The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-31
rpoui.i,iyeness OF Children.

An old "bach," who had the misfortune
to be left alone with little olive branch I"
the other day, gives his experience as fol-
lows If the first born of Egypt were
lively children, with tendency to ask
questions, I look upon Herod as benevo-
lently wise man, whose acts have been mis-
construed, aud whose memory has been viii
fed. A vast amount of nonsensical inter
rogatiyes which would have bothered the
patriarchs, and perhaps stopped the wheels
Of that parental style of government, he
spared that generation. The other day,
in an unguarded moment, / accepted the
charge and custody Of young gentle
man who wore halfgaiters and a Charles
the IL. bat and feather. His spon-
sers in baptism had given him one
Observation-Disclosures another. His latter
appcllation: Buster" His age, as he in
formed me, was "gOing on l." When he
made up his mind that we were to be left
together, he eyed me malcvolcntly a mo-
ment, and Immediately commenced the
following system Of torture. What was
my name and my brothers., and my fathers
name, and why? Did | have any little
boyss Why didn't | have any little
boySt What was the reason, if | didn't
have any little boys, didn't have any
little girlsl All this put as one question,
with no stops, and gradual rising intiec
ti0n. Was them buttons gold in my sleeve,
and whyl How much did they cost Did
they cost 1855! If they didn't cost Sl55,
what would be the price of a gold house
with gold furniture and gold staircase
Did | ever see house with these auriie-
rous pecularities. No. What then would
be the cost of q silver carriage and
gold harness What then would be the
cost Of lcaden carriage with iron
harness? And why? Did | know why
the flies walked on the ceiling Could
walk on the ceilingi Not if | had
one man to hold my head and another my
legs? Why couldn'tI! Couldn't if was
q giant? Did | ever see 4 giant Was |
personally acquainted with any Did /
ever see them cat ? How far was it to New
York Was it million of milesi Fifty
millions of miles! If ne (Bustcr) had bal
loon, and should start of, would he get there
tonight? Nor next night, nor anothcrnight,
nor next week and WHY? ! soon found
out that this WHY was a simple form Of
closing all questions, like the usual note of
Interrogation. What was my business, and
did | know any stories and why This
afforded a plan of relief. J instantly
started into q history Of my previous life
and adventures. ! invested all my rela-
tionS and friends with supernatural at
tributes, and made myself q creation
something between Genie and Robinson
CruSOe. | made the most astonishing voy-
ages, and saw the most remarkable occur
rences. | drew literally from the Arabian
Knights and Baron Munchauscn. When
ever saw the open mouth " address itself
TO motion, as though 'twould speak," |
brought in Roc, or a Genie, or casket OF
diamonds, and took away the unhappy
chid's breath. In :he midst OF an ami
mated description Of the tIoarhound islands
and adventures in the damp caves, where
the candles hung in long Stalactites, the
parents happily returned. ! hurriedly re-
ceiycd their thanks and left. But have
the secret satisfaction Of knowing that all
that pcnt-up torrent Of questions burst on
the unhappy father; aud that geographical
inquiries regarding the locality of Il" Float
ing Island" the "Blanc Mango Archi-
pclago," and "thc Valley Of Cream
Cakes " will be hcnceforth his dreadful lot
TO meet and answer