The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1869-09-10
BLOOMSBURY, Pa FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1869.

carded the squirt, and two things then
remaincd-the donkey and the gold
watch. Once more began to ponder.
The purchase of a donkey, / reason
ed, offered unquestionablei inducements.
There were, first Of all, the advantages
of locomotion; in the second place, there
was the satisfaction of personal vanity,
for it was not to be doubted that upon
my first appearance in public upon the
back of an ass / should become the cy-
nosure of neighboring eyes, and at once
take rank amongst the parish celebri-
ties.
This consideration nearly carried my
vote by storm; but then, on the other
hand, donkey, l could not but admit,
was less handy possession than gold
hunting watch. The latter would go
into ones pocket, whereas the former
would not. Indeed, it was more than
probable that the donkey would need
certain amount of space to move about
in, and If so, what was to be done, for
we had no stables? Second thoughts
bring counsel, was a sharp boy, and l
remembered the staircase. If the diff
Guilty Of bringing the donkey up to the
| third floor could be once overcome, l
should be happy to allow him to sleep
in my bed room; there would be ample
space for him in the corner close by the
wash handstand; and he would be u
sociable companion when it rained.
There was no fear of his catching cold
or cough, as he might do if left down
stairs in thcyard. Yes; but how about
his food? The postchaisc of my
thoughts, whish was at that moment
going twenty milesan hour, here struck
off sudden in deep rut. l had never
thought OF the food. ! was like the
1rishman who had Il clock. / had for
gotten the works. / could not think OF
asking my father to board the donkey.
Tho thing would be indicate after he
had generously given me siXponcc; and
yet from whatever point of view | con-
sidered the matter, the donkey, l was
compelled to own, must eat..........I be-
came miserable. think / cried. l saw
my donkey depart at gallop,and scam
per away into darkness, carrying away
with him upon his back my hopes, my
illusions, and my dreams Of glory.
But after few seconds my donkey
returned rs he had departed, at full gal
lop. The idea had struck me that his
maintenance could be effected by an
equitable distribution ofmy daily meals
with him. This was the straw to the
drowning man. Having decided that
my coming donkey should be nourish-
ed upon roast mutton and batter pud-
ding, l was about to rush out to effect
my purchase, when, attracted by noise
below, thrust my head out of the win
dow and saw u small boy, aged ten,
throwing cherries in the air and trying
, to catch them in his mouth. ,
AT this sight l forgot, for the minute
the donkey, the roast mutton, and th'
batter pudding,a and considered the cher
ty The cherries rose and fell, but al
: ways into the small boys mouth, and
} never into mine. Like Tantalus with
the flow and ebb Of waters, l began tt
. find the thing monotOnous. If one O.
two cherries would only have fallen OF
, the ground now and then, the interes
would have been enlivened; but no
| one, two, three, four, all came down
like plummets without deviating al
inch from the right course, and eaci
: laugh of the small boy (for he was mer
;, ry) gave me violent inclination to se
l. his head punched. l don't know Wha
: spirit of evil prompted me, but som
s such spirit inspired me with balcfu
IS desire to substitute for one OF the fallin
h cherries pebble, piece ofcoal, or b
l. of soap. My eyes sparklcd. The yout
y had thrown a plump bigaroon rathe
n higher than usual, and stood with IN
:, hands extended, his head thrown bac
IS his eyes shut, and his mouth gapin
until ii should return. The temptatio
}, was too strong. l felt frantically aroun
o me to find n projcctilc, and in Swccpin
y my hand over the windowsill caught
l. something which, without pausing
Il look, | threw with all my might nm
y main at the small boy. The thin
f. struck him in the eye, and then boun'
t ed on the pavement. A shout of tr
g umph escaped me; but at the same il
y slant burst into cold sweat and stai
x gered. The boy had stopped to pick Il
IS the thing that had hit him, aud W.
id holding il in his fingers. "Thank you!
he shouted joyously, and disappeart
III in the distance.
to had thrown him my siXpenco !!
L Al the Year Round.