, 1859-09-08
OUR BENNY.


upon that town house scafIoldiug. It's yerV
loosely put together, aud if your head should
swim, or your foot slin, there likely would be
an end Of you.'
But, grandpa, the other boys 60 up'-
4 can't help TINT my child; and because
they incur the risk Of broken limbs, an not
willing that you should. Now, remember il
you 50 up on that sca1olding again, after what
have said this time, slial get you no drum,
aud not allow you 10 JON tho com pany on next
Saturday afternoon. You hear nc, Bcnny?'
Eyes sir, hear you,' said Benny, moring
uncasily in his chair.
And you know, too, that I say this alto
| gcther for your own safety. Just think what
a terrible thing it would beifyou were brought
home some day, like the little boy rcad Of
last week, with your bruised fAce and man.
gled limbs and the Life all struck out Of youi'
oh, don't, please don't grandpa
We'll, dear, you lookedat Benny as though
you thought my prohibition hard one, and
you see now my REASONS for it,
Ny brother Benjamin, who was just eleven,
two years mT senior, and ], wero passing the
summer at grandpas. Papa had gone West
ou business, and mamma accompanied him.
Benny was wild, tln-loying, n,ischiecbrcw-
ing rogue, always the first at froic and a
great 1aroritc with tue boys at tie academy.
His class had been quite absorbed in organiz-
ing a company Of soldiers, and they wero to
mako their first public parade tho next Satur-
day afternoon, and were nil looking forward
10 it with Intense eagerncsg Grandma. had
made Benny blue suit striped with white,
and tall, black cap, with great white plume
on top; and grandpa said that the young gentle
man struttcd about tho room in his new uni
form, with real military mir, and his delight
re:@ched-its elimination, when grandpa prom
ised him handsome new drum the next time
lie went to town, as he had been appointed
drummer Of tho company.
I tell you, janet, we'll hare capital time
said my brother, as VIC stood under the great
hop vine after tea *We'ro going up By the
green, and round by the hotel, down to the
budget and past the church,
'oh, dcarl' said, catching the spirit Of his
enthusiasm. Il do wish that I was a boz, 80
That could SO, too
On, well, Janet, you know girls can't be
soldiers. They must stay at home, and mako
dolls, bonnets, and play with tea-setts,' and
he looked at me with kind Of pitying con-
tempt.
Girls arc better than boys, anyhow 1
said, standing On the defensive for nv sex. If
They're arc not rude and boisterous, md can't
play soldier
Well, I'm thankful enough I amt a eirl,
anyhow and it's all stuff about their being 60
wonderful good answered Benjamin.
an not certain but tho argument would
have expanded into serious alteration on the
merits oi our respective sexes, if VIC had not
been suddenly summond into the house.
There, Benny, that was the very best I
could do for you,' said my grandpa, as he re-
moved the brown wrappers from the drum
on Friday night, just after Ills return from tic
city.
'oh, Benny, isn't it a beauty; isn't it pcr-
feet bcauty?' I cried rs grandpa held up the
pretty toy, in its bright colofs Of rcd and
blue.
Yes, it is, that's a tact,' said my brother.
and grandma slipped the ribbon round his
neck, and hc struck up quick march, but
somehow his thoughts seemed far away from
it I'LL tho time.
i wonder what's tho matter with Benny +
said grandma, as Lo went out into the kitchen,
Isn't he pleased with his drum?'
We'll, spent nearly two hours hunting it
up for linn, and thought tho boyd be quite
bcslde himself when he came to 60 it,' answer
ed grandpa, in somewhat disappointed tone,
Now, Benjamin Lake, what's the matter
with you7' l said, following him out into tho
kitchen, Don't you like -Four drum?'
Yes, like it we'll enough He said it in
llst!ess, weary manner, that was worse than
the most decided negative.
We'll, think it's TOO bad anyhow, for YOU
To act so, when grandpa's taken oil these pains
to please you
lie stood still . moment, looking at me un-
easily,
I'm 4 good will to tell you, Janet ha said,
moro to himself than to me.
'What is it, Ben; does anything trouble
yon?'
1Io drew close up to nc. sJanet, I've been
on tho town-house sca!olding today
oh, Benz
There, now, Tro told you; If start right
OF this minute, I eau tell grandpa!' and he
hurried right into the sitting-room, as Though
he was afraid to trust himself with a moments
delay.
lie went straight up to my grandpa.
Grandpa, hero is tho drum; you'll hare to
tskc it. can't 60 training Tomorrow
Why, what do you mean, Bcnny?' Tho
old nla.'s voice was full Of amazcment.
Why, yon see,' speaking very fast, 4 went
up Oh tho scatfoldlng to-day. l didn't mean
to, grandpa; but all tho boys went up, and
said it was 80 nice aud firm, that thought I'd
80 Aalf way up, as you didn't forb that, and
l'eiore l knew, was on the top, though I
didn't stay more than three minutes
There was silence for about a minute.
Grandpas voice was not quite firm as he said,
'a'il you thought Of not telling mo this, Ben
ny?
I +h,rr1.+ or;t l,,4 r. III t,-
what you sald, it would have been acting a lie,
auu that is something tt at I hate and 1oatle-
Il lie, aud here be Lifted up lis head proudly,
and his cheeks were all in glow; i wouldn't |
carry one biting and burning in my SOUL for
al the trainings, and all the drums that ever
were, or ever will he.
We'll, Benny said my grandpa, drawing
him close to him, while the tears stood il
:rslndma's eyes, you arc brave, noble boz;
aud richer tonight than Il you owned thou |
sand drums Of solid gold.
I cannot gire it back to you because ] !
must not break my promise; but you have dono
I deed tonight which tle angels will gnile |
Drer as they write it down in letters that viii |
slime forever
Benny did not so TO the training hut the
next morning grandpa and grandma held long
consultation together, and tie company Of !
twenty boys were invited to tea, after parade,
There was great deal Of disappointment man
Tested, when 1t WIS discovered that the drum |
ncr could not join the company, M Benny
wrote note to the captain, stating thathe was
prevented from doing this But while the |
Boys were at tea, in the large old sitting.roo,n
grandpa went in, and told them the whole /
'toTy, and how his grandson lad loycd tie
ruth better than anything else, and how God
aud his own conscience would reward him bet
er than human praise could. And am sure
hat the boys who listened 10 this story, never
orgot it Of Benjamin Lake
TiryiAia F. Lake.