Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-04-04
literature.
HONOR BRIGHT.

hair once" Poor Lou loved curls, and her
own hair was straight as an Indians.
Lets send for her and Bobby Brice, too,
I'd let him beat my drum"
"Oh it's too far; they'd never get here
till it's time to 70 home. I'll tell you" and
Lou leaped high. There's the Irishers
coming to beg apples we'll give 'em to 'em
il they'll stay and play"
Away they ran to meet the newcomers
three boys and two girls, all tattered and torn,
with bare feet and ragged sun-bonnets. Flor
enz shouted
Hello we'll give 'em to you Grand.
mother won't care. I'll gil your pockets"
YES" said Lou, A." I'll show you a tree
where they're mellowest. Elorenz and are
going to play, and you may play with us, if
you like" said she patronizinglY.
Micky," and Jauey pulled flying rag
from her brothers arm, she says We kin
stay and play
a." Sure. an we will. An what will it be2"
Soldiers and III be captain" said Lou
promptly. " And, Florenz, you can be the
little fellow with a plume, and beat the
drum"
"Yes, yes - chimed the other girls, as
boots.
Ava, they all flew to the corn.6eld for
muskets, where they armed themselves with
the smooth. shining stalks The lrishers were
very Submissive to Lou and Florenz, who,
having made themselves cantaiu aud drum
major, doca AIRED Mick first lieutenant. Lou
placed her company into line, and then gave
them her orders.
I" Now you have to mind every single bless
ed word the captain says. I'm him If you
don't, I'll pat you in the guard-hOuse, down
the cellar"
The company looked as if they thought
that would h, great fun.
And when say Single file, you must
get in string, and when Isay Mark time
you mus 10 this way
The ,y,'oS boots started off at such a rate
that the Dirt few in the company's face and
piece had to be disodged from private ia
ney's nose before the drill could proceed.
All the While, Florenz was practicing very
timeles, march.
Florruz, do quit until I'm through. Now,
wherever 20 you must follow, or you'll go
in the guard-house. All ready Mark time
Left lettm
away hey went, doing beautifully Flor
enz didn't keep very good time but then the
COMPANY weren't particular. Lou waved her
sword with great flourish.
"Filc this WAVELET, left Molie, keep
off Janey heels Follow me. HeIe, goosey
around the chicken-coop. Halt! Florenz
didn't You hear me? Halt Stop beating that
drum. Now, soldiers, we are going to meet
the enemy. There he is back Of the stable
door. Every man that runs away shall be
called coward, aud, expect, have his ears
bored with needle. Now, ready. Mark
time Left, left !" And with determined
air they started for the foe.
Now, the enemy were quietly sleeping be-
hind the stable .doors-four great hogs and
six little pigs, sleeping and grunting in their
bed of mud
Meanwhile the soldiers stealthily advanced
When within convenient distance, the cap
tain drew her sword, gave deafening yell,
and dariAl toward the enemy. The hogs, thus
rudely awakened with much splashing and
grunting scrambled from the mire, while the
mother Of the pigs showed fight, and started
for the troops, who, at this turn of affairs,
most cowardly ran, leaving the captain stuck
fast in the mud.
Help, help Somebody come quick
Florenz Mick Oh it's coming right at me
Help Murder I'll be killed Oh, oh, oh
oh !" her voice at each scream growing loud
er and louder, aud her pretty yellow boots
sunken to their tops
An what's this noise about An who
is it that's kilt intirely? Och the pigs an
Miss Lou wagin a war" And Dennis ap
peared through the barn door.
80 Dennis drive it away sobbed Lou
He carried her to dry land, aud drove th'
hogs away, who were now looking calmly on
as victors they could afford to do.
It's the Irishers' fault they ran anC
left me, and that Florenz too"
Now, Miss Lou, you'd have run your
self, you know you would, If you hadn't stucI
fast"
ANT you ashamed to laugh at me II
drive you right off my grandmother's place.
What fiery thing it Isl Come now, you
shoes are cleaned. Js play on like lady
urged Dennis.
90 Lou don't spoil all the fun" sal
Florenz Let Mick be captain he's in hi
bare feet, and can find out all the mudd
places first
Lou didn't like to lose her fun either, $
she dried her eyes, and resigned her commits
sion. The company then formed into line, an
all went merry as marriage bell Auu
Bess smiled at them through the window
aud the chickens flew under the bushes q
the army approached and set up terribl
cacking. Pretty soon Lou forgot she wa
no longer captain, and when Mick ordere
them around the weIl-pump, Lou insisted q
going to the summer-hOuse, but Mick WI
bent on being obeyed.
Pm not going that way either; | wal
to 90 to the summer.house," persisted Lot
"The first lieutenant isn't anybody whe
the captains here. Aud | tell you to marc
round the well.pump. Soldiers, file round II
well-pump,"
8" | shan't play, then. I'm going to ii
summer-house."
You shall" said Mick or I'll put yC
IN the guardhouse.
You daren't. Don't you come near me
screamed Lou.
Private Jane aud Teddy, carry her
the guard-house. Fun captain, and you'll |
the way | say Miss
Jane and Teddy few at Lou, who kick
and struggled but Mick helped, and the
bore her to the cellar door.
Let me go let me go Florenz he
me-"
Little Mollie, frightened at the hubbu
lifted up her voice, and there was a genor
howl. Mick's face grew stern such nsu
ordination must be queled only he didn
think it that way Foronz had by this tin
become as troublesome as Lou
Floreuz and Lou became thoroughly frigf
ened, and screamed fearfully, beating on d
door. Teddy found his ear bleeding Jan
Il 4 q H. r.nnrl.t Lill..I n,