The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-10-09
A POPULAR PETITION.


A POPULAR PETITION.
How Little Johnny Brought tho Circus
to Kentucky Jim's.
The whole country south of Ken
lucky Jims mining camp was ablaze
with circus posters. Every bit of fence,
every tumble down, deserted miners
cabin between Sligo and Wild Cat
which could by any possibility be made
to hold a scrap OF paper, became bill
board. Johnny Hunter had Toasted on
them all with eager eyes as he rode
about the country with his father.
There were pictures of big, spotted
African giraffes. eating leaves from the
topmost boughs OF tall trees; elephants,
with feet like door-stOnes and great
swinging trunks; big and little ponies
in brilliant trappings, standing on two
legs, making ladders of themselves,
sitting at table, and performing the
most amusing tricks. There were fe-
rocious tigers. and white bears on big
blocks of ice, and wolves and lions.
and man sitting right in the den with
them. And there was big cage OF
chattering monkeys and parrots with
red, green and yellow feathers. Best OF
all were the wonderful ring perform
ances, where man was flying through
a trapeze, and six others making an
obelsk OF themselves, and man in red
and green being fired out OF big can
non.
Then there was procession Of gold
chariots, and ladies in beautiful clothes
riding on horseback. and troops Of
Shetland ponies, and brass band. and
a man playing on steam piano.
Johnny, who had never been twenty
miles from Kentucky Jim's. and who
had never seen a travelling show OF
any kind, much less a gorgeous circus
like this. Rugged himself with ecstacy.
Not many bills were posted very near
to Kentucky Jim's, for the circus was
to exhibit at town forty miles away.
and it was hardly probable that
many could &C that distance. In par.
ticular. Johnny knew very well that hi
was not going. Mr.. Hunter was SUI
perintendent of three mining camps,
and as busy as a man could well be-
from morning to night. Johnny would
never be permitted to go so far alone
though he would willingly have walked
from Kentucky Jim's to San Francisco
to see these wonderful sights. had hi
father consented.
Johnny thought it all over very care
fully as he rode along by his father
side over the smooth, beautiful noun
tain road. Tall pines lowered abov
them. Smooth barked manzanit'
cleaned from thickets by the wayside
and sweet odors of mountain pink
waited their fragrance to the passer-by
Mr.. Hunter had business with one @
the overseers at the mine, and Johnny
catching the word Circus listene
with all bis might
They thought, SIR" the man wa
saying, ''if we drew up "a petition 20
might see fit to let us off for one day
And tho men have been kept owe
hours since we turned the water on tn
Big Lead. Here is the petition sir"
Johnny looked on with eager eyes
He had never heard of a petition be
fore, but fit was anything that woul
help boy to the circus, he meant
have one.
The man handed Mr.. Huntington
long sheet OF paper, at the head
, which was written, in bold letter;
something beginning, I'VE, the under
signed. respectfully request that we
allowed" etc, etc. Then followed
long list of names.
| Mr.. Hunter SHOOK his head regre
fully.
IF it were not so far away, Natl
thews, we might arrange it. But tn
, men would hardly be able to get bac
to work before noon of the next day, an
we must be ready to clear up
, Thursday. Tell them l am sorry, b.
: it can't be helped this time And NJ
a Hunter fastened off down the hill whe
, heavy stream of water from an eigh
. inch pipe was playing. with treme
a dous force. on the opposite sand bar
I and washing the rich gold soil down Il
4 tunnel.
Johnny seated himself on smoo
gray rock and began to white
: clean. beautiful pipe-clay shavings, I
7 the time thinking very hard on a graz
a scheme.
. Presently he jumped up. ''Tll do II
!. he shouted. And away down the h
= he ran to his father. ~
:, The result of the conference was II
! Johnny went over to the overseers