Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-12-22
OLD BLUNDERBUSS.

SurVcyOr-nOW lenSthcned,l DelleV(
into civil engineer. His cmplo.
ment was to me mysterious and dc
lightful. While l and my brother
were cooped up at home, learnin:
our lessons, getting into scrapes,a
being whipped, he rode gaily off t
"the office" in town. How plcasan
it was to be a man. No learning o
lessons, no whippings or tears, 1T
getting INTO scrapes-nothing to d.
but to please ones self; and yet
strangely enough, father often seem
ed to me as pale and careworn ant
weary, as if he had just finished
getting Off fifty verses, and wa
afraid the strap would be his reward
AS l grew older, the desire t.
know more of the great town, lying
so near and yet SO far, became 81
strong that l was ever dining in IN,
fathers ears, why could l not go Z
town as he did? Why could | no
at least 90 with him once or twice
If he would only let me go l woul'
be so good. lwould give him III
trouble of any kind. could rid
behind him on the pony, and woul,
not bother him so much as even t.
see that l sat safely. l would at
tend to all that myself.
Great was the joy when he at las
consented to my wish. Yes, rathe
than be worried by me any longer,
might accompany him to town. An'
us he had given III, the sooner thu
job was over with the better. SO to
morrow, the market day, the one
chief day of all the seven, was to b,
the day in which | was to make my
entry into the world of which | had
dreamed such wondrous dreams.
Though longing so much for thu
great world, | was yet child enough
TO leap upon my fathers knee aud
kiss him with delight at the gloriou,
news. Then | ran off to bed, there
to he awake half the night pic,uring
to myself the wonders should be
hold on the morrow, i'll the other
half dreaming that | was an actor il
the enchanting scenes that mnst ever
be passing before the eyes of ths
dwelers in great cities.
BY eight next morning Mick
O'llara was standing with the pony
at the front door, and father was JUS
about to mount. But long before
that time | had gulped down my
breakfast and was walking impatient
ly up and down the gravel path.
When Mick and the pony appear
ed l glanced at him reproachtully
for what seemed his long delay. Blu,
when ne hoisted me up behind my
father, and | felt we were at las
moving on the long-looked-tor jour
ney, my vcxatlon vanished. and
sang out cheerily:
"Good-bye, old Mick! I'll bring
you something home from town."
/ "Good-bye, an thank ye, Master
Dick, an the Lord SEN you home
agin safe an soun'!"
"Not much fear of that" replie6
my father, as he touched the pony
and we began to canter over The
lawn toward the gate.
II hope not, sir-I hope not, sir,
replied Mick, while he ran alongside
"But these is tlcklish times, sir, an
many daccnt,' 'sponsible gentleman.
been bate about the roads of late
There was Mr.. Purcell last week, an
Mr. Doran the week afore. Aye, Az
last night there was
"Nonscnsc, Nick" laughed my
father, AS he quickened the pony:
pace. ''They'd enemies, but rve none
There isn't man in all Sligo coun
ty would hurt Il HAIR on my head"
And next minute we were out OF
the road, and Mick was turning
slowly up again towards the house
Whether OF not l enjoyed 1.-The towr
after reaching there, | cannot say
My chief feeling was, believe, on.
Of bewilderment. The houses wer,
so high, the streets SO narrow anc
crowded, that | felt chokcd, as il
were. was delighted and full o.
wonder, of course; but when, Just Il
dusk; the pony was brought to the
Office door, | was almost as ready tt
return home as | had been to leave ;
few hours before.
The day had been long one a
the Office, and looking in my father
face | could see that he was not in 8
humor to talk, SO ! scrambled up be
hind him in silence, and we were
about to start, when voice of en-
treaty little behind stayed us.
"IIold hard, sir, sir--hold hard
sir" came the cry. "Here's the in
strument, sir"
Looking back, l saw little MAJ
hurrying along the centre of th'
road towards us, and holding in hi
hand and waving up and down :
something that shone bright in tn
fast departing light.
"Oh, ah, the blunderbuss," sale
my father. 81 had forgotten it.
Thank you, Connolly; you needn'
have followed me with it. coul'
have had it on Monday"
81 promised it fur to-day, sir,
pantingly replied the old man, as h
reached the pony'a side. and held N
the weapon, SAN | always like t.
keep my word. Here it is, sir"
"Thank you, Connolly. Goodbye,
returned my father; "good-bye, boy
all. Get along Dolly"
Next moment we were clatterinE
away down the street that LOOKED
towards home ut & great rate.
When we were well clear Of tEt
town we slackened somewhat, fo
the road had grown dark. Then IN,
father turned to me a little.
"Well, Dick" he said, show hav,
you enjoyed yourself, and how di'
you like the town."
"Oh, papa,lt was lovely" l replic'
as | squeezed his arm; "and YOUR
so good tor letting me come will
you"
"Iovely, was it?" he murmured
with a laugh which was half . sigh
s'rm afraid one day you'll see as lii
tic beauty in it as | do, and be a
tired of it as | am
Then he ralanSed into silenco hu