Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-09-27
Little Johns Kite Line.

BY AUGUSTA HARMED.
Little John was very pleasant boy
when things went just exactly right,
and he could have his own way, and
nobody leased or vexed him. He did
not like to be interfered with and it
was his private opinion that his affairs
were Of little more consequence than
those Of ordinary mortals, and that
what belonged to him ought to be very
rigIdly respe. ed. As we say the con
ditions being favorable, John was a
genial, light hearted boy. But, unfor-
funately, the conditions were not always
favorable. Other people besides John
seemed to think that their affairs were
of some Importance, too, much to the
lads disgust; and I am afraid some
shallow observers, who visited Johns
mamma, got the impression that he
was touchy, irritable, selfish boy.
John did not find it easy to get along
with his companions, and when any
disturbance arose, it always seemed to
him that they were wrong and he was
right. Very often, when a knot of lads
from the neighborhood were playing
''Touch the Coal or Galley" little
John got offended, and ran into the
house and up stairs where his mother
sat sewing. and told her with great in
dignation that the boys had abused
him, and he meant never to have any
ting more TO do with them.
These things made little John s mann
ma unhappy; and she often tried to
show him that the trouble lay in him
self, but not with any great success.
He was ike a certain Mrs. Gummidge
you viii perhaps read about some day,
who thought every body was against
her.
Now, one pleasant afternoon in
spring, when flocks of white and purple
pigeons came whirring down through
the sunny air, and settled on the
stones of the quiet street where John
lived, and the bare tree branches seem
ed to be whispering love secrets to the
sky, the little lad, who found it conven-
lent to forget past Sights and offences,
was cut with his neighbors' boys, flying
bran new kite, which his papa had
given him the day before, together
with large reel of excellent kite line.
The wind was fair and the pretty
kite, marked with blue and yellow fig
ures, rose gallantly and strained against
the breeze, and drew the line out so
fast it got twisted In the fence, and
stretched across the walk Higher and
higher it rose, like glad, live thing,
that feels, for the first time, the Joy of
freedom. The boys shouted, and cheer
ed, and clapped their hands; and John
was so excited, to see it growing a mere
speck IN the sky, he did not mind how
his string got twisted, or how itimped-
al tho ootiono of 71accorsI1u
a good many persons lodged under
it, or stepped over it, perhaps with an
impatient word at the interrupture
dressed in a sweeping green silk dress,
and velvet mantle. John knew who
she was, and lived on the block below.
He had often watched her when she
drove out IN her fine carriage, drawn
by a handsome, sleek pair of bays and
perhaps he enyied her a little, and
wished, in his foolish, young, igno-
rant heart, that his father could keep a
carriage. The lady seemed to be in q
desperate hurry, and she tripped against
the kite line with such violence itsnap-
ped III two, and flew out of Johns
hand. OF course, she stumbled, but
instantly recovered herself, and sped
along as If totally unaware that shehad
caused 4 tempest OF grief and anger in
little boys heart John fairly stamp
ed with rage, as he saw his beautiful,
new kite come futtering down out OF
the sky, and lodge in the top of a tree
across the way, in just the most diff
cult place to get at.
She broke my string a-purpose, I
know she did, " cried he; "and then
she hadn't the decency to say she was
sorry for 1t. BIT I'll pay her off, see
If I don't
He dashed down to the corner Of a
busy avenue near by, and felt for his
jack knife as he went along. That old
gentleman who is said to be very much
engaged with other peoples business
was whispering in his ear mean, stupid
plan OF reveng e.
The lady stood Just on the curb
stone, tapping 1T impatiently with her
foot, while a line Of draws and cars
choked the way. II little John could
have seen her careworn, haggard face,
under its rich vail, I do not believe he
would he have stopped down, as he
did and cut an ugly, zig-zag cash in
one OF the breadths Of her silk dress.
All unconscious of what had happen
ed, the lady hurried across the street.
when the first gap occurred, and skunk
away, feeling too guilty, the minute
after the action was done, to allow a po-
hcemans eye to rest upon him
He did not go strait home, but saunt-
cred past, to the other end ofthe block.
where wrinkled old dame kept a pea
nut stand, The boys had gone away
around the square, to see hook and
ladder company start for some fire in
the next ward. There dangled his Door
kite IN the top of the alathus tree He
dId not care how long it hung there
lie would have given fifty kites if he
could have put whole breadth in that
green silk dress.
How could he do such a mean, sneak
ing thing He asked himself the ques-
ton over and over again. It seemed
as though the people in the street must
detect some traces of it in his face.
He thought the peanut woman was
cold to him. They were cronies,, he
and she, and had many pleasant chat
about County Cork, could Ireland"
where she come from. John secretly
regarded County Cork as an earthly
paradise. To-day the old lady was not
inclined to be sociable which is perhaps
accounted for by the fact Of her having
cold in the head.
John found himself wondering half
the Tune when the ladywould saywhen
she discovered that hideous rent in her
green silk dress. 1t was just possible
she might think it had caught on
nan; But no; the cut of knife is cas-
ny detected. Then he fancied what a
piece Of work it would be to repair the
Damage, shlft the trimming, and all,
1of John knew considerable about the
mysteries OF dressmaking and alter
ing. lie had watched his mother and
the sewing girl many time, as thew
ssn1pped into new goods, or made
"ouid cloes look amaist as weelg the
new ~ WIZ