Entertainment tonight. Pretty dull affair except for my number which was the feature of the evening. Brought up one of the lions, and made him go through all his stunts—jump through rings, growl at me, etc. Then I had the seals. They are very slippery for trainers, but I made them juggle a flaming torch and balance balls on their noses. Did a lot of other circus tricks, too. Ended my performance with a grand display of the elephant. Let him carry me about, walk over me, and stand on a wash-tub and beg. I do love to crack that whip.—Mrs. Ham gave a lyre solo. She struck several false notes.—Mrs. Japheth sang “Auld Lang Syne.”—Ham did a hornpipe.—Shem recited a poem which he dedicated to me. It was so full of sentiment I’m going to learn it by heart even if I’m not much of a hand at poetry.—Mrs. Noah took up a collection for the wives of the seamen.—I don’t like these ship entertainments. I’d rather see a musical comedy with a good-looking choir any day.
[Illustration: “_My number was the feature of the evening_”]
Today Mrs. Ham told us about a steamer where they had a daily newspaper. I decided to publish one. Made Shem the editor-in-chief, Japheth the printer, Mrs. Ham the society editor, and Ham the cartoonist. First copy is to come from press tomorrow.—We have another camel and a wee ichthyosaurus burgundii.—One of the crickets has a sore chirp.
First edition of our paper came out today. We call it the _Diluvian Times_. Price ½ shekel. Sold seven copies. Ham had a cartoon in it of Shem. It was the funniest thing I ever saw.—Played solitaire tonight to kill time.—The mock turtles have a baby mock turtle.—Am glad our paper is such a success.
The _Diluvian Times_ was again for sale at the news-stand. Ham’s cartoon of Mrs. Noah made me roar. That boy certainly is clever with his chisel. Mrs. Noah was greatly offended. I don’t see why.—Twins arrived at the oyster headquarters.—Twelve more kittens today.—The German eagle and the British lion are always growling at each other.—Tonight I sat around reading the paper.
Ham’s cartoon of Japheth was capital in today’s _Diluvian Times_. I laugh every time I think of it.—The flies are becoming a nuisance. They have occupied all the fly-paper. I love my two pet flies, but I don’t like their descendants.—Another rhino today. I boxed up the storks.