The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-08-02

father and about dozen Of his grandchl.
tren wen, to the barn to see 'old black
top-knot,' who always had batch of
chickens following her at grandfather
birthday.
There never was such hen, said the
old man to them.
Never chmed in the youngsters.
Nor never will be again, replied the
veteran.
why 2 said Charles Harris.
because there can't said the old gen.
lleman.
To which they all said that's fact )
thus settling the point, much TO Charley's
dissatisfaction.
Now, as it would be two mortal hours
before dinner would be ready, how was
the time to be got rid of! Suggestions
flew thick and fast, but none would do,
till at last it was proposed TO play old
men. 'Hurrah, that's it y cried they all
at once, and the sports were Immediately
commenced. Grandfather was to be the
audience, and two of the boys immediate
ly ran for an arm chair, which having been
brought, the old gentleman sat down, tic
killed. to death at the idea of seeing The
young old men.
Pants were rolled into knee breeches,
jackets turned to look old, hats and caps
Of ancen! days pulled out of windows and
inches into which they had been thrust to
keep the cold out in winter. In fact, they
were all transformed into respectable look
ing little old men.
What shall we play said Willy Chat
ters.
oh grandfather telling his battles at
Jacob Ellis tavern cried Charley Ilar-
ais, who had just come in with the old
mans coat and wig on, and big stick in
his hand.
Agreed " said they all.
At the sight of himself in miniature, the
old man gave sush a ha, ha, ha, as fairly
shook the old barn. Never did he envy
himself so much before. That Charley
will be the death of me, that's certain,
thought he.
The children having assumed TO them
selves the namea of the old mans tavern
cronies, and arranged themselves suitably,
Charley playing grandfather and Willy
Chatters Jacob Ellis the landlord, the play
then commenced.
Jacob, l say. Jacob Ellis, your old ia
Their and have travelled many weary
day together, and Drawer man never
broke bread before tell you how we
were waylaid by the IIessians, near Tren-
ton. let's drink TO his memory
Agreed, agreed said they all.
'Ilo. no, no, hi, hi, hi, that's good =
said the old man; bravo. Charley Blu,
where's the liquor! We must have
some liquor to drink to the memory Of
old Ellis
oh, never mind that replied the boys,
I'VE can play wilhou, any drink.
'Oh, aye said the old man little
chop(allen, Il had forgot.
That's drop of good stuff, Mr.. Nor,
ton said the mock Jacob.
Pretty fair, replied the little GRANDPA.
Their smackng his lips rather too much
water in it, ELI rather dashed with the
pump
Now for the story cried the little old
man.
We'll, as Ellis and me were returning
one night late from foraging, and just as
we had reached the edge of the wood:
where our camp was, six big fellows sud
denly jumped out of the bushes, and de
manded our rlfles-Jacob, can never
get over that scene without another
drop
Yes. sir, and the company
Certainly, Jacob; | never drink a
lone
Good Charley, that's true chip o
your grandfather = roared the old man
i like that; never drink alone, Charley
it's bad sigu. But where's my glass
Jacob, eh!'
I'VE have no glasses :, we're only set
ing! shouted The boys.
WELL continued the story teller, .
looked a. Ellis, as much as TO say, 'shal
we ? and he looked at me, as much as Il
say, mo- So what did we do but draw
back and bang-Iet fly! and down fel
two Of the chaps, and the others pulin.
foot as hard as their legs could carr,
them
Bravo = exclaimed Jacob and all TIT
little old men.
Come, Mr.. Norton, drink with me,
said Titus Yates, representative.
with pleasure SAID Charley, who be
gan, in imitation Of his grandfather, TO b,
getting booty.