The Arizona sentinel., 1889-10-19
NUMBER AZ.

paper, on which were written these
words: 'We, the undersigned, resi-
dents of Kentucky Jim's and vicinity,
respectfully request Mr.. Montgomery
King. manager of The Greatest Show
on Earth, that he bring his circus to
this town, and we promise him here
with our hearty support
At noon the miners gathered around
the overseer's cabin, signed the paper
to man. Off to Big Butte drove Mr.
Hunter in the afternoon, with very
much excited boy by his side. Ofcourse
all the Big Butte men wrote their
names on the petition with great enthu-
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 it, 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 a busy
day, and was scarcely through when
his father was ready for the homeward
drive.
Tomorrow l 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, father?'
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
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 SSr:-Yours
OF the 11th inst. receiv ed, and contents noted.
1t gives me pleasure to inform you that have
a single date free in your vicinity next week,
and will be glad to visit Kentucky Jim's with
the circus on Friday. 1 send my agent with
posters tomorrow.
Very truly,
MONTGOMERY KING.
''San Francisco, Cal, May II, 1SS-'' -
'.Hurrdy! The circus is conpinq!n'
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, l 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.
Au the small boys of the settlement
came rushing after Johnny, and helped
him shout, and such jollifcation had
never been heard in Kentucky Jim's
since the discovery of the great Placer
Lode.
You can be sure every boy in town
vas out to meet the agent next day,
Ind offer advice as to the best methods
If posting bills, and that each boy was
airly wild as the gay red and green
md yellow pictures were attached to
he cabins and fences and rocks and
rees by the wayside.
Perhaps you can imagine what the
eal circus was to those boys, to say
nothing of the fathers and mothers
or they all went; and how the grand
was met anywhere from two
o five miles from town, by all the boys
nd dogs in the vicinity; and how they
aughed and cheered and enjoyed the
Elephants and ponies and giratfes and
ions and parrots and monkeys.
/ can not begin to describe to you
that day of excitement it was in that
title place. l happened to be there
n summer vacation. and as | watch
d the people on their way to the big
ent, it seemed as if all the inhabitants
t California must have come up to
-entucky Jim's to see the circus.
And Mr.. Montgomery King sent for
Onnny Hunter and complimented him
n his enterprise and perseverance,
nd said that he shouldn't be surprised
he took him into partnership some
ay.
But, although Johnny thought Mr..
IOntgomery King such wonderful
ian, and the circus the most magnif-
ent spectacle in the world, yet he
Oubted very much whether he would
yer become a travelling Snowman.
ellen Marshall North, in Christian
nion.
While tearing down an old CHM
ey in Nyack, N. Y, lately, the work.
en were astonished to find imbedded
the mortar toad in a somewhat in
tive condition, but still alive. 1t had
,en confined in that snot hidden from,