Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-12-28
THE PRACTICAL JOKER.

Arthur NJ was bright little boy of
ten years, and his pleasant face and cheerful
spirit seemed like arsy Of heavens own bless.
ed sunlight in his mothers otherwise solitary
dive ling. But i an sorry to say that Arthur
was not loved by his companions. He was q
practical Joker, and his little friends were in
constant fear, when in his company, OF having
some very UNPLEASANT tick played upon them.
If they went 10 gather nuts or berries, he did
love to kill snake and throw il around some
boys neck, Just lof the fun Of hearing him
scream. When they went 10 battle, they Of
ten found frog in their pockets, or their
shoes filed with angle worms. And he was
sometimes so very cruel as TO take away
BOYS dinner, and fll his basket with stones.
These things were very annoyingj and at
length Arthur was left 10 play alone, or to 60
home to play with his little sister. Dear little
Eliza was Just beginning TO go 10 school, and
Arthur loved her very much. But his love for
"fun" as he called it, was sometimes so strong,
that he would even overturn his sled, and
throw the sweet little girl into the snow
His mother stfove in vain 10 correct this cruel
propensity, and she felt some anxiety on his
account, when new father came to take
chafge of his education. His own father died
when he was babe, and of course be had
never known fathers love. But he was
very much pleased when pleasant smiling
gentleman came 10 live with them, and he was
told he might call him father. ,
One morning, few days after Mrs. M
was married to Mr. L., Arthur was told 10
cut pota oes, and give them 10 the COW. He
obeyed very cheeriully, cut the potatoes, and
carried them to The barn, but when he placed
them before the COW, he turned peck meas
ure over them so that The COW could not eat
them. "My son." said Nj. L. when he re-
turned, "dd yougive the potatoes t. the GOVT"
eyes, sir" he replied, bul the merry twinkle
Of his eye led his father 10 suspect something
wrong, and he very soon went 10 the barn
himself. Arthur was frightened when he saw
him 20 out, for he expected a whipping But
no notice was taken of the joke as he called it.
Soon, there came SNOW storm, and when
it passed away, the snow lay piled in deep
drifts on both sides of the road. Arthur start
ed 10 school, the next morning, drawing his
little sister on his sled but when he came
near the deep drifts, suddenly the sled was
overturned, and buried in the snow. Arthur
sprang 10 take her up, and very tenderly led
her back to the house. But his father stood at
the window, and saw the whole transac-
ton. Next morning Mr.. L. said pleasantly,
"I'll draw you to school this morning if you
like" Arthur was delighted. He thought
his father was very kind indeed. But when
they came 10 the drift, suddenly the sled was
overturned and was buried in the snow.
"You must learn to hold on better than
this" said Mr.. L., ''if YOU mean shall draw
} you" And he quietly returned TO the house,
leaving Arthur to get out as he could.
'Oh, chicken for dinner chicken for din
: ner ~ shouted Arthur, as he returned from
5 school and saw his favoriie dish on the table.
They were soon seated, and MI. L. helped
Arthur to large platefu But just as he
was taking up his knife and fork, his father
took large bowl that stood by his plate, and
turned it over Arthur's dinner, At first he
looked up in surprise; but he Immediately un-
derStood it. He was very hungry, but he did
not dare to remove the bowl The rest of the
family began 10 eat, and he sat looking very
red and unhappy. At length he burst into
Tears. "a
"Father" said he, "I never will put the
peck measure over the cows dinner again, and
: FL never turn sissy into the snow again, If
: you'll let me eat my dinner" v
every well, my son." said Mr.. l.. removing
the bowl; "you'lI'fnd practical jokes are not
verv pleasant when playei on YOURSELF. AL
I ways remember if you would be loved and
respected, you must do by others as you wish
others to do by you."