South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-07-21
ABOUT a BALL.
BY ELEANOR KIRK.

very little money to spend in presents for
her children, did Frank prize it above all
things. Frank expected some day when
he was few years older to become pitch
or for some popular nine aud for this be
practiced every chance he could get-seldom
negec,iug his studies, though, for Frank
had other and lofticr ambitions than we
could suppose, judging from the time spent
in practising with his bali. One day, Frank,
while playing with two or three of his com
panions, gave his favorite terribly hard
blow, and sent is whizzing over the tops of
the trees, into the high grass, over the
fence which separated his mothers little
piece of land from that of a surly old bach
elor, who with a cross dog and a retinue of
cross servants inhabited what was called
the Vandyke Homestead.
by George! Frank none you've done
it, yelled Josy Carter.
I'm bowed (why iDW boys make use
of that vulgar expression y 'if that ball
hasn't rolled fat and square under OLD
Earl's very nose
The idea of a ball rolling fiat and square
was too ridiculous, but this is the way bows
talk when they are together, and am go
ing to tell you just as it happened. Squire
Earl, the bachelor was called by his neigh
bors, but the boys always left off the Squire
and substituted the adjective 'old' which
TO their minds was probably the most APP
propriate. Franks mother had been yery
particular in her teachings and had always
impressed upon his mind the value of polite.
ness, and the requirements Of refined soci-
ciety, and although, Frank with tue rest
was sometimes a little slangy, he was new
er guilty of using any profano or vulgar
language, or calling a gentleman by any
other than his proper name. Still he was not
a little vexed and chagrined that the ball
he had taken so much comfort with, and
about which he had built so many bright
anticipations should have como into the
possession of the so-called crossest man in
the county.
Mother will call it carelessncss . he said
to his companions, 'and that's the word for
1t, OF course still, | hadn't the least idea
that the fellow would bounce SO far.
might as we'll give itup suppose because
it is no ways likely that Squire Earl will
let me look for it.
Themselves by the side of high fence,
which separated the Squire's possessions
from his neighbors, and prepared to look
the matter squarely in the face
Il don't believe but what VIC can steal in
aud hunt for it y suggested Josy Carter.
j II tell you what; said Ralph Ellis.
I've hit it Let's kill his old dog ! It's a
nuisance anyhow my father keeps strycb
nine for killing rats; and | can get hold of
enough to put the squeak out of that old
brute of Earls.'
ooh, pshaw = interrupted Frank, chats
no way to do business There's one thing
| never mean TO do if can help it-cut up
any capers that will keep me from looking
a man straight in the face and I'm mighty
sure that if winked at numbering that
poor, innocent brute, | should feel like
skulking every tine l was compelled 10
pass the Squire in the street. No. bows.
no. I'D do most anything that was descent
to get my ball-because | can't have nm
oiher-but nothing mean, boys nothing
mean I'll tell you what Jumping up as
a bright thought struck him.
Il am just going around to Squire Earls
front door, and ring his bell, and ask to be
allowed TO hunt for my ball. IL he won't
let Newly then he'll have moro 10 be n
shamcd of when be meets his God than
shall-that's all, and off he started
The old fool will slam the door in his
lace that's all that will amount to = said
ralph, with curling lip, watching his friend
out of sight
Frank presented himself at the massive
front door and rang tho bell with n willlv
heart. lie knew be was right
and was determined not to back down
until lac had assured himself that the Squire
was deaf and dumb to moral suasion. Five
minutes elapsed before The door swung
back aud there appeared an old colored
man, who, without a word, admitted our
liltlc friend, leading the way through
long ball and parlor, into an out Of the way
niche, where the master Of the house. sur.
rounded 10y books and pictures, sat, evid
emily waiting for somebody. Good morn.
lng, Squire Earl = said Frank, bowling DO
litely aud removing bis has.
u have been very unfortunate in losing
my ball in your garden, and I have called
to see ii you would be kind enough to allow
me to look for it, Il is a splendid great
ball Squire, one that my mother gave me
aud hate so to lose IL = continued the
brave fellow, his face flushing ~ be spoke
Don't you know, sir, inquired the rich
man shaking his long grey beard, that .
am tho crosscst and meanost man ia the
county p
80 have beard 2 replied tho b.ave bov
lnilinchingly. But have never injured you
and ! thought perhaps you might not be
rs cross as folks say
Then you gave me the benefit Of the
Ioubt very kind Of you, my boy; what
business bad you TO throw your ball with