Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1851-09-03

!, might De IN some way connected VIII III
, mysteries of the well-and, approaching
s them unperceived, had the good fortune t
secure each of them by the nap of tn
e neck they resisted bravely-kicked
s pulled, scratched, and bit; he, neyerthe
l less, succeeded in bringing them forwarC
4 to the light, when they were at once rec
, ognized as two of the greatest rogues il
the neighborhood. The one, lad abou
fourteen, was rather ill-favored, with rec
hair, and peculiar sinister expression o
countenance. He was the son Of the zeal
, Gus old farmer already mentioned, win
had manifested so much anxiety in bring
ing Mr.. X. to justice, and who had dis
played equal zeal in his labors at the asl
heap. He had but little sympathy for th'
follies of youth, and was exceedingly rigic
in his system of family government. He
had ruled the elder branches of his family
with a rod of hickory, if not of iron but
this, his youngest and darling son, had
proved more than match for him, having
been in a constant state of rebellion ever
since he was four years of age. He hated
his honored parent most filially, and took
great pleasure in playing off his tricks upon
him. 1t is true his back often atoned for
these little pleasantries, but every correc-
ton was sure to be followed by some act
of petty revenge, which usually more than
balanced the account. The other, lad
about year younger, was son of Meth
odist clergyman of the neighborhood. He
possessed fine intellectual countenance,
IN which, however, the love of fun and
frolic seemed to predominate He was in
the main kind hearted lad, and, although
somewhat exposed to mischief, was in gen
-eral as much beloved as his companion
was hated That two lads so different in
disposition, should have become boon COM
panions, might appear unaccouutable, were
it not for one leading trait they possessed
in common, and that was the love of fun
and mischief though in this, they were
actuated with different motives If the
former played off a trick upon another, it
was for the pleasure of witnessing their
pain and vexation, while the latter was ac-
tuated more by the love of excitement and
mirth
Such was the character of the two cul-
prits, who stood writhing under the grasp
Of the young man, who had no sooner re-
lated the circumstances under which he
discovered them, than a general suspicion
rervaded the company, that they were in
some way connected with the mysteries of
the well-and none were more SO than the
amiable father of the hopeful son.
Casting glance at his darling in which
one was strongly reminded of wormwood
and vinegar, and in a corresponding tone,
he exclaimed, ''{ou young imp of Satan,
what were you doing in the bushes ?"
With most insolent air, the loving son |
replied, 81 waint doing nothin"
"You wasn't, was you? But why were |
you there, young gallows bird %
"Cause | want nowhere else" replied |
tho dutiful offspring, casting sarcastic
and insolent glance at his enraged parent.
"Well, well, my lad, if l find you have |
been playing atrick upon us all, as | more
than half suspect, I'll break every bone
in your body, hang me if l don't" Then
seizing him by the nap of the neck, gave
him shake that caused his teeth to chat
ter like those of skeleton. After ad-
this wholesome discipline, he
again asked, "What were you doing in
the bushes -
off you must know said he, with an
expression between grin and 4 smile, 81
was laughing at fools"
"Iou were, were you Well, you have
had your laugh-we will see who has the
next"
The company, who now began to fear
they had been duped, finding that nothing
was to be elected from this family COLO ,
luy, requested the father of the other lad,
who happened to be present, to question
sis son on the subject.
The worthy clergyman came forward,
and with an expression of countenanre
hat he intended to he severe, asked his son
what he was doing in the bushes /?
The lad, with good humored smile,
promptly, but respectfully, !.
Perhaps it would be more satisfactory to
20 there and see for yourselves
81 know" exclaimed several Of the COM
nany, who Immediately adjourned to the
close under the root of the
willow, they discovered projecting pump
cg. The wondrous mystery now became
| very simple aifair-and if ever there
vas time when hundred persons looked
ike so many fools, it was the present.