The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-07-23
THE ETON BOY.

They fetch the plunder "humF
THE ETON BOY.
So long as boys are permitted to go
about loose, one is liable to meet with
them, and I met with specimen only
last week, which shall not easily forget.
was starting from Waterloo Station
and meeting with four military friends
who were going to Farnboro Station,
(for Aldershot, got into their carriage.
Besides us five, there was an Eton Boy.
There is no mistaking that description
OF the race; they are always dressed in
the height of fashion in the vacations,
although at school they delight in hat
with half its brim off, and moreover,
they all wear stiff little white ties, which
give them the appearance of duodecimo
ministers of some juvenile religious sect.
The little wretches are as naughty and
reserved as North American Indians; and
the individual of fourteen years of age or
80, whom we had on this occasion for
our fellow-traveler, looked as though the
entire railway station plat, and valuable
property adjacent, belonged entirely 10
himself. My soldier friends, however,
IA class which has generally contempt
for boys,) paid no sort of attention to
him, and as for me, was delighted to
ignore his presence.
"Now, jack" said my friends, two of
whom were my college chnms, and all of
them intimates, t'you will let us smoke,
we know, although not fond of it your
self"
"Well," replied I, ''it will very proba-
bly, make me ill, but otherwise have no
objection"
AS soon as the train began to move,
they accordingly lit their segars; they
had not, however, taken three puffs be-
fore the child in the white cravat Whose
wishes no one had thought of consulting)
requested, in that half-hoarse, half
squeaking voice peculiar to his period of
life, that they should put their segars
out, because smoking was offensive to
him, and contrary to the bylaws.
The officers stared as though the car
riage lamp had uttered ON observation,
and then all four burst into roar of
laughter.
'sYou will find it no laughing matter,
gentlemen. when you get to Farnboro,
said the Etonian; "or, at all events, the
joke will cost you two pounds apiece.
You have been warned, as the act directs;
I object to your smoking in this car
riage."
''Then get into another, you little
BRUTE" observed Pepperpot, Of the One
Hundred and Tenth; ''indeed I have
good mind to drop you out of the win
dow as we 60 along"
II will thank you for your names and
addresses" returned the phenomenon,
stifay; "here is my card at your service.
Be so good as to name your friend"
Smith, of London" replied Pepper
pot; "only give me time to write to my
wife and family. What a bloodthirsty
young creature it is!'
"He is very plucky," remarked Nor
man of the knights, approvingly, "I will
say that for him; but what cheek! what
cheek!'
II am obliged to you for your good
opinion" returned the little wonder,
drawing out gold repeater; "but if
within one minute your segars are not
extinguished. I will appear against you
as sure as am a living man. My time
is of no consequence. and would as soon
get out at Farnboro a8 anywhere else; so
you may be sure you will not escape me.
1 feel it my duty to prosecute on public
grounds"
Once moro did Pepperpot glance at
the window, and even stretch his hand
toward this human gadfy, as though he
would have nipped him up between his
fingers and thumb; but with n rueful
look Mt his companions he presently cast
his beloved weed ont of the carriage, in
stead of the boy, The other three fol-
lowed his example; for was it worth
while to pay forty shillings apiece for
forty minutes ride?
"That's right" observed the young
gentleman approvingly, returning his
watch to his pocket, and re-engaeing
himself in the colums of Beps Life:
obedience to law is one of the first du
ties of the soldier"
Conversation tagged after this, for
sense Of disgraceful defeat oppressed the