The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1871-10-27
A Boys Troubles.

Dear Cora 90 the dark saa-brine.
A Boys Troubles.
Harry Was good little boy, hut he
would get into trouble Having played
a trick upon some boys, they retaliated
by locking Harry in the cellar, whore he
had hid. Harry took things coolly aud
knowing that il would be two hours be-
fore he could be released, laid down and
went 10 sleep. He awoke very much re-
freshed, but. very hungry. There was
plenty of food 0f various kinds in the
cellar on a swinging shelf, but il was too
high for him 10 reach. SO be- jumped mp
and stood on the edge Of n s0ft-s0ap
barrel. lie leaned forward and grasped
an apple-pie. As he WAS leaning back
he slipped and went souSe into the soft
soap np To the neck. Then, ia founder
ing around, and trying 10 get ont. he
tipped himself and the soft-soap over
They both came spnwling out SIM
ultaneously. In struggling 10 get up
from the door, which Vas very slippery,
Harry stumbled against the now empty
barrel. ExRspented, he drew up his
foot aud gave Il \ smart kick.
IL rolled back, and knocked ont the
faucet 10 a barrel Of molasses. Now
followed great fiood-molasses and soft
soap, in great quantities, mingled to-
getheF-enough 10 float the little City of
Ragusa But the best Of il, or rather the
worst Of il was. that Harry did not know
that the molasses barrel had been
preached. Ii was very dark in the cellar,
and even il il had not been, he might
not have discovered the leakage for the
barrel which he 80 unfortunately kicked
lay close mp the stream II molnSses which
was running. 80 that Harry dad not then
discover Il, and il slid into the soft-soap
10 easily that he didn't hear il running.
The fact is, the boys mind was on his
new suit Of clothes during all this oatas-
trophe. They were completely saturated
with soft-soGp. He was afraid they would
be entirely spoiled, or ~ least the oolors
would come out, If they were not imme-
diately rinsed clean.
II was impossible 10 get out Of the
cellar, and there Was no water tn be had
in IT, He had spoiled three SUITE Of
clothes lately, and now, at the fourth
one, he Was afraid mothers patience
would give out What should he do ?
o, what should he do A happy and
original thought struck him The door
boy showed real genius. He said, "
will wash them out with cider !" He
stripped naked 20 ihe skin, laid his soapy
clothes under the cider-harrcl faucet,
and then turned IT, When they were
well saturated. lac took them. a piece at
time in his hands, aud rubbed them
back and forth over his knucklcs like n
regular wRsherwoman. 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 har-
rel and washing his clothes out with
cider o, he was the most comicAl and
laughable sight that ever beheld ! His
face was a. black W. a negroes, the burnt
cork not having been washed of since
the performance. and la 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 floated
pies, cakes, cookies, apples, pears.
peaches, three loayeS 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 a sober face
thinking. / suppose of the damage. He
looked terribly cross at Harry, and said,
sternly, "COme here. sir, and tell me
what you made all this mess for: You
will catch il. young man, L can tell.
Harry was frightened aud ran. He
went racing around the cellar, still naked
with his black face, aud swinging his
pants in his left hand NY husband
caught him by the shoulders. The little
rogue gave dive headforemost through
his fathers legs, aud they both went
down into the soap, molasseS. and cider.
Harry was mp 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
being wet, the ashes stuck to him, which
made him the most ridiculous thing IN
existence. / WIS so nearly killed with
laughing that expected 10 fall down
from sheer weakess.
just now Harry came up and clasped
his arms around my knees. He had just
time 10 say, 30. mother mother please
don't let father whip me !" when like an
avalanche. his father bore down upon
us. The floor was SO slippery, and he
had got under such headway, that he
could not stop. The consequence was
we all went down together into the slip
perry food. The lantern went out, and
we were left in almost total darkness.
Ny husband now began 10 laugh
Joined him; Harry came in on the chorus.
We all laughed together for fifteen min
utes. Harry now stood mp, and putting
his greasy arms around his father'sneck,
said, Dear father, did not mean TO
indeed / did not r. There was silence
for moment and then father answered,
"Well, Harry, since you are not alone
in il we will be forgiving and let you of
this time"