The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1874-08-06
OUR BOY PETE'S BREADTH ES-
CAPE.
BY CENT SABLE, NJ. d.

VOn oVU {
CAPE.
BY CENT SABLE, NJ. ID.
SOME ten or twelve years ago, perhaps
fifteen, there might have been seen, on a
Fourth of July morning, certain young
doctor vending his hopeful way to his
downtown office. 1t was unusually early
for him, or for any other doctor, to be
moving ofiiceward He carried in his
hand small basket containing his din
ner; this, too, was an unusual practice
for him. Under his arm was a package
of old clothes, bandages, etc, which his
good landlady had furnished him.
His walk was an enthusiastic walk,
and his face wore pleased, hopeful ex-
preston This was his first Fourth of
July in practice He wore no vest and
he had on a clean shirt "This," said he
to himself, is to be royal professional
field day.
lie thought wrong; it was not a pro-
fessional field day, nor has any Fourth
of July, from that day to this, been to
him red-letter day in his practice. Now
adays he watches the younger children,
carries the baby, helps cook the dinner,
yawns, tries to sleep, and generally loafs
about home upon each anniversary of
that glorious day.
Ii is a great mistake to suppose that
many accidents happen on the Fourth of
I,l, nd oc,>ac;.,llx, acrsAanfc IN ehi1.
dren A sad fact professionally speak
| ing-a sad fact.
Like an unblessed spirit, our boy Peter
had roamed about town during the night
of the 3D., bound that his enthusiasm
should not be caught mapping. His
brother Philander and the one we call
Gopher had received permission to arise
at three o'clock on the morning of the
Fourth; strings were duly tied around
each of.thcir great toes, and the strings
hung out of the window, so that Pete
would not have any trouble in awaken
ing them Who cut these strings is yet
an unraveled mystery.
"How providential'' said Mariah,
"that the boy was not dashed to pieces" "
when, in answer to her question, told
her that found Gopher asleep on the
she'd where he went to have a fine view
of the rockets ON the night of the
Fourth.
"Oh, no." replied; che was asleep in
that box the boys constructed out of
spikes and two-inch plank last fall for
the purpose of drying hazelnuts in.
Philander we found asleep in the grass
while Mariah stumbled over Pete while
on her way to her room to receive the
sad remains of Pete when brought home
a drowned corpse or blown-up boy. 1t
was to her an agreeable surprise to find
him asleep at the head of the back
stairs.
While carrying his remains to bed ]
found he was unusually ballasted In
his left pocket l found a toy cannon, a
fire cracker pistol, sling-shot two ex.
ploded rockets, parcel of damaged fire.
crackers, two cartridge cases, two knives
lot of keys, candy and peanuts-this
mass of stuff was stuck together with
tar for chewing purposes. Theleft pock.
ct was gone-burned out.
Mariah's face turned ashy pale when
she discovered this fact
"It is miracle that saved his life
suppose" continued she, "he had bot
tie of powder in that pocket?"
"Or ro-glycerine, or a thirty pound
SHELF" said /.
Marian arises on the morning of the
5th badly shaken up. She tumbles all
the night Of the Sd, eats nothing on the
4th and gives thanks all the night of the
4th. Wonderful miracles are wrought
for her benefit, she thinks.
| The miracles wrought for the salvation
of boys are mostly wrought by them
selves. 1t is remarkable how they man
age to bungle themselves out of tigh
place. Boys are called fearless of dan
ger, careless, thoughtless and ignoran,
withal Many believe that boys just
banker for mutilation and death, anG
offer premiums for accidents. This il
all mistake. Boys are naturally very
timid, very cautious, and not so venture
some as is supposed, and not fools by
any manner of means. A boy will run
out in the street and stand as if he
would be run over. But notice, before
he stands, he will catch the drivers eye
and he fears no danger. He climbs 8
roof, tree, or he walks rafter, but il
you notice, he does what an adult will
rarely do, he removes his shoes and
stockings and seldom places himself in
real danger of his life. He takes his
chances on slight injury or q fall the
same as we all do. In the winter boys
are usually timid, and where one is
drowned it is rarely from his own fault
or venturesomeness. 1t is more often
the result of unforeseen contingencies.
They throw big stones at each other,
but they take care that the stones will
fall short Of the mark. They jump on
wagons, but always from behind. In
coasting the accident is not often the
fault Of the lad or the sled. 1t is oftener
the fault of the needless driver Of Ia team
When q runaway comes q boy never tries
to stop the team-no, he breaks for shel.
ter. Boys rarely take risks at fires, and
q boy run over by an engine is almost
unheard Of. They are often injured BY
street cars, but always in the line o
I duty, ~ . rule. 1t is the newsboys gen
orally who are injured. They must TAX
their chances the same as brakemen dc
! Yet it is fact that many boys are in