Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1868-01-10

an stretched upon Il sofa in the sitting room
with patch of brown paper stuck over hi
left eye, and a convicting smell of vinegar
about him.
Yes, said his mother, dolefuIly, John
ny,'s been fighting again. That horrid Bar
nabee boy (who is eight years old, if he is q
day. won't let the child alone -
"Nel, said |, 81 hope Johnny gave that
Barnabee boy thrashing.''
'Didn't though?'' cries Johnny, from the
sofa. Il bet ~
80 Johnny - says his mother
Now several days previous to this address
ed the General in the following terms:
Johnny, if ever | catch YOU in another
| fight of your own seeking | shall cane you
In consequence of this declaration it be-
| came my duty to look into the circumstances
of the present affair, which will be known in
history as the battle of the Little Go-Cart
After going over the ground very carefully,
found the following to be the state of the
case
1t seems that the Barnabee Boy-I speak
of him as if he We're the Bencia BOYS the
Oldest pupil in the primary military school q
think 1t must be military schoOl) Of which
Johnny is a recent member This Bamabee,
Iltu tNClN hflt Oi uls lhstlliDilH,
was sighing for new bows to conquer, when
Johnny joined the institution. He at once
made friendly overtures of battle to Johnny,
who, oddly enough, seemed indisposed 10 en-
courage his advances. Then Barnabee began
a series Of prosecutions, which had continued
up to the day of the fight.
On the morning of that eventful day, the
Barnabec Boy appeared in the school yard
with small go-cart. After running down
on Johnny's cap, it filed it with sand, and
dragged il upand down the yard triumphant
ly in the go-cart. This made the General
very angry Of course, and he took an early
opportunity Of kicking over the triumphal
ear, in doing which he kicked one of the |
wheels so far into space that it has not been
seen since.
This brought matters to n crisis. The battle |
would have taken place then and there; but |
at that moment the school bell rang, anc the
gladiators were obliged to give their attention
to Smiths Speller. But gloom hung over
the morning s exercises gloom that was not
dispelled in the back row, when the Barnabee
Boy stealthily held up to Johnny vision
slate, wherepn was inscribed this fearful mes
sage;
me a gong to Liok you at reces.
johnny got it put down in writin' - this
time
After hasty glance at the slate, the Gen
eral went on with his studies composedlv
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 sufficient rea-
son that though there were seven Young
gentlemen connected with the primary
-chool) on the field as war correspondents,
their accounts Of the engagement are 50 con-
Trajectory as to be utterly worthless On
)ne point they all agree-that the contest
was sharp. short. and decisive The truth
Is. the General Is quick. wirv. experienced
id hero; and il didn t take him long to rout
he Barnabee Boy. who was. in reality. a
'oward, as all bullies and tyrants ever have
'een, and always will he
don't approve of bows fighting don
leiend Johnny but ifthe General wants an
Stra ration or two Of preserved pear he shall ;
nave it
am well aware that socially speaking
johnny is black sheep. | know that have |
'rpught him up badly, and that there Is not
N unmarried man or woman in the United
states who wouldn't have brought him up
cry differently. 1t il great pity that the !,
nlv people who know how 10 manage child !
en- never have any At the same time
Johnny is not black sheep all over. |
las some white spots His sins-if wiser q
olks had no greater are the result of too
much animal life. They belong to his evan !,
scent youth, and will pass away but his
honesty his generosity, his bravery. be-
ong to his character, and are enduring quail
les. The quickly crowding years will tame
i'm. \ good large pane Of glass, or seduc-
i've bell-knob. ceases in time to have attract !
ons for the most reckless spirit. And am }
uite confident that Johnny will he a great
or a valorous soldier, or, at all
vents. good citizen, after he has got over
eing \ loung Desperado. a
IAhGHtic Monthly.