Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-02-24
A BOYS Troubles.

Harry was good little boy. but he would
get into trouble. Having played trick upon
some boys, they rctaliatet by locking Harry
in the cellar, where h: hal hid. Harry took
things coolly aud knowing that il would he
two hours before lie could be released, laid
down and went to sleep. He awolsc very much
refreshed, but, very hungry. There was plen-
ty of food of yarions kinds in the cellar on
swinging shell, but it was two high for himto
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 lean
ing back he slipped and went soose into the
soft soap up to the neck. Then, in founder
ing around, and trying to get out, he tipped
himself and the soft SOAP over.
They both came sprawling out simultaneous
ly. In struggling to get up from the floor,
which was very slippery, Harry stumbled
against the now empty barrel. Exasperated,
he drew up bis foot and gave it smart kick.
1t rolled back. and knocked out the faucet
to barrel of moasses. Now followed great
flocd-molasses and soft soap, in great guam
titles, mingled together-enough to float tho
little City Of Ragusa. But the best OF it, or ra-
ther the worst oft was, that Harry did not
know that the molassas barrel had bee0 broach-
ed. 1t was very dark in the cellar, ard even
II Il had not been he might not have discover
ed the leakage for the barrel which he 50 un-
fortunately kicked, lay close up the stream Of
mola,ses which was running, so that Harry
did not then discover il, and it slid into the
soft soap so easily that he didn't hear it run
ming. The fact is the boys mind wa, on his
new suit Of clothes during all this catastrophe.
They were completely saturated with soft
soap. He was afraid they would be entirely
spoiled. or at least the colors would come out,
if they were not Immediately rinsed clean.
1t was impossible to get ont Of the cellar,
and there was no water to be bad in t. Hc
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 should he do A happy and original
thought struck him. The dear boy showed
real genius. He said, " / will wash them out
with ciderP lie stripped naked to the skin,
laid bis soapy clothes under the cider-barrsl
faucet and then turned it, When they were
well saturated, he took them, piece at timo
in his hands, and rubbed them back and forth
over his knucklcs like regular washerwoman.
Just then his father and came homo
We were told by some boys whom we met
that Harry was asleep in the cellar AS soon
as we arrived we lighted lantern and went
down, and there we found him, stark naked,
standing before barrel and washing his clothes
ont with cider. O, he was the most comical and
laughable sight that lever behed His face was
AS black as negroes, the burnt cork not having
been washed or since the performance, and in
Contrast hi deliclt,l b)ly ir the g oom look
lug as white as marble. The cellar floor was
covered with soft-soap, molasses and cider, and
in these mixed liquids foated pies, cakes, cook-
les, apples, pears, peaches, three loaves Of bread
and two Jumps Of butter. All this we dscov-
cred in an instant. was making the whole
house ring with laughter, but my husband
had thus far kept on a soler face, thinking
suppose Of the damage lie 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, can tell
you,
Harry was frightened and ran lie went
racing around the cellar, still naked with his
black face and swinging bis pants in his left
hand. Ny husband caught him by the shonl-
der. The little rogue gave dive headforemos.
through bis fathers legs, and they both went
down into the soap, molasscs, and cider. Har-
ry was up in an instant. lie made for the
stairs; but his father healed him or aud the
little fellow was obliged to take refuge in the
ash-bin. His body being wet, the ashes stuck
TO him, which ade himiLe most ridiculous
thing in existence. Was SO nearly killed with
laughing that expected TO fall down from
sheer weakness.
Just now Harry came up and casped lis
arms around my knees. lie had just time 10
say, 90, mother mother please don't let
father whip me?' when like an avalanche, bis
father bore down upon US. The floor was so
slippery, and he bad got Under such headway,
that he could not stop. The consequence was
we all went down together into the slippery
ll' ot. The lantern went ont, and we were LEFT
in almost total darkness. Ny husband now,
began TO laugh; ioned him Harry eamo
in on the chorus We all laughed together for
fiiten minutes. Harry now stood mp and put
tin his greasy arms around his fathers neck
said, Dear father. did not mean to; indeed
did not y There was silence for moment
and then father answered. Well, Harry, since
you are not alone in it we will be forgiying and
let you off this time
Terrible Fight Between Boys.