Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-02-08
Hepsey Burke ;
A Sister. to Dduid Hdr,u71 .g 4
BY F. N. Westcott ,
ANAA~NNNNNNNNN~N ~
BY F. N. Westcott

ring, 1t was indeed a proud moment
in the annals of Durford, and the ap-
plause from the lumber pile could be
heard at least two blocks.
After the procession, the entertain.
ment proper consisted Of some high
and lofty tumbling, the various 'turns'
of the respective stars and then. last
Of all, as grand finale, Charley, the
old raw-boned farm horse who had
been retired on a pension for at least
| a year, was led triumphantly into the
ring, with Mickey Burke standing on
his back!
Charley, whose melancholy aspect
| was trifle more abject than usual,
and steps more hating, meekly fol-
| lowed the procession of actors around
the ring, led by Dimple, the Snake
Charmer. Nickey's entree created
most profound sensation. and was
| greeted with tumutuous applause
tribute both to his equestrian feat and
| to his costume.
Mickey had once attended circus
at which he had been greatly impress
ed by the artistic decorations on the
q
| skill of the bareback rider who had
turned summersaults while the horse
was in motion. 1t occurred to him
that perhaps he might present some
what of both these attractions in one
| character
Maxwell had innocently atimulat-
ed this taste by lending him a book
illustrated with lurid colors plates Of
Indians In full war paint, according
to tribe.
So Neckey removed his clothes, at
tired himself in abbreviated red
swimming trunks, and submitted to
the artistic efforts Of Dimple. who
painted most intricate, elaborate, and
beautiful designs on Nickey's person,
with thick solution of indigo purloin
ed from the laundry.
Nickey's breast was adorned with
picture of a ship under full sail. On
his back was a large heart pierced
with two arrows. A vine of full
blown roses twined around each arm,
while his legs were powdered with
stars, periods, dashes, and eXclama-
ton points in rich profusion. A trian.
gle was painted on each cheek, and
dabs of indigo were added to the end
of his nose and to the lobe of each
ear by way of finishing touches.
When the work was complete Nick.
ey surveyed himself in piece of brok'
en- mirror in the dressing room, and
to tell the truth was somewhat appall-
ed at his appearances; but Dimple Per-
kins fastened to assure him, saying
that dip in the river would easily
remove the indigo; and that he was
the living spit and image Of tattooed
man, and that his appearance, posed
on the back of Charley, would GER
tainly bring the house down.
Dimple proved to be quite justified
in his statement so far as the effect
of the audience was concerned; for,
as Mickey entered the ring, after one
moment of breathless astonishment,
the entire crowd arose as one NAH
and cheered itself hoarse, in frenzy
Of frantic delight. Now whether Char-
ley was enthused by the applause, or
whether the situation reminded him Of
some festive horseplay of his youth,
one can not tell. At any rate, what
little life was left in Charleys blood
asserted itself. Quickly jerking the
rope of the halter from the astonish.
ed hand of Dimple Perkins, Charley
turned briskly round and trotted out
Of the yard and into the road, while
Mickey who had found himself sudden
ly astride Charleys back, made fran.
tic efforts to stop him.
AS Charley emerged from the gate
the freaks, the regular artists, the
gymnasts, and the entire audience fol
owed trailing along behind the mount.
) ed tattooed man, and shouting them
selves hoarse with encouragement OF
derision.
AS Charley rose to the occasion and
quickened his pace, the heat of the
sun, the violent exercise of Kidding
T bareback, and the nervous excitement
, produced by the horror of the situa
tion, threw Mickey into profuse
sweat. The bluing began to run. The
1 decorations on his forehead trickled
l down into his eyes; and as he tried
: to rub off the moisture with the back
OF his hand the indigo was smeared
literally over his face. His persona
identity was hopelessly obscured IN
the indigo smudge; and the most viv
a iC imagination could not conjecture
b what had happened to the boy. II wal
a by no means an easy feat to retaiI
his seat on Charley's back; It woult
have been still more difficult to dis
J. mount, at his steed's brisk pace: ant
I Mickey was most painfully conscious
OF his attire. as Charley tarned up tn,
road which led straight to tho village
AT each corner the procession was 70
inforced by a number Of village boy'
i who added their quota to the genera
l. uproar and varied the monotony of tn,
proceeding by occasionally throwing