Simon Pure's Visit;/H2>

Or How a City Boy Spent the Summer with Country Relatives

• I. Select one of the company as Reader.
• II. The Reader shall take the small printed slips and distribute them equally among the party.
• III. In reading, pause at each ____ and cast the eye upon some one who must instantly fill up the pause by reading a slip.
• IV. As soon as a slip is read lay it aside.
• V. The slips should not be looked over by any person, nor any selection made, but each should be taken when required, and read as they may chance to appear.

Simon Pure was a Chicago lad, fine looking and of rich parentage, who had been reared in the lap of luxury, but grew weary of city life. So he gained consent of his father to spend the summer with relatives on a farm near the town of Hayville. Our hero had never been away from home before, so great preparations were made for the event. In his trunk were packed ____ and ____ with several other articles suiting a gentleman of his wealth and station, such as ____, and a large chunk of ____. Ordinarily he had been accustomed to wear for head protection ____, but on this important journey nothing was deemed suitable except ____. At parting his fond mamma presented Simon with ____ to cheer him on his way; while his best girl met him at the depot with ____, and our hero blushed in ecstasy of delight to be thus lovingly remembered by ____.

As the whistle blew and the train started, the mind of Simon Pure sped forward in anticipation of ____ which he was soon to witness. Imaginary visions of ____ and ____ rose before him as the train quickly passed ____. But these pleasant reveries were soon broken by a terrible crash underneath as of crunching ____. This, mingled with the cries of ____ produced a terrible commotion. Simon struck his head out the window and was struck by ____ which a passenger ahead had just thrown from ____. It was found that the train had run over ____. Much chagrined out hero returned, only to find his seat occupied by ____ and as the object refused to move on being spoken to, during remainder of the journey he had to sit on ____.

At the depot he was met by Uncle Josiah, Aunt Susan, and others of the family, who asked how he had left ____. Simon replied, "Very well, except for ____." Uncle Josh looked puzzled and the girls giggled, but supposing he meant ____, said not more, and they started for ____, riding in ____. Simon had many questions to ask about scenes along the roadside. Seeing some men planting corn, he asked if they were trying to raise ____. And again seeing a flock of geese beneath ____, he took them to be ____, but being informed the people called them ____, said that reminded him of ____, and was about to tell the story when the old horse suddenly started, throwing the family down an embankment into ____. Luckily Simon alighted in ____, which broke his fall, but Uncle Josh was not so fortunate, since his head got stuck in ____. Calling ____ just passing by they were soon on their way again.

Arriving at the farm-house ____ came out barking to meet them. A steaming kettle of ____ soon heralded the fact that supper was being prepared. At night Simon occupied a room in company with ____, sleeping on ____, and did not awake until the luminous orb of ____ shone resplendently through ____.

Before breakfast he witnessed the interesting operation of feeding the stock. To the pigs were thrown ____ and ____ and ____. Loud were their squealings as they devoured this tempting food. The cattle fared more sumptuously on ____ and ____. Uncle Josh remarked that for bedding each night the horses slept on ____, and of course Simon believed him. But the most fund came when our hero attempted to milk a cow. Old "Brindle" looked suspiciously around, and, taking him for ____, kicked him on ____ so that he fell violently into ____. Simon's adventures made him ravenously hungry for breakfast, so that he passed his plate three times for ____. Then he seized ____ and with the other boys started to work at pitching ____ up into the haymow, which was then stowed away by means of ____. Next day it rained, so they went fishing for ____. Success crowned their efforts and they brought home twenty pounds of ____. The topic of conversation turned on ____. Simon was talking excitedly about it, when, stooping down after ____ to bait his hook, he came unexpectedly in contact behind with ____, which caused him to lose his balance and fall heavily forward into ____. Wet and discouraged, his eyes filled with ____, he emerged and was led back in disgrace to ____. This of course necessitated a change of raiment. For this he was entirely unprepared, and consequently on coming to the supper table he was found to be wearing on his back ____, on his feet ____, around his waist ____, and, worst of all, suspended from his neck ____. Poor Simon tried to apologize, but only made matters worse, so declared he wasn't hungry, and left precipitately for ____ which he bathed in tears. The family were convulsed to find perched on his chair ____ which had fallen off in his flight.

It is needless to state that troublesome dreams beset him that night. With Uncle Josh he visited a neighboring coal-mine. Reaching the shaft about ____ they descended into total darkness, broken only by the flicker of ____. The miners looked like ____, as they delved in the depths below. The slowly moving mules crunched ____ in silence. Along the narrow passageways cold drops of ____ oozed from the ceiling, and one of them fell down Simon's neck. Little thinking of the danger at hand, a deafening roar was heard from ____, and it was evident they were never again to look upon ____. Past them rushed ____ seeking escape. Moans came from a corner where ____ was breathing its young life away. The deadly fire-damp began to choke. Help! help! cried out our valiant hero, and opening his eyes with a mighty struggle beheld ____ and ____ besides Uncle Josh and family, who had come rushing upstairs when they heard his cries. The stars were shining brightly. It was only ____.

Next day being Sunday they all attended church, riding behind ____ which kicked up ____ and otherwise acted quite frisky. The Sunday School lesson told of ____ and the feeding of the five thousand with ____ and ____. Simon distinguished himself by stating he believed ____ was the moral to be taught, at which the assemblage broke into ____. The morning's sermon was taken from ____. "Brethren," said the minister, "this passage of Scripture teaches us that ____ can never be expected to come out of Israel. As Shakespeare well says, 'The quality of ____ is not strained." It falleth like ____ from heaven upon ____ beneath. It is twice blessed. It blesseth ____ and ____. Truly," said the speaker, "these are mighty words. They well portray the blessedness of ____ and of right conduct towards ____. George Washington was first in ____, first in ________, and first in the hearts of ____. Let us emulate him in these good actions, always being found mindful of ____ and ____." At this point in the sermon Simon Pure was seized violently by ____, which incapacitated him for further worship, so he walked home, moralizing on the ills of ____.

It was hardly to be expected that Simon could spend a month in the country without falling in love; and the expected came to pass. When out for a stroll one day he espied in the road ahead ____. The clothing this lovely object wore was composed of ____. On each foot ____. A headgear of ____ surmounted by ____, gorgeously adorned ____. "Charming creature!" thought Simon, and his heart beat like ____. Evidently here was a clear case of love at first sight, for turning abruptly around, the beautiful creature said, "You ____, why the pensive look in ____ Simon was smitten at once, and kneeling upon ____ proposed to ____. "Will you be ____?” said he, with ____ streaming down his face. A blush, a ____, and all was over. They were married in ____ by ____ and lived happily over afterwards.