The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-07-13
Wisfellausuns.
THE VILLAGE BOYS.


passed through il, and remember the bridg,
over The brook that runs from east to ives
through the village.
The place has long been famous for III,
contests between the boys living nortf
and those living south Of the brook ant
many a traveller has been stopped by ,
juvenile battle in progress upon the bridge
sometimes with snowballs, and again will
the moro dangerous missiles Of stones and
brickbats; at one time an encounter witt
words, sharp but breaking no bones a
another, trial with fists, or an effort to
force each other off into the water below
Not long ago, the undisputed leader oi
the boys on tho north side was Sam -
boy Of great strength, but very peaceably
disposed, and moro inclined to use his
strength, in working than in fighting. He
was fond Of boyish trades and bargains
and, that these might not be interrupted,
would sometimes submit to insults and
injuries. One of his favorite inaxims was,
!, is often cheaper to purchase ones rights,
than to fight for them;" and another, "Con.
promise is the essence Of good.fellowship."
The leader OF the south side was Dick
-, boy Of an entirely different spirit.
Ills father was no richer than Sans; but
he had brought up his son TO think every
kind ofwork disgrace. As gentleman's S
son, ho might hunt, and fish, and chat, and
take part in various games and sports, and
fight, and watch others at work. but he
must not put his own hand to useful
labor.
But rs Of course he had many wants,
and wished to be often waited upon, he had
compelled black boy, smaller than himself,
who lived near him, Fred -, to he.
come worker and waiter for him. By his
superior strength, his domineering temper,
aud the cruel punishments to which he
would resort, he had established perfect
lespotism over poor Fred, whose widowed
mother was entirely unable to protect him.
She was poor woman, who had once
lived herself in the family of Dicks father
as domestic, aud who was now living in n
house belonging to him, and was therefore
very reluctant to offend the family even by
demonstrating against the abuse of her son.
When Fred could no longer bear Dicks
cruelty, he would sometimes make his es.
cape to Sam OH the north side of the stream.
But Dick compelled Sam, as condition of
living in any kind Of peace, to promise IN
all such cases not to protect or hide the III.
treated boy, but to give him up on the first
call from the young tyrunt. Good.natured
Sam had been very reluctant to give this
promise, and was always sorry to fulfil it.
But Dick, by his strength, passionate TEN.
per, sharp tongue, skill in fighting, und
readiness to commence it OH all occasions,
had made himself terror to the whole
neighborhood. Indeed, he had often drag.
ged the boys Of the village into war with
the boys Of some neighboring district to
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moponoliziny Dick. So hc studied on nnd
ven,urcd in tho examination a, tho close