The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1867-12-12

"Johnnys's 8 been lighting again. That
horrid Barnabee boy (who Is eight years
old, if he is day. wont let the child
alone"
"Well," said I, ~ hope Johnny gave
that Barnabee boy a athrashing."
Didn't l, though: cries Johnny, from
the sofa. II bet!"
"Oh Johnny!" says his mother.
Now, several days previous to this. I
had addressed the General in the follow
ing terms:
johnny, If ever catch you In anoth-
er fight of your own seeking, shall
cane YOU"
In consequence Of this declaration, 1t
became my duty to look into the circum-
stances of the present affair. After go
ing over the ground very carefully l
found the following to be the state of the
case.
1t seems that the Barnabec boy Is tho
oldest pupil in the Primary Military
School Il think it must be II military
school Of WHICH Johnny is a recent
member. This Barnabee having whip
ped every one Of his companions, was
signing for new boys to conquer, when
johnny joined the institution. He at
once made friendly overtures of battle
to Johnny, who, oddly enough, seemed
indisposed to encourage his advances -
The Barnabee began series of petty
prosecutions, which had continued up
to the day of the fight
On the morning of that evcntful day
the Barnabee boy appeared in the school
yard with u small go-cart. After run
ming down on Johnny several times
with this useful vehicle, he captured
Johnny's cap, filed it with sand, and
dragged it up and down the yard tri-
umphantly in the go-cart This made
the General very angry, of course, and
he took an early opportunity of kicking
over the triumphal car, in doing which
he kicked one of the wheels SO far into
space that it has not been seen since.
This brought matters to q crisis. The
battle would have taken place then and
there; but 'at that moment the school
bell rang, and the gladiators were obliged
togive their attention to Smith S Speller
But II gloom hung over the mornings s
exercises, "a gloom that was not dispell-
ed in the back row, when the Barnabee
boy stealthiIy held up to Johnny's Wis.,
ion slate, whereon was inscribed this
fearful message:
an.e Going to Lick you atyecess
Johnny gat it put down in writin'" +"
this time!
After hasty glance at the slate. the
General went on with his studies COM
posedly enough. Eleven o'clock came,
and with it came recess and with recess
the inevitable battle.
Now ] do not intend to describe the
details Of this brilliant action, for the
sui. citnt reason that, though there were
seven young gentlemen connected with
the Primary Scho 'D on the field Ms war
TIA cir accounts of the
are SO contradictory rs tC
be utterly worthless. On one point they
all agree. that the contest was sharp
short and decisive. The truth is, the
General is a quick, wiry, experienced
old hero; and it didn't take him long tt
rout the Barnabee boy, who was in real
ity a coward, as all bullies and tyrants
ever have been, and always will be.
don't approveof boys fighting; dom
defend Johnny; but if the General wants
an extra ration or two of preserved pear
he shall have it!
! am we'll aware that, socially speak
ing, Johnny ..s q Black Sheep. l know
that l have brought him up badly, an
that there is not an unmarried man o
woman in the United States who woul'
MT have brought hi m up very different
ly. It's great pity that the only pee
pie who know how to manage childrc
never have any! At the same time
johnny is not black sheep all over
He has some viii te spots. His sins-
wiser folks had np greater.-are the rt
suit of too much animal life. They b,
long to his cvanesc,nt youth; and wi
pass away; but his II onesty, his geueros
| ity, bis bravery, belong 10 his characte
and enduring qualities. The quickl
c.owding years will tarne him. A goo
large pane of glass, or II seductive bel
knob, ceases in time to have attraction
for the most reckless spirit. And / al
quite confident that Johnny will be
great statesman, or a valorous soldier o
at all events, good citizen, after he ha
got over being Young Desperate.
THE LAST HoUE.-But let me thin
of the future. There will come to m
another hour which, like the presen
will be the last of all my earthly year
The clock will sound it from the churc
tower, when my failing ear can no Ions
er hear it, and those only who al
watching beside me count its stroke
then my last minutes will begin, one b
one to depart. AS they go, this hea
which now beats strongly within m
will grow more feeble, until the la
p~lsation is given, and all is at rest