The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-14


there was always much jealousy, and each
stood up manfully for the honor and courage
Of the school to which he belonged. This
was exhibited frequently in actual and Sc
we're contests, especially when snow was on
the ground, and the missiles to be used in
the battle could be picked up in the streets
and on the side walks You would some.
times see Bonner's scholars, numbering fifty
or sixty, proceeding down King street,
leach one with snow ball under each arm
and one in his hand,) after school hours in
the afternoon. to Cadens school, and rang
ing themselves before the door. Then the
taunting song would be raised, in full
chorus,
Caden's boys are in the pen,
They can't get out but now and then;
And when they're out, they sneak about,
Afraid of Bonner's gentlemen"
This would be too much for flesh and blood
to bear! Down the steps would rush Ca
denis Infatuated boys, and frequently the in
vaders would be driven back to their own
castle, the victorious party taking up the
song, reversing its application, and shouting
at the top Of their lungs-"Afraid of Ca
denis gentlemen" Whilst the battle lasted,
treet pedestrians had to keep a sharp look.
out, to prevent being knocked on the head
by snow bomb, or shell, from the bellige.
rents. Mr.. l. G., -four merchant up King
street, was accidentally caught in the rush,
one afternoon, thrown from the pavement,
and being enveloped in his cloak, and not
known, but supposed to be one Of the enc
my, was covered with snow, before he could
claim protection or cry for quarter He
used to say, it was, next to the battle of the
White House, the severest encounter that
had ever taken place about Alexandria,
The Mayor afterwards interposed, and put a
stop to this kind of warfare. The boys
obeyed orders promptly. In general, how
ever, the sports and plays of the schools
were carried on, outside of the town limits
where constables di1 not come to interfere,
nor magistrates trouble themselves about
looking. The field for 6andy was at the
North end. near what was then Mr.. Jona-
than Swift's residence. Here, large open
space afforded "ample verge and room
for this healthful and celebrating
exercise, in which have seen near a hun
dred engaged at one time. The game was
conducted under the leaders, with all the
regularity of army movements. We had
our sccuts--our main body-our reserve.
The ground was chosen with a view to all
advantages, and the inferior players stood
aside when the heaviest blows at the ball
were to be given, to secure the victory.
stood, a few evenings ago. and looked at
this field" now still and bare then so
often dotted all ever with the eager and ex-
pectant crowd. l remembered the spots
where thu ball was "bucked," and the linn.
its to which it had to be carried before the
contest Was over. The scenery all around
was so familiar to my eyes! The buildings
in the Observation-Disclosures very depressions
in the earth-the wooded heghts-the few
shade trees near fence-were all there
not much altered in their appearance, and I
could have, believe, gone to within foot
of the place where j. G. was severely iniur-
ed by an accidental blow, where S. J. made
his famous hit which sent the ball home and
secured him so much praise from his party,
and to where the victors, gathering in cir
Gle, gave three cheers in honor Of their tri
umph 9.ee
"Ah, happy hills ali, pleasing shade,
All, fields beloved in vain 'Ht
Where or my careless childhood strayed,
stranger yet to pain
feel the gales that from ye blow
A momentary bliss bestow,
AS waving fresh their gladstone wing.
Ny weary soul they seem to soothe,
And, redolent of joy and youth,
70 breathe second spring"
l have mentioned some Of the trough
sports" of the Alexandra boys in my time,
but, "as one Of them," do not choose that
an honorable trait in their general character
should he omitted. l refer to their almost
universal respect for age, and their obedience
to the orders of those in authority when they
were made known. Nothing is more credi.
table to youth, than the reverence which it
shows to grey hairs aud venerable forms. l
made contrast Yesterday between then and