Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-10-26
A Boys Troubles.

~
Harry was u good little boy, hut no
would get into trouble. Having played
a trick upon some boys, they retaliated
by locking Harry in the cellar, where he
had hid. Harry took things coolly and
knowing that it would be two hours be-
fore he could be released, laid down and
went to sleep. He awoke very much re-
fr9shed, but, very hungry. There was
plenty of food of various kinds in the
cellar on a swinging shelf, but it was too
high for him to reach. So he jumped up
and stood on the edge of soft-soap
barrel. He leaned forward and grasped
an apple-pie. As he was leaning back
he slipped and went souse into the soft
soap up to the neck. Then, in founder
ing around, and trying to get out, he
tipped himself and the solt-soap over
They both came sprawling out sim
ultoneously. In struggling to get up
from the floor, which was very slippery,
Harry stumbled against the now empty
barrel. Exasperated, he drew up his
foot and gave it n smart kick
1t rolled back, and knocked out the
faucet to barrel Of molasses. Now
followed great hood-molasses and soft
soap, in great quantities, mingled to-
gether-enough to float the little City of
Ragusa. But tho best of it, or rather the
worst of it was, that Harry did not know
that the molasscs barrel had been
preached. twas very dark in the cellar,
and even il it had not been, he might
not have discovered the leakage for the
barrel which he 50 unfortunately kicked
lay close up the stream Of molasses which
was running, so that Harry did not then
discover it, and it slid into the soft-soap
so easily that he didn't hear it running.
The fact is, the boys mind was on his
new suit of clothes during all this catas-
trophe. They were completely saturated
with soft-soap. He was afraid they would
be entirely spoiled, or at least the colors
would come ont, if they were not imme.
diately rinsed clean.
1t was impossible to get out of the
cellar, and there wasno water to be had
in it. He had spoiled three suits of
clothes lately, and now, at the fourth
one, he was afraid mothers patience
would give out. What should he do &?
o, what MOmd he do A happy and
original thought struck him. The door
boy showed real genius. He said, 81
will wash them out with ciderw He
stripped naked to the skin, laid his soapy
clothes under the cider-barrel faucet,
and then turned it, When they were
we'll saturated, he took them, q piece at
time in his hands, and rubbed them
back and forth over his knuckles like u
regular washerwoman. Just then the
father and came home.
We were told by some boys whom we
met that Harry was asleep in the cellar.
As soon as we arrived we lighted Ian
tern and went down, and there we found
him, stark Naked standing before bar
rel and washing his clothes ont with
cider, o, he was the most comical and
laughable sight that ] ever beheld His
face was Us black rs a negroes, the burnt
cork not having been washed Off since
the performance, and in contrast his
delicate little body in the gloom looking
as white as marble. The cellar floor was
covered with soft-soap, molasses and
cider, and in these mixed liquids foated
pies, cakes, cookies, apples, pears,
peaches, three loaveS of bread, and two
Jumps OF butter. All this we discovered
in an instant. I was making the whole
house ring with laughter, but my hus.
band had thus far kept on q sober face
thinking, l suppose of the damage. He
looked terribly cross at Harry, and said,
stemIy, "Come here, sir, and tell me
what you made all this mess for You
will catch it, young man, can tell"
Harry was frightened and ran. He
went racing around the cellar, still naked
with his black face, and swinging his
pants in his LETT hand. My husband
caught him by the shoulders. The little
rogue gave 4 dive hcadforemost through
his fathers legs, and they both Went
down into the soap, molasses, and cider
Harry was up in an instant. He made
for the stairs but his father headed
him of, and the little fellow was obliged
to take refuge in the ash-bin. His body
Deln3 wet, the aSneS SUCK TO nm, Which
made him the most ridiculous thing il
e >istence. l was SO nearly killed Will
laughing that I expected to fall dowr
from sheer weakess.
Just now Harry came up and claspct
his arms around my knees. He had JUS
time to say, 80, mother =! mother please
don't let father whip me !" when like al
avalanche, his father bore down upor
us. The floor was so slippery, and hi
had got under such Roadway, that hi
could not stop. The consequence wa
we all went down together into the slip
perry flood The lantern went out, an(
we were left in almost total darkness
Ny husband now began to laugh ;
Joined him; Harry came in on the chorus
We all laughed together for fifteen min
utes. Harry now stood up, and putting
his greasy arms around his father'sneck
said, dear father, did not mean to
indeed | did not p There was silenc,
for n moment and then father answered
"Well, Harry, since you are not alon
in it we will be forgiving and let you OF
this time.