Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-05-07

The former gentleman was given to
wearing stand-up collar, surrounded by
very stiff and clerical-looking white
neck which Charlie OBJ
served, and he proceeded in the absence
of Mr.. Archer to obtain possession of
large and remarkably tall Cochin China
rooster that belonged to Mrs Green-one
of that cheerful species of birds with
voice like fog whistle and spurs like
marlin-spikes, which make the small
hours of the morning hideous with I'M
seasonable Growing.
Several attempts had been made by Mrs
Green's dodgers to dispose of this remark
able bird, by poison and other foul means,
but owing to a constitution naturally
strong, and digestion unimpaired by
tritles, it had become mooted question
among the enemies of this rooster as to
whether anything short of can of nitro
glycerine would have any effect upon his
stomach.
At the expense Of pair of scratched
hands Charlie had succeeded in captur-
ing the unhappy bird, which he immedi-
ately proceeded to invest with huge
paper collar and tie, after which he
turned him loose in the street, where I'M
feeling and heartless people declared that
he resembled Bob Archer to marvellous
degree.
When that gentleman returned from a
downtown walk his eyes were greeted
with this singular apparition stalking
majestically up and down the pavement,
to the great admiration and interest of
large crowd of youths, who were by no
means sparing in their remarks concerning
the resemblance between the feathered
biped and Mr.. A.
Afterward, when the latter gentleman
had discovered that Charlie was the
author of this graceless trick, he had in
the first flush of his wrath threatened the
boy with a Gaming. And Charlie, regret
exceedingly to state, had Immediately as
sumed a pugilistic attitude, and revolving
his fists rapidly Che measured full five
feet three, after the supposed manner of
the late John G. Heenan, he had assumed
that he should like to see him (Mr Archer)
try it on" and had then muttered some
thing in reference to putting head" on
some person or persons not specified.
1t is needless for me at this point to at
tempt to inculcate moral lesson. Every
well-regulated boy who may read this
story will readily see that Charley's act
was very wrong.
1t was all bad enough; but, as if not
satisfied this sad boy stole stuffed
monkey from the case in DR.. Adams
study and fastened pair of large green
goggles astride its nose, and, encircling
its neck with a strip of red flannel, he in
closed the same in a handbook, and writ
ing on the cover of the box, "With the
compliments of Robert Archer, Esq.,"
he dispatched it, per small boy, to the
residence of Miss Rebecca Fletcher, who
was single young lady of eight-and-
thirty seasons, popularity supposed to
cherish an unrequited affection for Mr.
Archer.
Miss Fletcher fell into the most rigid
Mysteries upon the receipt of this cheerful
present Il do not wonder at it, and the
paternal Fletcher, who was a Cnoieric
old gentleman, hastily loaded his double
barreed gun with the avowed determine
ton of seeking Mr.. Archer's life. But
fortunately Charities share in the matter
was discovered in time to save Mr.. Archer
from the wrath of the aged party referred
to, and Charlie was threatened with
trOuncing number two, which, on the
whole, | am rather sorry he did not get;
for it is a sad thing to send dead mon
key with spectacles on and a red rag
round its neck as present to lady.
One evening Mr.. and Mrs. Barton were
invited to take tea at a neighbours, and as
the servant was tripping her light tantas-
tic toes at dance down town it became
necessary to leave the youth in question
IN charge OF the baby. 1t was with the
greatest reluctance that Mrs. B., after
numberless embraces of the infant and in
structiOns to Charlie (who was absorbed in
the peruSal of one of Oliver Optics most
incredible stories) as to the location OF
bottle with a gum muZZle containing the
necessary nOurlshment, left the hope OF
the Barton family, and when fairly under
way she ran back for the purpose OF one
last smothering embrace Of the "tiddy
little sing whatever that may signify,
But hardly had the door finally closed
upon Mrs. Barton than her Juvenile
brother laid down his book, and after
executing a species of triumphant war
dance, at the same time whistling softly
the bars of popular melody, he surveyed
the sleeping infant with triumphant air
| and muttered, Reckon old Archer III be
! little s'priseG when he comes to see
what he's got for present." after which
mysterious words he took a market
basket from the closet, and, placing the
child with an infinitude of wraps therein,
| departed from the room.
Mr.. Archer was Illuminating alone by
the sittlng-room fire, with his feet elevated
somewhat above tie level Of his head, the
family of Greens having gone out to
spend the evening, when a sharp ring at
the door-bell brought him to his normal
position, and selling the lamp he opened
the front door and beheld a market
basket.
THAT butchers boy must be in a
hurry remarked Archer, as, shutting The
door, he sat the basket down with a crash
| l., - IL i, Il ito hnrr0r and dismAN