Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-12-07

friends p said old Uncle John to merr
group of children gathered about his door
step one summer evening, TO hear his accus
toned story.
"Yes, YES, do. Tell us a grand one =
replied the children, leaving their play, anC
standing about him.-''Tell about the Rev
olutionary, said one 'tella fairy story, please
said another: and numerous were the sto
-ries asked for.
perhaps you would like story of ms
younger days" said Uncle John, in answc
to the little folks who spoke; "would vol
like that"
"Yes, yes, by all means" was the miteC
reply. The children all seated themselve.
on the grass and doorstep. Susy Allen, {
favorite of Uncle Johns, now climbed NJ
into his lap, her accustomed place on sucl
occasions; and sometimes she did much tC
entertain her friends with her remarks OF
the stories as they progressed. The OLD
gentleman was silent a moment, and then
began:
When 1 worked on my fathers farm in
Vermont, a long time ago, was more quick
to move about than | am now, and was call.
ed the SmGrtest lad in the village where ]
lived. We called it The Village though
there were but few houses and what
houses they were were far apart. We had
a green which we called The Village Green,
where the boys and girls got together after
school 70 play. The story l am about to
tell you is ofwhat happened on this green
and l wish a certain one amongst you to
listen attentively, and treasure it up, and
try to be benefited by it.
at was a very fine summers evening,
something like this; the sun was about an
hour high. We has Just finished a very in
teresting game of ball, and were about 60
ing home, when Laura Winslow, ia great
favorite with the boys,) with some other
girls came on the green. Laura told us that
her mother had given her leave to have a
picnic party the next day, which was a
holiday, and she invited us all to 90: and as
it was the custom for every girl to have a
beau"
"You are my beau, amt you Freddy p
said Susy Allen to Freddy Summers, little
curly-headed boy, who had been listening,
with eyes and mouth wide open; but now,
at Susy's remark, dropped his head, while
bushes covered his fair cheeks. The re-
mark caused the children to laugh very
much to the discontinue of Freddy and Su-
sy. When they had somewhat abated their
mirth, Uncle John, who had laughed with
the rest, spoke:
aNever mind, Susy and Freddy; it is
nothing out of the way.
AS l was saying, II was the custom for
all the girls to have an escort. Laura (who
was wished for by all the lads) said that the
lad who could run the fastest and win in a
fair race should carry her bundle or, in 9th
er words, be her beau The rule of the
race was this: they all run for the goal, and
he that wins challenges one to race with him;
if he wins then he challenges another; but
if he does not, the winner turns challenger,
and so it goes on till the one who outruns all
wins the prize The game went on. One
John Reynolds kept the game; soon he
challenged me- We started | won
The boys all shouted, and felt much clate,
and gave my challenge with much gusto.
81 was considered the best runner in the
village, and after two challenges 1 had no
one to compete with. All gave me the es-
cort of Laura, and felt much pleased
But my pleasure was doomed to disappoint-
ment; for James Danton, a lad that had not
taken any part in the race now came forward
and challenged me- l told him he was
foolish, but he said nothing in reply. We
started-I let him win the first time, inten-
ding to win the next two myself But |
found when I.started on the third that had
a capital runner to contend with, and | was
afraid he would win. | tried hard, and
kept about two feet before him all the way
AS we came within about two rods of the
goal, he went past lie with trcmanduos
bound. / was beaten!
"a shout arose from all the boys lips,
which so vexed nc that | sworci Yes chill
dren took the name of God in vain, Lau-
IA looked at me surprised. This only made
me use more profane words. As it happen
ed, we were close to my house, and my
mother was looking at the game. She saw
the result and heard nv shocking words
She called me in directly. expected So
we're whipping, but Judge my disappoint-
ment. She placed her arms around me,
and drawing me TO her side, she laid the
sin before me. She told me l had sinncd
against God both in thought and deed
Yes, children, she talked with me long
time, and felt how wicked a boy I had
been when she had done; but before went
out again, asked for forgivness of Cod
The only punishment my mother gave n
was refusing to let me 90 to the picnic.
Il have given YOU now, children, a hi
tory of my first and last oath. l hope YOU
will always remember it; remember that
when you utter an oath of any kind YOU Of
fend God our Savior and our Judge"
Saying this, Uncle John bid the Oh hldr,n
good evening, and went into his house.
The children went to their respective homes
so quiet that you might have thought it Sun
dav.-THe Chi7dreR's Magazine for Aug.
RE- Many of our readers will find this
useful. 1t is a rule by which to find the su-
perfcial number Of feet a board contains
4 L Il Il. T.. I