The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1876-12-19
A YOUNG FIEND.
ny zErHYR HURRICANE.


ing on q cross-street--a street muc
trodden by pedestrians. He kept
boy, OF course, to run errands, eng
neer the shutters, aud on odd occ,
sions 10 watch the shop. And such
observation-disclosures enough to be fir
cousin to the very god of mischief.
One day business called the old ger
tleman up town, and the boy was lei
in full charge.
No customers appeared, the boy bs
came dull, aud looked around for som
mischief. At first, he thought of al
ranging q wire under the old electri
clans chair, and giving him q sligh
charge when he returned but thi
would cost him his place, so the ide
was abandoned. He thought OF eve
SO many plans to kill time, and .finall
hit upon a method that perfectly en-
chanted him for the moment.
Lugging an electric machine fron
the back OF the shop to the street door
he placed Non a chair, detached tn
conducting cord from the battery, raj
IT through q gaping crack under tn
door, placed the tin handle on th
Pevonent, connected 10 with the bat
terry, and waited for victim.
Soon an innocent looking country
man came along. noticed the tin, an.
picked it up. He eyed it furtively 70
q moment, the boy put on full steam
and the countryman began to squirm
.D-n this thing 1t is getting hot
-Whc op."
And the innocent chap bounced
around on the pavement, screamed
squirmsd, and tried 10 drop the han
die.
Some way the thing wouldn't drop
and the boy twisted harder than ever
and laughed at the capers Of til,
countryman.
In little while the young fend GO
laughing so desperately that he had tc
put both hands on his heart to keep il
from exploding. and the countryman
escaped.
Casting one furtive look from long
face at the tin handle, as it fell rattlinp
TO the pavement, he gave il kick and
departed, and it is doubtful il he would
pick up purse now il it were stuffed
with bank notes.
The boy recovered his equilibrium
in the course OF time, and looked out
for another victim.
Said victim soon appeared in the
person Of a woman who was q vender
OF peanuts. Now il chanced that this
same woman had that same morning
lost her measure on this same street,
and was considerably put out about it.
Indeed, il was a serious loss to her, as
sales we're small, and money scarce.
Looking to the pavement she saw
the measure-or what she thought il
was-and pounced on her treasure, and
hugging it fondly in her hand, blessed
her stars.
Then she began to twich and s1uirm.
"Why, what's got into the thing
It's hot Oh Oh Oh 70
She made spring upwards and fell,
and both she and her peanuts were
scattered all over the pavement.
A policeman witnessed the misfor-
tune and appeared on the scene.
The tiend OF boy discreetly ceased
operations; and while the officer was
interviewing the wretched woman be
slyly drew the handle toward the door
Now. how many more times must
arrest you for drunkenness, my wom-
an? Pick yourself up and come with
me-"
"Ob, sir; you mistakel / am no,
=" You never drink - IN SURPRISE
"why you are rs drunk as a hummer
now. Comet stir yourselfl I !uave nc
time to waste"
Aud after gathering her little stock
the poor woman was led away to the
cells, vehemently protesting her in.
nocence.
Oh, that wicked boy.
But he didn't care. No, indeed. BE
was rather glad the woman had been
arrested. for the officer would be off OF
his beat for some time; aud he could
have a perfect feast of merriment.
His third victim was rosy-lookinl
Quaker gentleman-an old gentleman
with smiling mouth and twinkling eyes
and certainly the last person in the uni
verse one would play n joke on.
He looked at the tin, closely first
then yentured to pick it mp.
The boy twisted his machine.
Verify, thee is hotl"
The old gentleman began to twitch
spasmodically and tried to drop it.
The boy turned harder than ever.
The old gentleman began to dance
Harder still the boy turned, and fast
er danced the old Quaker.
The novel sight OF a dancing Quake
attracted the attention of pedestrians
and soon crowd gathered about hun
"Yea, verify. it burneth."
"a madmani n madmani ran dowI
the street.-the echo was taken up, d
far away policeman jumped on to a car
came on the scene demanding the caus,
of the disturbance, aud still the Qua
ker danced.
And the boy turned his machine anC
roared.
The crowd was so dense that th,
cord was completely concealed. anC
nothing could be seen bat twitching
Jerking, squirming old gentleman, IL
Quaker garb, holding a tin in his hanC
and dancing like n madmap.
Verify, it was amusing TO the boy
He had never had such fun since b.
was born, aud he kept turning away.
The dancing Quaker was twitchini
and squirming around frightfully, aut
10 the officer and the crowd it was
clear case of madness.
He was arrested and borne OF, thu
crowd slowly dispersed, and the bo
rolled on the floor, aud laughed, an,
laughed, and laughed.
II was fully half an hour before tn
young fiend could get into play again
be was SO boisterous but finely h'
went 10 the door, arranged the handle
temptingly near the middle OF the side
walk. and closing the door, watches
for more sport.
A fat sailor in blue, q little elevate,
with rum, was the unlucky dog. II
picked it mp, placed it in his side-pocl
ct, and keeping his hand on il, prepal
ed To roll down the streat.
Quick as thought the boy sent th
current into the sailors hand, and h
began TO dance. :,
"Hol hicl a storml heave TO my lsd'
Hic- -hicl" -.
"Rolling seas, isl rolling seas, is! hiC
yhoopl what's ze matter with me
whoopi hicl rolling seas, hici"
He danced more furiously than th
Quaker, holding one Of his hands II
his pocket and hourishing the othe
about his head.
The scene was 30 ridiculous that th
onlookers began 10 laugh, and the sal
or ierked out terrible oaths at them fc
daring 10 laugh at his misery.
A policeman had his arm on the sal
or's shoulder, when the boy ceased
pump the electric fluid into his victim
and the great fat hand came out OF h
pocket, the handle ratified TO the paw
ment, and the sailor was led away.
The crowd stood in wonder, when q
old gentleman picked up the handl
| looLod closelv nj IL and began 10 dane