Litchfield enquirer., 1829-03-12
From Che Massachusetts Journal.

From the Massachusetts Journal.
 "YoU'vE BEEN CAPTAIN LONG ENOUGH "
 Walking up Beacon St. the other day, l met little republican corps, which amu- sed me greatly. The band consisted of four urchins. from six to ten years old, ac- coutred in boyish style, with pasteboard caps and tim swords. The troop was merely large enough to furnish Captain, Lieutenant, Ensign, and Trumpeter,-a pretty fair epitome ofsome of our military establishments, all officers and no men.- Being Americans, and all in office, very naturally supposed they were satisfied and happy but my eye had not followed the young soldiers far. when perceived their lieutenant, sturdy chap of about six years old, make dead halt. Whats the mat ter Bill 2" called out the captain. tell you what, Ned, you've been captain long enough-l'm going to be captain now ,"
 Some altercation followed, and the re- fractory lieutenant only vociferated the louder" You've been captain long e. nough its my turn now! ]" A comprom- ise was at length happily effected and the ambitious young officer agreed to budge on few yards further, with the promise of being made captain at the end of the street.
 l laughed as the little pageant moved out of sight. " This," said I, {" is an a. bridgement of human society-this is the genuine spirit of man." That little troop is frequently brought to my mind. When I hear politicians. clustering about reform, and keeping up perpetual noise about evils which every body hears of, and mo- body feels,-I say to myself, |" Hah !your troop would all be officers and even then the meanest little scape-grace among ye would soon rebel from his duty, and call out "ltell ye what, Ned, it's my turn to be captain now !''
 When see lover all devotion, and a young husband all indulgence, I wonder how long it will be before he says, "I tell ye what, it's my turn to be captain now 2"
 When hear blooming young girl ask, /, Don't you think Miss such an one be- gins to fade ?"-says to myself, your am- bilious little heart begins to think, "I won't be lieutenant any longer.'
 And when I hear belle rejoice in her EHdk S udEIlWSOS \ WUuW0F WuOUsON Stec does not think, I'll be captain now. ."- might mention hundred things, that bring the discontented lieutenant to my mind but l forbear, lest my readers should exclaim, <" tell ye what, you've been cap- tain long enough.''
 Ho,o to prepare for fogging.-Geo. S., lately a lieutenant in the U. s. army, and native of this county, was one oi the most eccentric fellows in the world. When boy, having incurred the dis pleasure of his father, the latter called on him to account and after examining him as to the why and wherefore of his mis- conduct, resolved on applying the rod now more fashionabfy called kickory.' But that the punishment might have the more salutary effect instead of inflicting it imme- diately, he gave the culprit time to reflect and chew the bitter cud of repentance, made ten times more bitter by the antici- patton of what was to follow. George, said he, you may go for the present, but prepare yourself early to morrow morning for the severest aogging you ever had George retired, and the next morning, bright and early, he appeared before his father to undergo the execution of his sen tence. Take of your coat, George. twas the stern command. or went the coat, and