The Portland daily press., 1865-09-12
Tuesday Morning, Sept. 70, 1865.
FOR THE CHILDREN.
W.
Apoiogising. =

49,
thing. They did not lie nor steal. They were
just such boys as you, young folks are. But
then, you know, all boys have more or less OF
the savage still cinging to them. This is not
anything very bad, for do we not often, speak
CT the noble sayageY But Dr. Alcott's boys
were little more wild-Indian-like than usual
one aftsroon, because they were out on a
tramp and frolic to the Mayne Woods, and
just as they trooped through the lane Farmer
Pennell came along riding on his old white
mare,-a sorry beast. Her whiteneSs was
weather-worn and time-worn into gray that
was yet hardly venerable. Her ribs were UNI
commonly numerous and very prominent
Her-what do you call it, shoulder blades 2--s
stuck up like the pommel of a saddle. Then
she had no tail to speak of but if you should
speak of itsyou would call it a 'bOb-tail, As
graceful variation of the straight line in which
she usually. carried her neck, she would occa-
sionaly give her head huge upward toss and
shake, then drop it near to the ground, and
then resume the placid straight line again.
Also, she had the spring-halt. She would
draw up one of her legs almost close to her
body, and set it down cautiously every time
she started; wherefore it took her a long time
to start, and she was not swift even after she
had started. So when she came down the
lane bearing Farmer Pennen, with a gentle
but jarring trot, no saddle or bride, but
fragmentary wagon harness dangling and
dragging from her sides,-why, it was a little
comical, to be sure, and nobody could have
been blamed for a quiet remark or two, or
even side laugh. But such expression did
not at all satisfy the academy boys You would
have thought ii a sight the most ridiculous
that was ever seen, They laughed and shout
ed and held their Sides s1te'a7 -
"Its guv-ment steedr roared little Dick
Acres. dts Gen. Grants favorite 'osst e1a
"'Vance-guard of Kilpatrick's cavalry going
on rad to Byington." That was Joe Fillo.,
who was too lazy to find out whether raid
spelt one thing or another. aaRaose m
"Going at 27401 going, going, gone,n' cried
Frank Halston. And so they amused them
selves till horse and rider were out of sight
and out of mind, and a squirrel or a wood
chuck's hole aroused their interest anew. AT
ter merry afternoon they went home to sup
per as hungry and noisy and uproarious as the
little savages they were.
But next morning message came. to Mr..
Joseph Fillo, Mr.. Edward Cushlee, and Mr..
Frank Halston, that DIR. Alcott wished to see
them in his study. The three held hurried
consultation at the foot Of the stairs, for it was,
no laughing matter to be summoned to an off,
cial interview. whats the row?" queried
Edward. ESQ tDt3A8A fEE 4
"Rows enough" answered Joe, 'sif fellow
comes to reckon 'em up, but which pertiker
one do you suppose he's got scent OFF"
lCs the CIRCUS, InoSI ilkeiy, Salu prank.
81 believe shall own up right offs
"And more fool you," cried Joe pettishly..
"What do you want to souse head first into a
stew for? P'raps It isn't that. Lay low,
can't you? Time enough to speak when you're
spoken to-" And without coming to any
unanimous agreement, the trio proceeded
somewhat tremulously into the august pres
ence of DR., Alcott. Il. /.
$50, young gentlemen" he said when the
Into A oh
ways courteous to his boys, IL hear that you
have been rather strenuous in your attentions
tony friend Mr.. Pennel" "My friend Mr.
PennelI They stared in unaffected astonish-
ment, and some little explanation was neces-
sary to recall to their minds the incident of
the afternoon before
"Oh, is that all9n spoke Frank abruptly,
thrown off his guard, 81 thought" ub-
"What~ said the doctor, pleasantly, as
Frank hesitated. tfA n .s&tl
"We," replied Frank confusedly blushing
and twhling his thumbs, II did not know
but" s.A.-r
"Nor did know either. But think you
will do well to tell me the whole story anG,
with those pleasant, yet determined and
searching eyes fastened upon him, Frank did
tell the whole story Of an afternoons esca-
pade, a fortnight before, to a wandering circus !;
and honestly confessed they did not ask leave,
because they thought it would not be granted.
"Blt we ran for luck, sir,' he said earnestly !;
1--WE shyed off little, but we took the risk,
We didn't meanto lie about it anyhow sd
II rather think l do not need to be assured
of that" said the doctor, with warmth of con-
fidence that made their young hearts glow, and
that would Rave amply atoned for far severer
seedlings and penances than their good ma
tured master ever administered. shut you.
must make an apology to Mr.. Pennell," he said
emphatically, after having set before them the
true character of their behavior. Il &AAGflF
"Yes SIR" they answered, charmed to be
let off SO easily. .....5 s...,
'.Such an apology as shall satisfy him, and
be not mere words to shield yourselves from
punishment. Such an apology as shall re-
store gentleman's self-respect when he has
unWittingly been guilty of gross breach OF
propriety." Aa4a
eyes, sir" they responded again, swallow
ing the implied rebuke, but sweetening it with
the implied Characterization
Il select you three as the Oldest boys of the
group But wish you to bear also the apollo
gles OF the others. If you find after investi-
gauon That there are any who refuse heartily
ana sincerely to apologize, send them to me-"
ossiDiy Ihe other boys were very slightly
influenced by this alternative, but certainly
they all gave in their adhesion to the apolouy.
and when the school was over. the three hovs
started across the fields, the nearest wsv 10
Farmer PennelPs. They found him cathey;ng
cider-apples in his orchard. 20
"GOod morning, Mr.. Pennell . beyan E.a II,
and he cleared his throat for action - -
"Good art-noon," responded Mr.. Pennell
with a sly twinkle in his roguish old eve.
"Oh. afternoon, / mean, of course.n said
Frank, blushing and laughing at this BETRAYAL
of his uneasiness "but you know what we've
come for. Mr.. Pennell. We're a set Of scanps
that's what we are; but we didn't mean any
thing, only fun. And now won't you for
give us ?"
@Master's been aroun', eh 2"
"Well, yes,"--hesitated Frank.
1But we think it's mighty mean our Owl
selves. said Edward, quickly, "only it wa
funny,' he added, dismayed to find himself
ready to laugh again at the remembrance.
On, wall, I'll forgive you quick enough
sald the placid old man. 'jes' live as not. Tain'
no matter, Only 'tain't good way for young
gentlemen to be brought up. to fling out at an
old fellow, if he amt quite so handsome. !" 81
That's soP cried Joe, enthusiastically, fol
nm, IT'S Worse'n that. ITS right .up and
down low, handsome or no handsome. And
IL you catch me doing it again. you NAV roast
me and spit me, and eat me. That's alj.n ~
That's enough" said Mr.. Pennel. lal,ohino
WHATS the good o. goin' into fits Il vo11
have got out o. kilter once in a wav9 And
faint me, arter all, that's the trouble. / DOM
mind laughin' at me. Ny feeiin's is tou0b
but don't want nobody TO be pokin' finn Al
my hoss. Now that air hoss." said he an.
proachIng and patting her ridged sides admir-
lngly, as the patient creature stood waiting tc