The Washington times., 1906-01-28
But for Law Don Shrier
Would Go on Stage
With Father.
STRAIN ON BABY SISTER
Older Child, Living on F
Street Northwest, Won
derful.

Five years old, three weeks in training,
fifty pounds in weight. and an accom-
plished acrobat This Is Don Shrier. a
youngster from 10 + street northwest.
Three weeks ago his father noticed de-
cided talent in the youthful tumbler for
acrobatic work and began to teach him
the rudiments. For several years the
father had been under the instruction
of one of the finest tumblers in the
Northwest. Although the facilities for
instruction We're limited at the home,
the two began the work. and the child
absorbed the instructions SO readily that
today he has mastered the elementary
movements Of the tumbler.
Eyes on Stage.
tt was the intention OF his parents to
put the child on the stage as soon as
he had progressed sufficiently to war
rant the move but the juvenile labor
laws of the District and many other
cities will not permit
Nothing daunted the child begged his
father To continue the work. and each
evening, when the latter returns the lit
tie boy clings 10 his knees until he eN-
tracts the promise that he Will go
through the evening performance with
\
parlor. and there the devoted father and
son daily seek the development of the
peculiar talent that the little one has
shown
The progress which the child has made
is considered little less than marvellous
by those who have seen him perform
lie can stand on his head for full five
minutes and skin the cat" from d ladder
1Na1 10 ,T
The father claims that il Will he only
a short time before the child has mas
tered the full handspring.
Neighbors Spectators.
Several neighbors who have heard of
the remarkable acrobatc proclivlties OF
the child have called TO see the little
boy perform. Don is never bashfuL tie
has a ready retort for any pleasantly
that may be shot in his direction.
His bushy head and big. blue eyes
seem out of place on the frau looking
body that is really a mass of bone and
sinew. His father says the best indi-
cation of the talent of the child lies m
the remarkable confidence displayed
when he is flying through the air in
some OF his most perilous stunts Never
does a peculiar smile OF confidence dis
appear from his baby face.
Whenever the spring miscarries and
he comes in unexpected contact with
the floor, the lines Of the smile about /
his mouth are simply reversed, but the /
sparkle in his eyes never disappears.
Baby Sister, Too.
The infant tumhler has a brother and 4
a sister, both younger than himself The |
brother. who is four years old. has none !
of the acTObatic inclinations displayed /
by the older child The little sister. who !
IS a mere to1dler and just passed three. /
bids fair 10 be a rival for the hOnors OF /
the family. The baby is already a jeal |
aRs spectator of the evening perform /
ances of her father and brother. She /
watches her chance and as soon as the 1
presents she will tumble or 4
the mat and demand that her father do /
the same stunts with her.
Neither the father nor the mother OF /
the child was ever on the stage. al
though the father vas an accomplished
amateur tumbler. He claims that in two
more weeks he win have developed a
program and have perfected the move
ments so that he and the child will be
able 10 go on any stage in the District
Of Columbia