,
and offer advice as to the best methods
of posting bills, and that each boy was
fairly wild as the gay red and green
and yellow pictures were attached to
the cabins and fences and rocks and
trees by the wayside.
Perhaps you can imagine what the
real circus was to those boys, to say
nothing OF the fathers and mothers
for they all went; and how the grand
procession was met anywhere from two
to five miles from town, by all the boys
and dogs in the vicinity; and how they
laughed and cheered and enjoyed the
elephants and ponies and giraffes and
lions and parrots and monkeys.
/ can not begin to describe to you
what a day of excitement it was in that
little place. | happened to be there
on summer vacation. and as watch
ed the people on their way to the big
tent, it seemed as If all the inhabitants
of California must have come up to
Kentucky Jim's to see the circus.
And Mr. Montg omery King sent for
Johnny Hunter and complimented him
on his enterprise and perseverance,
and said that he shouldn't be surprised
if he took him into partnership some
day.
But, although Johnny thought Mr..
Montgomery King such a wonderful
man, and the circus the most magnifi-
cent spectacle in the world. yet he
doubted very much whether he would
ever become a travelling Snowman.
Helen Marshall North, in Christian
Union.