The American citizen. [volume] (Topeka, Kan.) 1888-1909, 1889-05-03
a LITTLE JOKE.

Uncle Jack and Mintv Have Some Fun
with JohnnY-What the Little Girl
Didn't Know.
Uncle Jack, hanging up his over
coat in the hall. heard queer little
noise in the parlor. 1t sounded like
Minty, crying. 1t wasn't really the
noise that was queer, for, to tell the
truth. Minty cried good deal, about
one thing and another; but that she
should be crying Christmas afternoon,
of all times! Dear me! Uncle Jack |
could scarcely believe his ears.
He opened the door and looked In.
Sure enough, there was Minty curled
m in corner of the sofa, with man.
mas new crazy quilt over her head.
Uncle Jack frowned a little; he never
did like to see little girl cry.
"My eyes and ears!'' said he
'"What're you about, Minty?"
Crying" sobbed Minty, lifting one
edge of the quilt to peep out slyly,
'"cause mamma won't let me eat any
more candy; and I've got lot, and l
haven't eat but just the leastest tiny bit
of a mite, Uncle Jack, truly"
.'rn warrant you haven't" laughed
Uncle Jack, walking across the room
to the bay-window. The sofa was
close by the bay-window. Come
here, Minty." said he. Its pretty
; hard, isn't it, dear?"
.'What?" demanded Minty, sitting
t bolt upright.
3 ITO have 80 much candy in The
0 house, when you can't eat it,"
.Ye-es," said Minty, getting ready
, to dive under the quilt again. but l
3 can eat it, if just only maman let
@ me-"
Q "I know" said Uncle Jack, looking
;, out of the window. ''See here Minty.
IS Who's this?"
10 Minty looked too.
IF .Why, it's stopped snowingw cried
70 she. "And that-why, that's Mrs
Is Kelly's little boy, named Johnny
" Uncle Jack. Didn't you know? He
e. always shovels out our front steps ant
I'd path, and papa pays him"
Id "Of course" said Uncle Jack. Now
= Minty, do you suppose that little chal
to out there has had five cents worth o
Oh candy all winter?"
ch al don't thinks likely he has,
n answered Minty, wondering wha
., would come next. She thought shr
he could guess pretty we'll. and she looke'
of sober Uncle Jack laughed.
pt what say we have some fun, Min
=, ty"
S oa "How?" asked Minty, brightenin
to up.
TT We'll put lot of that candy 20
gs. can't eat"
do "But can." interrupted Minty, &"
no mamma'u let me-"
on. ''Ho! ho!' Uncle Jack laughed
the earnest this time. ''Well, then, we
'us put some of that candy mamma won
c cei let you eat in paper bag. and tie
nat long string to it, and I'll go up on tt
ich balcony and let 1t down on Johnny
ing head; and you shall stand and watc1
zen How'll that be for fun?"
,ue pretty we'll" answered Mint
be She didn't quite like the idea yet; b
to Uncle Jack went right ahead, as IL
ers didn't notice, and by the time he b;
70 the paper bag and the long stril
eut ready, Minty began to think there W
for fun in it, after all. aud scampered
for fetch the candy-a whole boxful OF
AIRY We'll put in a lot" said she. A
:, ~ so they did; more than a pound
heal should say. Minty was in a dreadi
lay furry, for fear Johnny would get
ions shoveling done and get away.
lrlE seemed long time after she hea
Wa being lowered slowly. slowly down.
i'm ''Oh, what fun! Minty wanted
art scream. Johnny didn't look up. /
l. kept working and whistling away. W
VINO his funny knit cap on the back of
rs head, until the bag hit him square q
gus. fair on his back. You may be sure
ayes looked up then. and all around besid
noer He couldn't see any body. though.
nor cause Uncle Jack had lodged out
nat sight and Minty was behind the c
hris- tains.
duce And there hung the bag, swing
after to and fro. Johnny forgot to whis
Senr and his eyes grew large and larger
he looked at it Minty had 10 6