Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-07-29

nerrened; boys are said to have been killed ut these
Diekrs, as they were called and serious accidents
certainly took place, as many contemporaries can
bear witness.
"Ihe authors father residing in George square, in
mo southern side OF Edinburgh, the boys belonging
TO that family with others in the square, were ar
rayed into a sort of company, to which a lady oil
distinction presented handsome set of coors. Now
this company regiment, matter of course, was
engaged in weekly warfare with the boys inhabitng
the crosscauscways, Drstostrect, the Pottcr-row,-
in short the neiglboring suburbs. These last were
chiefly Of the lower rank, but hardy looms, who threw
stoues to hairs breadth, and very rugged an
tagonists at close quarters The skrrush somct ~es
lasted for whole evening, until one party fthe 9TH
er was victorious whcn ifours successful, we
drove the enemy TO their quarters, and usually
chased back by the reinforcement of bigger lads who
came to their assistance. If, on the contrary, we
were pursued often the case into he precincts
OF our square, We were turn supported by our
elder brothers, domestic servants and similar auxa-
ries.
followed, from our frequent opposition to cacl,
other, that though not knowing the names of our
enemies, We were yet well acquainted with their APP
pearance, and had nicknancs for the most remarka-
o'e OF tnem One very active and spirited boy might
DE considered as the principal leader in the cohort
oil the suburbs. He was, suppose thirteen FOUR
teen years old. finely made tail blue eyed. with long
,a'r hair-the very picture of youthful Goth. This
lad was always first in the charge. aud last in tho
retrcat,--the Achilles, at once, aud AJAX OF the
crosscauseway. He too formidable to us not
10 hive coguomen, and like that of knight Of Old
u was taken from the remarkable part Of his
dress, being pair of old green livery brccchcs.
which was the principal part OF his clothing for, like
rcntapolin, according to Don Quixo,tcs account,
Green Brceks, as we called him, always entered the
pattic with bare arms, legs, ami feet.
III Tell, that once upon time, when the combat
was ut the thickcst, this Plcban champion headed
sudden charge rapid aud furious that all fled be-
tore him. lie was several PAGES before his cont
radcs, and had actually laid his hands the patri-
cian standard, when one nt our party whom some
IliSjudging friend had ntrustcd with confeam dc
cfdsye, or hanger, inspired with zeal for the hon
Or OF the corps, worthy OF MINOR Sturgeon himself,
struck poor Green Brccks over the head, with
strength sufficient 10 cut him down. When this was
seen, the Casualty far beyond what ever had
taken place before, that both parties fled different
ways, leaving poor Green Brceks, with his bright
muir pirntuiy dabblcd IN blood, 10 the care OF the
Waterman, who (honest NAM took not to know
who had done the mischief. The bloody hanger was
flung into one OF the meadow bitches, and solemn
secrecy was sworn on ali hands; bat the rcmorse
aud terror U. the actor were bcvon1 all bounds, and
hIs approximations Of the most dreadful character
The wounded hero for Il few days in the lufrma
~, the case being only tri:iing one But though
inquiry was strongly pressed oil him, argument
could make him Indicate the person from whom lac
had received the wound, though he must have been
perfectly well known to HIM. When he recovered
and was dismissed, the author and his brothers open
ed a communication with him. throG rh the medium
ties were customers, order To tender a subsidy in
1ame of smart money. The sum would excite md
cue were to name IT. but sure am, that the pocket
u the noted Grecn Brecks never held much money
II his own. He declined the remittance sa wing that
lie would not sell his blood: but at tho same time
eprobated the idea of being an informer, which he
ana was cam, a. e base or mean With much ur-
Iency he accepted pound of snuff for the of
ONE old woman,-grand mother, or the hle-with |
whom he lived. We did net become friends. for the
'icerS were more agreeable TO both parties than any
more pacific amusement; but we conducted them
'vor after under mutual assurances of the highest
consideration for each other.
'Such was the hero whom Mr. Thomas Scott pro
posed to carry to Canada and involve in adventures
with tie natives and coloniss of that country. Per-
laps the youthful generosity of the lad will not seem
so great Ill the eyes of others, to those whom IL
vas the means OF screening from severe rebukc and
punishment. But IL seemed to those concerned TO
rguc nobcness OF sentiment far beyond the pitch of
most minds; aud however Obscurcly TIE lad, who
lIowed such frame of noble spirit may hive lived
IT died, cannot help beng of opinion, that if for !
unc had placed him in circumstances calling for
allantry or generosity, the man would have fulfilled |
he promises OF the boy. Long afterwards, when
lac story was told to my father. he censured us se-
erely for not telling the truth the TING that he
night have attempted TO be OF TO the young man
n entering OIL life. But alarms for the consc
lucnccs of the drawn sword, and the wound inflicted
with such weapon, wCEc T.! too predominant at
the time for such pitch OF generosity
Perhaps ought not TO have inserted this school
boy tale; but, besides the strong impression made by
the accident at the tlmc the whole accompaniments
OF the story are matters to- of solemn and sad re-
cOHcCLOt' vi Inc nttIe band WsO concerned
IN those juvenile sports brawls, can scarce re-
collect a single survivor. Some left the ranks Of
mimic to die in the active service oftheir country
Many sought distant lands to- return more. o.
theirs, dispersed in different paths of life, nv dim
eyes now seek for in vain. Of five brothers, all
healthy aud promising, in degree far beyond one
whose infancy was visited by personal nlirInity and
whose health after this period seemed long very pre-
carious, am, nevertheless, the only survivor. The
best deserving to be loved who had destined this in
cident to bc the foundation Of literary compositions
died before his day, III distant and foreign land:
and tnhcs assume sn Importance not their own
when connected with those who have been loved and
lost"
The simplicity and truth Of this little story arc on
ly excellcd by ils fine and feeling conclusion Yet
such-Ii there be any truth in the universal report of
his personal friends and experimentation the
daily conversation of the siDguary gifted Bsronet
VINO, os his mood Is grave or gay, goes on norali-
ENG or lowering, all unconscious thet like the prin
cess in the fairy tale shower Of rubcs and nearls
and diamonds accompanies the issue of every sentence
he utters
No. tsgn 0 4